The first weekend of ACL Fest 2023 was not only filled with amazing music and fun times for all, but we had what was probably the BEST weather in Central Texas in six months! A very welcome change indeed, and the perfect atmosphere for our favorite music festival.

But there was so much more than just live music, great weather, and amazing food at ACL. So if you’re planning to be out there for weekend 2, don’t forget to check out all the sponsor activations going on around the park. Did we mention FREE swag?!

Let’s start with Tito’s Stardust Experience (Located just to the right of the Tito’s Tent stage)

Test your skills and win Tito’s swag playing their infamous claw machine. Or take a break and set a meet-up spot for your pals just outside the activation area on some comfy chairs under shady umbrellas. And remember… for the FIRST TIME EVER, all festival goers (21+) can purchase liquor, including a refreshing Tito’s Sparkling Lemonade at ANY of the bars around the park! No longer is the booze reserved for the VIPs, y’all!

Don’t forget to stick around and enjoy some amazing bands under the shady Tito’s Tent stage.

HULU at ACL!

Head into the Hulu House for that free Hulu gear AND a cool spot to catch all the live streaming ACL Fest content from the best seat in the house.

Party with T-Mobile at “Club Magenta”

Chill out and charge up at the ultimate FREE backstage experience located behind the T-Mobile Stage (entrance is to the right of the stage). Gain instant access if you’re a current T-Mobile customer by adding your “Club Magenta” pass to your mobile device via the T-Mobile Tuesdays app (an amazing baller way to get exclusive discounts btw!). When you get inside, you’ll find charging stations, upgraded (A/C!) restrooms, a private (cash) bar, and a chance to see your favorite bands playing the T-Mobile stage with exclusive side-stage access!

…and more!

Be sure to check out the AMEX lounge and get access to the VIP upstairs viewing area (for AMEX cardholders), or the Honda Retreat (across from the Honda stage) to recharge with friends and enter for a chance to win a 2024 Honda HR-V Sport! There’s also the Coke Studio, the Wrangler Ranch, and the Topo Chico Hard Seltzer Experience (21+) where you can score all the swag and recharge in between sets. All of these spots are easy to find on the festival map, and provide far less populated areas to meet up with friends when those crowds get CRAZY! Hey, you paid a lot for those wristbands, so take advantage of everything ACL (and its sponsors) have to offer! Happy Weekend Two everyone!

Go Behind the Scenes at SXSW… for FREE!

When you think of SXSW, you think of the parties, the shows, the drinks, and the FUN! And the best way to experience everything SXSW has to offer is to have that magical official badge. But how do you get a badge on a budget?! VOLUNTEER for SXSW. I know what you’re thinking. “I don’t have enough time to volunteer! So many hours! It’s too much work!” But no worries… there are different levels of time commitment, and the best part is you’ll get to see the inner workings of this amazing conference/festival!

Make your schedule work and sign up to volunteer. You work some (mostly easy) shifts, you get a badge. A badge most people pay WELL over $1800 for. It’s almost too good to be true! There are plenty of crews who need volunteers, so head on over to https://volunteer.sxsw.com/register/ to learn more.

There is no longer a “Volunteer Call” where you must sign up for shifts in person. All shift sign-up is now done online, and is currently OPEN!

You’ll get into SO many parties, lounges, panels, films, shows, etc. that you wouldn’t have if you didn’t have that badge. RSVPing can only get you so far… so help out, get a badge, and have the best SXSW ever!

If you’re a live music fan, I think you can agree that it’s been the longest 18 months EVER! Here at Baller ATX, we are SO READY to get back out there and enjoy what we love most… live music in Austin, TX! That’s right, y’all… we’re heading out to ACL Fest Weekend 2 to hear some amazing bands, eat some incredible food, and experience all the other fun stuff we have come to know and love from our favorite little hometown music festival!

Yes, there is way more than just live music and food at ACL. So many of their sponsors have some pretty sweet activations going on inside Zilker Park. Some to keep you cool, some to give away that coveted swag, and all of them help you make new friends along the way!

Let’s start with Tito’s “Party in the Shack” (Located just to the right of the Tito’s stage)

Show some love!
Festival goers can write a thank you postcard to a festival crewmember & hang it on the “Love, Tito’s” wall. For every card that is signed, Tito’s donates $5 to Crew Nation (up to $10,000) to support production crew who were out of work during the pandemic. (Tito’s has always been a generous company, and this is amazing!)

Play to win!
Stock up on Tito’s swag playing Plinko (Sunglasses! Bandanas! Koozies!) or test your hand-eye coordination at the infamous Tito’s claw machine (where you can win a pair of wristbands granting access to the exclusive, private Stillhouse Lounge backstage at the Tito’s tent!)

Get a souvenir for your dog you left at home!
Create a personalized dog tag at the Tito’s custom dog tag machine

Relax and recharge!
People can enjoy a taste of free WIFI and find a spot to relax in the chairs outside the “shack”, which is actually a tiny version of Mockingbird Distillery, where Tito’s was created! There is also a phone charging station and lawn games to play with friends.

Don’t forget to stick around and enjoy the shady Tito’s tent where you can catch some amazing artists like one of my new faves, Claud, who is playing at 1:45pm on Friday!

It’s Miller Time!

Head over and enjoy Miller Lite’s new Miller Time Social space near the ACL Fest Photo Frame! This is THE spot to connect with your friends, enjoy a Miller Lite (21+ only please), cool off with their fan walls, and recharge yourself and your phone!

And don’t forget about the incredible artists playing the Miller Lite stage over by the Lady Bird Lake entrance to the festival. Check out the incomparable Erykah Badu at 7pm on Friday, or local faves Nane at noon on Sunday.

Party with T-Mobile at “Club Magenta”

Chill out and charge up at the ultimate FREE backstage experience located behind the T-Mobile Stage (entrance is to the right of the stage). Gain instant access if you’re a current T-Mobile customer, or snap and share a selfie to score entry. When you get inside, you’ll find charging stations, upgraded (A/C!) restrooms, a private (cash) bar, and a chance to score epic prizes thanks to T-Mobile. You’ll also find a water refill station, a giant misting fan, and seats in a shady space where you can watch the bands appearing on the T-Mobile and Lady Bird Lake stages on a huge screen. That private bar will certainly come in handy when the bar lines around the park are 50 people deep!

…and more!

Be sure to check out the Bumble Hive to charge your phone and snag some swag, or the Honda Trading Post (across from the Honda stage) to recharge with friends and get a free tattoo! So many of the activations this year are not only giving away free stuff, but are providing phone charging, a space to relax a bit in the shade, and lots of “meetup” spots to gather with those friends who tend to get lost in the crowd. Hey, you paid a lot for those wristbands, so take advantage of everything ACL (and its sponsors) have to offer! Happy fest-ing everyone!

Hometown Pachanga for a Great Cause

by Traci Mondragon

Much to the seasoned Austin spring festival-goer’s delight…the FADER Fort is back for SXSW 2019!

The fort will return to it’s 2018 digs, at 1501 E. 7^th St, which last year boasted a lush green lawn, plenty of stage-viewing space, and fun activities for attendees.

This always anticipated, invite-only event will showcase artists CHARLY BLISS, LIL GOTIT, MEGAN THEE STALLION, OMAR APOLLO… plus many more acts to be announced!

The FADER FORT welcomes Intrinsic Wines and Spotify as new sponsors. Spotify Premium members will get some exclusive access and perks… so stay tuned for those details! FADER FORT is happening March 13-15…so stay tuned for updates!

Tips and Hacks for Having the Best SXSW Ever!

by Traci Mondragon

One of the greatest things about living in Austin is SXSW: that magical week in March when technology, film, and music combine to create a tangible energy in our beloved city.  If you’re reading this post, then you definitely know what SXSW is, and you’ve probably experienced it. So welcome, settle in for a long, but informative, read.

First things first… remember that SXSW is a marathon, not a sprint. Your body, your friends, and your spirit will thank you if you live by that motto all week. If you take nothing else away from this post, let it be that. Slow your roll. Stop and enjoy the week. Pace yourself!

SXSurvival Hacks for ALL!

Tricks for just getting through the week unscathed… or relatively alive anyway.

• Load up on Emergen-C and/or Pedialyte (these powder packs are easy to take with you!)
• Wear sunscreen
• Dress in layers. Texas weather is unpredictable, and you’ll likely be moving in and out of venues with varying temps.
• DRINK WATER (one after every 1-2 boozey beverages)
• If a party has fruits/veggies available as part of their free snacks, eat them!
• Take sit-down breaks when seats are available
• A break could be as simple as sitting under a tree at one of those free parties, or going inside the convention center to cool off in the A/C (if it’s hot).

Speaking of the Convention Center… there are a TON of free, clean bathrooms inside! Most hotel lobbies also have lovely bathrooms, and because so many people are going in and out of all these downtown hotels, no one will stop you from using their facilities if you’re not staying there.

Pack the essentials.

• Photo ID (everyone ID’s during SX)
• Cell phone
• Phone charger, extra battery, and/or wireless/battery-powered charger
• Cash (preferably $1’s for tipping, and some food trucks are cash-only)
• Credit/Debit card
• Refillable water bottle (there are water coolers all throughout the convention center)
• Maps, schedules
• Light snacks
• Emergen-C/Pedialyte powder packs
• Sunscreen

A cross-body bag or backpack can store all these items, as well as any swag you might collect throughout the day.

 

Getting downtown, parking, getting home safe

If you’re driving yourself…

• Give yourself about 2 hours to drive downtown, find parking, and get to where you’re going on time. No, this isn’t an exaggeration. Parking will be a nightmare, as will traffic in and around downtown.
• A good tip for where to park, in regards to your plans for the day… park near where you plan to end your night. You’ll be so incredibly tired by 2am, especially if you’ve been out since before noon. It’s better to have a long trek at the start of your day, than at the end.
• Many of the street meters will be wrapped up and only allow special permits to park by them, so don’t rely on where you “know” there is street parking. Garages may cost up to 5x as much as usual. So budget for parking, or be prepared to park much farther from downtown than expected.

Take Public Transpo or Use Ride Sharing Apps

• Capital Metro runs later than usual during SXSW, and this site will help guide you to your destination with ease! Key tip if you live central/west: Highland Mall is pretty much shut down, and has a huge parking lot right across the street from a Metro Rail stop! The Metro Rail that also stops RIGHT in front of the Convention Center!
• Austin has Uber and Lyft back (they were gone last year) so your options are plentiful.

 

I Have a Badge… So Now What?!

First off, DON’T be an idiot and keep your credit cards/photo ID inside the plastic badge sleeve. Taking that thing in and out of that is a great way to lose your badge, lose your ID/cards, or make it more difficult to scan your badge at official venues.

Badge Types/Admittance

Your admittance priority into events is dependent on what type of badge you will have. Most venues will have two lines: one for Priority Access and one for Secondary Access.

• Interactive = Priority admittance to Interactive panels/sessions/workshops and events (Secondary access to Film and Music events)
• Film = Priority admittance to Film screenings, panels/sessions/workshops, and events (Secondary access to Interactive and Music events)
• Music = Priority admittance to Music showcases, panels/sessions/workshops, and events (Secondary access to Interactive and Film events)
• Platinum = Priority admittance into Interactive, Film, AND Music events!

All official events will have capacity limits of course, so your badge will not get you into events that are at capacity, and there are a few, rare private or ticketed events that even your badge alone is not enough to get you into.

Create a Schedule with a Plan A, B, C, and D.

• SXSW has SO much to offer, and it can definitely be overwhelming. There are several different types of events, from morning till the wee hours of the night! But planning is key. And backup planning is crucial.
• If you haven’t already, create an account at schedule.sxsw.com. There, you can search events you’re interested in, and add events to your custom schedule. There’s also an app!

Best Kept Secrets for Badgeholders

There are a few insider tricks I’ve learned over many years of SXSW’ing, through trial and error, and some by pure happy accident!

• Some day parties and events offer priority entrance to badgeholders, over non-badgeholders who have just RSVP’d, so always go up and ask at the door if you see a HUGE line. It might be worth asking! The worst they can do is send you to the back of the line.
• The Registrant’s Lounge is open all week, and is a chill place to get a free drink, mingle, and get ready for all those evening parties, films, and showcases! Note: Volunteers are NOT allowed into the Registrant’s Lounge. Sorry, guys. We can’t get ALL the perks. The Registrant’s Lounge is located in Brush Square Park, just across 4th street from the Convention Center.
• In the past few years, SXSW has introduced new concepts to compliment the big three conference areas. These include Gaming, Sports, Style, and Comedy. Many of these “Convergence” events are open to all Registrants, no matter your type of badge.
• Take the Festival Shuttle! It runs between most film venues, and there’s also a loop from Palmer Events Center to the Convention Center.

Interactive Tips

Interactive parties tend to be overlooked by those who still think SXSW is just all about music. Often, these are great networking events with loads of free booze and food. Some of the best parties I’ve been to are Interactive parties. Those tech people know how to go hard! The Interactive closing party is at Stubb’s, and has always featured some HUGE acts (Ludacris, Deadmau5, Jimmy Eat World), not to mention an open bar. At Stubb’s! Those drinks are usually like $7 or more a pop! There are SO many day and night parties during Interactive. So take advantage of this!

Film Tips

Film panels often highlight specific films, and will feature the filmmakers and entire casts. These are often intimate settings with Q&A portions, so you can get up close to pick the brains of your favorite filmmakers or TV stars.

Music Tips

Inside the Austin Convention Center, in the 4th Floor ballrooms, are the music day stages. Super intimate settings feature artists both well-known and up-and-coming. These shows are a great way to see that band you love, but maybe conflicts with another band you love later in the week! The shows are never full, and you can always get a great spot up front, out of the elements, and the sound is always fantastic.

 

What if I Just Want to do All the FREE Stuff?!

If you’re a Baller ATX friend and follower… you probably can’t afford a badge (although you should have taken our advice back in January when we posted about volunteering!) But don’t fret… there are ways to do SXSW right…even if you’re broke!

RSVP till your fingers hurt.

There are so many sites, Facebook groups, etc. that list free parties if you DON’T have a badge. So if you don’t take my first piece of advice, then do this. In fact, Baller ATX has a handy list to aid in your RSVPing.

Register for a SXSW Guestpass.

This free wristband will allow you to experience a lot of SXSW, and the free “official” events have expanded over the years! New this year, the Guestpass allows you entry into the 2-day Wellness Expo at the Palmer Events Center. The most popular event you can attend with the Guestpass are the free outdoor shows at Lady Bird Lake. SXSW brings amazing bands to this stage each year.

 

So Remember…

Pace yourself, be SAFE, and have FUN. If you’re anything like me, SXSW is your Christmas, birthday, and Mardi Gras all rolled into one amazing week. Make it count, make it last, and make it memorable. But most importantly make it safe so you can make it out again next year! And the year after that and the year after that…

by Traci Mondragon

After weeks of teasing, and giving us glimpses of their first-ever book, FADER FORT: Setting The Stage, on Instagram, the FORT is back for SXSW 2018!

Although the space has moved a bit farther east to 1501 E. 7^th St, it is once again a more intimate, invite-only event. But last year, small space did NOT mean smaller acts, as Lizzo, Cardi B, and Bishop Briggs rocked the stage.

This year, the FORT will showcase artists SOB X BRE, Now, Now, YBN Nahmir, and Soccer Mommy (with over 20 more acts to be announced!) and their new book will be available for purchase on-site.

The FADER FORT welcomes Pabst Blue Ribbon and Smirnoff Vodka as a new sponsors, who join past sponsors Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey and vitaminwater® to keep attendees refreshed! They also welcome new sponsors New Balance, SPiN, and Apple Music’s Beats 1. Prepare for an amazing week if you are among the lucky invitees. FADER FORT is happening March 14-16…so stay tuned for updates!

Give a little to Get a LOT!

When you think of SXSW, you think of the parties, the shows, the drinks, and the FUN! And the best way to experience everything SXSW has to offer is to have a badge. But how do you get a badge on a budget?! VOLUNTEER for SXSW. I know what you’re thinking. “I don’t have enough time to volunteer! So many hours! It’s too much work!” But no worries… You’re an adult. You’re smart. You’re capable.

Make your schedule work and sign up to volunteer. You work some (mostly easy) shifts, you get a badge. A badge most people pay WELL over $1500 for. It’s almost unbelievable! There are still plenty of crews who need volunteers, so head on over to volunteer.sxsw.com to learn more. There’s also a Volunteer Call this weekend at the Austin Convention Center, Ballrooms ABC. Saturday, January 27th from 3-5pm. Get down there and sign up!

You’ll get into SO many parties, lounges, panels, films, shows, etc. that you wouldn’t have if you didn’t have that badge. RSVPing can only get you so far… so help out, get a badge, and have the best SXSW ever!

by Traci Mondragon

The Baller ATX crew was thrilled to be invited back to Louisville this weekend for the 15^th Annual Forecastle Festival!  We enjoyed incredible hospitality and amazing music, art, and food last at last year’s fest (not to mention quite the storm!) so we are beyond excited to be heading back. The fest takes place this weekend, July 14-16 in Louisville, KY, and Baller ATX will be bringing you photos and experiences from Forecastle.

Beginning as a small neighborhood event in 2002, focusing on music, art, and conservationism – Forecastle has grown into one of the largest music festivals in the country, and draws tens of thousands attendees from all over the world. This year’s headliners include LCD Soundsystem, Weezer, ODESZA, and Sturgill Simpson.  Along with Phantogram, newcomer K.Flay, Charles Bradley, the energetic Capital Cities, and so much more… Forecastle’s eclectic mix will surely have something for everyone.

Austin’s own Spoon will also be lending their talent to the amazing list of artists rocking Waterfront Park this weekend.

Featuring local eats, a Bourbon Lodge, and the Hunter S. Thompson-inspired Gonzo Bar, Forecastle’s unique style makes it a can’t-miss for festival lovers. We can’t wait to bring you coverage from the weekend, so stay tuned to Baller ATX for more!

The cutest little music festival ever…

by Traci Mondragon

Photos by Dominic Mondragon

 

As a first-time Old Settler’s festival attendee, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. I figured it would be laid-back, fun, and friendly, but upon arriving, I quickly realized that it would become one of all-time favorite festival experiences.

Nestled in the hill country between Dripping Springs and Wimberley, Driftwood, TX is probably most well-known for a little BBQ joint called The Salt Lick. The smoked meat scent permeates the air for at least a 2 mile radius. But each April, the air is filled with more than just the aroma of brisket and sausage… the sweet sounds of folk, bluegrass, and country rock. You just immediately feel at home at Old Settler’s.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We started the day with a little stroll down to the creek, and ended up being drawn over to catch the last of the California Honeydrops set on the Hill Country Stage. Their upbeat horns and vocals brought a little California sunshine to the (rather large) crowd on this grey and cloudy Texas day.

We then meandered through the trees on the trail to the Bluebonnet Stage to catch Wood & Wind (an apparent festival favorite) for their set. As we walked, we passed several artisan vendors selling everything from incense to leather goods, as well as a few delicious smelling food and beer vendors. I made a mental note to stop for a funnel cake later.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We made our way back to the Hill Country Stage just in time for Elephant Revival, and ended up staying for The Lone Bellow and the legendary Del McCoury Band.

As the evening grew colder, nothing could warm up the crowd like the smooth and sultry voice of Sarah Jarosz. Her music fills your heart and soul with joy and sadness all at once.

We ended the night with one of our favorite bands on earth… The Old 97’s! Their high energy and upbeat country-rock sounds were definitely the best way to end an amazing Old Settler’s Music Festival experience. Lead singer Rhett Miller never fails to entertain a crowd and start a party.

This little hill country music and camping festival is one of the best we’ve been to, and we will definitely be back. From the family-friendly, chill atmosphere to the amazing food and incredible music… Old Settler’s was an incredible experience.