Weekend one
Rain-soaked festival grounds and weather-related schedule changes did not stop music lovers from showing up for their favorite artists, but you’ll never understand adaptation to Texas weather unless you survived the unpredictable Austin City Limits Music Festival Weekend One. Now, I am writing this after Weekend One and before Weekend Two (which I actually have a day pass to as well). I am hoping Weekend Two is much different than last, but there are actually so many ways you can enrich your experience without missing out.Â
Did you think ACL this year was going to match the green grass of Zilker Park aesthetic? By the time I took pictures there, it was already so muddy that my Pinterest boards were not matched. But did we expect anything less from Texas weather?Â
I’m not going to lie, it was so much fun. However, it is true that this is probably the least favorite ACL experience I have had so far (and I’ve been to many). All the Austinites and festivalgoers deemed this ACL “MudCL” or “MudFest”. Those there definitely made the most of the experience– with people jumping and rolling around in the mud. Yes, like pigs. Sometimes the best memories happen when plans go completely wrong, but you still could not have found me jumping in the mud.Â
Now, Weekend Two is officially here, and it is time for a new festival survival kit. With three more days of live music, statement outfits and unforgettable moments ahead, here is what every ACL girl should have on her radar.
Festival It Girl
Let’s be honest: ACL is just as much about the outfits as it is about the music. From 2016 vibes to western wear, festival fashion is practically a sport.
But after Weekend One’s muddy adventures, the biggest style lesson is that being practical can coexist with being cute. Think breathable fabrics, comfortable shoes you do not mind getting dusty or muddy, coordinated accessories, and definitely a backpack with a water pouch– thank me later.
And for anyone who spent hours planning the perfect look, do not worry. A little dirt and mud never hurt a good outfit. If anything, it shows you had fun!
The Mud May be Out, but the Dust is in
Just when we thought the weather was the biggest plot twist, Weekend Two brings a new challenge: dusty festival grounds. After heavy rain left parts of Zilker Park muddy, drier conditions are expected to change the experience for this weekend’s crowd.
Pack sunglasses, a portable charger, sunscreen, a portable fan and a bandana or other comfortable face coverings for comfort. My favorite thing I’ve bought for ACL the past two years? A portable stool. Being short, you can stand on it, being tired, you can sit on it! The stool comes in a bag and is super lightweight. 10/10 recommendation!
My golden rule: wear what makes you feel confident, but do not bring anything you would be devastated to see get dirty.
The Artists We Cannot Wait to See
Of course, the real reason I keep coming back every year is the music. Weekend Two has a lineup that offers something for every kind of girl, whether your playlist is full of indie favorites, pop anthems or songs made for screaming every lyric with your best friends.
Lorde: For the girls who are attending with their best friends or that love a good late-night singing session, Lorde’s set is one to put on your must-see list. Expect a crowd ready to sing along and live in the moment.
Charli XCX: If your festival personality is bold, Charli’s high-energy is the place to be. Think dancing with your friends, screaming the lyrics, and embracing your inner party girl.
RĂśFĂśS DU SOL: For the girls who love a euphoric atmosphere and music that makes the entire crowd feel interlinked, this is a set worth attending.
Kings of Leon: Kings of Leon are a must for anyone who wants to close out the night with a major, rock-heavy, live-music moment.
With artists like The Chainsmokers, Lola Young, Bleachers and Suki Waterhouse also on the Weekend Two lineup, there are plenty of opportunities to discover a new favorite.
Check the official ACL schedule before you get there so you can plan around your sets without missing the artists you discover along the way.
One Last Thing Before Weekend Two
The best part of a music festival is that not every moment needs to be scheduled. It might be stumbling across a new artist while walking between stages, looking for your friends for an hour, or trying a new food truck at Zilker Park.
Make time for the little things. Take the blurry pictures. Record you and your friends singing terribly. Buy the festival merch even if it’s expensive. While the headliners might be the reason you bought your ticket, the moments between sets are often the ones you remember long after the festival is over. Don’t be afraid to put the phone down and be in the moment!
ACL is not about looking perfect every second. It is about the music, the people you share it with and the stories you will tell afterward. There is something special about spending a weekend surrounded by music and thousands of people who came for the same reason.
MudCL was a moment, but Weekend Two is ready!
Are you?