..At least that's what they say. Did someone actually travel the world to cross-check that? Who knows and honestly, who cares. Once again ACL has come to shower the city of Austin with a weekend long music adventure that never fails to bring enlightenment and inspiration to those who go. Okay, so that does sound slightly hokey, I must admit. 'enlightenment and inspiration'? That makes it sound more like an over-the-hill couples yoga retreat in order to prevent them from getting a divorce (or making a gross profit from the targeted wealthy and UN-happy audience, your choice). But no, enlightenment and inspiration is what ACL does for me, in a relative sense. Allow me to explain, briefly of course, I'm writing during my lunch hour.
One city, one park, three days, lots of bands. The weekend has already passed yet it still excites me to think about it! Music enthusiasts travel from all over to attend. (ACL is among the biggest music festivals along with Bonnarroo, Coachella, and Lollapolooza.) The more seasoned veterans know to buy the coveted 3-day pass early. Others, not so lucky. That, naturally, is the category I fell into. I was the only person in Travis county, it seemed, that did not have tickets to ACL.
side note: I did have to opportunity to buy them early, but I did not think I would be able to take a vacation in the middle of September to visit Austin. Who'da thought I'd actually be working in Austin? I sure didn't. Water under the bridge. Moving on.
I began my frantic search for an ACL ticket early last week. I imagine that's how searching for Wonka's golden ticket would have felt like. It was that intense. I even began doing creepy things like Facebookin' random people who claimed to have a ticket for sale.All trails stopped short; all hope was lost. I was desperate. Matthew was coming down for ACL and assured me, as is protocol for best friends, that I would be able to go and to not worry about it. < paraphrased. Little did I know, Matthew had decided to give me a 3-day pass as my birthday/graduation gift. BEST GIFT EVER. When he first told me he had a gift, I'm not going to lie, I thought it was going to be corny. Then, as he pulled out this tiny wrist-let, I thought he was playing the cruelest trick ever. Finally, as I processed that he was not joking with me, I became ecstatic.ACL, ACL ACL. I wouldn't be the only person in Austin left out, yes!
So where does the 'enlightenment' and 'inspiration' come into play? Well you see, unlike my fellow music festival goers, I usually only know the headliners. Often times not even all of them. ACL is a great way for me to learn about different music the way the musicians intended for their sound to be interpreted. Live. With the full force of their passion out on display for the world to see them. I get a healthy dosage of inspiration every time I hear a band giving it all they got while being immersed in a sea of people united only by the sound that band creates. It might be the naivete, but it inspires me to put my life in perspective, to think about it as objectively as possible, and to then shoot for what inspires me. That band rockin' that stage in front of me had to start somewhere. And so do I.
All in all, ACL 2011 was a success. Thank you, again, to my biffle Matthew! I'll post a list of the bands I saw when I'm not at lunch.
Until next time,
RTIII
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You should definitely post reviews of some of the shows you saw.
ReplyDeleteAlso, you're welcome. :) And I do read your blog.