The year was 1972 and this reporter was a sophomore at the University of Texas at Austin. Back then Austin was known for two things: the university and state government. The high-tech, entertainment savvy, ostensibly laid-back town it is today was yet to emerge. Janis Joplin, who got her start in Austin, had been dead but two years and the label ‘Live Music Capital of the World’ had yet to attach.
It has now, and it’s stuck ferociously. One of the prime reasons why is the Austin City Limits Music Festival, going on today, Oct. 12 through Sunday, Oct. 14.
The line-up is lustrous, reflecting the importance of Austin in the musical scheme of things. Among the players: Alabama Shakes, Weezer, The Black Keys, Iggy & The Stooges, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Neil Young and Crazy Horse, and The Roots.
All of this will be played out in Austin’s Zilker Park.
Reflecting Texas and its values, this festival welcomes kids. Austin Kiddie Limits presented by H-E-B® is a place they can come and hang out with their parents. Family music artists abound, as do pursuits such as Rock Star Video Karaoke. If you’ve got a really wee one in tow, know that you can change their diapers and freshen them up in the privacy of a series of NurtureMe’s changing tables.
Also reflective of Texas tradition is the fact that this festival understands the primacy of football. To that end, head to Rock Island Hideaway. It’s located in the center of the Festival grounds, behind the Austin Venture stage. It will be showing NFL as well as college games – particularly the perennially-important Texas-Oklahoma game.
Food? It’s fabulous. Name a cuisine and chances are you’ll find it represented in Austin Eats’ amazing lineup of places to chow down.
