By Mark Robinson

Cougar News Editor

Wilco performs at the Austin City Limits festival. Photo by David Mead.

I could write ever-so poetically about the Austin City Limits Festival that took place Sept. 14-16.

Seriously, give me 2,000 words and I’d have your head spinning about all the fantastic artists that played their sweaty guts out over the three days. Or the thousands upon thousands of souls that trod the grounds of Zilker Park into a brown and yellow turf.

Maybe you’d like to hear about the best whistler in rock music (Andrew Bird). Or how an eclectic and diverse group of Canadians (Arcade Fire) could somehow meld into one gigantic, energetic and mesmerizing wall of sound as the humid Austin night sped into oblivion. 

Instead, I hope to properly summarize my experience in 10 partially concise and collected thoughts and have you realize that I was a happily exhausted dude at this very moment.

1. ACL -- as it shall be referred to henceforth -- and festivals like it are like a compilation CD that you might find in the middle of a magazine. Except way bigger and more expensive. Count ‘em: 130 bands. Chances are even the most heady music fan has heard 25 percent of these groups. The other 75 percent is like opening a new present on Christmas morning. And you could very well hate it, which is fine. ACL is generally about discovery.

2. If you should have a long, lost relative from Siberia visit you and they wanted to know the essence of Texas, a trip to ACL would be a proper and comprehensive investment. Without mincing words, ACL has a very Austin-feel. For those who know the city know what I mean and the organizers make a very concerted effort to keep that vibe alive. It’s important without being pretentious. It’s laid back. For every hipster, there’s 10 dudes who didn’t know Regina Spektor from Kay Bailey Hutchison.

3. As a companion to No. 2, one of the great components of ACL is the food. Organizers invite local eateries to sell their wares, all of it with Texas flare at a minimal price. Think a chopped beef barbecue sandwich from Stubb’s for $4.

4. Now for the very understated (and obvious): It’s hot in Texas in September. Never before have there been more people praying for clouds to mask the sun or quietly enjoying a breeze off neighboring Lady Bird Lake (formerly Town Lake).

5. ACL is just one of many festivals and music tours that work toward using solar power and heavily promoting recycling and other planet-friendly behaviors.

6. Good to great: Andrew Bird, Wilco, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Ghostland Observatory, Midlake, Spoon, Arcade Fire and M.I.A.

7. In regards to No. 4, you’d be surprised how much better a band sounds when the sun goes down.

8. It’s very easy to stand in awe of an artist and a group of musicians at ACL, especially if you tend to think that much of what’s on the radio is stale and uninspired.

9. Not-so-great to awful: Cold War Kids, The Decemberists, Bob Dylan, The White Stripes (for not showing up), propane-tank explosions and the sun.

10. ACL does not gouge the pocketbook. Water and soda are $2. Food is very, very reasonable. The festival claims to be all about the music. Considering the experience, I tend to believe them.    

Revellers at the Austin City Limits festival sample some local fare. Photo by Matthew Ellis.