Photographers at big festivals are like field mice with short attention spans. It’s a simple process: run to the stage, nod to the other photographers you’ve been bumping elbows with all weekend, shoot three songs, hop to the next stage. Repeat. My weekend at Austin City Limits Music Festival was a picture-taking workout with an awesome live soundtrack.
I’ve finally cleaned the Zilker Park dust off my lenses, but it’s still in my lungs. I’d like to talk to Jack White about the bass that’s still trying to find its way out of my ear canal. Stages are high and up-the-nose shots are plentiful. I shot more than 30 bands, but only heard three songs from my two favorites – Against Me! and Jenny Lewis. The weekend is a blur and I didn’t even drink. Click through the gallery for pictures I mostly don’t remember taking.
This article appears in September 26 • 2008.