Jermaine’s [ACL] Sweet Beats and Eats!
By Jermaine on Sep 30 Filed In ACL, Activities, Austin, Texas, Events, Food & Beverage, Live Music 1 Comment
It’s that time again for another Austin City Limits Music Festival in our very own back yard of Zilker Park. As I remember all the live music, food, parties and great people watching of Lollapalooza a few months ago, I have put together some of my favorite food spots and the musicians I most look forward to rocking out to.
Sweet Beats!
He is known for often performing in a costume head depicting a comical “dead mouse” and with his recent appearance at the 2010 MTV Music Video Awards, Deadmau5 is set to rock the crowd with his progressive/house DJ set. This should be a great time to see the masses cutting loose and getting down. A little dancing never hurt anybody!
Even though I saw them stage side at Lollapalooza in August, I am still super excited to see The XX again. This trio has made a staple in my library of music. I always find myself putting on their album and letting it play over and over. This is a great band that you will not want to miss.
Vampire Weekend is another one of my “Finally Bands” – as in I finally get to see them live. When I first heard of the band in 2008, I have to admit it was not my thing at the time. But now, everytime I hear M79 I feel like jumping up out of my seat with my hands in the air and dancing. If you make me dance, then you are cool with me.
Sweet Eats
Beef fajita Nachos from Baby A’s - Barton Springs Rd. have a special place in my heart. Served on fried corn tortilla cut in halves with a side of guacamole, sour cream and pico de gallo, you can’t go wrong. And to top it all off, there is a location a few blocks east of the festival entrance.
Moonshine’s corndog shrimp are stellar. Every time I eat one of these I feel like a little kid again. If you haven’t had a chance to experience the greatness, unfortunately they will not be at this years festival but you can always take a break and head down to their restaurant located on Red River St. in downtown Austin.
Megan’s [ACL] Sweet Beats & Eats!
By Danny on Sep 29 Filed In ACL, Austin, Texas, Celebrities, Events, Food & Beverage, Live Music 2 Comments
Sweet Beats!
Hi Sweet Leaf Friends! Innovation Manager Megan here. So for my A.C.L. pick, I think it’s only appropriate to recognize a very innovative artist set to hit the stage in Zilker this year: British/Sri Lankan rapper M.I.A.
If you don’t know M.I.A. well, you may recognize her as:
A) The female rapper whose did that song with the gun shots in Slumdog Millionaire. (a.k.a. “Paper Planes”)
B) That pregnant woman in the ladybug outfit rapping with Kanye, Lil Wayne, and Jay Z at the Grammy’s. Oh yes, she’s got Bjork-like fashion chutzpah.
Here’s what’s instore for you at her show: a danceable mix of hip-hop, electronic, various kinds of world music, rock, and whatever she happens to be into at the moment…AND a deep undercurrent of political messages focusing on war-torn communities and third-world issues. M.I.A. grew up during the Sri Lankan Civil War, which paid a heavy toll on her family and has influenced her as a musician, activist, and philanthropist. (Read more here.) Don’t miss her high-energy, thumping show at 8:30-9:30pm on Saturday at the AMD stage.
Sweet Eats!
After the show, head over to G’Raj Mahal, one of the many popular eateries in the Austin trailer movement that’s sweeping the city. Great Indian food, with a focus on organic and local sourcing, and open until 3am on Saturdays. Pop next door for a drink at Lustre Pearl, a funky old house turned bar with a great back yard. Make sure to take a few spins on the hula hoops!
@SweetLeafJacqui ‘s [ACL] Sweet Beats and Eats!
By Danny on Sep 28 Filed In ACL, Activities, Austin, Texas, Events, Food & Beverage, Live Music 3 Comments
Ooooooh Nelly, ACL is right around the corner!!!
Sweet Beats!
When I moved from the Midwest, I quickly received a lesson in real country music. I would be lying if I did not tell you that I am totally psyched to see some of the great Austin regulars like Pat Green, Ryan Bingham, and Robert Earl Keen. But my MUST SEE band of the festival would have to be Matt and Kim! Holy cow were they great at Lollapalooza this year. Their energy is contagious. Even if you’re not a fan, I challenge you to immerse yourself in the crowd and try to stand still during their performance of Yea Yeah. It’s like trying to sneeze with your eyes open. It just cannot be done!
Sweet Eats!
There is one dish that saved my life last year during the three day madness of ACL. Pete’s Tantalizing Tacos. For $3.50 you get two of tacos filled with eggs, sausage, cheese, potatoes, and all around goodness. Whether you pair them with a morning margarita, a peach Sweet Leaf Tea, or Gatorade and asprin, they are guaranteed to jump start your morning.
@SweetLeafIntern — Sarah’s [ACL] Sweet Beats and Eats!
By Marketing Intern on Sep 27 Filed In ACL, Austin, Texas, Food & Beverage, Intern, Live Music 1 Comment
ACL. Need I say more? ACL weekend is quite possible my favorite three days out of the whole year! That’s right, it even beats out the holidays for me. That’s how baller it is. It combines all my favorite things: music, friends, sun, fun and foood. With that being said, here are some sweet beats and eats I am super psyched for.
Sweet Beats!
Top on my list for must-sees is Vampire Weekend. I listened to them a little in high school and thought they were pretty sweet but then, I was able to hear them live ACL 2008 and really got hooked! If you haven’t been lucky enough to see these guys live, I highly recommend you to during the festival. They play with such enthusiasm that it just sort of transcends into the crowd and it turns into one big dance party throughout their entire show! Either way, I’ll for sure be there. Maybe you might just spot me. I’ll be that chick who can’t dance…dancing anyway and having one helluva time doing it.
Hipster-licious
Another band, more like trio, I am dying to see is Miike Snow. To be honest, I had never even heard of this guy until I was trolling the ACL lineup this summer (don’t pretend you don’t make your own custom line-up for the weekend months in advance, I know you do). His song, Animal, is the greatest thing to listen to to get your day started and you blood pumping; it’s another awesome song to dance around to by the way.
Sweet Eats!
One of my fav places to eat here in Austin is Guero’s Taco Bar. This place is delicious. The tacos are so awesome I refuse to get them anywhere else. And besides, who doesn’t love a good taco? The BEST part about Guero’s is that they have a booth in the festival this year. So you don’t even have to worry about missing a killer show to go to them!
YUMMY!!!
@SweetLeafIntern — Aviva’s [ACL] Sweet Beats and Eats!
By Marketing Intern on Sep 24 Filed In Uncategorized 2 Comments
Sweet Beats!
So, before we get too far into this whole bloging business, I think I should make one thing clear: I am not a cool Austin music person. Despite being one of two native Austinites left in the world, I’ve just never been particularly into music. I’m sure this has to do with my complete inability to be musical in anyway. But, as I prepare to start an adult life in ATX, I’ve decided the time has come to plunge face-first into all the things that this city awesome, including music. So, I’m looking forward to trying this out at ACL with my first committing to Austin lineup:
MUSE: I have actually seen Muse in concert before! My junior year of high school, they came, I went, there were Huts Hamburgers and it was glorious. The band is so electric on stage, it really blew my mind. But, since I’m not a cool Austin music person, I of course haven’t been listening to them. So I can’t wait to be re-introduced and see if they live up to my high school memories.
Spoon: My best friend is super-obsessed with Spoon. As one of the most level headed people I know, she goes cray-cray about this band, and already saw them once this year in New York. I’ve been (sorta) listening to them to see what the fuss is about, and I get why she likes them: sorta old-school sounding and mellow, like my bestie.
Sweet Eats!
On this front, I am far more useful. I’ve been obsessed with food and cooking since I moved into my own apt three years ago and left the Food Network constantly on loop. As far as Austin food goes, there is only one place that perfectly exemplifies this city: Shady Grove! I am in love with this place. It’s got hippie food (like veggie burgers and hummus), “American” food (like real burgers), Southern food (chicken-fried steak, anyone?) and Southwest/Tex Mex food (mmmmm Green Chilli cheeseburger….), so it’s the best blend of what makes ATX so awesome. It also gets bonus points for being close to Zilker Park and having outdoor space, but the parking will likely leave much to be desired during ACL. Still, if you haven’t been, go and enjoy what is great about Austin- an eclectic mix of great things coming together to be even more baller.
