Austin City Limits Music Festival kicked off the first of two consecutive weekends yesterday. Bill and I have been attending this outdoor event for nine years, and we agreed with Ray Benson’s assessment that this was the most perfect ACL day ever. Due to a cold front on Thursday evening, skies were clear and blue, and temperatures were in the 80s. Fridays are always the least crowded days, so we were able to easily criss-cross the festival grounds and get close to most stages.
The food court booths are outstanding this year, with lots of local newcomers (Max’s Wine Dive, The Peached Tortilla, P. Terrys, and others) and old favorites (Salt Lick, Mighty Cone, Amy’s Ice Cream). Each day features a visiting chef—Friday’s chef was Bryce Gilmore. Bill reported that his kolache with goat sausage was very good.
My only complaint is that the shuttle bus drivers apparently received no driving directions. In the morning, Fortunately Bill and I were seated towards the front since we had to direct our bus driver to Zilker Park. On the trip back downtown, the bus driver actually got lost and had to ask a traffic cop for directions. (I was sitting towards the back this time.) Then she drove right past the drop-off point and finally left us off several blocks later after the passengers started yelling at her.
Otherwise, Friday was a wonderful, music-packed day for Bill and me. Here’s who we saw…
Ray Benson and Asleep at the Wheel
The Jones Family Singers
Capital Cities
Jimmy Cliff
Ana Tijoux
Paolo Nutina
J. Roddy Walston & The Business
St. Vincent
Ozomatli
The Glitch Mob
Belle & Sebastian
(and Bill stayed for Outkast)
Food Highlight of the day: Poor Qui Buns from East Side King
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