INTO THE MOSH 105: AUSTIN CITY LIMITS | FESTIVAL REVIEW WITH AN AUSSIE TOUCH
Words by Sam and Matilda Elliott.
We were lucky enough to go to Austin City Limits weekend two, as two Aussie music fanatics, and we had the most wonderful time. To experience the boundless music, and the never-ending kindness of the people of Austin, was wonderful.
We faced copious amounts of dirt and dust inhalation and the blazing sun - maybe Austin and Australia aren’t that different?
Day 1
On the first day of Austin City Limits, we did our best to fit in with the Texas locals (if they were how they were portrayed in cartoons and old TV shows, lol). We donned our most camp cowgirl hats, red and pink respectively with tiaras and fluff around the brim to fit in with the lone star state festival attendees. As we waded through the hot dust, we were surprised to hear Aussie accents in the crowd. “When does he start?” a familiar-toned Aussie said to another, both decked out in what we’re sure they also saw as appropriate Texan attire; cowboy hats, overalls and nothing else. Starting our ACL Fest experience was none other than Australian royalty, Paul Kelly, with a large chunk of the crowd of fellow Aussies, we all danced and chanted to Paul’s classic hits alongside new songs that will become classics in their own right.
Paul was joined on stage only by his nephew Dan Kelly, who played guitar and sang backing vocals. Paul’s set was a modest performance compared to some of the sets we saw, but his grit, storytelling ability and genuine connectivity captivated the audience. Even though we were standing in the blazing sun, with a lovely Texan woman and her Aussie husband offering to give us their sunscreen, amazed at how pale we were, we became covered in goosebumps getting to hear How to Make Gravy live for the first time. The Texan woman also wanted us to know that “not all Texans were bad.” She said this a few times while sun screening our backs.
Following Paul, we got to see Dasha, a rising country star in Austin, and listen to her belt out her song of the same name while boot-scooting with shirtless cowboys was an inundation into Texan culture. She shot to fame very quickly and it’s hard to believe she is only 24! Dasha had some controversy in her live performances particularly at the Country Music Awards this year. As your official guides, we wanted to set the record straight and confirm that she was so much fun live and absolutely hit back at any trolls saying her performance wasn’t up to scratch as they certainly couldn’t have said anything about it then!
We also got to see Aussie icons Royel Otis, who played to a huge crowd as they stood in front of a slightly smaller version of Ballina’s “Big Prawn”. One girl next to us asked us if it was the real one from Australia. During this set, we even spotted a famous American comedian and influencer. She was hiding in plain sight with sunnies and a bandana on. We didn’t disturb her and let her go on with her day and just enjoy the fest like everyone else - We still quietly commented to each other how cool it was to see someone of that stature in the “wild.” It was also really special to see the number of Americans who knew every song. Bursting with excitement, thrilled they got to hear their favourite songs live. We feel like proud aunties or something.
Another highlight of the festival for us was Foster the People. While on our plane ride from LA to Austin, Sam met one of the guitarists in the line for the plane bathroom. He was incredibly friendly, which only made us want to see them more and support someone who was genuinely kind. Of course, the crowd went wild for Pumped Up Kicks. We were behind a group of men jostling and grabbing each other, excitedly singing like they were schoolboys who won a sporting game and another group who were at the front pointing at us as they didn’t know the words and we did.
Leon Bridges blew the house down with his voice that could even give us chills from hell, his crooning and wonderful voice blew us away. We have to note that he sounded even better than his recorded tracks, which we thought was impossible.
Once we had enough dust inhalation for one day, we left after getting to dance like no one was watching in the dark to Blink-182 followed by a visit to the giant chain that is Buc-ees. Buc-ees to our beautiful Australian audience, is a chain of rest stops and petrol stations. There are plenty in and around Texas. It is like another dimension when you enter (and are already wiped from a festival). There is a carvery, a 10-metre line of fountain drinks. And about 500 individual merch items of the Buc-ees beaver. It felt like a wonderful purgatory between what was an incredible first day and some much-needed sleep.
Day 2
On day two, we were bowled over by the direct heat of the South. On our way into the festival gates, we made a friend and chatted with her about life in the US and how Australia differs. She was such a lovely person, and we enjoyed bumping into her.
Sprinting into the festival - as we had been sluggish with our time on the morning of day two. Not wanting to miss The Beaches, we rushed inward, just in time for Blame Brett, our Aussie accents belting out all the words and causing ourselves to be instantly sweaty.
The next couple of hours were a blur of Eyedress and Teddy Swims. We alternated between them and getting something to eat. Teddy Swims actually needed crowd control as he had so many people coming to his set at one of the smaller stages.
Next, was a set we heavily anticipated and we were still shocked at how amazing she was, Remi Wolf. She has been gaining traction and opening for huge hitters like Olivia Rodrigo and Paramore, but also headlining herself. She is a powerhouse who we think everyone should get behind. Not only are her vocals stunning, but her respect and skill for the craft of singing and creating songs is next to none. Remi asked an excited fan clad in a “Sexy Villian” hat to give her a one-word prompt. He excitedly squealed “Gymnastics” to which Remi created a whole freestyle song with so much rhythm and funk that even the most tightly arms-crossed person with a frown on their face had to groove. She also sang the most incredible rendition of Life is a Highway which set off a sleeper hold on us; it was our Top Deck “wake up” song. IYKYK. We could NOT stop grinning like giddy idiots this whole set, Remi’s high energy just made us feel like we could be her besties. She was warm and inviting and truly is one to watch. She is an absolute superstar.
Next, we jived to Khruangbin and Reneé Rapp who killed it respectively. We were a little sad however, to not receive the Khruangbin X Leon Bridges masterpiece, Texas Sun, on our weekend of ACL as weekend one got it. However, we were treated to a beautiful rendition of All our Exes Live In Texas.
Our next headliner, we got to see was Dua Lipa, who is an absolute powerhouse. This was also not her first time headlining the ACL festival so there was a level of comfort from Dua, almost like she was seeing some old friends. Dua had the fans erupting when she donned a Texas Longhorns jersey with her name on the back of it for part of her set. She really knew how to put a special touch on the festival for the fans. During the set, we realised how much of a hitmaker Dua is. We knew EVERY song bar one! It was such a fun dance party and the vibes were immaculate.
Day 3
Chappell. Roan. Day. I (Matilda) have been waiting for this day, ever since back in November of 2023, when my girlfriend asked me if I wanted to go to the Chappell Roan gig, only for me to say I don’t have enough money to justify it as I only knew Red Wine Supernova, only for a month or so later, me to fully dive into her discography and become the biggest Chappell fangirl, having The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess and Good Luck Babe along with unreleased tracks soundtracking my life for the foreseeable future. Now, I was prepared to see the artist that has completely captivated me, from her unapologetic authenticity to her activism for the LGBTQIA+ community, her activism for Palestine, to her larger-than-life drag persona and looks, to her lyrics that range from a mix of cunty fun tracks to heart wrenching ballads all within a few minutes - all have me hooked to her artistry. Clad in white face paint and a homage to Red Wine Supernova, the song that started it all for me, I waited. Standing in the same spot with a good viewing position for over five hours. We again, got to talking with absolutely lovely people. We chatted all things Aussie punk music, to life goals, and we bonded with the people packed in with us. This was a short amount of time in comparison to others! Extremely die-hard and dedicated Pink Pony Club members waited all day in the sweltering heat for Chappell.
The time had come. I was trembling and audibly told the girls next to me who were decked out in camo and crowns that I was shaking; they responded one after the other “ME TOO.” Then it happened, Chappell Roan stepped out in a red and black leather outfit with her signature curly red hair slightly clasped back in a claw clip.
Starting with Femininomenon, Chappell jumped, kicked and belted out every word to the thousands of people packed like sardines, a bunch of people all feeling unified and connected through her music.
The background projections of the set were truly some of the most captivating and unique I have seen, created by Chappell’s Creative Director and incredible visual artist in her own right, Ramisha Sattar. Misha used the productions to be an extension of the songs, truly capturing the vibes and meanings of the tracks in such a harmonious, yet engaging and individual way. As an outsider getting to peer into the wonder that is both of their creative minds, it is apparent that Misha and Chappell are besties and creatives with an ability to be connected in the mind and produce new and groundbreaking art with their respective mediums melded together.
Chappell told the audience that she was not well, but this did not stop her from giving a striking performance. A personal highlight (one of many, I could write a full essay about this set alone, lol) was getting to see Chappell’s unreleased track, Subway live, singing along with other Chappell music devotees word for word.
Following the magic of stepping into Chappell land, we were brought back to reality, forever changed after feeling the connectivity and joy enforced by the Chappell Roan set.
The festival was closed out by the one and only Tyler the Creator. We got to see him for the first time at the infamous Splendour in the Grass turned ‘Splendour in the Mud’ for the first time and seeing him again was a privilege.
We wrote about this in our Splendour 2022 wrap up, but Tyler has been such a pivotal artist for us. His creativity, authenticity and pure talent is just incredible. The way he goes above and beyond at his live shows is just incredible. He’s one of our favourite global artists and he has had that title for a very long time now!
Playing what now could be coined as quite possibly the last ever Call Me If You Get Lost show for Tyler, we danced hard, to old and new tracks.
Towards the end of the set, Tyler teased that he would need at least a two-year break to just “chill on the couch and ride his bike.” Little did we know that just days later he would begin teasing his Chromakopia album and era.
ACL was an incredible time for us, only amplified by the friendly locals, who made the festival unforgettable in the best possible way. The southern hospitality was good to us. Even if we had a cowboy whip to turn around to face us in a crowd and ask “Is that your real voices?” Yes mate, we can very much confirm that they are.
Thanks Austin for your incredible festival and funtimes!