Austin City Limits Music F stival Weekend 2 Day 2 at Zilker Park in Austin, Texas on October 9, 2021. (Photo: Ralph Arvesen)
Austin City Limits is a yearly music festival that takes place at Zilker Park in the heart of the Texas Hill Country. Since its start in 2002, ACL has grown to feature over 8 stages and 130 bands. After a rather soggy weekend one, weekend two of ACL privileged festival-goers with cooperative and mild weather.
There was an impressive variety of food, with everything from curry and falafel to tamales and ice cream. Many local Austin favorites were featured in this year’s food lineup: locally sourced Tiny Pies, Austin’s Pizza, Amy’s Ice Creams, Black’s BBQ, Blenders & Bowls, and Tiff’s Treats, to name a few.
There were plenty of photo ops for festival-goers to pose in front of. First and foremost were two colorful arrays of rainbow flags, both of which housed a constant crowd of photographers and impromptu models. Another popular attraction was the giant photo frame stamped atop with #ACLFEST. It offered a picture-perfect photo with the Austin skyline visible in the background. As always, the iconic oak tree was full of music-lovers seeking shelter from the scorching sun.
Tito’s Handmade Vodka boasted a unique photo backdrop of hundreds of empty vodka bottles with bougie, golden disco balls overhead. The Tito’s tent also featured a giant peg board with items such as bandanas and sunglasses. Players had the opportunity to drop a large chip through the maze of pegs, and collect whatever prize it landed on at the bottom. The sky was essentially free of clouds on Sunday, so both the bandanas and sunglasses were an excellent method to combat the blazing sun. Last but not least: an iconic El Arroyo sign with clever messages that changed throughout the day.
ACL Fest goes to extreme lengths to ensure the comfort of its attendees. The five touch-free hydration stations were efficient, sanitary, and environmentally friendly. There was hardly ever a line, and those who refilled their reusable water containers were rewarded with cool mist from a fan. Two T-Mobile charging stations offered peace of mind to people whose phone batteries were quickly draining from filming and taking photos in the Texas heat, but didn’t have access to a portable charger. Users chose a password and locked their electronics in a secure cubby while their devices charged. Best of all, this service was offered at no cost.
Hand sanitizing stations were scattered throughout the festival grounds, as well as an abundance of eye-catching trash cans and recycling bins that made it easy to keep Zilker clean. As an additional incentive, ACL Fest handed out green bags sporting three guitars in the formation of a recycling sign that read “Rock & Recycle”. Concert-goers were encouraged to collect recyclable materials, such as empty cans and bottles. If they managed to fill the entire bag, it could be exchanged for a unique, limited-edition shirt featuring designs by a local artist.
The medical staff was amazingly attentive and quick to respond to those who needed medical attention. Security staff helped to ensure comfort and safety of festival-goers by tossing boxed water into the crowd between performers and in the midst of long shows. Free Pfizer Covid-19 vaccines, including 3rd dose boosters, were offered near the medical tent. Additional care was also offered, such as B-12 shots and IV therapy for $49 and $99 respectively. The restrooms looked like actual toilets, offering a much more pleasant bathroom experience in comparison to the traditional port-a-potties found at most festivals. A small bodega conveniently offered essentials such as tissues, bug repellent, ear plugs, medicine, and fresh fruit.
The Bonus Tracks stage featured a unique variety of events, such as intense dance workouts and in-depth reviews of the best tacos throughout the state of Texas. Austin-born fitness instructor, Melody DanceFit, encouraged festival-goers to “stop putting so much pressure on yourself to be perfect, and just have fun!” She motivated those at her class to practice self-acceptance, love and inner peace. In addition to many burned calories, there was also plenty of clapping, laughing, and joy.
ACL does their best to make getting to the festival convenient, cheap, and stress-free. They offer a variety of transportation methods, such as complimentary ACL Music Festival Shuttles, Cap Metro, Uber, car pooling, biking, walking, and taxis. Perhaps the most unique way to get to Zilker is by a bike-powered cab cart, such as the Metrocycle pedicab driven by Spencer and his dog, River. Each driver’s cart is a reflection of their own personality, as evidenced by the unique costumes, decorations, and music blasting from each cab. If you’re looking for a fun and fast way to enter or exit the crowded streets near the ACL festival grounds, consider a pedicab as your mode of transport! As stated on austinpedicab.com, “It's more than just a Pedicab Ride, it's an Experience.”
Rufus Du Sol
Rufus Du Sol performing on the Honda stage at the ACL Music Festival on October 9, 2021. (Photo: Ralph Arvesen)
Rufus Du Sol have emerged as one of the world’s preeminent live electronic acts. The Australian three-piece, Tyrone Lindqvist, Jon George and James Hunt, known formerly to the world as just Rufus, have won the world over with two platinum-certifications, three #1 iTunes Electronic albums, & over a quarter million tickets sold worldwide. Their unique marriage of rock ‘n roll swagger, analog electronics & powerful vocals secures the notion that "Rufus Du Sol change the way you think about electronic music."
Acclaim has come thick and fast for Rufus Du Sol's third album, the introspective and personal Solace, which was named on best of the year lists from Billboard, The Guardian, Apple Music and more. Solace has been celebrated massively across the industry, with the band being dubbed YouTube’s Artist on the Rise as of late and Pandora giving them a nod as their Artist to Watch. The crux of Rufus Du Sol remains the deep connection felt between the band and their dedicated global fanbase in the live space.
I have been to many concerts. Rufus Du Sol is the best concert I have ever experienced. Absolutely amazing.
What an epic experience! Beautiful music in an amazing location on a gorgeous night with wonderful people!
Concert was absolutely amazing! Beautiful Music, Beautiful Lights, Beautiful People!
Awesome show. I was surprised to see such an age range in the audience for an EDM show. Rufus Du Sol put on an amazing show. The sound was excellent even though we were at an outdoor venue. The light show was excellent and was an overall great experience!
Probably the best concert that I've ever seen. So good!
They were amazing! So glad I was able to experience their art live.
Jack Harlow
Jack Harlow performing on the Honda Lite stage at the ACL Music Festival on October 9, 2021. (Photo: Ralph Arvesen)
Jack Harlow embodies effortlessness. The 22-year-old, Louisville, Kentucky native has seen a meteoric rise since the release of his 2020 single, the Platinum “WHATS POPPIN.” Produced by Jetsonmade and Pooh Beatz, “WHATS POPPIN” is poised to be the first of many mainstream hits for the rapper who got his start writing poetry and wrote one of his first verses at age 12. Breaking out for the first time in 2017 with “Dark Knight,” the Jack Harlow story is one made of a decade of shedding ego, chasing fire, and getting as close to fluidity as possible.
Jack Harlow’s consistent streak of releases has led to accolades, which include a notable nomination for “Best Mixtape” (Loose) at the 2019 BET Hip Hop Awards, being named MTV’s global PUSH Artist of the Month for May 2020 and receiving recognition from a wide-array of acclaimed publications including Rolling Stone, New York Times, NPR, XXL, Billboard, DJBooth and more. Forbes stated that Harlow’s “…determination paid off,” adding that he is “…posied for hip-hop nobility,” while FADER declared him “a maverick rapper destined for legendary status.”
Best night of my life. This was probably the best concert I have ever been to, Jack is such an incredible performer and it was absolutely amazing.
This show was absolutely amazing! I’ve been a Jack Harlow fan since 2017, so finally being able to see him live was crazy. He’s an incredible performer, knows how to work a crowd and just have fun with the audience. Would totally recommend going to see him if you get the chance!
Amazing! Jack Harlow was incredible and truly interacted with his crowd and fans. He’s such a beautiful person inside and out, and you can see that through his music and performances. His energy on stage was so fun to watch. I would love to see him again.
Amazing show. Jack is a great performer! The show was so much fun!
The most unforgettable experience! It was one of the best concerts I have ever gone too! Jack is just absolutely amazing live!
Doja Cat
Doja Cat performing on the Lady Bird stage at the ACL Music Festival on October 9, 2021. (Photo: Ralph Arvesen)
Cooking up colorful and candy-coated beats, dropping bars doubled-up on double entendre, and singing with claws out, Doja Cat knows how to make a mark. On her full-length debut album Amala, the Los Angeles singer, songwriter, and producer unlocks a sweetly sexy world soundtracked by wild hip-hop, twisted pop, and smoked-out R&B.
Asserting a feline-esque dominance, her unapologetic charisma, charm, and confidence immediately take center stage. “I’m not perfect, but I always land on my feet. The music speaks to that. It’s so many different things. It’s clunky. It’s poppy. It’s bubbly. It’s cutesy. It’s dark. It’s surprising. It’s trappy-go-lucky
with a touch of punk. It’s exactly who I am.” It’s also the product of a quiet, near five-year grind.
The songstress made her first upload to Soundcloud at just 16-years-old. She developed a knack for music by studying piano and dance as a kid and listening to the likes of Busta Rhymes, Erykah Badu, Nicki Minaj, Drake, and more. Soon, she went from obsessing over Catwoman (the Halle Berry version) to “crate digging” on YouTube. The budding talent taught herself Logic and how to compose on a midi controller.
Adopting the moniker Doja Cat, she organically attracted a veritable cult audience by consistently churning out content without letting up. Simultaneously, she often showcased the creative process in real-time on Instagram Live and Periscope, joined by her cat Alex, of course.
Doja was amazing! She definitely exceeded my expectations.
Absolutely spectacular! I almost started crying when she came on stage. Doja Cat totally exceeded all my expectations. Her voice was beautiful, her performance was totally lit. Doja Cat was amazing. She was everything I expected and more.
Definitely one of the best shows I’ve ever been to. When she came out it was explosive. Her stage presence was insane. I’ve never seen an artist so willing and eager to interact with fans.
Raiche
Raiche performing on the BMI stage at the ACL Music Festival on October 9, 2021. (Photo: Ralph Arvesen)
Raiche devoted her energies towards music from an early age, uploading cover videos to YouTube that almost immediately earned her online applause. Her musical dreams almost came to a halt following high school graduation but some encouraging words from her beloved Nana eventually led her to Boston, where she met and began being mentored by DJ Knock Out. The local legend soon introduced Raiche to her GDE production team as well as to award-winning songwriter and producer Prince Charlez (Rihanna, Beyoncé, Usher), who promptly signed the gifted young vocalist to his recently launched Island Prolific imprint at Atlantic Records.
In 2020, Raiche introduced a series of quarantine-style music videos, including “Drive” and the in-studio version of “Complicated.” In addition, this year features standout releases such as “Pick A Side” and “Funeral” from her upcoming album, best described as her “Coming of Age” project and an exploration of self-discovery, self-love and self-acceptance.
Arizona Zervas
Arizona Zervas performing on the Miller Lite stage at the ACL Music Festival on October 9, 2021. (Photo: Ralph Arvesen)
Arizona Zervas is widely known for his song "Roxanne", which reached number four on the Billboard Hot 100, after being prominently featured in Spotify playlists. The success of the single led him to tour nationwide he partnered with Columbia Records. "Roxanne" also topped the charts in New Zealand, and reached the top 10 in the UK, Australia, and several other nations.
Phoebe Bridgers
Phoebe Bridgers performing on the Lady Bird stage at the ACL Music Festival on October 9, 2021. (Photo: Ralph Arvesen)
Bridgers' music has been categorized as indie rock, indie folk, and emo folk. It often centers acoustic guitar, and incorporates atmospheric strings, production, and electronic instrumentation. Her music has been described as "anxious", "melancholy", and "haunting". Lyrical themes include death, trauma, therapy, depression, and strained relationships, "undercut by her dry wit" and "straightforward delivery". Several of Bridgers' songs are about personal issues; "Kyoto", for example, was inspired by her relationship with her father, while "Motion Sickness" and "ICU" are about past breakups. Her complex storytelling and use of evocative imagery, such as in "Garden Song", have also been commended.
Bridgers cited Elliott Smith as one of her favorite artists and the biggest influence on her songwriting and production style. Her song "Punisher" explores her meeting Smith if he were still alive. Other musical influences include bluegrass music, Bright Eyes, The Replacements, Blake Mills, Tom Waits, Avril Lavigne, The Beatles, Jackson Browne, and Nine Inch Nails. Her music often features a wide variety of popular culture references, the writing of author Joan Didion, ASMR videos, television series Fleabag, and true crime podcast My Favorite Murder were all influential in the making of Punisher.
In 2021, she received the Libera Awards as both Best Live/Livestream Act and Record of the Year 2021 for her album Punisher (Dead Oceans) by the American Association of Independent Music (A2IM).
Outstanding show. The show was absolutely phenomenal! Her performance was amazing and left the crowd roaring after every song!
Peak of my existence. This was literally the best night of my life. Phoebe sounded incredible and looked stunning.
Phoebe put on the best show! Had so much fun singing along to one of my favorites.
One of the best shows I’ve been to all year. Incredible, Phoebe has a beautiful voice and puts on a great show!
The most fun I've ever had at a show. The energy was incredible. Phoebe Bridgers was wonderful.
Samantha Sanchez
Samantha Sanchez performing on the BMI stage at the ACL Music Festival on October 9, 2021. (Photo: Ralph Arvesen)
Samantha Sanchez is a Miami-based Spanish-Cuban singer with over 1 million followers on social media. Her quick rise to fame in Latin America from Colombia to Mexico, Peru and Ecuador has made her a leading voice for Gen Z. After being discovered by six-time Grammy and twelve-time Latin Grammy winning music producer Sebastian Krys, the young singer signed to Rebeleon Entertainment, in collaboration with Virgin Music US Latin and has been capturing the hearts of fans around the world.
Girl In Red
Girl In Red performing on the Lady Bird stage at the ACL Music Festival on October 9, 2021. (Photo: Ralph Arvesen)
It was earnestness, intimacy and a knack for perfect indie-pop gems that catapulted Marie Ulven, aka Girl in Red (often stylized in all lowercase), onto the international stage from her private lovelorn teenage life in Horten, Norway. Blessed with an air of honesty that seems impervious to overnight fame, she carries those same qualities into her live sets.
Backed by a band of boys who have been known to dress in all red, Girl in Red makes crowds feel like they've been invited to a backyard party that just happens to have an excellent lo-fi rock outfit playing next to the keg. Those raw emotions and diary-like lyrics come to life as Ulven's in-person passion overcomes all that beautiful on-album ennui, even the most melancholic melodies feel electric when she shreds her guitar from under a long veil of blond hair. Although it was unrequited love that inspired her to start writing songs, her viral debut "I Wanna Be Your Girlfriend" was about falling in love with her straight best friend, Ulven finds affection wherever she goes. Expect a deafening sing-along.
Girl in Red was fantastic. Sounded great, amazing energy, great guitar playing too. But beyond all that, she was so engaged with the crowd, talking between every song, answering questions, telling stories, relating to them. I've been to hundreds of concerts over four decades, and have never seen an artist interact so dynamically with her fans.
Best concert ever! This concert was so much fun and was one of the best experiences of my life.
Amazing! Girl In Red was so great and loved how sweet she was! She was so active with the crowd and you could really tell she cared about her fans and the music she makes!
Awesome. She was great. Very interactive with the audience. Fun to watch.
The most amazing night! We had a spot right up front, the view was incredible and the crowd was hype.
It was amazing... like beyond words. Marie (girl in red) and her band have so so so much energy, and it beams through the whole room. Everyone at the concert was so so sweet and fun. They had everyone jumping and singing.
It was the most perfect night of my life.
LP Giobbi
LP Giobbi performing on the Tito's stage at the ACL Music Festival on October 9, 2021. (Photo: Ralph Arvesen)
LP Giobbi is the forward-thinking, boundary-breaking artist disrupting dance music today. Widely known for her bass-rattling house beats and electrifying live performances, the Oregon-born, Los Angeles-based legend in the making is a "creative multi-hyphenate" (Billboard ): an inspirational producer, DJ, label owner, curator, music director, feminist, entrepreneur and Piano House Queen. Since first breaking into the scene in 2018, she's become one of the fastest-rising artists in dance music, with both Billboard Dance and Your EDM anointing her as an emerging artist to watch.
Mixing her background as a classically trained jazz pianist—she studied at UC Berkeley—with her first love of piano house, LP Giobbi crafts genre-defying dance music. Her 2018 debut single, "Amber Rose,” features "glossy production" and bold, feminist-first lyrics atop soulful piano chords. In Nov. 2019, she teamed up with Thrive Music to release "Jungle Queen," a "vibrant single" featuring Baltimore club queen TT The Artist and the first installment in a series of forthcoming singles on the label throughout 2020. She followed up with the empowering, bass-laced “Gas Me Up", featuring regular collaborator hermixalot. Elsewhere, her techno-funk cut "Angel", a collaboration with Crush Club, was the lead single off the Workout Series compilation from Club Sweat/Sweat It Out!
LP Giobbi is a multifaceted entrepreneur and bona fide industry executive. In addition to her role as the North American Music Director for W Hotels, she is a co-owner of Animal Talk, record label, hybrid publishing company (a joint venture with Third Side Music), event brand, traveling party and artist collective she co-founded with GRAMMY-nominated electronic duo SOFI TUKKER.
She's already delivered next-level performances at marquee events like Coachella, Burning Man, HARD Summer, MTV's SnowGlobe, Moogfest, North Coast Music Festival, Art Basel and 4xFAR. Her groundbreaking shows have won her the support of leading artists like Diplo, Madeon, Galantis, Jax Jones, SOFI TUKKER and Hotel Garuda, who’ve personally invited her on tour and to share the stage at premier venues like the Shrine Expo Hall in Los Angeles and Brooklyn Mirage in NYC.
Gracie Abrams
Gracie Abrams performing on the Millter Lite stage at the ACL Music Festival on October 9, 2021. (Photo: Ralph Arvesen)
Gracie Abrams became interested in music at a young age and debut EP Minor was released in 2020 by Interscope Records. Abrams cites Joni Mitchell, Simon & Garfunkel, Elvis Costello, Bon Iver, Elliott Smith, Kate Bush, The 1975, James Blake, Taylor Swift, Lorde, and Phoebe Bridgers (also performing at ACL Music Festival) as her musical influences. In return, Bridgers, Lorde, Post Malone, Billie Eilish and Olivia Rodrigo have each expressed their admiration for Abrams.
Best performance ever!
She was just amazing in every single way.
I had a great time! Gracie was so amazing and gorgeous!
I had so much fun! It was my first concert since covid and I had an amazing time. Gracie is absolutely stunning and so talented. al
It was amazing, the best thing ever that's happened to me in a long time, I will be forever grateful!
Leyla Blue
Leyla Blue performing on the BMI stage at the ACL Music Festival on October 9, 2021. (Photo: Ralph Arvesen)
New York City raised Leyla Blue takes the contagious energy of the city to inspire and shape her songs, performances, and persona. Leyla has just finished her first year attending the Clive Davis School of Recorded Music at NYU. Currently writing and recording for herself as an artist and others, she blends the sounds of soulful singer-songwriters such as Carole King and Alicia Keys with modern pop and R&B to share her most personal stories.
Leyla has enjoyed navigating the world of co-writing with her peers both in school and many others in the New York songwriting community as she strengthens her craft. Her biggest influences are Amy Winehouse and Lauryn Hill, whose rawness and honesty she strives to resemble and bring back to pop music with her clever melodies, big voice, and introspective lyrics.
The Tender Things
The Tender Things performing on the Tito's stage at the ACL Music Festival on October 9, 2021. (Photo: Ralph Arvesen)
Bandleader Jesse Ebaugh cut his teeth in Northern Kentucky with the modern blues rock boogie of Pearlene (Dim Mak, Sympathy for the Record Industry) and the bluegrass band The Kenton County Regulators. His friendship with Erika Wennerstrom led to a decade long stint in Heartless Bastards (Fat Possum, Partisan), and he now exits that project to pursue his own endeavor in The Tender Things.
The Tender Things released How You Make a Fool, a dark, inward look at the flawed lives of modern characters refracted through the prism of country music. The music is propulsive, like the Swampers’ of Muscle Shoals, and easy associations are drawn to the Bakersfield and Los Angeles sounds of the 60’s and 70’s, but the band’s music is born in the folk forms of Appalachia and mixed in the honkys and dancehalls of central Texas.
Holly Humberstone
Holly Humberstone performing on the Lady Bird stage at the ACL Music Festival on October 9, 2021. (Photo: Ralph Arvesen)
Holly Humberstone is a British musician and cites Damien Rice, Ben Howard, Phoebe Bridgers (shared the same stage at ACL Music Festival), and HAIM as musical inspirations. She signed a record deal with Interscope and Polydor Records and her first EP following the signings, The Walls Are Way Too Thin, will be released in late 2021. She was included in VEVO DSCVR's Artists To Watch and recently landed a publishing deal with Universal Music Publishing Group.
Jade Bird
Jade Bird performing on the T-Mobile stage at the ACL Music Festival on October 9, 2021. (Photo: Ralph Arvesen)
Jade Bird is fast becoming one of the most exciting new British voices. With her debut release the 'Somewhere American' EP and follow-up breakthrough single 'Lottery', Jade has won the hearts of people across the globe. She has already preformed on 'Later with Jools Holland', 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' and 'The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon' and at SXSW she won the Grulke Prize for upcoming talent which follows her win of the ANCHOR Award at the Reeperbahn Festival.
Twisting big themes of disillusionment, divorce, cheating, sorrow into the realities of an independent-minded, modern British 20-year-old, Jade's music transcends genre with a wealth of influence coming from everywhere and anywhere. Classic, contemporary, and a total breath of fresh air in the current musical landscape, Jade Bird is that rare, next-generation artist who appears as clued up on the past as she is determined to learn from its lessons: in control, sometimes in your face, and in possession of gifts beyond her years.
Experience of a lifetime. A better show than I could have hoped for, so high energy and overall just delightful.
A rising star. It was a real treat to see Jade Bird perform, she's energetic and adorable, and played a nice mix of genres. I hope to see her again....and wish her all the success in the world!
Seeing jade bird was amazing, love her so much!
Such a fun night. Loving everything about Jade. Total girl crush.
Austin City Limits Music Festival
The Austin City Limits (ACL) Music Festival is an annual music festival held in Zilker Park in Austin, Texas on two consecutive three-day weekends. Inspired by the KLRU/PBS music series of the same name, the festival is produced by Austin-based company C3 Presents, which also produces Chicago's Lollapalooza.The ACL Music Festival has eight stages where musical groups from genres including rock, indie, country, folk, electronic and hip hop perform for fans. The concerts continue util 10:00 PM on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday during the festival with various stages spread out in the park. Approximately 450,000 people attend the festival each year. In addition to the music performances, there are food and drinks, an art market, a kids area for families, and other activities for attendees.
Austin City Limits Music Festival
web | facebook | twitter | instagram
Words and photos by Makayla Arvesen
facebook | twitter | instagram
Photos by Ralph Arvesen
web | facebook | twitter | instagram
