/UCWE/ Responding to fans, Austin City Limits Music Festival reduces capacity by 10,000.
Three-day passes for the 2005 Austin City Limits (ACL) Music Festival, to be held Sept. 23-25, will go on sale April 15. The Festival, created in the spirit of the legendary public television show, captures the ambience of Austin through music, food, its Zilker Park location and other activities. In response to fans, Festival organizers announced today they will reduce daily capacity by 10,000 to increase fan comfort and decrease lines at this year's event.
In 2004, feedback from Festival-goers was overwhelmingly positive, with more than 90 percent of fans surveyed saying they would recommend the ACL Music Festival to their friends. In addition to the reduction in capacity and as part of continuing efforts to meet and exceed fan expectations, other changes for 2005 include providing more shaded areas, creating faster services, streamlining transportation and enhancing sound.
Each year, the Festival brings together a community of fans from all over the world who are treated to an astonishing mixture of artists -- from the newest hit makers to cult favorites and respected legends -- all underneath Austin's beautiful skyline. According to fans, one of the unique and most desired aspects of the Festival is the diverse lineup of musical talent, representing a wide variety of genres spanning blues to rock, alt-country to gospel, and folk to emo. The official lineup for the Festival will be released on May 5.
“With the Austin City Limits Music Festival, we have established a reputation for providing the best bands, best food and best atmosphere for an incredible value,” said Charlie Jones, producer and principal at Capital Sports & Entertainment, which organizes the Festival (and co-produces the Austin City Limits television series with KLRU-TV). “Each year, we take great strides to make Austin City Limits the perfect festival. We work particularly hard to provide an exceptional fan experience, and modifications in 2005 continue to reflect this commitment.”
A limited number of three-day passes for $85 (plus service and processing fees) will go on sale April 15 and can be purchased online at
www.austincitylimits.com. Fans are encouraged to buy tickets as early as possible to take advantage of lowest prices and ensure availability. On the heels of a Saturday sell-out in 2004, reduced capacity for 2005 and extremely positive fan feedback, ticket demand is expected to be high. When the initial allotment is sold out, ticket prices will increase. Children 10 and under will be admitted for free if accompanied by an adult with a ticket.
Official 2005 sponsors include SBC, Cingular, Heineken, Austin Ventures, Capital Metro, BMI and H-E-B.
General information on travel, accommodations and the event itself is available at
www.austincitylimits.com.
Capital Metro will provide free shuttle service from a variety of locations all day Friday, Saturday and Sunday to the festival. Transportation details will be posted on the website shortly.
In 2004, the Austin City Limits Music Festival was the largest fundraiser for the Austin Parks & Recreation Department and KLRU, Austin’s PBS station, and brought an estimated $23 million into the local economy.
About Austin City Limits
For 30 years, Austin City Limits has presented live music, pure and simple, to audiences across the world. Legendary artists and rising stars that have graced the Austin City Limits stage include Willie Nelson, Norah Jones, B.B. King, Dolly Parton, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Sheryl Crow, Phish, John Mayer and Beck. The award-winning series spotlights artists of every musical genre from rhythm and blues to rock, jazz, and alternative music. Austin City Limits is co-production of KLRU-TV and Capital Sports & Entertainment. Funding for Austin City Limits is provided in part by SBC Communications Inc., Budweiser and the Austin Convention Center Department. Additional funding is provided by the Friends of Austin City Limits. To learn more about the show and the more than 600 artists who have appeared on it visit
www.austincitylimits.comAbout Capital Sports & Entertainment (CSE)
Based in Austin, Texas, Capital Sports & Entertainment is an integrated management and marketing firm providing services to athletes, artists, events, and entertainment brands. Marquee clients include six-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong, the Discovery Channel Pro Cycling Team, National Medal of Arts winner Austin City Limits and the Austin City Limits Music Festival, Lollapalooza and the Saveur Texas Hill Country Wine & Food Festival. CSE produces the Austin City Limits Music Festival and, together with KLRU, co-produces the Austin City Limits television series. To learn more, visit
www.planetcse.com.
About Charles Attal Presents
Charles Attal Presents is an independent promotion company based in Austin, Texas. Founded in 1997 by Charles Attal, CAP is the exclusive talent buyer for Stubb's BBQ (Austin), Gypsy Tea Room (Dallas), Trees (Dallas), the Austin City Limits Festival and the Austin City Limits television show. CAP also works with Starbucks and Harrah's Casinos to promote shows nationwide. Attal has been nominated numerous times for "Talent Buyer of the Year" in the prestigious Pollstar CIC awards and currently the Austin City Limits Music Festival and Stubb's have been nominated as festival of the year and venue of the year, respectively. CAP currently promotes over 700 shows a year and was listed in Pollstar as the 20th ranked promoter worldwide as measured by tickets sold.
