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ACL Fest: Ask the promoters
Why isn’t there more rap at ACL Fest? Why do they hold the thing in the September heat and not a month later, when temps drop? Who’s the genius that booked Arcade Fire and the White Stripes at the same time Saturday night? And what’s being done this year about the dreaded chair people who make maneuvering around Zilker as easy as a boot camp obstacle course?
These are the FSQ, the frequently screamed questions, concerning ACL Fest and now you have a chance to get answers from the top dogs at C3 Presents. Post your questions in the comments below and we’ll pass selected questions along to the three Charlies, then publish the replies, right here on Austin 360.
(Note: Replies will be posted one a week. Not every question will be answered.)
07.25.07
D asks: A multistage event requires some liquidity in the crowds in order that people can freely circulate between the different stages. The chair folks just camp out at one stage all day and really gum up the works. The crowds become fixed and your only option — if you care to see a little of what is happening on stage — is to camp out at one stage, missing a lot of bands at other stages in the process. What is the policy this year towards “the chair people”?
Charles Attal answers: This is a situation where both sides, the “chair people” and the “non-chair people” feel very passionate about their rights and position on the subject. After allowing chairs at the festival for the past five years, it’s simply not possible to start to prohibit them. We are, however, making renewed efforts to clearly identify “no chair” zones and hope that festival goers will be respectful of those zones.
Michael Corcoran weighs in on the “chair people” controversy: “Ban all chairs!” some ACL festgoers have declared and I can see their point. When I drove all the way to New Orleans a couple years ago to see Iggy Pop and the Stooges at the Voodoo Music Fest, I went to the stage where they would be performing and it was packed for some horrid alt-rock band. But when the set was over, most of the crowd left to hear some other horrid alt-rock band on another stage and I was able to get up there within 20 yards of the Ig. Fans were not allowed to bring chairs to the Voodoo Fest so the crowd moved around a lot more.
If the Stooges set were at ACL Fest, I wouldn’t have been able to get within 200 yards of the group, as much of the prime viewing area would’ve been taken up by chairs, many of them empty space-holders, as their owners went off to see other groups.
But organizers can’t ban chairs; not after they’ve allowed them for five years. The chairs make the fest much more comfortable and enjoyable for many fans. ACL Fest was originally modeled after Jazz Fest in New Orleans, which has somehow managed to allow chairs without much controversy. The Jazz Fest crowd is older than ACL, which keeps getting younger every year. It’s the older fans, generally, who bring their umbrella chairs.
My solution is to building shade awnings around the periphery of the field. We’ve seen chair people set up under trees far away from any stage, just to get out of the sun. Build the shade and the chair people will come, thus freeing up prime “rock out” real estate.
Then, make the chair friendly areas in front of the stages start 50 feet from the stage, with clearly-drawn boundaries and big signs. It’s hard for fans to police themselves when no one is sure who’s in the right.
07.19.07
Will asked: Hate to sound redundant - but why aren’t there any hip-hop acts at all? Texas has so so so SO much local talent: take your pick from Houston, Dallas, Port Arthur, San An, even Austin! What about Outkast? Scarface? UGK? Man, this is an entire segment of ticket sales missing! You guys really dropped the ball on this one. I’m still going though.
Charles Attal answered: We do strive for diversity at ACL, and we have had similar acts in the past (The Roots, for example) and we will continue to look for talent including hip-hop acts for the future. However, not all the bands we go after do we get, including hip-hop acts. For reasons out of our control - album release schedules, touring schedules, recording schedules, bands deciding to take some time off, etc. - they’re just not available to play ACL at that time.
07.11.07
This week’s question: If I purchase two three-day wristbands, I should be able to invite a different person to use the extra band each day … depending on who can go when. Last year the gate Nazis were cutting off loose bands and reattaching new ones too tight to be able to share the next day. For the price of these bands, come on!
Charles Attal of C3 Presents answers: By purchasing early and committing to three days of the festival, we are rewarding the patron fan with a cheaper price to attend all three days. The three-day pass is offered as a benefit or “perk” to that individual and not intended to be used by different festivalgoers on different days individually. The logistics involved with “sharing” wristbands increase the possibility of counterfeiting and fraudulent use. The trading of wristbands creates another avenue for scalpers and counterfeiters to cheat the ticketing system, which ultimately drives up the cost of the tickets to the festivalgoers themselves. (Editor’s note: All three-day passes, which cost $120 to $145, are sold out. Single-day tickets for Friday and Sunday are available for $80 at aclfest.com.)
07.03.07
Alicia asks: I realize that some scheduling conflicts will occur, but how did the White Stripes and Arcade Fire get scheduled at the same time at opposite ends of the park? That’s such a huge disappointment.
Charles Attal of C3 Presents answers: With more than 120 artists performing in just three days on a limited number of stages, it’s unavoidable that there’s going to be some overlap of the more popular artists. We have to accommodate the artists’ tour schedules and what day they’re available to play the festival, which puts even more restraints on our grid scheduling. With that being said, both the White Stripes and Arcade Fire have achieved legitimate headliner status and deserve to be the two acts that close out the night. Unlike other festivals, we’re fortunate with ACL (being at Zilker Park), that it only really takes about 10 minutes to walk from one end of the park to the other; therefore, it’s very possible for festival-goers to catch huge chunks of both sets.
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Permalink | Comments (35) | Categories: ACL Festival
Comments
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By Amanda Horvath
June 26, 2007 3:38 PM | Link to this
Why the hell are you playing arctic monkeys and muse at the same time? This is an outrage…
By Alicia
June 26, 2007 4:19 PM | Link to this
I realize that some scheduling conflicts will occur, but how did the White Stripes and Arcade Fire get scheduled at the same time at opposite ends of the park? That’s such a huge disappointment.
By Betsy Moore
June 26, 2007 7:11 PM | Link to this
Are there any plans to book American Graveyard next year? Or even this year if a time slot becomes available? Do you think there will ever be an ‘Austin only’ ACL? That would totally rock.
Thank you.
By Cheryl
June 26, 2007 9:33 PM | Link to this
Why no Rap, with less Rock, mostly Pop, Gospel and Country, with a little Blues. And those scheduling conflicts are very real. A couple of years ago y’all put the Neville Brothers on one of the small stages and we could not even hear them we were so far back. I realise you have enough people interested in your festival, you don’t need us. After the first few years I & several friends have quit going. I am now going to SXSW to find more diverse music styles and with less headaches. I saw two Rappers there this year, by accident!
By DJC
June 28, 2007 9:31 AM | Link to this
what’s the breakdown between the numbers of 3-day passes and single-day tickets sold?
By Amanda
June 29, 2007 11:26 AM | Link to this
First, I think there are probably a few women benhind the scenes too at the fest, you should update that link.
Second, is the sound going to be better for the main stage? Last year the sound was so terrible that I opted to leave after Tom Petty’s first song because all I could hear was a bunch of off tune drunks trying to sing to what they couldn’t hear either.
By Howard
June 30, 2007 6:35 PM | Link to this
Why not one ticket price and the price of Jazz Fest. would be even better.
By Howard
June 30, 2007 6:36 PM | Link to this
Why not one ticket price and the price of Jazz Fest. would be even better.
By Josh
July 4, 2007 10:54 AM | Link to this
“therefore, it?s very possible for festival-goers to catch huge chunks of both sets.”
yeah… if you wanna be FAR AWAY…
By Joshua
July 4, 2007 2:58 PM | Link to this
At about what time will the aftershows be announced? Also, is there any chance that any of the following may have aftershows: Muse, White Stripes, Arcade Fire, LCD Soundsystem, Arctic Monkeys, or M.I.A.?
By V
July 5, 2007 11:13 AM | Link to this
I want to know who the less-than-bright person is who dubbed us ‘the dreaded chair people’! I would think that an angry crowd of tired people who just want to sit down is much more threatening than some easy-going chair toters! Speak for yourself, negative nancy.
By KM
July 5, 2007 11:23 AM | Link to this
If I purchase TWO 3-day wristbands, I should be able to invite a different person use the extra band each day…depending on who can go when. Last year the gate nazis were cutting off loose bands & reattaching new ones too tight to be able to share the next day. For the price of these bands, come on! What’s the remedy for this ridiculousness?
By robert tillotson
July 5, 2007 12:07 PM | Link to this
please give us real answers! there is no excuse for Arcade Fire & the White Stripes playing at the same time. people pay a lot of money to see the big acts and deserve to listen to the entire sets! come on, please make the change…..and while you are at it, try and replace Bjork with the Police, Pearl Jam or Beck….she should be a second tier act
By Will
July 5, 2007 1:47 PM | Link to this
I would hope someone who calls someone a “less-than bright person” (my how that rolls off the tongue!) would be bright enough themselves to read the name Michael Corcoran at the top of the article. And I think he means the people who want to be really close and have the luxury of a seat. I understand some of you folks are too old or too good to sit on the ground or stand during the sets, but the price you pay is not being up close. You can either relax in the back or hoof it out and stand all day to be up close. You can’t have it both ways.
By Nora Herrera
July 5, 2007 2:02 PM | Link to this
Why wasn’t the early bird 3 day wristbands tickets very expensive this year; last year i got it for $35 and was able to go. this year it was tooo expensive not much difference on the regular price. why was the price toooo high this year?
By Kate
July 5, 2007 2:25 PM | Link to this
Why is everyone so whiney!? This is the most fabulous line-up and we are so fortunate to host one of the greatest festivals in the country! Planning events like this is such difficult and strenous work! ACL has gotten better every year and is actually one of the few festivals who listen when you request a band! So you miss a couple people listening to your favorite bands- grab the free i-tunes cards and download them later and just enjoy the weekend! Thanks for all your efforts and I’m looking forward to September!
By D
July 5, 2007 2:32 PM | Link to this
The chairs are ridiculous. A multi-stage event requires some liquidity in the crowds in order that people can freely circulate between the different stages. The chair folks just camp out at one stage all day and really gum up the works- or even better, they take up space with their chair, then wander off leaving their roadblock behind them for others to trip over. The crowds become fixed and your only option- if you care to see a little of what is happening on stage- is to camp out at one stage, missing a lot of bands at other stages in the process.
Ban all chairs- I mean what’s so bad about sitting in the grass at the park?
By Jeff
July 5, 2007 4:45 PM | Link to this
Why can’t you do something about the horribly weak sound and bad sightlines on the main fest stage, such as replaying the sound and video footage on the smaller stage for the nightly headliner? Van Morrison and Tom Petty were impossible to see from any reasonable distance last year, and the sound was pathetically weak. You expect us to huddle in closer, yet the lawn is a sea of chairs that make such navigation downright dangerous. Please fix the sound and put the big headliners on multiple screens for everyone to enjoy!
By KM
July 5, 2007 5:10 PM | Link to this
Why not utilize all screens around the event area and broadcast the BIG acts that are happening solo? Then folks could spread out throughout the park and at least see the performers on screen and hear through all the other speakers that aren’t being used. The sound AND the crowd @ TP last year was the worst!!
By patrick
July 5, 2007 5:23 PM | Link to this
Hey C3 guys! Why the greed on the ticket prices and availability? I went to the first three fests, but am done now. Just not worth the crazy prices you are getting for tickets these days. C’mon, Jazzfest is less than half of what you people get for a ticket and there is a better variety of music, amazing food, and they generally don’t “sell out” months in advance.
By nathan
July 5, 2007 7:08 PM | Link to this
Please please please consider having the fest a few weeks later. It’s miserable, and I can’t take my kids for nearly as long as I and they would like, due to the heat (and lack of AC at the Kiddie Limits tent).
And let’s not hear about schedule conflicts booking Zilker Park. I’m sure the city would work with you on this one — the festival is much bigger than most (all?) of the other fall events. Also, I’m sure the Parks & Rec folks would love the chance to get the grass a bit better established after the summer before it gets trampled.`
By rick
July 5, 2007 7:55 PM | Link to this
it’s a festival people, stop complaining about the scheduling conflicts and the lack of rap artists. i mean, why does the ACL Fest have to be everything to everyone?
By Lori
July 5, 2007 8:43 PM | Link to this
Hi, Rumor has it … there are still some 3 day passes being held back. Is this a true statement or are the scalpers in charge of the remaining possibility of getting a 3 day pass??? The price is high enough as is…but once the scalpers mark it up…it is simply unattainable. Been to all ACL’s since the beginning and this year missed the tickets due to travel. Bad deal…
By V
July 6, 2007 10:46 AM | Link to this
BAN ALL CHAIRS? You must be out of your mind. I didn’t personally believe that those were the actual words of M. Corcoran, I was sure he was alluding to someone else who brought that up as a conflict. The real issue here is the selfish people who would rather sweat all over each other in a dangerous, packed crowd than stand a few yards back. This is the worst argument ever.
By Will
July 6, 2007 11:03 AM | Link to this
Hate to sound redundant - but WHY AREN’T there any hiphop acts at all??? TX has so so so SO much local talent: take your pick from Houston, Dallas, Port Arthur, San An, even Austin!! What about OUtkast? Scarface? UGK? Maaan, this is an entire segment of ticket sales missing! You guys really dropped the ball on this one. I’m still going tho :-D
By Rick
July 7, 2007 9:20 PM | Link to this
Say, what are the odds that there will be any other 3 day tickets made available???…and if there are, what can be done to ensure that locals get a reasonable shot at them instead of the scalpers who scooped up the original allocation off the net, and are now selling them on craigslist or ebay for three times face value?
By darrell
July 11, 2007 11:12 PM | Link to this
what happend to the kings of leon playing acl this year? i heard long ago that they were supposed to play, then when the line-up came out i was disappointed to see that they were not on it.
By jason
July 12, 2007 9:01 AM | Link to this
Yeah. Banning chairs is a horrible idea (especially when temperatures reach over 100 degrees and Zilker turns into a dustbowl from all of the foot traffic). There can be designated lines which chairs shouldn’t move beyond (say, the soundboard or something), but banning chairs would seriously hurt the experience. Jazzfest has let people bring chairs for decades, and things have worked out fine.
By Flamingstar
July 12, 2007 1:23 PM | Link to this
In the past I’ve purchased a wristband and wore it loosely, not to share it mind you. You see I work in the O.R. and cannot wear anything on my arms much less my hands and wrists for fear of contaminating the surgery field or patient. Wearing the wrist band loosely allowed me to remove so I could do my job. Since the wristband nazis started I’ve quit going to ACL Now the only music festival I attend is the Jazzfest. Thanks Austin….NOT!
By Lady Rae
July 12, 2007 4:36 PM | Link to this
Okay —- this event is a nightmare from start to finish. It is expensive, inconvenient, has inadequate bathroom facilities, and in the horrific heat and I won’t even go into all the traffic problems created including the morons who line up to attend making traffic a nightmare for those of us forced to be in that area of town.
And yet, the complaints abound. Here’s a simple solution —- waste your time and money and go but shut up or just don’t go and have nothing to complain about….
Geeze people, get a life…
By Brian
July 14, 2007 4:40 AM | Link to this
Something has to be done about the line up. Sure having big acts to close out the night is an idea but how about some variety instead of all of one genre playing at the same time. You wouldn’t have 3 jazz bands playing at the same time or 4 country bands. I am sure something could be done. A lot of fans of Muse happen to be Artic Monkey Fans as well as White Stripes and Arcade Fire. Please have some integrity and admit scheduling was screwed up and do something about it.
By Atxdude22
July 16, 2007 12:01 PM | Link to this
Yeah, we would not want people sharing wristbands. Chuck and gang might miss out on a few more bucks. ACL has become a parody of music festivals that would be much better in Houston or Dallas, since it seems to be more about the dollar and gouging fans at every turn.
I will stick to Jazzfest. No ticket price gouging, better food, better sound, and a much wider variety of performers from all genres….
By BunnyNutz
July 22, 2007 8:46 PM | Link to this
I have to bring a chair due to back problems. I wish I could sit on the ground or stand for prolonged periods, but it simply isn’t possible. I try to be considerate and I never “park” myself up front or in the way. On the other hand, I’ve had non-chair people step on my feet all day long, trying to make a point. Rudeness works both ways, but don’t count me among those people.
By Charlie Pizer
August 6, 2007 10:10 AM | Link to this
ACL Festival organizers: I heard a nasty rumor that the little grove of trees behind the clothing and crafts vendor area is going to be roped off to shade-seekers and used for some new way for you folks to make a buck. If this is true, well that just plain sucks. My wife and I have been coming to the festival every year, and that is the spot where we set up our chairs to get some rest in the shade. It’s a natural oasis, which as you know, native Austinites treasure (see Barton Springs, Hamilton Pool, et al). If you have a new business idea, that’s great. You have the resources to erect an air-conditioned tent for it. Leave the trees for us, please.
By Chrissie W
August 11, 2007 12:03 AM | Link to this
With all the recent issues of Amy Winehouse being a no-show at recent events and her current issues, do you have a back-up plan for her if she chooses not to show up? Just wondering….