Survival and Revival: ACL 2014 Continued

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By M. A. Alvarez II

The Austin City Limits 2nd Weekend, despite the rain, had brought some of the most talented names in music together at Austin’s Zilker Park for an unforgettable celebration. The first two days, though rainy didn’t let festival goers down. Still full of an electrifying energy, the park was thriving by the time I arrived ready for the final day. I could even say it was possibly more jam packed than the day before.

My hopes were high, just where they should be. I wouldn’t be foolish enough to believe that ACL would disappoint me. Not after experiencing the last two years of the festival prior to this one. Also the days before were met with tremendous bliss I could never forget. After entering the gates, I met with my friend Tanner at the base of the Miller Lite stage where he and his brother Taylor were waiting for the glittering and funkadelic Gramatik to take the stage

The electric sound would dominate today as Gramatik would only be a prelude to EDM headliners Zedd and Calvin Harris. Gramatik’s soulful electric funk brought about a chill atmosphere as festival goers took to dancing in the mud created by rains earlier that morning. There was this carelessness about the air, as if worries were eliminated once you past the gates of Zilker Park. Especially among the jazz like beats of Gramatik’s set. There wasn’t a single worry. Not in that crowd at least.

I wouldn’t leave the Miller Lite stage anytime soon. After claiming dominion even closer to the stage, we would be in full view for electric rock duo Phantogram. The beautiful Sarah Barthel greeted Austin with her mesmerizing and sensual voice. Soon her voice would echo over the crowd, like a siren, hypnotizing and alluring, as she lead the crowd truly into a world of her own. With the help of guitarist Josh Carter and the use of her own keyboard, Barthel drew us in entrancing me as the lyrics of “Fall in Love” dripped into my ears. Phantogram would stay true to their name, altering reality with their music, and creating what seemed to be an illusion.

The final day was already off to an amazing start. The sky was now clear and a beautiful blue. The park was colorful and full of life and as I laid upon the park grounds listening to Spoon in the distance I could only feel the rise of playful laughter rise from within me as I looked around into a sea of smiles. ACL had succeeded in unifying generations and diverse groups of people and artists, and now here in the midst of their success we were drawing closer towards the end of yet another year of ACL.

After watching the end of Spoon’s performance at the Honda stage, my friends and I rushed back just in time to score a full view at Miller Lite. Zedd would be taking the stage in a matter of moments. I can remember the rhythm of my heart as I heard the rise of Zedd’s mix of MAGIC!’s “Rude” play. The lights and the fire erupted as a colorful projection drew my eyes towards the DJ. It looked as if the screen behind him was about to swallow him and take the crowd with him as it projected a vortex behind the barrage of lights that shot from the stage. The crowd was jumping. My emotions were flaring. As the crowd opened up I found myself pressing forward as Zedd proceeded to play his mix of Empires of the Sun’s “Alive” and Skrillex’s “Breaking a Sweat”. Zedd would also play fan favorites “Spectrum”, “Find You”, and “Fall into the Sky”.

Zedd would leave me energized. I could feel the adrenaline rushing through my body. I was almost startled by the affect the music had taken over me. It had filled me with a spark of intensifying emotion, I couldn’t help but shout among the crowd. But just as Zedd was ending his set, in the distance I heard an echo of something familiar. From the Honda stage, I could hear it, a song I sang to myself from time to time; “Under Control”. I screamed as I watched the crowd immediately break apart and dart for the Honda stage.

“Come on! Let’s go!” I shouted as we sprinted into the blue lights. Calvin Harris had opened with my favorite song. “Under Control” had a very special place in my heart and as soon as I found myself among the crowd I raised my voice, singing with spirit and passion, as the sound roared through the air. Calvin Harris considerably is one of my favorite artists and DJs and possibly my most anticipated act of the festival all together. To have the chance to experience his set live, among a festival setting was a remarkable and unforgettable moment in my life.

After listening to Calvin Harris play his hits “Summer” and “Thinking About You”, still filled with the incredible strength the music had fueled us with. We made our way across the park and to the Samsung Galaxy stage to catch the legendary Pearl Jam. Pearl Jam would tie up the loose ends of the festival, bringing the youth of music into the ways of the old, touching on generations past. I could feel the emotion still within me, hot and unyielding, but as I looked into the golden mirage of lights as the band played, I felt my body come to ease. I looked up and the sky had cleared and the spotlights had taken to the night sky, crossing and merging with one another as Pearl Jam played their cover of the Who’s “Baba O’Riley”.

It was then that it hit me. The purpose in all this. This festival was truly, as simple as it was, a celebration of music; new and old. It brought generations together. At one end of the park we had the youth basking in the energetic and uplifting electronic dance music of their generation only to meet with the generations before them at the very end. This was a unison of music and I would always remember that. Pearl Jam would close out the festival with none other than the United States National Anthem and after an epic guitar solo, we would begin our trek back to the gates, back to our homes, away from this wondrous place.

This would conclude my third year at ACL. Each time is always different, but somethings never change. Each artist always brings their heart to the playing field that is Zilker Park. Each sound perfect. Every cord is struck. There are no mistakes. No worries. ACL is a celebration of music, new and old; a unison of generations and genres, that bring people together. It is the very reason I was exposed to music and love it as I do, being the first live music event I had ever been to. ACL will always have a special place in my heart and though I said goodbye that day, I knew it wouldn’t be the last time I set foot on those grounds. Until next time ACL. Until next time.

 

ACL 2014: The Calling of Generations

Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue at the Honda Stage

By M. A. Alvarez II

Taking place annually in October, The Austin City Limits music festival can be considered one of the most highly anticipated festivals in the South, and by far to this day, it is my favorite music festival of all time. I have always loved music, but never fully appreciated it until I experienced it live for the first time at ACL in 2012. Now it is an on-going tradition of mine, to return here in October, to Zilker Park, to bask in and enjoy the sound of live music played by some of the largest names in music, from now and then, the young and the old. ACL unifies generations of people, music, and art; all to celebrate the joy it brings into our lives.

This being my third year, I already knew what to expect from the days I would spend in Austin over the course of ACL’s second weekend. Immediately upon entering the main threshold Saturday, I made my way to the bar for a refreshment and found the Honda Stage to catch part of Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue’s spiffy jazz performance.

ACL had drawn quite the crowd. Selling out completely for its second weekend, the park was filled with people. Rim to rim. Into Shorty’s performance, I was able to find my friend Tanner among the masses beneath the Honda Stage. Quickly, he directed me across the park to the Samsung Galaxy stage where the famed Rebelution was playing. Yes! As a fan of Reggae rock and Rebelution being one of my favorite bands of the genre along side Iration and the Expendables, I fed off the intense excitement Tanner put off as he and his brother ran towards the stage.

Rebelution delivers a solid performance, contributing to ACL with their mellow Reggae sound.

Despite the multitudes of people that surrounded us, we were able to ease our way into the crowd that Rebelution brought in with their mellow, laid-back, carefree sound. ACL was in full motion. I stared into the sky which was clouded due to the heavy rains earlier that morning. It didn’t matter though. Rain or shine, I was there; there like always. For the music, just as everyone was. It was hard not to feel the music as it filled the air.

Shortly after, I went with Tanner to meet his father who made set homage a distance away from the Galaxy Stage, some what midway between there and the RetailMeNot Stage. Tanner’s father, Mr. Howell, as I called him, was an ACL veteran, this year being his ninth. As a passionate and avid appreciator of music, Mr. Howell had created a tradition with his sons, instilling his love for music into them. This made me think of, being a lover of music myself, the dominion music held within our society. Music through the ages has been used as a powerful tool of self-expression. It has defined and influenced culture through the decades, attributing to history itself. I thought there among the excitement of it all that, ACL each year, in itself, was history. It told the story of the greatest names in music that year, but not without remembering the music before it, as it catered not only to the youth of the current generations, but the generations before it as well.

Texas State Flag among the crowd during Iggy Azalea’s performance at RetailMeNot Stage.

After a bit of socializing, the next stop on my list of must sees was the current hip hop sensation, Iggy Azalea. I’ve known about Iggy for a long time. I remember being first introduced to her music in high school, while I was still living in Houston years ago. Immediately upon listening to her songs “Pussy” and “Bounce”, as well as hearing word of her signing with rapper T.I.’s label, I knew she would soon rise to the top. It was no surprise to me to see her, join the ensemble of the already epic line-up. Her crowd was tight, and many could say with her popularity, she should of played on a larger stage, but her performance was phenomenal. Using a flight of metal stairs, lights, and a chorus of talented back-up singers and dancers, Iggy showcased her talent as she played familiar favorites along with her newest hits “Fancy” and “Black Widow”.

It seemed ACL had a little bit of something for everyone. From jazz, to reggae and even hip hop. The second day, delivered a broad spectrum of genres. Electronic DJs Major Lazer and Skrillex contributed to the dance music scenes with their light shows, using state of the art special effects to burn into memory the rhythmic beats of their sets. It came as a huge surprise when electronic dance star Diplo, made a special appearance along side Major Lazer providing extra hype to the crowd as the duo lead us into the night. Diplo’s unforgettable stunt within the gigantic hamster ball was a definitely a sight to see; one that I undoubtedly will remember for the rest of my life. Skrillex’s set was like a quake of thunder. The bass shook the terrain as “Cinema” played. Festival-goers danced outside a monumental crowd of jumpers who eagerly tried to get closer to the stage. His set would end with a tribute to Star Wars and leave everyone excited for more.

The festival became a glimmering gem as lights began to fill the sky. My favorite part of ACL had always been the nights there. As I looked up into the clouded sky, I watched dozens of spotlights hover over me, as if the park itself was trying to proclaim to the heavens the glory of what music attributed to life. I was at most awed, even as we walked towards the closing act that day at the Samsung Galaxy Stage. Eminem, a hip hop legend, a person I have known for the majority of my life through his music stood right before me; a mere distance from where I stood.

This is only the story of one day. The second day of ACL 2014. It would only be a precursor to what was to come the following day when my favorites Zedd and Calvin Harris would take their stages and give it their all to entertain those who appreciated their music so much. I was so blessed to return to Zilker Park this year. All I could think about at the end of my first day back, was of what I would get myself into the next day. The festival had been going on since Friday and it still wasn’t over. I would be there til the very end. Among the lights, the masses of people, and the waves of the best music the generations had to offer.

The ACL Music Festival beneath a clouded skyline.