Another Weekend at Austin City Limits

Even with the high 90 degree weather, crowded stages, and the red sunburn on my back, ACL weekend 2 was one of my favorite years I've attended. Starting with the Thursday night pre-partying on 6th Street, to a fantastic ending with fireworks, ACL had it all. I got to see some shows I've never seen, and see some shows that I've already seen and was blown away by. Met so many new friends and created amazing experiences, I was not ready to go back to the real world today. So I thought the easiest way to talk about my time would be to break it down to my top 3 favorite acts, and my top 3 least favorite.

Best Acts

Disclosure

My favorite dynamic duo did not disappoint. This was one act I was most looking forward to and they delivered the BEST performance of the weekend. Their lights and visuals were amazing and looked great along their music. They played a good combination of their first album along with their newest and I would call you crazy if you didn't fall in love with it. They brought out Lion Babe and performed their latest single "Hourglass" which was beautifully put on. I could and did go on and on about this show all weekend, one of the best shows I've ever seen at ACL.

The Weeknd

The Weeknd came and he delivered an awesome performance. Even though his headlining spot only was an hour long, he gave an incredible performance and had the crowd singing along with every song, myself included. He played all his hit radio singles as well as his new album music and songs from the popular Trilogy album. He was better than I would have ever expected and would even go to say he's probably the next Michael Jackson, without the dancing and way more vulgar lyrics. I'm not a big R&B fan, but I'm definitely a fan-girl for The Weeknd.

Run The Jewels

Run The Jewels has been an act that I've been dying to see. They've been mentioned in many blogs and music news articles as a must-see performance and one of the best acts at festivals; and let me tell you, they were not wrong. Never have I been to a rap show that could hype up a crowd of the masses quite like EL-P and Killer Mike. They really got the crowd going and made me wish that I was deep in the crowd ( I'm a back of the show kind of girl, I hate standing next to sweaty people in 94 degrees). Out of all the rap acts I've seen, not many can top Run The Jewels. Even in their solid black attire, with the sun setting right on them, they put on one of the greatest performances. Props to them, I could barely dance the entire time without dying of a heat stroke.

Worst Acts

Drake

Man... I was so disappointed by this one. I love Drake and was so excited to finally see him. I had warnings from other friends who had seen him at Weekend 1 or Coachella that he was boring, of course I didn't listen because I like to form my own opinions. Unfortunately, they were right. He opened with some weaker songs and anytime he played a hit, it was never the full song. I was not having fun and was actually getting frustrated. We left to go see Deadmau5 where I saw the same set he put on at Bonnaroo, and still had a better time than at Drake. After Deadmau5 ended, we went back to Drake to see that he had brought out J.Cole, still wasn't impressed. Finally, he started playing his heavier hitting songs, but by that point we left because we were so over it. Overall, really upset about his show. Lesson learned, I'm going to listen to my peers experiences.

Leon Bridges

I love Leon Bridges, he brings that old school 50's R&B sound and he's got a smooth voice and is one talented guy. Too bad his stage performance was boring. Due to the sound of his music, it's mellow and easy going and hard to enjoy in 94 degree weather. I ended up laying down and falling asleep at his show because it was just so boring. You can have a great voice and great music, but stage presence has a huge impact on getting the crowd to like you and Leon Bridges lost me

Halsey

This was an artist I decided to check out. I've only heard her name but never listened to her music. I have found so many new artists this way and usually am never disappointed, but Halsey was not that great. I don't if it was because the screaming high school girls all around me or Halsey's attitude that she was better than everyone on the stage, but she didn't have me sold. Her opening song was amazing but the rest was pretty mediocre. I honestly blame her fans for my terrible experience at this show.


ACL is a great festival filled with great people of all ages, great music, and priceless memories. I can't wait to go back and see what I get myself into!

-Blaze

Festival Do's and Don'ts

With Austin City Limits weekend 1 coming up this weekend and myself attending weekend 2 next weekend, I thought it would be a good idea to write some tips on how to prepare. Luckily, ACL is a festival where you can go back to a hotel room after a full day of walking and dancing for countless hours, so you don't have to be as prepared than if you had to camp.

Do's:
Always eat a BIG breakfast. And when I say big, I mean until you absolutely can't eat another bite. Breakfast may be your only meal of the day and it'll be your biggest source of energy.

Backpacks are important, preferably a camelbak backpack because those hold water bladders.

With that being said,  DO STAY HYDRATED. I can't stress this enough. Keep drinking water because even if you're not thirsty, you're most like still dehydrated and that makes for a terrible time.

Do bring in little snacks like granola bars. Most festivals allow you to bring in small snacks.

Toilet paper. Especially for us girls. Never assume that the port-o-potties will have TP because by the end of the night, none of them will.

If you're a drinker on a budget ( like myself), smuggle it in. Best way to do that is drink the clear liquor, fill up a water bottle to the brim. You're allowed to bring in an unsealed water bottle, but the security really just checks to see if it's filled all the way.

Do be weather alert. Prepare for heat, or cold, or rain, or whatever mother nature may throw at you that weekend and make the best of it. This is about to be the best weekend of your life, don't be unprepared and have weather ruin it!

Do expect to make new friends! You'll meet the craziest people but also the nicest people and maybe even some forever friends.

Don'ts:
Don't start the party too early, you'll miss the artists you really want to see at night. Trust me.

Don't wander and lose your friends. Always make a meeting point at a certain time if your group separates or you will never find them.

Don't expect to have cell service. There are 80,000 other festival attendees all trying to use their phone at the same time.

Don't be that Guy. What do I mean by that you ask? I mean don't be that asshole that gets mad if someone wants to get closer than you to the stage, because no matter where you stand, someone will want to get closer. Don't be the guy that doesn't help out someone in need, 9/10 someone will help you when you're in need. Pretty much don't be the Debbie downer.

Don't ever underestimate getting sunburned. Just because it's October doesn't mean you can't burn to a crisp anymore. I learned that the hard way.

Don't walk into the port-o-pots barefoot. I feel like this is common sense, but I've seen it and yes you will get looked at. I am a person that loves to walk barefoot around grassy festivals but I always carry flip flops in my backpack just for that.


First time festival goers may need advice on what to pack. Well have no fear because I can give you the most important things you will need.
Packing List:
- Sunglasses/ back up pair
- Sunscreen
- At least $60 ( you may never know what will happen)
- If you don't like being in the crowd, a sheet to sit or lay on
- Small flashlight to help in the port-o-pots at night
- Hand sanitizer
- Baby wipes
-Water Bottle ( reusable)
- Backpack/camelbak
- Hair ties
- Hats ( helps with shade)
- Raincoat/ rain boots 


Austin City Limits is a wonderful weekend filled with amazing people, incredible artists, and will create beautiful memories you will cherish for a lifetime. Do have a fantastic time and happy festing!

-Blaze

It Really is a Time to be Alive

Drake and Future surprised fans by dropping a fire mixtape a day after announcing their collaboration.

This came unexpected considering Drake is releasing a new album later this year and Future released his new album July 6th.

Apple's Beats 1 Radio premiered the album on Sunday with Drake explaining how the mixtape came together and basically told listeners that the mixtape was an accident.

He said how he went to visit Atlanta a couple of weeks ago for six days in hopes of collaborating with Future. 

Drake also mentioned how he chose the title for his new, spontaneous album. When he realized his trip to Atlanta would produce a collaborative effort with Future, Drake told writer and friend Ernest Baker about the project. Baker replied, "What a time to be alive," and that's how Drake named it.

The mixtape has 11 tracks and is pretty much a mixtape of Future featuring Drake. The chemistry works as expected and is blowing up on the Itunes charts and making a trend on twitter as #WATTBA.

You can listen to the full album on the Apple Music, but isn't available on popular music streaming sites yet.

So with this new collaboration and having both artists on the lineup for the upcoming fest, Austin City Limits, does this mean we will see the duo perform this mixtape together on stage? I know I can't wait to see.

What a time to be alive indeed.

-Blaze

Look Out for Scammers!

I just wanted to make this post to make sure people are aware of how easy it is to get scammed when buying tickets to a sold out event, the warning signs you need to see, and the best way to get a decently priced ticket to a sold out event.

I decided to write about this because I was almost scammed into buying two face value Weekend 2 Austin City Limits tickets. Buying from second hand buyers, like StubHub and TicketCity, can be too expensive and I do suggest buying it from private sellers on Craigslist because that is your cheapest option, just be careful.

The biggest warnings I've noticed when buying from private sellers on Craigslist is the scammers don't want to use PayPal. PayPal helps prevent from getting scammed. If they have a different option they want to use, don't fall for it. The guy that almost got me wanted to use Walmart 2 Walmart pay option and that is the fastest way to lose your money.
In a festival situation, you're going to find tickets for sale all over the place, so it'll make you feel uneasy about doing any type of transaction with someone on the other side of the country. Ask the person if they can send you a screen shot of their receipt. It'll have their name and the date that they bought it. That was my last warning sign I got when the scammer never texted back a screen shot of his receipt.

Also talk to the person a little more than just about the transaction. If they put a reason as to why they can't go to the event on the ad, ask them again and see if the story matches.
With my current situation, I ended up finding a seller in the Dallas area and we keep each other updated on money, when the wristbands have been shipped, etc. She agreed on letting me be the only potential buyer since I was the first person to get a hold of her and we haven't made any money transactions yet since she doesn't have the wristbands. With simple communication between you and the seller, you can figure out if you for sure have a ticket.

For those still looking, wait until all the wristbands have been shipped. Having the wristbands in person already helps validate the transaction. Also, the closer to the date of the event, the cheaper and more frantic people are trying to sell their weekend passes.

So if you haven't gotten a pass yet, don't give up!! And be careful of shitty people trying to make a fast buck.

-Blaze
  

I Can't Feel My Face When I Listen to You

 The Weeknd has become a popular name this passed year starting with his 50 Shades of Grey hit  " Earned it." In the month of June, all three of his radio hits were on the Billboard Top 100 and he's making a big name for himself. With that said, he dropped his new album " Beauty Behind the Madness" on August 28th. Coming from a big The Weeknd fan, I was a little worried of how this new album would be considering he is now a more popular name which would make his normal 5 minute vulgar ballads into 3 1/2 minute, top of the charts, pop tunes. I can tell you though that I've been listening to this album on replay since it dropped. There are some incredible, unpredictable songs featuring some amazing artists like Lana Del Ray and Kanye West, making this album just as good as Trilogy. Granted, his slow burning ballads are not quite the same, he still stuck to his vulgar sexual lyrics but has evolved in a beautiful way.

Listening to this album has made him on my must-see list as I prepare for his headlining show at Austin City Limits Festival. Not to mention his first ever performance on MTV's The VMA's where he performed his hit " I Can't Feel My Face" and was definitely one of the better acts of the night.  I've seen him before but never like this and it makes me excited for what the future holds for The Weeknd.

I would rate this album at 3 1/2 out of 5 stars. I hope all music fans out there enjoy this album just as much as I am!

- Blaze