ACL on the Cheap
Austin City Limits on the cheap: Tips for saving money at the fest
Oct 3, 2014 | 9:00 am
Austin City Limits on the cheap.
You forgot to volunteer to pick up cans and all those early passes sold out. Don’t worry, you’re not going to have to take a loan out in order to have fun at Austin City Limits Music Fest this weekend. There are ways, my friends.
Before you go
- Use your social media. Your posts on Facebook or Twitter may lead to a sweet ticket offer when someone's brother/mother/girlfriend suddenly backs out.
- Endless Craigslist searching is a drag and ain't nobody got time for that. Create an account (free) and set up an email alert for your desired tickets/price. For more tech savvy folks, try IFTTT for SMS alerts.
- Have patience, pet. People often don’t have the stamina for rounds two and three. Start scoping out discounted tickets after day one of the festival.
- There are always sketchy characters willing to sell you a pass outside the fest, usually at a discounted rate. The trade-off is that you could get scammed.
- If there’s just one band you’d like to see, consider attending an ACL after show instead.
Free or cheap transportation
- First time Uber users can use this code: ACLFEST for up to $30 off, but beware the surge in pricing. First time Lyft users can use this code: atxsale512 for $25.
- There’s a free shuttle from Republic Square. The shuttle starts at 10 am and runs until 11 pm. Details can be found here.
- Take Cap Metro bus and/or rail. There's a guide on their website, and you can download this app for easy planning.
- Take the Lady Bird Hike and Bike Trail for a quick walk from downtown. Extra lighting is provided for your safety at night.
- Ask a really nice friend or hire a Taskrabbit to pick you up and drop you off at the north end of the Mopac Pedestrian Bridge on Stephen F. Austin Drive next to Austin High School. It's the closest place you can get to the park.
Pack provisions
Editor's note: ACL allows two factory-sealed water bottles and no other food or beverage. However, suppose for a second that you were interested in getting some other things into the festival; this could be how you would do it.
- Smuggle flasks of your adult beverage in clothing, under blankets, in your wearable wine-rack. Mix it with water/flavoring in your CamelBak for an instant hands free drinking dance party!
- Not all fest food is created equal. Scope out your neighbors' purchases for the biggest value and portion size, and check out this handy list for can't-miss bites and prices.
- Pack snacks. Bra beef jerky and KIND Bars might be a little warmer than you’d like, but they've got the right price.
- Reminder: Don’t take anything you’re not prepared to lose. Buy a $2 plastic flask for your booze instead of your family heirloom.
Smart money tips
- Bring cash. ATM lines and fees can be outrageous. Be reasonable about what you can afford. Limiting yourself to $15 just means you’ll end up borrowing money. If you can't afford it, don't put yourself in that situation.
- Consider value. The fancy food offering from the restaurant you've been "meaning to try" is going to be pricier and less fresh than what you'd get at the actual brick-and-mortar.
- Scope out the free stuff. Water is free (bonus!) but there are lots of spots that have samples early on in the day. Snag those and laugh all the way to the front row.
- Don’t stand in lines. Consider your time as a cost. Those brisket nachos are not worth the hour wait. Choose the cheap corn dog instead and get back into the dance pit.
DIIV's set was moody, but propulsive thanks to strong bass lines.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Zachary Cole Smith can always be counted on for a nostalgic 'fit.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Starcleaner Reunion singer Jo Roman keeps the beat.Photo by Brianna Caleri
From the looks of it, no one had a better time onstage than Wayne Coyne, frontman of the Flaming Lips.Photo by Brianna Caleri
The tinsel whip was one of many props.Photo by Brianna Caleri
The Flaming Lips are known for touring with huge inflatables.Photo by Brianna Caleri
A joyful crowd reacts to being blasted with confetti during the Flaming Lips' set.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Ty Segall was king of the guitar jams.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Segall's painted jeans were probably the most unique fashion statement all weekend.Photo by Brianna Caleri
The Psych Fest uniform: Earthy shorts and calf tattoos.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Thomas Attar Bellier of Al-Qasar plays a beautifully adorned electric saz.Photo by Brianna Caleri
The more mics, the better for Al-Qasar.Photo by Brianna Caleri
A closer look at the saz.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Lyrics in Arabic brought extra gravitas to the set.Photo by Brianna Caleri
How's that for a desert hallucination?Photo by Brianna Caleri
New Candys guitarist Emanuele Zanardo puts a physical flourish in his playing.Photo by Brianna Caleri
A portal opens...Photo by Brianna Caleri
The Black Angels interrupted the technicolor parade for a largely black-and-white set.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Black Angels bassist Misti Hamrick-French basks in the cold glow of a strobe light.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Dumbo Gets Mad reminds us that Italians just get fashion.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Guitarist Luca Bergomi gets in on bassist Ivan Torelli's shot.Photo by Brianna Caleri
LA LOM bassist Jake Faulkner captures the sun.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Guitarist Zac Sokolow danced for the whole set, which happened to be on his birthday.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Faulkner's grandstanding added flavor to the show, which ultimately didn't need psychedelic visuals.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Faulkner's howls cut through the air, hardly amplified.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Trish Toledo paid homage to mothers and couples in her romantic set.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Not a practical shoe for a rainy weekend. We salute her sacrifice for fashion.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Thee Sacred Souls closed out the festival with a brass section.Photo by Brianna Caleri
This backup singer was exquisitely styled in blue.Photo by Brianna Caleri
Singer Josh Lane snapped a photo of an adoring audience. See you next time, Josh.Photo by Brianna Caleri