Austin City Limits 2012

Day 1

   Friday August 12, day 1 of ACL, was a great start to the memorable music festival. Alabama Shakes, Tegan and Sara, Florence + The Machine, Aviici, M83 and the Black Keys were the high points of the evening. It was a beautiful day in Austin, sun was shining, and thousands of music fans crowded into the infamous Zilker Park to watch some amazing performances. 

   Of the aforementioned highlighted bands, my favorite performance according to music style was Tegan and Sara. I enjoyed their songs because I was highly anticipating watching them perform. It was great to see the dynamic duo up on stage in person. Concerning stage presence and interaction with the audience, my favorite performance was Florence + The Machine. The English Indie rock band, with Florence Welsh as the lead singer, took the audience by surprise. Dressed in a dark green gown, Florence was jumping around and getting absolutely wild on stage. Her innate and stunning vocal talents were unmasked during the live performance.  A committed and lively performer, Florence used the entire stage as well as engaging the audience up close, to awe the crowd. She was truly one of the best stage performers I have ever seen. The day ended with the Black Keys. The Black Keys brought a varied age audience and truly owned up to their reputation. It was the perfect ending to an unforgettable melodious day.

Day 2

   Day 2 at ACL seemed less promising, as there were less performances I was determined to see. With daunting clouds in the forecast, I expected less from the concerts. Regardless of this doubtful outlook for day 2, I was dumbstruck when I discovered one of my new favorite bands. Big Gigantic was one of the most incredible concerts I have experienced. The instrumental, livetronica, hip-hop and jazz musical group based out of Boulder, Colorado, combined electronic beats with the saxophone. The lead performer on the saxophone was incredible, his skills surpassed any preconceived notions I could have imagined. During the climax of their performance, the   rain started to come down in torrents. This just made the crowd more excited and pumped. Everyone was going wild! I will never forget the Big Gigantic adventures at ACL 2012. 

Day 3

   The final day at ACL was marked by new found lyrical obsessions and extraordinary shows by some of the best. I discovered a new passion for a band called NEEDTOBREATHE, whom I had never previously heard of. Other sensational performances included Two Door Cinema Club, The Lumineers, The Civil Wars, The Avett Brothers, and Childish Gambino. The music fest concluded with a performance by the infamous Red Hot Chili Peppers. 

“Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.” 

~ Plato

A Tribute to the Beatles

Come Together- Abbey Road Album
October 6, 1969

Medicine of the Mind

   As a music junkie, I find great pleasure in attending concerts, music festivals, and learning new instruments. Music has become part of my life on a day to day basis. I find it is an avenue of escape and stress relief when I exercise. Furthermore, music tends to improve my study habits and minimize stress. Being from Colorado, I have been influenced by and introduced to a wide variety of music. Music ranging from artists like John Mayer, The Lumineers, and Red Hot Chili Peppers to Avicci and Childish Gambino, as well as country like Keith Urban and Josh Turner, have been a significant influence on my music appeal. 

   I have always been taken back by artists whose lyrical expression and unique music form go beyond the norm and truly tap into the audience’s emotions. I believe that music can be one of the best forms of personal therapy and self expression. I can’t even imagine a world without the art of music.

   The next few weeks are going to be bubbling with excitement and anticipation as the infamous Austin City Limits arrives. This year will be my first experience at ACL and I am thrilled for the line up. There are so many amazing bands that will be uniting in one place to spread their talent and love. “It is going to be one for the books,” as Danielle and I always say. 

   College has blessed me with some of the best friends I could ever imagine. I am ecstatic that I will be able to share this experience at the upcoming ACL music festival with my best friend, Danielle. Only having met two years ago, Danielle has acted as a true confidante and has been there for me through thick and thin. We have already shared so many grand and priceless memories together, and I couldn’t have asked for a better friend.

   As senior year races by, it is important that I take every opportunity and experience that comes my way. Danielle shares the same joy and passion in music that I do, and the music festival will be a truly unforgettable time. Thank goodness for Texas; good food, good music, and great friends.

"A painter paints pictures on a canvas.

But musicians paint their pictures on silence."

Leopold Stokowski