10 Tips To Surviving ACL Fest 2007

After reviewing suggestions from ACL organizers on how to make the best of your festival experience in 2007, Hypeful (as a seasoned ACL veteran) would like to add to their list and offer you some more tips on how to survive ACL.

1. Make & Know A Schedule - With Reasonable Expectations
If you haven’t already, you should create and print your schedule online. You can also get a complete electronic ACL guide for your iPod, PDA or cell phone featuring the schedule, artist bios, song clips, and more. Also, check out the autograph signing schedule for the opportunity to capture the mark of dozens of ACL artists. However, set reasonable expectations. With a lineup packed full of amazing artists, you have to resign yourself to the fact that you simply cannot see them all. Sacrifices must be made and you should abandon “grass is greener” ideology. Leaving in the middle of an artist’s set to catch another is not always a great idea - if you have a primo spot in the crowd, you may want to stay.

2. Stay Cool
It’s not a cliché - September in Texas is hot and you’ll want to check out the weather forecast. In fact, the highest recorded temperature in Austin (112 °F) occurred in September 2000! Don’t be a statistic—drink lots of water (beer is not H20), wear sunscreen and visit the misting areas. Note that each day you’re allowed to bring two factory sealed water bottles (up to 1 liter each), an empty Camelbak or other empty plastic container (ie, Nalgene bottle), and ice in a soft-sided cooler or Camelbak.

3. Dress Appropriately
Zilker Park isn’t a fashion show - make sure you dress to keep cool, not look cool. Even bands like Arcade Fire that have started their sets overdressed are soon shedding layers in the sweltering heat. Sunglasses are always a good consideration. You may also want to consider bringing a bandanna on the second or third day - 60,000+ people can destroy the park’s grass and kick up a LOT of the dirt/dust underneath.

4. Know Your Allowed and Prohibited Items
Don’t show up at the show with your mint condition antique Assamese Khukri Dagger and find out you can’t bring it in the show. Look over the the list of allowed & prohibited items to insure that you only bring necessary items to the park. If you do lose something in the throes of the show, Lost and Found is located near the Barton Springs entrance and you can inquire about lost items online.

5. Get From Point A To Point B
There is no parking at the Festival site, but there is a free shuttle to the fest at Republic Square (corner of 4th and Guadalupe streets). The shuttles begin at 10 am and make their final return from the park at 11 pm. Also, check out the map of the park to familiarize yourself where everything is before you get there.

6. Choose A Meet-Up Spot
If you’re going to the fest with friends, designate a meet-up spot in case you’re separated. If your group splits up, you can’t rely on your cell phone to meet back up (not only is it noisy, it can be difficult getting a signal with so many people). Choose something unique and tall that you’ll be able to recognize above the sea of people.

7. Eat!
If you’re going to drink and be merry - you’ve gotta eat, too! The Austin Eats Food Court is filled with local town favorites slinging their delicious fare at reasonable prices. The Food Court area also has plenty of tables and chairs so you can rest while sampling some of Austin’s fine, fine cuisine.

8. Go Off The Beaten Path
Sure you’re going to ACL to see some of your favorite artists, but realize there’s surprising fun to be had off the beaten path. Check out a band you’ve never heard of - some of the best performances I’ve seen at ACL have come from artists unfamiliar to me. Also, there’s more to the fest than music. Visit the SoCo Art Market to find unique artistic creations. You can also win prizes by playing the ACL Scavenger Hunt with your cell phone by texting the word ACL to 21234.

9. Say Cheese!
Bring your camera and capture plenty of photo memories. Plus, you can submit your best pictures from the 2007 festival for a chance to win VIP tickets to the 2007 and 2008 ACL Music Festivals. Also, look out for the ten-foot guitars designed by local artists, celebrities, musicians, and common folk. These are great for snapping “wish-you-were-here” pics.

10. Be Green
Zilker Park is a beautiful spot not just for ACL Fest, but year round as well. Treat the park (and Earth) well by participating in the ACL Festival Green mission and recycle your plastic bottles/cups. Trade your bags of recyclables for cool swag at the ACL Recycling Center.