Navigating ACL in a Slow Service Zone
Technology left on ‘airplane mode’ is about to become your lifeline
By Camille Morell, 4:49PM, Thu. Oct. 3, 2013
Sudden illnesses caused by overwhelming heat, hunger, thirst and suffocation can surprise you. Then a breath later, a wave of absolute euphoria swallows those maladies as your favorite band takes the stage. Welcome to Austin City Limits.
Yes, it can be overwhelming. Yes, cell providers seem only able to provide coverage from 1997- that is to say, sometimes none at all, and yes, there is a solution both of these problems.
Having 75,000 people enjoying music together can be fun and all, but boy is it easy to get lost from friends when some "kind-of-want-to-sorta" see Kings of Leon and others cannot abandon The Cure. So, like mom always said, it’s better to plan ahead. This is where the ACL app comes in.
The design is a little bird chirping a music note named ‘#aclfest’. Download it. Automatically, Friday’s lineup pops up in chronological order. Pressing on the band’s name will lead to a description and a dozen social media outlets. Pressing the star right next to the band will filter the band into the ‘My Favorites’ queue. Take some time exploring the bands, but my suggestion would be to only star the bands that absolutely cannot be missed.
Here’s why: ACL is a time for diehard fans to unite and fawn over lead singers (cough, Ezra Koenig) but also a time for exploring countless talented bands they’ve never seen. Researching these bands on the app beforehand is always a wise choice, but reserving the Favorites as a “must see” list creates a schedule as well as a map for when you get separated from friends and are stranded without cell service. The Austin Chronicle ACL 2013 Preview can also lend a hand scouting bands and organizing your fest, but you knew that already.
So Friday morning when standing in the dauntingly endless line of giddy ACL goers that seems to never move forward, take a moment to give your cell phone the preemptive service of not spending the day of “searching” for service. Turn off the “cellular data” to allow for WiFi service only, have logical meeting places around ACL stages, double check schedules with friends and get ready for three days of the best music in the world.
(Editor’s note: Add Foxygen to your Sunday lineup. Just do it.)
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