DIVERSITY IS KEY ONCE AGAIN AT AUSTIN CITY LIMITS MUSIC FESTIVAL

In it’s sixth year of existence, the Austin City Limits Music Festival certainly showed that the spirit of a city rich in musical tradition can’t be slowed down by a few surprise cancellations or even a fire on the first day, for that matter. This years version of ACL which took place September 14th-16th, featured headliners Bjork, Muse and the legendary Bob Dylan, who each closed the fest on different days. But with Joss Stone, LCD Soundsystem, Arcade Fire, Paolo Nutini, Blue October, Common, Zap Mama, Ziggy Marley, The Killers, Lucinda Williams, Gotan Project, Damian Rice, My Morning Jacket, Wilco, Ghostland Observatory, Bloc Party, Regina Spektor, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah and The Arctic Monkeys all contributing high energy sets, it’s clear that ACL showcased one of the most family friendly and diverse festival line ups in the U.S. this summer. With many bands performing around locally in a series of small club shows at night, music fans could enjoy world class music from 11:30 in the morning on the festival grounds to the early morning hours around town with a wide range of options from many musical genres. Whether it was country music, electronica, blue grass, pop, reggae, alternative, jam band, hip hop, local Austin talent or even the Austin Kiddie Limits stage for the children, fans were left scratching their heads at the amount of music available throught the weekend. to name just a few high energy sets from the weekend, it’s clear that ACL showcased one of the most family friendly and diverse festival line ups in the U.S. this summer. Even though their were a few high profile last minute cancellations like The White Stripes, Amy Winehouse and Rodrigo Y Gabriella, many fans just rolled with the punches and enjoyed the bands that filled in for those unfortunate enough to not be able to make it. With many bands performing around locallly in a series of small club shows, music fans could enjoy world class music from 11:30 in the morning on the festival gro

We caught up with Gordon Moakes of U.K. indie favorites, Bloc Party to get his thoughts on the wide range of musical talent that Austin City Limits brings in from around the world.

“I really like Austin. There’s this idea that Texas is very kind of conservative and you know a cowboy state where everyone eats beef and is a rancher but you come to Austin and it’s just so different to that sterotype. Because it is a sterotype. It’s a really green place and there’s a lot going on and lots of cool people. And people are into music and all kinds of music as well. Music from all around the world and that’s kind of why a band like us can come and fit in here, you know. I’ve always liked that idea.”

We also talked with Blue October, who originally hail from Houston, Texas just down the road from Austin, to get their thoughts on performing at ACL, which is where their loyal fan base got started close to twelve years ago.

“I mean, we just got back from playing Lollapalooza in Chicago and that was really amazing to play but one thing about Austin, when we come back it’s like we’re originally from Houston but we lived in Austin for the past eleven, twelve years, so all of our friends and our real big fan base started here. It started in San Marcus (Texas) and it started in Austin and it’s just so great to play a great festival for the same people that we’ve been playing for, for twelve years who love us and we love them because they’ve everything and they made us who we are. So, it’s awesome. And thousands more too, you know. Yeah and thousands more people and Austin’s a great music city and we love it here, that’s for sure.”

We caught up with Paolo Nutini, who at a young age of 20 is no stranger to festivals both in The U.S. and The U.K. to discuss his thoughts on once again performing at Austin City Limits.

“I think the Texas festivals have their own thing going on. There’s a lot of freedom and a lot of room. The last time I did something like this was at Bonnaroo and I said the same thing as well. You know there’s a lot of security and things, you just don’t see them any where. That’s the beauty of it, that’s the trick. They’re watching sort of, slightly but you don’t get bothered by them unless you do something wrong so I like that. I like that about it. And everybody, I don’t know you find that for the bands, the bands that everyone stays loyal to, which is something that’s not so much in the U.K. Festivals. “

Although there was a fire on the first day due to an exploding propane tank in the backstage area that forced 4 festival workers to go to the hospital with burns, The Austin Fire Department and the Security that was on hand as well as the concert goers, ensured no festival patrons were hurt during the fire. We are also pleased to report that by Sunday Evening all four hurt in the explosion where released from the Hospital. As Austin City Limits once again demonstrated, close to 65,000 music fans who flocked to Zilker Park in Austin each day left with many musical memories they’ll carry with them for life.