ACL 2008 Wrap Up: Day Two & Three

For me, surviving ACL always feels like an immense accomplishment – like climbing K2 or finishing graduate school.

Though Day 2 and 3 were lovely, I still went away with the sense that I probably won’t buy a pass for ACL’09. While this year was less hectic than years past, I’m just kinda “over” this festival. Bumbershoot in all it’s perfectness might have ruined my festival-going for life. The only likely way I’ll attend ACL next year is via press pass. I’m not ashamed to admit having access to abundant shade, free food & drink, palatial portapotties (with running water) and celebrity watching is in direct correlation with my festival enjoyment levels. That’s just how I roll.

Highlights from Day 2 & 3 include shooting Stars and Band of Horses (of course) but White Denim and City & Colour were also big bonuses. The sound for Beck was awesome but the overall set was a bit of a disappointment. And though I purposely didn’t watch a lot of performances this year, I have heard that David Byrne, Sharon Jones, Erykah Badu and Robert Plant/Alison Krauss were the shows to be at.

Oh well, maybe next year.