In all honesty, I couldn’t wait to get back to ACL on day 2. Why? The headliner was Stevie Wonder and that alone was worth buying the ticket to ACL in my book!
We woke up and went to breakfast at a place that is known for having the best enchilada’s in Austin. They should be known for having the strongest margarita’s in the state. I think I got buzzed off one. Then it was back to music land for this little lady! We park and get on the bus to take us down to the park. I sit next to a guy from Tulsa. My Morning Jacket is his headliner this evening…. sorry MMJ fans – ya’ll are insane. Again, we don’t make it for the morning shows, my first show of the day is starting at 2pm.
Alison Krauss and Union Station. I’ve wanted to see these guys for a while and was it ever worth the wait and they played my favorite song!
Once AKUS was done performing, I had to figure out what to do with myself for an hour before Cee Lo came on stage and I was going to meet up with some friends (it’s almost like playing Where’s Waldo). I was so excited about bluegrass, I had to try to catch Gillian Welch’s show at a different stage. I head over, super pumped as I’ve heard nothing but great things about her live performances from friends. Her starting time rolls around and right on the dot someone comes on stage and says “Due to scheduling conflicts Gillian Welch will be starting 30 minutes late”. Well doesn’t that suck.
Next best thing, I caught the last couple minutes of Skrillex and I will honestly tell you I don’t remember their show at all (I’ve got Stevie on the brain).
Cee Lo comes on stage and entertains like crazy for an hour. ACL does a really good job with booking these acts a year in advance when suddenly, right around ACL time – you hear nothing but some of these artists! But still, I’ve only got one man on the brain and his name is Stevie.
Time Out. We need some food. We head to the “EATS” section. There was a lot of options for food but I was told that there was one item I absolutely, positively needed to try first… “The Chicken Avocado Cone”. Play the music please!
This is the Chicken Avocado Cone made by Hudson on the Bend.
The “Cone” is in a paper snow cone, then comes a flour tortilla. At the bottom of the cone is some coleslaw topped with fried chicken tender and fried avocado and topped with a sauce. The first bit – holy moly is it good. The batter on the chicken and avocado has just the right crisp and the seasoning is almost kind of tangy. It’s so good! Gotta get some!
It’s important to get the Chicken Avocado Cone as opposed to the Chicken Cone as the fried avocado it really a necessary key ingredient in this dish. Unless you are allergic to avocado’s, then I’ll give you a pass.
A friend of mine got the chopped beef nacho’s made by the Salt Lick. If you are familiar with the Salt Lick, you would know as soon as you hear the name it’s gonna be good. The meat was tender and melted in your mouth but when it’s used as a topping on nacho’s with white queso. Melt in your mouth goodness! I think we got our food fix!
The best part is that all the food at fairs and festivals are fat free! What? Didn’t you know?!
8pm rolls around and I’m ready for Stevie Wonder. The place is packed. We’ve been sitting in our “area” for a couple hours but now it’s getting ridiculous. Here is some concert etiquette. If you want to get a seat for a show, get there early like everyone else. If not, please do not push your way thru a crowd, walking on people, pushing people, moving people’s belongings and chairs or just coming up and standing directly in front of them. Also, please remember your “please”, “excuse me”. It’s polite and it’s amazing how many people forget their manners (I’m going to assume we’ve all been taught). Thank you – I’ll get off my soap box.
STEVIE WONDER!!!!! I could hardly contain myself. Ok so I was too far away to see him. At first, they definitely didn’t have the sound up loud enough, but they got it! Every song that he played was a hit. The crowd loved it! “Signed, Sealed, Delivered!” “Superstition” and he even sang some Michael Jackson. The man is a legend and to be able to see him perform is just an honor in itself. Incredible. I still have a hard time believing it. Singing and dancing all night! The man has skills!
You can probably get a small glimpse of how excited I was filming this video.
There were so many people at Stevie Wonder, I began to wonder how many people actually went to My Morning Jacket. I would love to see an aerial view of that if anyone has one, by the way.
I sang “Superstition” all the way out of the park, on the bus and to the car. Even busting out moves along the way. Then I started humming it. I’m sure my friends loved it. (Sometimes I think I was born in the wrong decade.) What it must be like to be Stevie!
Good night ACL. We had one more day left and I really didn’t want it to be over but man, my legs were killing me.
Now, when you are looking at the menu – be sure to leave room for dessert. I’m not sure what you have to do, split your entree, get it to go, whatever you do – be absolutely, positively sure to get the bread pudding. The pudding is almost cake like, the topping is savory and sweet. You will not be disappointed, if you are let me know because I will be amazed.
