Austin City Limits Three Day Music Festival

Let me first start out by saying that there are no words to describe the experience that this last
weekend offered me, but I plan on attempting anyhow. This was my first ACL as last year I was "employed" by Americorps and couldn't afford food, let alone entertainment. Thinking ahead, I purchased two ACL tickets the moment they came out at the cheapest price available. Thank the freakin' Lord that Becky went with me to this. I can't fathom a better time with a more easygoing, chill partner in crime. If anyone was even remotely uptight, it would've been me merely at the times when we were surrounded by 75,000 people moving quickly through the crowd.

Over the course of three days and nearly 30 hours, we saw 25 bands perform. In order of sheer
awesomeness, with #1 being the greatest, here are the list of bands we saw. Keep in mind that
some of these shows were a serious toss-up as far as who was the better performer...particularly the shows near the top of the list.

1. Matisyahu - Jewish, Reggae, Rapper...UNBEFREAKINLEIVABLE
2. Ben Harper - guest performers Damian Marley and G. Love with appearances from Lance and
Matthew
3. Kings of Leon
4. Gnarls Barkley
5. Tom Petty
6. Damian Marley
7. G. Love & Special Sauce
8. Tristan Prettyman
9. Ray Lamontagne
10. Cat Power & The Memphis Rhythm Band
11. Aimee Mann
12. Galactic
13. String Cheese Incident
14. The Secret Machines
15. Los Lonely Boys
16. Guster
17. Wolf Parade
18. Van Morrison
19. Willie Nelson
20. Phoenix
21. MUSE
22. The New Pornographers
23. Nada Surf
24. John Mayer
25. The Shins

The only band that slightly disappointed of the entire above list was perhaps the Shins, as we
found ourselves bored and lazing around wondering when the show would end.

The two shows that are the most tied were Matisyahu and Ben Harper. Matisyahu was a spiritual event, and then to go immediately to Ben Harper I swear I had a spiritual awakening. Matisyahu definitely prays in a very real way in his music. It's intense to watch so many people be so smitten or mesmerized by a Hasidic Jew basically praising life and everything around him. Ben Harper performed with some guests including G. Love and Damian Marley and his musical talent was unmatched at all of ACL. He jumped from instrument to instrument. The thing that I noticed between these two bands were that they both sung incredibly uplifting music. It's not easy to influence people with such positive messages, which is why you typically see those with negativity and anger rising to the top of the charts. I had never seen Ben Harper before and both of those shows definitely took me to a different place.

I have a profound respect for anyone whose career makes such a positive impact and couldn't help but be almost proud of these musicians who bring more love and happiness to the world with what they do every day. I felt unbelievable love for Matisyahu who is a positive Jewish role model for humanity really...which is surely something we need. I truly am speechless about many of the feelings I experienced while watching these shows. I reached certain emotional highs that are not likely to be repeated anytime soon. I literally had to sit for an hour in between Matisyahu and Ben Harper and remind myself to breath normally and just feel. There were also definitely intermittent tearful moments. Among the emotions I underwent while at this festival are the following:

1. Elation
2. Utter and complete happiness and joy
3. Excitement
4. Energy
5. Love
6. Sadness
7. Jealousy - of the artists mainly and what they bring to the crowd
8. Gratefulness

I know there will be more to come on ACL blogs, perhaps a part two as I had many "epiphanies"
during these last few days that are hard to remember all in one big spurt. For now, enjoy the
pictures that I took which do not even begin to do this festival true justice.

Gnarls Barkley - Day One


Becca and I at the start of our ACL Adventure


Jason and I at Ray Lamontagne...fading fast on Day One


Kings of Leon - If only you could see this band composed of all brothers, all hot, and all wearing
very tight pants

It took me about 5 tries to finally get this picture


The beginning of Day Three sporting my homemade dress and funky glasses from an artisan shop
nearby


Yeah! Jews Kick Ass!!!

Matisyahu bringing the crowd to a different world



Happier than I ever thought possible


Ben Harper was amazing



Bringing it home with former Americorps buddies at Tom Petty, Final Concert of the
Festival...sad, exhausted, rained-on (which was awesome)


To those of you who I had planned to hook up with, I gave up towards the beginning of the
weekend when I realized it probably wasn't worth the constant calling back and forth and
shouting into the phone. Also, I had definitely planned to go out at night mainly to show my
cousin Becca a good time. We were so crazy exhausted each day that it just wasn't feasible. If
you were there, show some love. If you weren't there, get ready for next year! I love you all and to all a good night!