The 11th annual Austin City Limits Festival is set to take place on October 12-14, 2012, at Zilker Park in Austin, TX. Attendees will enjoy three days of live music and activities, with big names from the music industry making appearances throughout the weekend.
This year’s festival has booked numerous stars to headline the event, including Red Hot Chili Peppers, Neil Young and Crazy Horse, The Black Keys, Jack White, and Weezer. A total of 125 acts are scheduled to perform, showcasing both high-profile bands and up-and-comers that will cover a wide range of musical genres. Fans can also participate in several activities throughout the weekend, including meet-and-greets with some of the bands and a farmers’ market exhibit. A children’s area, called the “Austin Kiddie Limits,” also features a slew of activities and several kid-friendly bands.
Tickets for general admission, both single day and 3-day passes, have been sold out. Those still in search of these tickets can resort to the secondary market, but organizers of Austin City Limits (ACL) warn fans on their website about counterfeit tickets. Although general admissions tickets are primarily sold out, V.I.P. packages for this year’s festival are still available. These premium packages feature several perks, including V.I.P. wristbands for all three days, complementary food & drink, and special seating areas.
Fans without tickets can still participate in the fun by attending the Official 2012 ACL Festival Late Night Shows. According to the official website, these shows bring the vibe of the music festival out onto the streets of downtown Austin and into its many music venues, allowing partygoers to “learn firsthand why Austin is called the Live Music Capital of the World.” A list of participating venues and their scheduled musical acts is available online. Tickets for these Late Night Shows went on sale to the public on Thursday, August 23 at 10 a.m. CDT. Shows start October 10 and run through the end of the event, with prices depending upon the particular venue. For those that plan on traveling long distances to attend the event, camping at Zilker Park is not allowed, but there are several accommodating hotels nearby.
According to the event’s official website, the Austin City Limits music festival has “become a rite of fall in Austin since 2002” that brings “music lovers together for three full days of unforgettable music and an unmistakable Austin vibe.” Festival producers and the city of Austin have recently announced plans to make the ACL a 2-weekend event, beginning in 2013. The Austin City Council approved the proposal after being presented with a resolution sponsored by Austin Mayor, Lee Leffingwell, and Council members Mike Martinez and Chris Riley.
Organizers hope to replicate the recent success of a 2-weekend event at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in California. It is unclear whether the Austin City Limits festival will mimic Coachella in featuring the same musical lineups on both weekends. Regardless, the expansion will allow local venues to book more gigs for the Late Night Shows, and it will likely increase tourism for the event. The prospective dates for the 2013 festival are October 4-6 and 11-13.
