Austin City Limits: More Than a Music Festival

When most people think of Texas they think of extremely conservative southerners with heavy accents, but despite popular belief, some parts of Texas (specifically its capital city, Austin) have sprouted a completely different atmosphere. Having lived in Austin my entire life, I've been exposed to Austin's counter-culture, but it wasn't until my first attendance of the Austin City Limits Music Festival in eighth grade that I was able to experience  further the amazing "freak show" that is Austin, Texas. The thing that most struck me about my first experience at ACL was the huge amount of diversity among those in attendance. Whether you're looking for blues, country, rap, electronic, indie, rock, or whatever, ACL has it. While at first, I was a little confused as to why there were half naked people hula hooping at the back of The Black Keys concert, I began to realize that people like this were all over Austin, and that ACL was a place where everyone (and I mean EVERYONE) in Austin could come to listen to awesome music and "show their true colors." With tons of artists ranging for Bob Dylan to Kanye West, ACL has something for everyone. No matter what kind of quirky music, fashion, art, or just about anything else you're into, you'll find it here. In addition to the incredible music and concerts, there are countless tents set up around the festival to display the best of Austin's fashion, art, technology, and all over culture. So  even if you're not into music, you're in luck! There are tons of fun activities to take part in during ACL including an outdoor food court in which anyone can enjoy some of Austin's best food at stands including Amy's Ice Cream, Mighty Cone, and Sweet Leaf Tea just to name a few.
While the Austin City Limits Music Festival has only been around since 2002, Austin City Limits began in 1976 as a television show that aired various music video from Texan artists, and has since expanded into one of the longest running concert shows on television. The ACL Music Festival attracts people from all over the world and has not only increased Austin's popularity, but has also largely boosted the city's reputation as the "Live Music Capital of the World."

 While ACL is primarily a music festival, it creates a sort of paradise in which anyone can come (for the price of a $200 three day ticket) and experience the best aspects of Austin. Whether you're eager to join the movement of earth-lovers by carrying around a recycling bin and picking up trash, discovering the next big technologies in the Google + Tent, or just trying to enjoy some of the great music, the Austin City Limits Music Festival surely won't disappoint.