Austinist: ACL - You Took Our Breath Away

edward

Sun, 02 Oct 2005 00:59:52 -0600

There are over three hundred bands each in these two major fall festivals. Guess they didn't get the memo that they are supposed to be holed up in the studio. NEMO 2005M.E.A.N.Y. Fest 2005

odam

Thu, 29 Sep 2005 10:51:40 -0600

vin-di-ca-tion

am

Thu, 29 Sep 2005 10:30:13 -0600

My bandmate John is also in Thievery Corp, this was there last stop of a summer long, worldwide tour. That is the case for most bands. Tour all summer, write and record all winter.

A

Wed, 28 Sep 2005 18:38:50 -0600

I just got an email from ACL inviting me to "relive" the weekend. Jesus - I barely survived it the first time. No thanks.

Ray

Wed, 28 Sep 2005 18:26:15 -0600

No music is worth feeling like a coal miner for a week. Today is the first day I feel like I can breath reasonably normally, and I'm still not at 100%. There were plenty of single day tickets for sale from scalpers the day of of the show. I think that's the way I'm gonna go next year, only if there is some must-see band, and only if they either move it to October or announce ahead of time that they've done something about the dust. Seeing Roky made it worthwhile, but the crowds made most of the rest of it seem like watching it on TV. A TV in Iraq. In a dust storm.

odam

Wed, 28 Sep 2005 17:39:00 -0600

texas=always about football. guess it always does. sad.

edward

Wed, 28 Sep 2005 17:06:17 -0600

There's a fall festival circuit too, so I'd be surprised if the fact that it's the end of summer is really much of a factor in scheduling. In fact, I'd bet most of the bands would probably rather play in non broiling conditions. All in all, it all comes down to football.

k8

Wed, 28 Sep 2005 16:11:19 -0600

I also did not realize ACL required Burning Man style preparedness. Otherwise I would have had my goggles and mask on hand. And maybe some el wire and more hula hoops... Love from an admirer who has gone through two boxes of tissues this week already! xoxox

odam

Wed, 28 Sep 2005 16:02:30 -0600

they don't want to conflict with UT football, and the end of september, and thus the end of summer, is the end of the festival circuit. therefore, bands are either on hiatus, in the studio or otherwise obligated during october. festivals happen in the summer, not the fall. it just so happens we don't have a fall. ami, were you the hottie festooned in yellow wristbands with brown sludge oozing from your nose and eyes? burly grrr....

sam

Wed, 28 Sep 2005 15:50:09 -0600

They absolutely need to move this event to October, but that will likely conflict with UT football. I can't see many attendees this year wanting to return in September of next year - certainly not this one.

edward

Wed, 28 Sep 2005 15:35:35 -0600

I heard they are thinking about watering down the grounds some before next year's fest to control the dust. Even if they over do it and it turns in to a mud pit still beats black lung.On the other hand, since ACL always sells out, they don't have any real incentive to do anything to serve attendees better that doesn't also directly improve ACL's bottom line. Why do you think they haven't moved it to a less hellish time of the year?

A

Wed, 28 Sep 2005 15:32:47 -0600

That's fucked up. I still feel like shit. Be honest g-r-e-e-k - you were paid by Acuvue 2 to say that, weren't you?

g-r-e-e-k

Wed, 28 Sep 2005 15:29:35 -0600

On a positive note, the dust and haze created an uplifting visual experience for concertgoers. The pink, green, and blue hues streamed through the dust to miraculous effect. Somehow the atmosphere, ambience, aesthetics -- something! -- actually helped me get over a cough that had been bugging me for two weeks. Also, in spite of the floating dust, my contacts (Acuvue 2) never once complained, itched, dried-up, popped-out or otherwise bungled the experience of ACLFest. Thank you. --Now if only those water fountain lines were shorter.