While there are certain happenings this fall we ’re a little worried about ( * cough * the election * coughing * ) , it ’s gracious to bed there ’s at least one event we can ensure will be first-class : Austin City Limits . Now in its fifteenth twelvemonth , the fete has weather some serious changes – just like the city – which direct to keep it as an event unlike any other . century of thousands of attender will make the pilgrim’s journey to Zilker to catch sweaty performances from artist place from the topically loved to Top-40 famed .
While many of you likely have slate to one or both of the weekends ( Sept 30th - October 2nd ; Oct 5th-7th ) already , we ’re here to do the veracious affair : guiltthe rest of youinto snuff it . Here are a few of the many reason we ’re stoked for this year ’s fest .
The headliner is POTUS-approved
Not only did Obama dub Lamar’sTo Pimp a Butterflythe good record album of 2015 , but the chairman also invited the rapper to play a Fourth of July concert for the military personnel . ( And while Saturday ACL wristbands might be trade out , it ’s still way easier to get into the festival than the White House . )
Classics meet new collaborations
LCD Soundsystem and Radiohead are band both your oldest and most musically out - of - cutaneous senses protagonist have heard of while the fest is also showcasing Modern tout ensemble likeBanks & Steelz , a recently established musical endeavour featuring Wu Tang ’s RZA and Paul Banks of Interpol . What , you did n’t see that coming ?
The fun begins before breakfast
The phone number - one grounds to drag yourself out of bed during Weekend One is to do a footling musical ( and other types of ) pregaming via theKGSR Live Broadcast at Threadgill ’s . begin at 8 am that Friday and Saturday , the show will feature curt sets from artists like Caveman , Band of Horses , Saint Motel , The Naked and Famous , and others … All of which pair perfectly with a Bloody Mary .
Attendance equals good karma
While you ’re not exactly sweating it out at the soup kitchen ( and ACL attendance in all likelihood wo n’t count towards those courtyard - mandate community inspection and repair hour ) , you’re able to experience somewhat beneficent while you fest knowing thatACL gives back .
There’s a lot of local flavor
And we ’re not just speak about the intellectual nourishment ( we ’ll do that later ) . capital of Texas band admit our pigtailed hometown zep Willie Nelson , Wild Child , Bayonne , Walker Lukens and the Sidearms , Asleep at the Wheel , and probably a guy or two who will be playing his guitar outside Zilker for tips . catch ta esteem ambition .
The Canadian imports are awesome
No passport ? No trouble . away from hockey , maple syrup , the entertaining antics lore of the late Rob Ford and , of course , Celine Dion ( DON’T JUDGE US ) , the best thing out of Canada has always been music , and gratefully you do n’t even have to head north of the moulding to experience it . This class , The Strumbellas , July Talk , and City and Colour are a few of the fantabulous act collide with the fete stage and , shall we say , put the “ eh ” in ACL .
The food is (still) good
Praise the gastronomic god , because festival food has progressed far beyond boggy potato products and semi - questionable essence on sticks . That comestible evidence comes in the form of Austin ’s most prove eatery and bakery , which are place up workshop to keep you fueled throughout the weekends and includeTrudy’s , East Side King , Chi’Lantro , MicklethwaitCraft Meats , andSkull and Cakebones . Take that , funnel patty .
Late is great
Double the weekends means double the entertainment options
Since ACL followed Coachella ’s lead-in and expanded to two weekends in 2013 , you have double the chances to see your favorite bands … and a backup weekend in pillow slip some inconsiderate couple schedules their wedding or something . And while the main acts are the same each weekend , there are certain performing artist who are only appear on one or the other . ( Weekend One : Andrew Bird , Chris Stapleton , Kacey Musgraves , St. Lucia , Blue October , and more ; Weekend Two : Willie Nelson , AWOLNATION , Andrew .Paak & The Free Nationals , Conor Oberst , Ra Ra Riot , etc . ) .
In other words , you’re able to go both weekends and have two equally awesome experience . And if you go Weekend Two , you could revel the added fillip of avoiding UT fraternity bros who will be in Dallas for the Oklahoma game . God sanctify America .
There are 16 brews to sample at Barton Springs Beer Hall
Ace Pineapple Cider , Adelbert ’s Hibiscus Saison , Alaskan White , Deep Ellum IPA , Founders All Day IPA , Harpoon UFO White , Lagunitas IPA , Oasis Metamodern , Original Sin Hard Cider , Odell Drumroll American Pale Ale , Sierra Nevada Otra Vez , Stone Arrogant Bastard , SweetWater 420 Pale Ale , Real Ale Devil ’s Backbone , Real Ale Firemans $ 4 , Real Ale Hans ' Pils , Real Ale Oktoberfest …
This is one spot in which it ’s OK to be thirsty .
Oh, and there’s a wine bar now
Slapping the bag may not be a possibility ( maynot be – we ’re not trusted how intimately they ’re try the contents of your CamelBak ) , but now there ’s an actual wine bar where you’re able to get your fest on sans Franzia . Not that we ’re above that or anything .
It’s the only big music fest in Austin this fall
WhileUTOPiAfestis life changing ( in earnest ) andSound on Soundis indisputable to be a worthy successor to Fun Fun Fun Fest , both of these music - drive events take place outside the city limits and require a bit of a commute . Festival - atomic number 39 - speech production , there ’s only one take place in what ’s basically your backyard , meaning this is the complete time to go great or go home .
And as luck would have it , home is pretty cheeseparing .
You can give FOMO the finger
Ca n’t make either weekend ? Bummer , bro . But as luck would have it , you do n’t call for a wristband to experience ACL – really just Wi - Fi … or at least a comme il faut data program . That ’s because Red Bull will belive cyclosis fest coveragemeaning you may enjoy the fest in air conditioning ( even sans trouser ! ) which we guess is a tight second to catch it know .
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Young the Giant at Austin City Limits|Flickr/Thomas Hawk
Kendrick Lamar|Flickr/Merlijn Hoek
Band of Horses|Flickr/digboston
Flickr/Bob Tilden
Chi’Lantro
Conor Oberst|Flickr/digboston
Deep Ellum Brewing Company
Utopiafest