It's a wrap!

Posted: May. 07, 3:40 PM
The release of daily grids for the daily Austin City Limits music schedule has been pushed from May 13 to June 3, according to Austin-based C3 Presents. Stay tuned … ACL Fest 2008 lineupFull coverage…
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Posted: May. 05, 12:49 PM
Still debating whether or not to shell out $170 for a 3-day pass for ACL Fest 2008? If you’re on the fence about the overall lineup, the full festival schedule will be released May 13 June 3, which is the…
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Posted: Apr. 15, 12:02 AM
Photos: 2008 ACL Fest lineup Sound off: What do you think of this year’s lineup? The M.O.: What to look for at this year’s fest Full 2008 lineup Let the blogging commence. The 141-act Austin City Limits Music Festival…
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Posted: Apr. 15, 12:01 AM
Feature: : More rock, less Dylan for this year’s Zilker Park music orgy Photos: 2008 ACL Fest lineup Video: Joe Gross on this year’s lineup Sound off: What do you think of the lineup? The M.O.: What to look…
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Posted: Apr. 07, 12:04 PM
Deborah Cannon AMERICAN-STATESMAN C3 Presents has released ACL Fest lineup clues in the form of this mash-up by Car Stereo (Wars). OK, I got Duffy right off the bat, and I hear some Joe Jackson in there. Austin360’s Deborah…
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Posted: Apr. 07, 9:29 AM
In case you were wondering if and when Radiohead was going to play a gig brought to you by Austin’s C3 Presents (the folks behind the Austin City Limits Music Festival), well, here you go. Radiohead, Rage Against the Machine,…
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Posted: Mar. 24, 10:07 AM
Imagine getting this in a mysterious e-mail on Easter Sunday, three weeks before the official ACL Fest lineup announcement. The person who sent it claimed to be an employee at C3 Presents, who saw it on a screen he…
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Posted: Mar. 19, 10:02 AM
C3 Presents booker Charles Attal says the lineup for the 7th annual Austin City Limits Festival will be announced April 15, almost a month earlier than last year. Tickets will not go up then; they’re already selling at a top…
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Posted: Feb. 13, 2:58 PM
So, here’s what we know: Radiohead is coming to Houston and Dallas, but not Austin. Chicago Sun-Times pop critic Jim DeRogatis broke the news this afternoon that the Chicago Park District board of commissioners is about to approve a five-year,…
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Posted: Oct. 16, 3:29 PM
Reminder - Stay up or set your DVRs. Austin’s Ghostland Observatory plays on Conan O’Brien’s show tonight. They’ll perform “Sad Sad City” according to O’Brien’s site. “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” airs at 11:35 p.m. on NBC, KXAN Channel 36….
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ACL 2007 CRITICS' PICKS

FRIDAY | SATURDAY | SUNDAY

FRIDAY

Joe Gross

Sound and the Jury contest winner(11:45 a.m. Dell stage). No idea who it will be yet (five bands competed Wednesday in the finals at Antone's), but this contest winner has the chance of a lifetime (or at least of this year) to impress early risers with a strong set.

Kevin McKinney(12:50 p.m. Austin Ventures stage). You might recall McKinney from his stint fronting Soulhat; his solo material hasn't moved too far away from his roots in jammy folk-rock. Split your time between this and the Gospel Silvertones (12:45 p.m. WaMu stage), whose dynamic gospel can sanctify anything.

Heartless Bastards (1:30 p.m. AT&T Blue Room stage). In its strongest moments, the Bastards' weirdo blooze rumble invites (admittedly inaccurate) comparisons to PJ Harvey, but I remain curious about and will split my time with Joseph Arthur (1:30 p.m. Dell stage), whose mopey vocals mask an eclecticism that sometimes tastes like chicken.

Lunch (2:30 – 3:30 p.m.). You've been drinking, you need food. Eat something and drink water.

Blonde Redhead (3:30 p.m. AT&T Blue Room stage). A band I've never paid that much attention to; I was so impressed with this trio's powerfully atmospheric rock at Lollapalooza that I went out and bought their last three albums to hear what I'd missed.

Joss Stone (4:30 p.m. AT&T stage). Yes, I'm a little curious about how Crowded House's fussy pop has aged, but I'm more curious about Stone, whose "Introducing Joss Stone" seems to be a stab at a career reboot. It was met with mostly blank looks from critics, but she still has a dynamite voice.

LCD Soundsystem (5:30 p.m. AT&T Blue Room stage). LCD singer-songwriter James Murphy's shlumpy, everydude persona is weirdly riveting; his band's dance-rock is capable of big, dynamic thrills.

Queens of the Stone Age (6:30 p.m. AMD stage). Their loud, ovoid hard rock made for the single greatest in-store performance I've ever seen in my life (at Good Records in Dallas), but that was seven long years ago. The albums have slipped badly, but they're still capable of being a live powerhouse. That said, I've seen Spoon (6:30 p.m. AT&T stage) many times this year. If you haven't, split your time between them and Queens.

Dinner(7:30 - 8:30 p.m.). Eat something, people.

Björk(8:30 p.m. AT&T stage). High weirdness from Iceland. Expect wacky beats, wackier melodies and some of the wackiest costumes since Cher.

___

Michael Corcoran

Greyhounds (noon Austin Ventures stage). I want to start the fest off with some Little Feat-flavored gumbo funk-rock. Led by Andrew Trube, this Austin band is made for the wide open spaces as much as they are for the basement dives.

Gospel Silvertones (12:45 p.m. WaMu stage). Nobody knows the uplifting power of gospel music like this group, whose members met when they were homeless, living at the Salvation Army shelter downtown. Favorites on the gospel brunch circuit, the 'Tones are known for the unbridled soul they pump out.

Del McCoury Band (1:50 p.m. Austin Ventures stage). This former Bill Monroe singer/ banjoist and his band are bluegrass purists and were recently awarded a Grammy. Lookee here, it's not even 2 in the afternoon and I've had my fill of funk, gospel and bluegrass? I also plan to catch a chunk of Heartless Bastards, the spooky pop/blues act signed to the great Fat Possum label. They start 20 minutes before McCoury on the AT&T Blue Room stage.

Will Hoge (2:50 p.m. Austin Ventures stage). If Springsteen were still relevant, this Nashvillian might have drawn comparisons with last year's "The Man Who Killed Love." Hoge's songwriting is on the mark, and when they want to, his band can romp splendidly.

Crowded House (4:30 p.m. AMD stage). The bad news: They've got a new album to promote. The good news: They've still got time to do all their hits such as "Don't Dream It's Over" and some of the pre-House Split Enz stuff. Sometimes out in the scalp-melting heat, you want to hear the familiar even more than the adventurous. Least I do.

LCD Soundsystem (5:30 p.m. AT&T Blue Room stage). Musical idea man James Murphy and his techno-fueled gang have stolen the show at Coachella and Lollapalooza, so why would it be any different at the Austin version?

Spoon (6:30 p.m. AT&T stage). Austin's gift to the indie rock world makes its way to one of the two main stages. It's a long way from the Hole in the Wall, and Britt Daniel and company have done it the right way, by writing great songs and performing them exactly as they should be. Sounds simple, but the "writing great songs" is the tricky part. No dilemma at all about missing the overrated Queens of the Stone Age.

Mighty Clouds of Joy (7:15 p.m. WaMu stage). The dreaded synthesizers have crept into their sound in recent years, yet "the Temptations of Gospel" should be forever revered for keeping the "house-wrecking gospel quartet" sound alive back in the '60s, when soloists and choirs started taking over. When Joe Ligon is in the house, you know it's going to get crazy.

Björk (8:30 p.m. AT&T stage). I could just as easily end the night with the Killers, who were probably the loudest group ever at ACL two years ago, but I've never seen Björk, who is adventurous in all that she does. This festival is all about sampling all sorts of music, but there are thousands of fans who only care about Björk. To be in the midst of such devotion could be inspiring.

___

Parry Gettelman

Del McCoury Band (1:50 p.m. Austin Ventures stage): Not only is this group one of the tightest, most soulful purveyors of traditional bluegrass, it's also an uplifting experience to share the joy Del McCoury and sons Ronnie and Robbie exude when they play together. And might there be a guest appearance by Steve Earle, who featured the group on his album "The Mountain" (he's playing Saturday)?

Crowded House (4:30 p.m. AMD stage): Some fans might only remember the Top 40 smash "Don't Dream It's Over," but this band from Down Under had reams of terrific songs. Some of them are quite dark — notably on the underrated sophomore album, "Temple of Low Men" — but the group gave serious fun on stage. This reunion has an altered lineup, since drummer Paul Hester died in 2005, but leader Neil Finn has shone in every setting, from his early days with Split Enz to his post-CH solo material and Finn Brothers collaboration.

Big Sam's Funky Nation (4:30 p.m. WaMu stage): New Orleans trombonist Big Sam plays Austin fairly regularly, but it will still be hard to pass up a chance to see his turbo-charged brass band, playing in the same time slot as Crowded House. Big Sam, formerly of the Dirty Dozen Brass Band and a sometime Elvis Costello/Allen Toussaint sideman, is a showman with improvisational skills to burn. So do his bandmates, and they never let up on the grooves that keep crowds moving.

Andy Palacio & the Garifuna Collective (5:45 p.m. WaMu stage): You can't seem to go wrong with any form of Afro-Caribbean music, and here's a chance to sample a genre off the beaten trade route. Andy Palacio gave a fascinating interview this year on radio's "Afropop Worldwide," explaining his roots in the hybrid Garifuna community formed hundreds of years ago by Africans and Caribbean aborigines. Their descendants migrated from the island of St. Vincent to the shores of Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala and Belize, developing a rich musical tradition that Palacio has helped re-energize. His songs are propulsive but infused with longing, which will probably make it hard to leave in time for the start of James Hunter's set.

James Hunter (6:30 Austin Ventures stage): The British soul singer's "People Gonna Talk" might sound a tiny bit too much like a Sam Cooke homage, but onstage, James Hunter is his own man. His voice has intriguing textures as well as power and a gorgeous tone. He also plays a mean, bluesy guitar. His dry humor helps create an easy rapport with the crowd, too. And those tasty songs aren't obscure, vintage R&B gems — they're Hunter originals.

Gotan Project(7:30 p.m. Dell Stage): Electronica acts aren't always must-sees on stage, but by now, I should be more than ready to succumb to these Parisians' lush, chill-out take on tango. Here's hoping in our honor they'll play their dub-Western "Paris, Texas" from their latest, "Lunatico."

SATURDAY

Michael Corcoran

The Steps (11:15 a.m. BMI stage). Let's get this Saturday started in the a.m. with a young, hat-wearing four-piece rock combo from Austin that sounds like AM radio in the '60s. With a heavy emphasis on British garage/glam rock. The newest rage from kids who just grew out of Hilary Duff, the Steps take their show to London in November to face far more discerning critics.

Mario Matteoli (12:40 p.m. BMI stage).The former Weary Boys focal point went solo last year with "Hard Luck Hittin'," an album that was more in tune with the dark, deep writing of Townes Van Zandt than the bluegrass thrash of the Wearies. The Sound Team is tempting over at the AMD stage, but I think I'll stick with the much more manageable BMI stage.

Stephen Marley (2:30 p.m. AT&T stage). Reggae is right for the crowded, sunny fields. I think I'll stand about half a mile away and pretend that it's his dad onstage. (Note: there's a band called the Soul Stirrers playing around the same time, but they have absolutely nothing to do with Sam Cooke's former group. Not a bad gospel act, but not the Soul Stirrers.)

Steve Earle (3:30 p.m. Dell stage). Certain to be the most political performer at ACL Fest, W's least-favorite Texan promises to give the event a weightier undercurrent right when it's called for. It's all about mood (not to mention reviewing schedule) so I could just as well catch the Cold War Kids, handpicked tourmates of the White Stripes, at the AT&T Blue Room stage.

Ocote Soul Sounds (4:30 p.m. WaMu stage). Thievery Corporation can't make it so they send their Latin/jazz/soul labelmates to steal the show (as T.C. did two years ago). Often compared to Ozomatli, which is lazy and unfortunate, O.S.S. has their own funky stew going and, under the tent, they should make chairs obsolete. If it gets too crowded — and it will — I'll sneak over to catch the tail end of Blue October, who have some of the most devoted fans of any Texas act.

Kelly Willis (6:30 p.m. Austin Ventures stage) and Arctic Monkeys (6:30 p.m. AMD). I plan to split these sets in half. I've seen Willis dozens of times, but not since she released "Translated By Love," which has turned out to be my favorite of all her records. Then I need a shot of arrogant lunacy with the Monkeys. You look at my lineup today and it's been a long time since I rock 'n' rolled. (By the way, Muse, also at 6:30 p.m. is probably the most dreadful band I've ever seen at SXSW.)

Cross Canadian Ragweed (7:45 p.m. Austin Ventures). Cody Canada is the biggest pure rock star in the area and he doesn't even try. Plus you know the Raggers are gonna pull out a cover that makes your day.

Arcade Fire (8:15 p.m. AMD stage). Since I've already seen the White Stripes at venues small (Room 710) and large (Voodoo Music Fest in New Orleans), I would have picked Arcade Fire if I had to choose one. But since I'm not one to fight my way to the front and drop anchor, my plan was to hang back for half of each set — the Fire in the beginning, until they start to bore me with their highbrow Pavement, and the Stripes at the end. The White Stripes' cancellation makes the decision easier, if disappointing. Now I won't see the White Stripes on Sunday night at Stubb's either.

___

Joe Gross

The Steps (11:15 a.m. BMI stage). On paper, these (very) young men from Austin sure seem like the Strokes – wealthy-looking classicists who love the Stones and the Kinks. As the Jam once said, "The kids know where it's at!" We'll see.

Sound Team (12:30 p.m. AMD stage). The beleaguered indie rock band recently announced this will be its final performance, so, well, catch them now!

Lunch (2:30 – 3:30 p.m.)

Steve Earle(3:30 p.m. Dell stage). His music is far less revolutionary than he's given credit for and the hamfisted lefto sanctimony he saddles it with weighs the tunes down, but, well, I've just described something Austin just loves.

Damien Rice (4:30, AT&T stage). His earnest Irish folk can run a little bland, but deep feeling can resonate powerfully (and strangely) in a festival setting.

Zap Mama (5:30 p.m. Dell stage) Afro-Belgian soul? Global funk? All of this and more.

Kelly Willis(6:30 p.m. Austin Ventures stage). Yeah, I'm as curious as anyone else to hear how her excellent new album translates live.

Dinner (7:30 p.m.)

Arcade Fire(8:15 p.m. AMD stage). I've had the opposite experience from Michael Corcoran with Saturday's headliners: I've seen Arcade Fire rock Emo's, Stubb's and festivals. So I was going to go with White Stripes and see how the Led Zeppelin-ish "Icky Thump" album fares live. Alas, no more White Stripes, so Arcade Fire wins by default.

___

Parry Gettelman

Raul Malo (1:30 p.m. Dell stage): It's still hard not to miss the Mavericks, the zippy, eclectic, Miami-bred country band he used to lead. But Raul Malo has one of the most supple tenor voices since Roy Orbison, and he can sing anything from salsa to Hank Williams. Well, I'm still making up my mind about that supper-club-jazz version of "Cold, Cold Heart" on Malo's new "After Hours," but his cover of Dwight Yoakam's "It Only Hurts Me When I Cry" is aces.

Legendary Soul Stirrers (2 p.m. WaMu stage): I probably won't leave Raul Malo to make the beginning of the set, since it's not the original lineup. Of course, it wasn't the original lineup when Sam Cooke led this innovative gospel quartet, whose long history began here in Texas around three-quarters of a century ago. None of the current members are likely headed for stardom on the order of Cooke or his successor Johnnie Taylor, and the group is no longer cutting-edge. But if the harmonies are still sweet and soaring, there will be no cause for complaint.

Steve Earle(3:30 p.m. Dell stage): Have to catch some Steve Earle, although I find him so much more compelling when his songs are telling stories rather than making points (even though I pretty much agree with all of them). I'll be waiting to hear his version of Tom Waits' "Way Down in the Hole," which appears on the forthcoming "Washington Square," but if there's a string of the more polemical numbers, it's time to head over to hear Jon Dee Graham.

Jon Dee Graham (4 p.m. Austin Ventures stage): Speaking of Tom Waits, Austin's own Jon Dee Graham has the best gravelly growl this side thereof — plus a big catalog of vivid songs, and I'd hate to miss a chance to hear one of those stinging guitar solos, even if I can hear them any given Wednesday at the Continental or Sunday at the Saxon.

Ocote Soul Sounds (4:30 p.m. WaMu stage): And I will doubtless stray over midway through Graham's set to find out what happens when when Martin Perna of the galvanizing Afrobeat group Antibalas joins forces with Adrian Quesada of Latin-funk powerhouse Grupo Fantasma (Prince's favorite Austin band). I'd probably be curious just on the basis of their affiliation with ESL Music, home of Thievery Corporation and Ursula 1000.

BeauSoleil (5:45 p.m. WaMu stage): I generally lean more toward zydeco than Cajun, but Michael Doucet's long-running band deftly mixes the most traditional of Cajun classics — and originals that sound like Cajun classics — with everything from jazz to Caribbean influences. Guaranteed to feature dazzling musicianship, and if I'm lucky, maybe Doucet will play his homage to a zydeco legend, "Bye Bye Boozoo."

Aterciopelados (7:15 WaMu stage): Andrea Echevarria's clear alto is pure ear candy, but this Colombian band has displayed plenty of substance while morphing from rock en español to electronica to a more acoustic-leaning sound, and incorporating influences from vallenato and cumbia to ska and flamenco. And the group's songs don't lack for hooks.

___

SUNDAY

Michael Corcoran

Jones Family Singers (1 p.m. WaMu stage). This Pentecostal powerhouse from Bay City is the best group I've seen at ACL two years running. Alexis Jones Roberys is an amazing singer, backed by the harmonizing of her four sisters, and her brother Fred Jones Jr. is a marvel on guitar, bass, drums and keyboards, but especially guitar. They have you "rockin' and rollin' in Jesus" and send you out in the swelter with a smile. And you'll still catch the last half hour of the National on the AT&T Blue Room stage.

Kara Grainger (2:40 p.m. BMI stage).This bluesy rocker from Australia draws comparisons to Bonnie Raitt that aren't unfounded. By Sunday, you'll learn that the BMI stage is the easiest to manuever.

DeVotchKa (3:30 p.m., AT&T Blue Room stage). Now that Rodrigo y Gabriela have canceled, I'll head over for some of that DeVotchKa set. The indescribable Denver band made its bones with the music for "Little Miss Sunshine" and promises to be among the most theatrical at ACL.

Hofbrau steak sandwich (4:30 p.m. at food court). Nothing says dinner like a choice between Lucinda Williams, who is always the same, and the Bloc Party, who are only as good as the fact you can sum them up in five words: "Black guy fronting the Cure." The Hofbrau 'wich isn't the tastiest on the line, but it's fast, filling and almost impossible to drop.

Regina Spektor (5:30 AT&T Blue Room stage). I've never seen her live and isn't that what ACL Fest is about — scratching Pitchfork faves off the "never seen" list? Also, this smaller of the two AT&T stages is relatively near the WaMu tent, so I can get my fill of New Orleans jazz (10 minutes) with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band.

My Morning Jacket (6:30 p.m. AT&T stage). Wilco always reaches back at ACL and gives you something maybe even they didn't know they had, but I've seen them dozens of times. I've seen MMJ for about 10 minutes (ACL 2005) and wanted to see more. Also, here's something you can use as a tiebreaker on other headliners, such as Arcade Fire and White Stripes: the AMD stage has had notoriously bad sound in previous fests and because it's fairly close to Austin Ventures, the volume tends to be weaker than on the AT&T stage.

Ghostland Observatory (7:45 p.m. AT&T Blue Room stage.). 25,000 people will be jumping out of their sunburned skin. I still think GLO is White Stripes with pigtails instead of a guitar, but whatever they are, it's apparently working.

Bob Dylan (8:30 p.m. AT&T stage).You can't go this far, in terms of time and stamina, and not stay for the man who gave birth to punk (1965 tour), rock as literature and alternative music. It's gonna be swampy, ragged, relentless and a mess. But it's going to be Bob Dylan, so it's all good.

___

Joe Gross

Yo La Tengo (12:30 p.m. AMD stage) Over 20 years, they've proven they can do almost anything with guitar – delicate pop, overwhelming feedback, endless drones, noisy jams. This is a wonderful way to start the festival's final day. (And yes, you should absolutely see the Jones Family Singers at 1 p.m. on the WaMu stage as well.)

The National (1:30 p.m. AT&T Blue Room stage). Eight years into their career, they're suddenly an overnight success. Matt Berninger's gothy voice and Bryan Devendorf's massive drums anchor mopey, majestic rock.

Lunch (2:30 p.m.)

Midlake(4 p.m. Austin Ventures stage). Since Rodrigo y Gabriela bailed, this Denton band's ornate pop songcraft and lush synths will serve as a balm for your probably tired soul.

Rose Hill Drive (5:15 p.m. Austin Ventures stage). These guys were a breath of fresh air at the '04 ACL, kicking off the fest's final day with classic-sounding power trio workouts. Apparently, the grand funk railroad passed through Denver, Colo. Splitting time between this and Regina Spektor's wonderful piano ballads (5:30 AT&T Blue Room) might make for a perfect one-two punch.

Wilco(6:30 p.m. AMD stage). This year's "Sky Blue Sky" turns Steely Dan into folk rock and back again, thanks to noodle-y solos and a laid-back vibe. Haven't spun it much, but guitarist Nels Cline has turned them into one of the most surefire, complex and mature live bands on the planet.

Dinner (7:45 p.m.). Eat quickly, then flip a coin between Ghostland Observatory's oddball guitar/synth rock (7:45 p.m. AT&T Blue Room stage) and the Decemberists' majestic pop (7:30 p.m. Dell stage).

Bob Dylan (8:30 p.m. AT&T stage). Look, the man's released some absolutely awful albums, but he did transform popular culture. Forty-five years on, Dylan's still the living embodiment of post-war America's potential for fiercely poetic genius. And his song selection is never boring. This is an easy one.

___

Parry Gettelman

Yo La Tengo (12:30 p.m. AMD stage): It seems kind of weird to see this band at brunchtime. Even its least-shadowy songs have a subtle undertow more suitable for after hours, but that's no reason to pass on Georgia Hubley's brilliantly understated drumming or Ira Kaplan's sublime feedback freakouts. Hubley is also a singular singer, with a mysterious, affectless warmth, and Kaplan's unassuming voice is likewise curiously inimitable.

Jones Family Singers (1 p.m. WaMu stage) Since Yo La Tengo also has a couple post-ACL appearances, maybe I'll be able to tear myself away in time to see if the Jones Family Singers' vocals are really as stunning as they say. There's nothing quite as stirring as really close family harmonies — are geneticists looking into the DNA foundation for that?

Midlake (4 p.m. Austin Ventures stage): My favorite from the much-touted Denton rock scene. I liked the atmospherics of last year's "The Trials of Von Occupanther," but now I can't actually remember any of the tunes, and after a Yo La Tengo pinnacle, will I be in the mood for any other indie rock? Since this is the weakest afternoon of ACL, if it's super hot, maybe it's just a good time to head to Barton Springs.

Preservation Hall Jazz Band (5:30 p.m. WaMu stage): I pretty much took trad jazz for granted when I lived in New Orleans. There was plenty of it around, and it seemed pretty staid next to the street sounds of young brass bands bringing in elements of funk, hip hop and R&B. Post-Katrina, however, the old tunes and old style have a new resonance, and it doesn't get much more traditional than the Preservation Hall Jazz Band, an institution since 1961.

Billy Joe Shaver (6:30 Austin Ventures stage): Wilco's in the same slot, and they're not around here as much, but I just can't think of any recent Wilco songs I really need to hear. Meanwhile, Shaver classics such as "I Been to Georgia on a Fast Train," "Old Five and Dimers Like Me" and "I'm Just an Old Chunk of Coal" never do wear out.

Plus, you never know when Billy Joe will up and get himself incarcerated.

Bob Dylan (8:30 p.m. AT&T stage). It's kind of ironic that so many "the new Bob Dylans" have been proclaimed over the years. Maybe we could use a new Elvis, or a new Springsteen, or even some new Beatles, but Dylan is still doing a pretty good job of being the new Bob himself. I can't think of too many folk icons/classic rock legends I can go see really hoping they'll please play a bunch of tunes off their latest albums. OK, the last couple shows I saw, I didn't like his bands as much as the one in the '90s that had John Jackson and Bucky Baxter, but I'd be even happier to hear "The Levee's Gonna Break," "Summer Days" or "Moonlight" than "Knockin' on Heaven's Door."

Transportation | Rules | Allowed/Prohibited items | Staying cool | Food and drink

Getting to the festival

Where do I park?

There's no on-site parking during the festival. In the past, some businesses near Zilker Park have sold parking spaces, but prices have hit as high as $100 for a three-day pass. Don't plan on parking in the neighborhoods near Zilker Park — access is restricted. The Palmer Events Center (900 Barton Springs Road) has offered parking in its garage, but spaces fill up quickly.

Last year, the festival and Cap Metro offered a shuttle service from Republic Square at Fourth and Guadalupe streets in downtown Austin. Shuttle service ran from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Lines to board can be long, so figure them into your schedule.

Also keep in mind that with the shuttles departing from Republic Square, parking downtown is at a premium.

One tip we got from a previous festival-goer is to take a regular Cap Metro bus to the Barton Springs Road-Lamar Boulevard intersection. Worth a try.

Can I ride my bike to the festival?

Yes. In the past, there have been racks at the entrance gates. Bring your own lock.

Can someone drop me off at the festival?

Yes, but only at predetermined spots (otherwise, prepare to be ticketed). According to the ACL Fest Web site: "The passenger drop-off area is at the north end of the MoPac (Loop 1) Pedestrian Bridge on Stephen F. Austin Drive." Cabs will have their own pickup and drop-off area.

Festival facilities and rules

Can I go in and out of the festival?

Three-day ticket holders can enter and leave the festival on the same day. One-day ticket holders cannot. You have to go through security each time you enter the festival.

What accommodations are there for people with disabilities?

Service animals are allowed inside the festival.

In the past, some performances have been interpreted in American Sign Language.

The festival grounds are wheelchair accessible, but can be difficult to maneuver. There are also special sections at each stage for people who use wheelchairs and their companions.

In the past, some disabled designated parking has been available.

Read more on the festival's Web site.

Are there ATMs on festival grounds?

Yes, but you'll avoid the lines (and possibly fees) if you remember to bring cash.

Are kids allowed?

Yes. The festival has allowed baby strollers and offered a "Tag-a-Kid" service to help in case you become separated from your child. There are also programming and activities geared to kids. But as you consider whether to take your kids to the fest, keep in mind that attending ACL involves braving hot weather and a lot of walking.

Are dogs allowed?

Only service animals.

Can I record performances?

No. Video and audio-recording equipment are not allowed.

Can I take pictures?

You can bring a personal camera, but not professional equipment, such as tripods.

Will I have cell phone reception at the festival?

While Zilker Park is in Central Austin, cell reception at the festival can be spotty. Our reports from last year's attendees vary: Some had no problems with cells; others did. One advises relying mainly on texting, but even had some problems with that. Set your phone to vibrate — you probably won't be able to hear it ring.

Overall: Give your phone a try, but have backup plans in case you don't have reception. For example, have an established meet-up spot or use a locator flag to help members of your group find each other.

What can I bring in to the festival?

We've covered some of these do's and don'ts in other questions, but here is the complete list from the festival Web site:

Allowed

• Blankets
• Umbrellas (small hand-held style)
• Soft-sided coolers
• Baby strollers
• Portable/collapsible chair
• Regular-size/unframed backpacks
• Two factory-sealed water bottles, up to 1 liter each
• Empty Camelbak or other empty plastic container (e.g., Nalgene bottle)
• Ice in soft-sided cooler or Camelbak; no large bags allowed
• Binoculars
• Personal camera equipment (i.e. small digital cameras or point-and-click 35 mm cameras). Cameras with any type of detachable lenses are prohibited.

Prohibited

• Weapons of any kind
• Illegal substances (including narcotics) or drug paraphernalia
• Framed or large backpacks
• Alcohol
• Glass containers
• Food or beverages, except for factory-sealed water bottles
• Skateboards, scooters or personal motorized vehicles
• Bicycles inside festival grounds
• Carts
• Large chains or spiked jewelry
• Fireworks
• Explosives
• Large umbrellas
• Non-collapsible chairs
• Hard-sided coolers
• Tents
• Pets (except service dogs)
• Video equipment: No video recording will be allowed.
• Professional still camera equipment (no detachable lenses, tripods, big zooms or commercial-use rigs)
• Any audio recording equipment

• No illegal vending is permitted. No unauthorized/unlicensed vendors allowed.

A warning from a festival vet: "Don't try to carry in contraband — you will get caught and it just slows down the line for everyone else!"

Staying cool and comfortable

What will the weather be like in Austin during the festival?

According to NOAA, Austin's average high temperature in September is about 90 degrees and the average low is 69. The record high for the month is 112 (no, really) and the record low is 41. Average rainfall for the month is about 2.9 inches.

Last year, highs were around 97 on the first two days of the festival. Sunday, the weather was a little cooler because of rain. In fact, showers disrupted some sets. There was also a little rain early Friday.

In 2005, the festival was threatened by Hurricane Rita. Organizers went on with the show, and it turned out that heat and dust, not rain, were the problem. Temperatures hit 108 degrees on the festival's final day.

How do I stay cool when it's so hot?

• Take the heat seriously; festival-goers are treated for heat symptoms every year.
• Make use of misting areas.
• Take your two factory-sealed water bottles (up to 1 liter each). Freezing them will give you cold water throughout the day.
• Wear a hat and sunblock.
• Talcum powder or cornstarch can make you feel cooler.
• Fest vets advise taking along a hand towel to wipe off sweat.
• Another favorite tip: Wrap ice in a bandana, freeze it overnight and then wear around your neck. Or just soak a bandana in ice water from your cooler.
• Mist yourself with water from a spray bottle or take along a misting fan.
• A small umbrella can protect you from the sun.
• If your tickets allows you to leave and re-enter the festival, take a break during the day for a swim in nearby Barton Springs.

What else should I take along?

You won't want to lug much around the park all day, but luckily these little luxuries won't weigh much if you choose single-dose or sample sizes:

• Toilet paper. Fold up a few squares or take a half-roll for portable-toilet trips and other cleanup.
• Wet wipes
• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses
• Saline drops
• Hand sanitizer
• Bug spray
• Blister bandages
• Ibuprofen
• Aloe

Many of the tips in the above section are from ACL Fest veteran Jennifer Inman, whom the American-Statesman interviewed in 2006. Read the complete interview here.

What should I wear?

Besides your fashionable frozen bandana? "This is about dressing smart, not cute!" according to one festival vet. Think casual, cool and comfortable. One fest veteran we know likes clothes with a lot of little pockets to stash tiny essentials (see above). Others point out that women will stay coolest in skirts and sundresses and that heels of any kind are out of the question.

My friend went to ACL in 2005 and said the festival grounds were so dusty she'd never go back. Have improvements been made?

Zilker Park's irrigation system was improved last year. Our troops who went to ACL in 2006 report that dust wasn't a problem. But take a bandana to shield your mouth and nose just in case.

Food and drink

Can I bring my own food and drinks?

No. Outside food and beverages have not been not allowed, except for two factory-sealed water bottles up to 1 liter each. You can refill your water bottles at stations inside the festival, and you can also bring an empty Camelbak or other empty plastic container (e.g., Nalgene bottle) to fill up. You can bring ice in soft-sided cooler or Camelbak, but no large bags are allowed.

What kind of food will be available inside the festival?

Many of Austin's favorite dining spots set up booths at the festival. A festival attendee from last year reports that Berryhill Baja Grill, Iron Cactus and Hudson's on the Bend had especially tasty offerings.

The festival has a complete list of last year's vendors on its Web site, and — in a very nice touch that should help your planning and budgeting — also lists food pricing. Sandwiches, wraps, tacos, etc. average $5-$7 each. A fest veteran reports that basic hamburgers and hot dogs are the best food deals.

Lines for food? One of our correspondents says they look long but move quickly. Another estimates a 15-minute wait even when lines look long.

Is alcohol sold inside the festival?

Yes, but the selection is limited.

Where should I eat outside of the festival?

For ideas, visit the XL Dining Guide here. A couple of shortcuts: For Mexican food, click here and scroll down. For barbecue, click here and scroll down.

Where's a good place to grab a drink outside the festival?

Visit the XL Bar Guide here.