Baby boomers and millennials danced during this weekend’s Austin City Limits Music Festival Oct. 7-9. in Zilker Park.
Friday
The festival kicked off Friday with an electronic beat and head banging rock n’ roll.
Awolnation, a rock band, took over one of the eight stages.
Aaron Bruno, Awolnation lead singer, instructed the crowd to throw its hands up to the guitar riffs as the intro song streamed through the park.
“I remember thinking this is a lot of people who like a lot of different type of music,” Bruno said. “And have a lot of different hobbies and now we all get to come together at ACL.”
Awolnation ended with the crowd pleaser “Sail”.
“This song changed our life,” Bruno said. “Thank you for listening for the first time or the last time. We’re sharing this moment and I’ll never forget.”
Flume, Australian DJ, was one of the many electronic dance musicians who proved DJs have a place at music festivals.
Janice Trevino, Austin resident, said she brought her two daughters to ACL to share her love of music with them.
“I know it seems crazy,” Trevino said. “But I grew up going to concerts with my parents and I want to give them the (same) experience. We’re just music lovers.”
Trevino said music has no age limit.
“There (are) all types of people here,” Trevino said. “I have an eight-year-old and a 13-year-old and we’re all super excited for Flume.”
Radiohead, an English rock band, was the stir of the night as the crowd started to build up an hour before the band hit the stage.
Austin Coles, McAllen resident, said Radiohead was a highlight of a lifetime as a longtime fan.
“They really don’t play as much as they used to,” Coles said. “This is a big deal.”
Coles said Radiohead attracts a variety of audience members because of the relatability of their music.
“I don’t think it matters if you grew up listening to Radiohead or just heard of them today,” Coles said. “They’re the best.”
Saturday
As the Texas heat beat down on Zilker park, festival goers were in for a day of hip-hop and RnB.
LL Cool J, hip hop artist and DJ Z-Trip took a walk down memory lane as they opened their set with sing-alongs such as Beastie Boys’ “Paul Revere” and Survivor’s “Eye of the Tiger.”
DJ Z-Trip threw in “Deep in the Heart of Texas” for Texas natives before LL Cool J joined the stage with the fan favorite “Mama Said Knock You Out.”
“Last week was crazy,” LL Cool J said. “They had their hands in the air but I think we can beat them this weekend.”
Audience members sang along to LL Cool J’s set as stage fire served as a backdrop for the verses.
“You can do anything you put your mind to,” LL Cool J said. “The future is yours. Make some noise for the future.”
Cage the Elephant, alternative band, took over the Honda stage as the sun began to set over the hills of Zilker park.
Matt Schultz, Cage the Elephant lead singer, kept crowd members shouting and dancing as his energy took over ACL.
Schultz joined audience members by jumping into the crowd as guitar riffs and bass followed his electric voice.
Taylor Johnson, Houston resident, said Cage the Elephant’s set was the most energetic she’d seen all Saturday.
“They’re so fun,” Johnson said. “I love their music but this was my first time seeing them live. They’re wild and you can tell everyone was really into it as much as they were.”
The Chainsmokers, DJ duo, attracted one of the largest crowds of the evening as their stage’s lights beamed onto electronic dance music lovers.
Dancing circles formed as The Chainsmokers played their summer hit “Closer.”
Lea Humbert, Austin native, said being a part of The Chainsmokers audience was an experience she won’t forget.
“You get awesome vibes from the people around you,” Humbert said. “I’ve danced with so many strangers today.”
Festival attendees started to make their way to hip-hop artist and headliner Kendrick Lamar’s set.
Lamar made his stage presence known by walking side to side on the stage as he welcomed his audience to his concert.
Lamar announced a disclaimer after his first intro song.
“If you’re in the way please get out of the way,” Lamar said. “Can y’all handle this?”
Audience members stirred as hip-hop artist ScHoolboy Q joined Lamar during “My Way” halfway through the set.
Corina Gomez, Austin native, said Lamar deserved to be a headliner at this year’s festival.
“He put on a show,” Gomez said. “I could barely get out of the crowd. He’s a true artist and performer.”
Sunday
Guitar riffs and drums took over Zilker Park’s hills on the last day of ACL.
Miike Snow, Swedish band, attracted festival goers as their clash of pop and rock music drew from speakers.
Laura Maine, San Antonio resident, said she found herself in Miike Snow’s crowd after hearing the music from a distance.
“I had to come check them out,” Maine said. “That’s the cool thing about ACL, you should always see a band you’re not that familiar with because you never know.”
Young the Giant, alternative band, also welcomed a large audience.
Young the Giant opened with hits such as “Cough Syrup” and tracks from the 2016 album “Home of the Strange.”
Anne Lawrence, Austin native, said she appreciates having the opportunity to see multiple genres at ACL.
“Young the Giant is one of the many I get to see tonight,” Lawrence said. “There is something for everyone.”
Mumford and Sons, indie band, capped off the night as the closing headliners of ACL.
“This might be my favorite festival in the world,” said Marcus Mumford, lead singer of Mumford and Sons.
Mumford and Sons treated audiences with songs from their new EP Johannesburg and radio hits such as “I Will Wait.”
June Boron, Pflugerville resident, said seeing Mumford and Sons live was the perfect way to end her weekend.
“They’re just so cool,” Boron said. “It was worth the money and they are just so positive. Listening to them just makes me want to love everyone.”