Excitement soars in Austin as ACL Festival kicks off
Austin, Texas – The energy was electric this past weekend as the Austin City Limits (ACL) music festival rolled into Zilker Park, pulling in crowds of music lovers from all corners of the globe. Described by many as “a once in a lifetime experience … two times a year,” the festival delivered an unforgettable opening weekend with over 100 artists rocking out across nine vibrant stages under the blazing Texas sun.
Music, Memories, and More
This year’s lineup featured a mix of legendary performers and fresh faces, including headlining acts like Chris Stapleton, Blink-182, and Dua Lipa. As the festival met its thrilling close with performances from Sturgill Simpson and Tyler, The Creator, festivalgoers couldn’t help but be swept up in the vibe of live music paired with a sense of community.
One of the highlights of ACL is not just the music – attendees are treated to a feast for the senses. With booths from local businesses, captivating photo opportunities, and delightful food vendors scattered throughout the park, it’s a surging celebration of culture and talent. Plus, with an effort to promote sustainability, organizers provided hydration stations for attendees to refill their reusable water bottles. It’s that kind of forward-thinking that keeps festival-goers coming back year after year.
A Homecoming Tradition
For many attendees, ACL is more than just a festival; it’s a tradition. Biology sophomore Lauren Peterson shared, “ACL is honestly my highlight because so many of my friends went out of state for school, but we all come home for ACL. I get to see all of my favorite people when I come home, including my family.”
Even former students, like Julia Tisch and Mayra Yundt-Pacheco, who attended Texas A&M and later took graduate courses at the University of Texas, return to keep the tradition alive. They were both eager to catch acts like Foster The People and Chappell Roan, reflecting a shared excitement that resonated throughout the crowd.
Angel Tarrant Boyd, who has been attending ACL nearly every year since it began, reflected on her long festival experience. “We’ve seen The Eagles, Paul McCartney, and Alanis Morissette… This year, we’re looking forward to adding Roan to that impressive lineup.”
Familiar Faces and New Discoveries
Roan, an exceptional artist this year at ACL, drew what is believed to be one of the largest crowds in the festival’s history. A sea of colorful hats filled the crowd as people camped out for hours in anticipation of her performance. Moreover, the camaraderie ran deep; Boyd shared, “There’s a lot of Aggies here. We’ve had at least three or four people take their picture with the Aggie flag, and we hear a lot of ‘Gig ‘ems.’” It was evident that this festival brought together a diverse crowd, all united by their love for music and good times.
Adding to the excitement was newcomer Hudson Westbrook, who made his ACL debut this weekend. “The people are great. The stage is great. The crowd’s great, and it’s a little hot but worth every bit of sweat while we were up on stage,” he gleefully reported. He’ll be headed to Snook for the At The Station festival next, which has him buzzing with enthusiasm. “I love the College Station audience. They’re there to support…”
For Westbrook, being part of the ACL lineup was a dream come true. “Anytime my booking agent asks if I want to do a gig in College Station, I say yes!”
Looking Forward
As ACL comes to a close, attendees leave with memories, connections, and the shared joy of celebrating music together. With more performances lined up and the Texas sun setting on another successful festival, Austin remains a hub of music and community spirit. It’s not just a festival; it’s a gathering of hearts, souls, and the uplifting beat of unforgettable tunes.
So, if you missed this year’s ACL, don’t fret – mark your calendars for next year, because this vibrant display of talent is sure to be back, making waves and memories once again!
