As I say every year, Austin City Limits is one of my most favorite times of the year. not just because live music is a big part of my life, but because of the energy and all the excitement this local festival brings to town. There are so many fun events happening all two weeks, whether it be Leon Bridges surprise shows at Continental Club, Khruangbin sneaking in a set at C-Boys after their show, spotting Dua Lipa at La Barbecue or Donn’s Depot, or running into Blink 182 having lunch at Commodore Perry.
Austin City Limits 2024
While this is the first year in five years that I haven’t gone both weekends — I had to miss the first weekend for a bachelorette party! — I do think it’s best to do both because there are so many friends to go with each weekend, so many activations that are new each year like the Aperol Spritz PIazza this year, and the bands you didn’t see the first weekend, you’ll read about and then book it to them on the second weekend. Since I missed the first weekend and apparently the largest crowds they’ve seen in years — hello, Chappell Roan — I was actually able to see some videos on Instagram and learn about new bands that I might not have gone to originally, like Benson Boone, who did backflips.
It’s become a tradition for two of my best friends from high school, CeCe and Andie, to drive up to Austin from Houston for one night to go to the fest with me. This year, we had some guest attendees (their husbands!), so I took them to Uptown Sports Club for some east side shrimp cocktail, burgers, and drinks before we headed to the fest. We always enter at the Barton Springs West entrance for no lines, and then we booked it to the Tito’s Tent, which you have to have a wristband for, but it’s so nice because it has free drinks, water, espresso martinis, and bathrooms.
We caught a little of Eggy and then ran to St. Lucia, who was added to the line up last minute and who I love. I actually loved seeing them at the IHG Hotels & Resorts stage because there were less people to compete with to get up close so it kind of felt like ACL back when I was in college and we were able to get front row for Coldplay in 2005. We then kicked it with Foster the People, caught some Leon Bridges and Santigold, and ended with Blink-182. It was definitely such a throwback day with my high school friends and these old school bands. I was mesmerized by Travis Barker’s drumming skills during Blink-182’s set. I wonder how many calories he burns a show with that madness and beat! I will say that I was very confused by one of the members, Tom, saying a lot of vulgar things about men’s body parts, but oh well! Congrats to them for being a band for 30 years.
On Saturday, I made my 45 min walk down to the fest with my friend Clementyne and we jaunted in the sun, catching Teddy Swims, Elyanna (who were incredible dancers and new to me), Benson Boone, who is just adorable, and Jungle as the sun went down, and I somehow ran into my friends Amelia, Adele, and Emilie, all separately in just one corner. I’m telling you, you don’t need to play to meet up with anyone you will run into people, even in the crowd! I really loved Dua Lipa because we could hear and see her well, and her stage presence and hit songs mixed with her leather outfit and red hair really had my attention. She seems so nice based on her posts of all the local businesses she supported, and I liked her energy. The crowd loved it when she put on her UT Longhorns jersey after UT beat OU. Then, like the crazy walker I am, we walked to C-Boys to round out the night because how could it end before midnight. right?
FOOD:
ACL Eats offers some of the best Austin food and festival food I’ve ever seen. You can truly get anything you crave, from a good burger, to BBQ, tacos, and even a pie milkshake! This year, they added the La Pachanga Eatery across the street by the IHG Hotels & Resorts Stage, which included the best curated tacos from the “Taco Mafia” crew, such as: Con Todo, Paprika, Veracruz All Natural, La Santa Barbacha, etc. This is also next to the Barton Beach Club Tiki Bar.
I, for some reason, have been nostalgic for El Patio since I went to ACL last year. They have their cute food truck in the center of the field by the flags and their salty and crispy chips covered in queso wash down really well with the Tito’s lemonade. How lucky are we that they started serving liquor in the park, along with so many options for wine, frosé, Topo Chico Seltzers, etc? You can find whatever you want at ACL — music, TX-OU football on TV screens, vintage shopping, activations in the Amex tents, food, and crafts. I mean, there really is everything, and it’s not just a music festival.
TICKETING:
This year, they added Bungalows to their VIP options, which include 10 wristbands and access to your own private space with seating and bar service. I have done VIP before, and this year, my friend Clementyne gave me a backstage pass to use for one of the days, however, I will say, I really just enjoy GA! I like wandering out in the crowd, getting whatever food I want to eat, and seeing everyone out and about.
