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Has anyone been to the ACL festival?

dlymnflddlymnfld CT Posts: 918
edited April 2012 in Other Music
I am strongly considering going to this festival as I am trying to see a concert in every state and I need TX. Plus I heard Austin is a great music town and the map of the Zilker park looks awesome. I have heard RHCP is a strong candidate for a headliner based on the fact they will be in Dallas on 10/2 and Houston on 10/20 and are only playing one show (NO 10/4) in between those dates and the festival is 10/12-10/14. I also have a hunch (maybe wishful thinking) that DMB (headliner) and Dispatch (second stage) maybe also on the bill based on their tour schedule and fact they are playing a bunch of festivals ((Hangout (both)),Bonaroo (Dispatch) and River's Edge (DMB)). My questions are; what city is best to fly in as Austin seems to be in the center of Dallas, Houston and San Antonio and what city is best to stay in? The hotels offered for the festival are sold out and I would rather stay in Austin but don't mind driving. Also if anyone as heard of any other bands or when they usually make the announcement I would appreciate any input. Thanks.
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Post edited by Unknown User on

Comments

  • FlaggFlagg Posts: 5,856
    Yes. Went to the 2009 festival because of Pearl Jam.

    You really want to talk to mfc2006 - He goes every year.

    You can fly into Austin. Are all the hotels sold out? Try areas to the north of Austin like Round Rock, Georgetown, or even as far up as Temple or even Waco.

    Dallas to Austin is like a 3 hour drive, but I-35 sucks.
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  • dlymnflddlymnfld CT Posts: 918
    No there are hotels in Austin (which I will probably stay in) but flights to Austin are pretty much double in price compared to the bigger cities. So I will probably fly into major city and drive to Austin. But I could also stay at hotel on the way as I am not picky on where I stay. I recently went to Indy for Super Bowl and saw OAR for free. I flew into Chicago ($120 RT) versus Indianapolis ($800 RT) and stayed in Gary, IN which was on the way so I will do whatever is cheapest as driving is not an issue.
    Springfield 4/6/94, Boston 4/6/94, Hartford 10/2/96, New York 9/11/98, Hartford 9/13/98, Mansfield 8/30/00, Boston 9/28/04, Reading 10/1/04, Quebec City 9/20/05, Boston 5/24/06, Hartford 5/13/06, New York 6/25/08, Hartford 6/27/08 Philadelphia 10/31/09, Hartford 10/15/10,
    Boston 10/17/10, East Troy 9/3/11, East Troy 9/4/11, Missoula 9/30/12, Worcester 10/15/13, Hartford 10/25/13, Charlottesville 10/29/13,
    St. Paul 10/19/14, New York 9/26/15, Quebec City 5/5/16, Boston 8/5/16, Boston 9/2/18, Boston 9/4/18, Quebec City 9/1/22, Camden 9/14/22, Oklahoma City 9/20/22 
  • release23420release23420 Posts: 1,176
    fly to san antone its cheaper not far of a drive an stay in san marcos
  • mfc2006mfc2006 HTOWN Posts: 37,472
    release23420 wrote:
    fly to san antone its cheaper not far of a drive an stay in san marcos

    that's good advice. or fly into Dallas...not too far of a drive.

    like Brian said, we've gone every year since 2007. i think we'll miss this year's fest b/c we're moving out of state. it's one of the things that i'll miss the most about Texas, to be honest. it's an awesome festival. the lineup is usually pretty killer...last year was the weakest lineup since 2007, in my opinion. (which is odd b/c it was their 10th anniversary.) so, that leads me to believe that this year's lineup will be solid. the lineup is usually very diverse, which is one of things that makes ACL so great. people have been hoping to see Radiohead pop up as a headliner...and i think it'll happen someday. Wilco hasn't played ACL in a few years, so they may be there.

    some other cool things about the fest:
    -The food: all local vendors from some of the best restaurants in Austin (Torchy's Tacos is a favorite)
    -The shopping center: cool little shops from Austin set up shop in the middle of the park
    -Zilker is huge! so if you need to step away for a bit & relax, you can.
    -After Shows: a great way to catch some awesome bands that you may have missed during the festival.

    before our friends moved to Austin, we would always stay a bit North of downtown in Round Rock. cheaper hotels & easy access to downtown (learn the tollway & side streets to avoid I-35...it's a bitch in Austin). the later you head to the shuttles downtown, the worse the traffic & shuttle line will be.

    as for festival rumors, check these sites out: sing up to communicate...they can give you lots of info. the first two sites are the best. the other two will give you great info as it approaches.
    http://theboard.aclfestival.com/
    http://aclrumors.com/groupee
    http://www.austin360.com/
    http://www.austinchronicle.com/

    if you have any questions, shoot me a pm!

    Matt

    it will become more active as the announcement gets closer.
    I LOVE MUSIC.
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  • Sugar-MagnoliaSugar-Magnolia Loveland, CO Posts: 233
    release23420 wrote:
    fly to san antone its cheaper not far of a drive an stay in san marcos

    This
    I was there in 2009 and had a great time. We stayed in San Marcos- a short easy drive to the festival from there. Very chill atmosphere at ACL. I have been to a few metropolitan areas (thanks to PJ) and Austin is one of our favorite cities we've been to.
    *Denver 04-01-2003*ACL 10-04-2009*Colombus 05-06-2010*Noblesville 05-07-2010*Bridge School 10-23 & 10-24-2010*PJ20 09-03 & 09-04-2011*Deluna Fest 09-21-2012*Wrigley Field 07-19-2013*Ok City 11-16-2013*Moline (Rail, Hometown!)10-17-2014*St Paul 10-19-2014*Milwaukee 10-20-2014*Denver 10-22-2014*
    *Ed Solo: Detroit 06-26-2011, Chicago 06-29-2011*
  • K.LOK.LO Posts: 163
    I have been to ACL every year since 2008. It's always a blast!
  • dlymnflddlymnfld CT Posts: 918
    Thanks for all the input. I guess RHCP getting the Lolla slot only reinforces they will be at ACL as I heard Lollapalooza is owned by the same management company. I wonder if Black Keys will be one of the other headliners as they will be done with the US and Europe by then. I saw them open for KOL and I enjoyed them but they are not the HL I am looking for in regards to music. I guess we will see.
    Springfield 4/6/94, Boston 4/6/94, Hartford 10/2/96, New York 9/11/98, Hartford 9/13/98, Mansfield 8/30/00, Boston 9/28/04, Reading 10/1/04, Quebec City 9/20/05, Boston 5/24/06, Hartford 5/13/06, New York 6/25/08, Hartford 6/27/08 Philadelphia 10/31/09, Hartford 10/15/10,
    Boston 10/17/10, East Troy 9/3/11, East Troy 9/4/11, Missoula 9/30/12, Worcester 10/15/13, Hartford 10/25/13, Charlottesville 10/29/13,
    St. Paul 10/19/14, New York 9/26/15, Quebec City 5/5/16, Boston 8/5/16, Boston 9/2/18, Boston 9/4/18, Quebec City 9/1/22, Camden 9/14/22, Oklahoma City 9/20/22 
  • K.LOK.LO Posts: 163
    dlymnfld wrote:
    Thanks for all the input. I guess RHCP getting the Lolla slot only reinforces they will be at ACL as I heard Lollapalooza is owned by the same management company. I wonder if Black Keys will be one of the other headliners as they will be done with the US and Europe by then. I saw them open for KOL and I enjoyed them but they are not the HL I am looking for in regards to music. I guess we will see.

    The company is C3, and usually the lineup does give hints to ACL. Also, ACL tapes a lot of the TV show episodes during the festival weekend.

    I'm not for sure if The Black Keys will be there since they played in 2010, but you never know. They weren't headliners that year (played before The Strokes).
  • CobCob Posts: 857
    I have been to every ACL Festival, Houston is only 2 1/2 hours away and usually cheaper to fly into than San Antonio, Dallas is about 3 1/2 to 4 hours, not sure about RHCP's playing as ACL usually make the headliners for Fri, Sat, Sun sign an agreement saying they will not play anywhere within a certain amount of miles from Austin.

    Again, this for the headliners only, the rumor I have heard is that Van Halen will be a headliner, not sure if it will be Sunday yet, but that was the first rumor I heard during SXSW as that is usually when leaks start getting thrown around about who's playing ACL. For the money, ACL is the best deal out of any of the festivals.
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  • red mosred mos Posts: 4,953
    edited April 2012
    ACL is an absolute blast! Yes, go. I went one day for PJ, But the whole weekend is a blast. Austin is such a fun and unique city. Check out 6th street while your there. I think it's in downtown Austin. ACL is alot like Lollapalooza (put on by the same promoters C3 and I think Perry Ferrell is involved in the founding of the ACL fest as well). Yes, go, and have fun. So many great bands play and headline this fest every year. Great way to get introduced to new bands, or bands you have heard of, and get a taste of them live. I would love to do all 3 days at some point.

    Also ate at some place called Kirby's that was good, and maybe Magnolia Cafe' too, it was good.

    8-)
    Post edited by red mos on
    PJ: 10/14/00 06/09/03 10/4/09 11/15/13 11/16/13 10/08/14
    EV Solo: 7/11/11 11/12/12 11/13/12
  • dlymnflddlymnfld CT Posts: 918
    Right now Dallas is 220 RT, Houston 330 and SA 440 out of Boston so I'm leaning forward Dallas or Houston as they are also direct flights. I'd take VH as one of the headliners. I really appreciate the information as traveling is so much easier when prepared. I'm looking forward to the announcement.
    Springfield 4/6/94, Boston 4/6/94, Hartford 10/2/96, New York 9/11/98, Hartford 9/13/98, Mansfield 8/30/00, Boston 9/28/04, Reading 10/1/04, Quebec City 9/20/05, Boston 5/24/06, Hartford 5/13/06, New York 6/25/08, Hartford 6/27/08 Philadelphia 10/31/09, Hartford 10/15/10,
    Boston 10/17/10, East Troy 9/3/11, East Troy 9/4/11, Missoula 9/30/12, Worcester 10/15/13, Hartford 10/25/13, Charlottesville 10/29/13,
    St. Paul 10/19/14, New York 9/26/15, Quebec City 5/5/16, Boston 8/5/16, Boston 9/2/18, Boston 9/4/18, Quebec City 9/1/22, Camden 9/14/22, Oklahoma City 9/20/22 
  • mfc2006mfc2006 HTOWN Posts: 37,472
    dlymnfld wrote:
    Right now Dallas is 220 RT, Houston 330 and SA 440 out of Boston so I'm leaning forward Dallas or Houston as they are also direct flights. I'd take VH as one of the headliners. I really appreciate the information as traveling is so much easier when prepared. I'm looking forward to the announcement.

    that Dallas flight is cheap! wow! if you need any help, just let me (or someone else in this thread) know. we'll help you track down a decent hotel, etc. it's an awesome time.....if we're still here in TX, we will be there & i'll buy you some Torchy's & a beer. :)
    I LOVE MUSIC.
    www.cluthelee.com
    www.cluthe.com
  • K.LOK.LO Posts: 163
    red mos wrote:
    Also ate at some place called Kirby's that was good, and maybe Magnolia Cafe' too, it was good.

    8-)

    Kerbey Lane! A local favorite.
  • red mosred mos Posts: 4,953
    K.LO wrote:
    red mos wrote:
    Also ate at some place called Kirby's that was good, and maybe Magnolia Cafe' too, it was good.

    8-)

    Kerbey Lane! A local favorite.
    yes! that's it, (Thank you :mrgreen: ) :P couldn't remember the full name. Went there twice. Had the queso, (it was awesome). Went for Breakfast once, (after ACL) (Queso was dinner for sister's graduation from UT one night). They had amazing pancakes and breafest!

    To the original poster,Ask hotels about ACL deals. Sometimes they may offer a discounted rate, if you are attending ACL never hurts to ask. you may just have to present a wristband or paper ticket.
    PJ: 10/14/00 06/09/03 10/4/09 11/15/13 11/16/13 10/08/14
    EV Solo: 7/11/11 11/12/12 11/13/12
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