The backdrop to the main stage gets better every year it seems, except that one of my favorites, the 360, is mostly covered. This amazing fest belongs where it is, now there are nimby's who want it moved to COTA.
Zilker Park really is where it belongs. It's so good for promoting the city. COTA is in the middle of no where. I really like the view of the hills. It's so moody. I can actually see those spotlights tonight from my backyard. They're directly overhead. I don't know why they're interested in my part of Austin.
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My girlfriend has a poodle named Kevin.
I agree wholeheartedly. It belongs in Zilker - always. They can do other festivals at COTA, but ACL has a history and needs to maintain that history with the central part of the city. It brings much business to nearby restaurants, hotels, etc., too - something that would be lost in part if moved to COTA. Sure, people would still need hotels, but much of the other business wouldn't be helped nearly as much as it is now.
There are so many new big events that close down Zilker/Auditorium Shores, etc., so I can completely understand that the folks in the area don't want an event every weekend, but SXSW and ACL are anchors of Austin that need to remain downtown.
Yep. I mean, I enjoy going to large football games, for the most part. But something about those scenes of the masses crammed in there on grass with no seats makes me uncomfortable.
But that last picture shows there's plenty of open space still with 75,000 people and that's why I think they decided to do 2 weekends instead of increasing the capacity to 100,000 each day.
There's also no way ACL is moving for reasons that have already been mentioned above. It also wouldn't be able to go to COTA in any event. They are busy preparing for the U.S. Grand Prix which is the weekend after this. They will not have a major music festival the weekends right before a race like that and despite the race date moving up a little each week I don't see it moving to the first half of the year and ACL won't be moving to any other month. October is it.
I swear I want to tell all those NIMBYS who complain each year to get over it. They live in a major city that has several events. This is something, like SXSW, that only happens once a year. Sure it's 2 weekends in a row but it's not like it's going on during the week in between. If they don't like crowds or events then maybe they should consider living in a small town or out in the middle of nowhere. IMO if you live in any city you should expect major events and crowds occasionally, that's just life in a big city. You have to expect your usual routine will be disrupted from time to time and plan accordingly.
Well I haven't been on a rant like that in awhile lol. But back to the pictures. I like them all!
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"GOOD TIMES!!!" Jerri Blank (Strangers With Candy)
Yeah, I understand. I played my fair share of concerts and have been to far more...but not in a long time now. I think that was more of a high school/college/shortly after college enjoyment for me.
I still love concerts, but I didn't go to any last year and I only went to see Bob Schneider at Blues on the Green this summer. I hung back in the park up on the ridge that overlooks the park, mostly because I wanted the view of downtown for photos, but also because I showed up late and there was no way I was going to inch closer while on my bike after dark through the crowd. Still, I love being like 10 feet from the stage, but usually only when someone REALLY good is playing. I did that for B.B. King years ago when he came to Austin. That was amazing. And oh yes, The Cult. That was an awesome concert. Matthew McConaughey came out and played bongos with them. lol
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My girlfriend has a poodle named Kevin.
Yes, I do (good guess! )...I play any and all percussion. Went to school for music performance before changing to another career path. I still play as often as I can, but I'm performing less and less due to work and traveling.