Austin City Limits Festival returned to Zilker Park for a second weekend, Friday-Sunday, October 13th-15th.
Saturday was off to an unusual start at ACL with the annular solar eclipse happening that afternoon. Many festivalgoers brought special glasses for the occasion to purposely catch a glimpse of that thing your mom always told you not to stare at. For those who didn’t have the glasses, moons could be seen appearing in the shadows. U.K.-based artist Declan McKenna came prepared, decked out in his eclipse shades as he prepared to play the American Express Stage. McKenna started his set stating more they should let the GA attendees into the front pit as it had more room. The crowd cheered as front row attendees settled for just the right side. The fans were roaring for the “Brazil” artist, who played tambourine in addition to playing guitar and other instruments during staple tracks. A memorable moment though when McKenna started their fourth track of the day, “Sympathy”.
Shortly after, on the T Mobile Stage, Gus Dapperton appeared on stage ready to put on a lively performance. Unlike Declan Mckenna on the Amex Stage, The T Mobile stage was shaded from the sun during this part of the day, providing the perfect fall temperatures for attendees. Chair parkour, Kevin Bacon-quality footwork and excellent music were all to be found at the performance. The band accompanied Dapperton perfectly as he played through tracks like “I’m Just Snacking” that had fans swaying their hands back and forth immersed in the moment.
Over on the Honda Stage, Rina Sawayama had a swelling crowd growing eager to catch her set. The young female pop sensation played at 4pm, which made it a little hard to see some of the LED aspects to her performance, but nonetheless it was a showstopper. Appearing first in white, Sawayama and her back up dancers dazzled the crowd with their ballet-style choreography. It had a really powerful energy behind it and was captivating. As the set progressed, Sawayama shed her white gown for a more revealing red outfit and boots that wowed fans as she performed one of her hit tracks “This Hell”.
Coi Leray began her set on the IHG Stage laying on a bed of white sheets. However, there was no sleeping to be seen. Her performance was shortly delayed as her DJ began to hype of the crowd. Once in full motion the “Players” rapper put her fans in a daze with her sensual stage presence and on-point vocals. Everyone in attendance was rapping along with the blue-haired artist.
On the Tito’s Stage. festivalgoers were graced by Canadian duo Tegan & Sara. Whether you are a new fan of the group or have been around since their debut to the music scene more than 20 years ago, you were sure in for a treat. The singers expressed they were a bit bummed that their dream was to open for Alanis Morissette, who was playing on the main stage directly behind them, but honored to play the same set time. Hits like “back in Your Head” and “Walking With a Ghost” could be heard in the packed tent.
As the sun laid down on the park, Bob Moses, accompanied by their live performance band, turned ACL Into a dance party on the Miller Lite Stage. Laying down their deep house tracks such as “Inner Light and “afterglow”, vocalist Tom Howie and producer Jimmy Vallance, concocted a proper environment to ease the crowd into the night.
Just before The 1975 began to close out Saturday of Weekend Two on the Honda Stage the suspense started to build. A single black balloon left over from 30 Seconds to Mars set danced its way through the crowd, most likely held on to by a fan who had been waiting at the stage all day in anticipation for the headlining set. As the show started, the man who once dated the ever-famous Taylor Swift appeared on the ominous stage accompanied by his band, flask and smokes ready to dazzle the crowd. Every boy in the world probably grows up dreaming that one day girls would scream for them as they did for Matty Healy that night. The pop group stole quite a few attendees from the Foo Fighters’ crowd that started shortly before on the other side of the park. Fans sang along to every song like it was the last as rumors of the band going on hiatus circulated amongst the crowd. It was an emotional moment for many, but a happy one.
