The madness of music, the sea of humanity, the transcendent performances, and a few letdowns – this year’s Austin City Limits Music Festival had it all. As the memory of ACL Fest 2024 begins to settle into the collective consciousness of attendees and Austinites alike, let’s take a look at the outstanding highs and the avoidable lows of this iconic festival.

The Best

Headliners Who Lived Up to the Hype.

Each year, the headliners carry the weight of expectation, and this year they delivered with earth-shaking vigor. From awe-inspiring visual spectacles to soul-stirring vocal performances, these artists proved why they were at the top of the bill.

Genre Diversity.

ACL Fest 2024 scored big on featuring a blend of genres. From EDM to country, from hip-hop to indie rock, and from jazz maestros to reggae virtuosos, fans got a taste of nearly every sound under the sun.

The Food Experience.

Austin’s reputation as a foodie haven was paralleled at the festival. The range of delectable food from local vendors—be it smoky brisket or vegan treats—meant that your taste buds could rave as well as your ears.

Sustainability Efforts.

Sustainability was given front-row status with increased recycling stations, compostable utensils, and a push for ridesharing. ACL is setting a green example and hopefully inspiring other festivals to follow suit.

The Worst

Sound Bleed Between Stages.

Despite its many successes, one issue that plagued ACL Fest 2024 was sound bleed. At times, softer acoustic sets were overpowered by neighboring stages’ bass drops, detracting from the experience.

Connectivity Woes.

With everyone Snapchatting and Instagramming live performances, cellular service was spottier than desired. Many found it hard to coordinate with friends or post about their experiences in real-time.

Bathroom Facilities Shortage.

Festival-goers would unanimously agree there weren’t enough bathroom facilities for a crowd of ACL’s magnitude. Long lines were frustrating and could easily dampen spirits.

Exiting Logjams.

End-of-night exits created incredible logjams at shuttle bus stations and ride-share pickups. Patience wore thin as feet grew sore after hours of dancing.

In conclusion, while no festival is perfect, ACL Fest 2024 certainly brought its ‘A’ game in what counts most—music, food, culture, and festivities. Fans are already eagerly awaiting 2025’s lineup announcements while reminiscing on this year’s triumphs and taking note of where there’s room for improvement.