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Close your eyes…I said close ‘em! Now imagine the sound of the Yeah, Yeah, Yeah’s song “Runaway” slowly starting to ooze out of the speakers just 25 yards in front of you. You can feel the thousands upon thousands of fan’s energy surrounding you….all anxiously awaiting the band to walk on stage. And then you see her…Karen O walks out in a full on headdress that makes her look like a bird with wings expanded out wide. She sways back in forth in an Indian like dance as she begins to sing. Suddenly, you have “No sense of time” but you “Want them to stay, Want to keep them inside.” Their sound is “Something like a phenomena, baby” and you want more.

Then, the music gets faster…the bass is pounding louder and louder. “The men cry out, the girls cry, the men cry out, the girls cry out” and you start to “dance, dance, dance till you’re dead.” Out of breath, you stand still just for one second before she moves right into “Pin” and you “go, go, go” back into jumping with the crowd. This is definitely not a “dull life” and you feel “more alive than you’ve ever been.” Your “hands go out of control” as the thousands of festival goers sing along with Karen, “ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh ooh uh ohh”. Just as you say, “I think I am bigger than the sound” it gets soft. There is a calm energy as the slow music of “Skeletons” begins to play. The crowd gets “Hysteric” as a sea of big red Sweet Leaf Tea balloons bounce over the thousands of hands swaying in the sky. You try your hardest to get your hands on one as Karen’s voice “flows sweetly, hangs heavy” over the audience. The words, “suddenly complete you” until you feel “a sharp shock to your soft side.” You realize a jackass trying to crowd surf during a slow song just fell on you. “Turn yourself around, you weren’t invited” you say as the drunk guy stumbles away. You’re then immediately distracted as Karen O belts out “Zeroooo” and you “feel like a mad man on the run”. Little did you know this would “Turn Into” the best live show you have ever seen. As the band walks off stage you say, “WAIT, they don’t love you like I love you….WAIT they don’t love you like I love you”. All the thousands of new friends you made join in, all begging for more.

The familiar guitar chord starts playing and the crowd erupts with cheers. “Y-Control” yourself you ask as everyone gets “out of control, out of control” to the music. Your “Date with the Night” finally does come to an end and you cannot stop smiling. Covered in sweat and out of breath you wonder how any band in the next two days could possibly top that one.

Now open your eyes…HEY wake up! Ok, thanks…now that doesn’t just have to be a daydream, my friend. Make that your reality by being at the AMD stage on Friday night at 8:30pm sharp. Take it from me…I saw both the YYY’s and Kings of Leon at Lollapalooza, and the score: YYY’s 16 points v. KOL “Zero”.

Lollapalooza setlist:

1. Runaway

2. Phenomena (Listed as “Phenom (Beastie Break)” on setlist )

3. Heads Will Roll

4. Pin

5. Dull Life

6. Gold Lion

7. Cheated Hearts

8. Skeletons

9. Hysteric

10. Soft Shock

11. Honeybear

12. Zero

13. Turn Into

14. Maps (acoustic)

15. Y Control

16. Date With the Night

You may have read my Lollapalooza Survival Guide post, and there will inevitably be some parallels, but I thought I’d give you fine citizens of the innerweb the opportunity to indulge in another edition of Sweet Leaf Tea’s festival survival guide series.

Austin City Limits is undoubtedly the pinnacle of Sweet Leaf Tea’s festival series — it’s in our own backyard, the lineup is always super sick, and thousands upon thousands of thirsty music enthusiasts crowd the grounds of Zilker Park every year.  I can’t tell you how many consumers and fans I’ve talked to that have proudly told me they first discovered us at ACL.  It’s no wonder ACL has become a proud tradition for us.

So without futher ado, I give you my ACL Survival Guide:

• Let time management be your friend. Much like Lollapalooza, the lineup is jam packed with incredible artists and bands.  I often find it frustrating to have to choose between two bands that play simultaneously or overlapping.  Also, even though the layout at Zilker Park is fairly compact, it still takes time and effort to navigate from stage to stage.  Therefore, it’s important to take a look at the schedule ahead of time and map your time out at the festival.  The ACL website has a nifty tool to customize your schedule and even share it with your Facebook friends.  Also, keep in mind how long it takes to navigate to the festival grounds (there’s literally no close-in parking, so public transit or walking/biking is optimal) plus time spent in line to get in (depending on what time of day you arrive, the entrance lines can get rather lengthy).  Don’t leave your house expecting to be front and center at Phoenix within 30 minutes — transit takes time, kids.
• Fashionably comfortable. Luckily, the weather should prove to be rather pleasant this year, but that’s never a good reason to show up in heels.  You’re bound to do a ton of walking/hiking, so dress comfortable, or better yet in costume. The new golf-course grade lawn at Zilker is amazing — barefoot friendly.
  

  The grass is greener at Zilker

• Hydration is key. Granted this pointer is more notable when it’s typical ACL weather (100+ degrees), it’s still important.  Don’t be the guy face down in the sand pit during Pearl Jam just because you partied too hard — be the guy face down in the sand pit because you like eating sand. Besides, you can never have enough water (or tea).
• Have a contingency plan. Cell phone reception at the park is notorious for being unruly and unreliable. As such, if you’re planning to meet up with friends or lose someone in your party, I find it always a good plan to have a common meeting spot picked out ahead of time.  That way if someone gets separated, simply plan to meet at your spot between shows.  I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen (and experienced) friends fighting with friends because they couldn’t find each other in the madness.  Plan ahead and enjoy the peace.
• See something new. Sure, the headliners are what we’re really there for, but what I enjoy the most is seeing new, lesser known acts earlier in the day. I challenge you to get to the park early to check these bands out. Some of my local favorites are Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears and L.A.X.. All bands gotta start somewhere, and luckily there’s a lot of really new, great talent out there.
• There’s more to ACL than the music. Be sure to check out all that ACL has to offer aside from the stages.  The SoCo Art Market has tons of interesting finds and souvenirs for the buying, like our SoCo friends Parts & Labour who sell original clothing and accessories from Austin designers.  The Austin Eats Food Court probably has the best festival food choices I’ve ever seen at a festival (believe me — I’ve been to a lot). My favorite ACL dish is the Hot & Crunchy Chicken Avocado Cone from Hudson’s on the Bend (the geniuses behind The Mighty Cone).  When it comes to festival food, it doesn’t get any better than that, my friends.  There’s also plenty of other surprises all over the park, so do yourself a favor and do some exploring.
  

  The Mighty Cone!

• Pack wisely. While ACL is definitely an adventure, its no expedition.  As such, don’t bring a giant bag or your backpacking frame.  You’ll waste time at the gates with bag check, and you’re inevitably going to regret packing your whole life with you.  Save your back some strain.  My rule: if it doesn’t fit in a cinch-sack, it’s not worth bringing.
• Money money money. Unequivocally, you’re gonna spend some cash while at the fest, so bring plenty.  Yes, there are plenty of ATMs at the park, but they typically charge fees in equivalencies of your first-born child and/or your left arm to use them.
• Kodak moments. Don’t forget to pack your camera.  Ya know, just in case you ‘don’t remember’ your adventures after it’s all over.

Otherwise, be sure to look out for Sweet Leaf Tea in and around the park all weekend.  Aside from slingin’ that homemade goodness to the masses from all the bars and the food court, keep your eyes peeled for some special giveaways and other fun promotions.  Follow us on Twitter — might be some fun things going on there, too.

See you kids at Zilker!

So, its been a bit since Lolla has come and gone.  The dust has settled and the smoke has cleared.  All the Chicagoans (Chicag-anites?) have gone about their normal, daily lives.  It seems like yesterday we were slingin’ all that sweet, Sweet Leaf Tea at our sweet consumers, and trading for super deliciousness in the form of lobster corn dogs, blue cheese foam chicken wings, and and all the burgers and dogs our arteries could take!

It truly is amazing to see a park within one of the greatest cities in America transform into a self sustaining city in a matter of days!  Though I didn’t have much time to catch the music in action, the tunes filled the air at one of the greatest spectacles I’ve seen in my life.  Rise Against was the only set I saw all the way through, and other than being clobbered in the mosh pit it was truly phenomenal. Pure, unadulterated talent with a definitive style and distinctive lyrics.

This event was also my first time actually meeting “The Man“.  He was a bit taller than I’d expected.  Though our encounters were brief, Clayton Christopher is surely man-crush worthy.

I really can’t believe Lolla has come and gone so quickly. Two weeks have passed and as much fun as it was, I’ve been working non-stop to get NorCal a head start on some of the other markets. Sweet Leaf’s organic goodness will surely win over the hearts of the millions up here!

The next time you are looking for an “Honest” beverage.. check the label.  If Granny’s not on there, you know it’s not the real thing. After all, if you can’t trust Granny, who can you trust?!? Take my word for it, she’s the real thing.  Homemade goodness in a bottle.  As good as it gets, if not better.

What a better way to experience this legendary festival than through the eyes of The Granny, right?! All hail our overlord!

During Lollapalooza we had a huge Granny head parading around the park from time to time. It’s our little way of introducing her to the crowds, letting you know that she’s there to quench your thirst, and from time to time she’ll even offer up some sweet prizes (hint for ACL Music Fest attendees). Well, this year at Lolla she was most often seen saying, “Rock Out with Your Cell Out” followed by a text to win promotion. All phone equipped individuals who saw her had the opportunity to text in a special code for a chance to win prizes including the grand prize which was a brand spankin’ new SG Gibson Guitar. Although many sweet, sweet fans entered, there was only one fan that struck gold.

And the winner is…

Zachary! Congratulations on your winnings! We can see from the pictures you sent us that you are a rock star in the making. We only have one bit of advice for you, it might be time to consider some lessons. That guitar is extra sweet when it’s played my friend.

Well, this was my first time at Lollapalooza and I can honestly say when I wasn’t slinging 30 pound bags of ice or cases of tea, I enjoyed myself!  I wish I would have been able to see more music but it didn’t work out that way.  We were way too busy slingin’ Sweet Leaf!  Sweet Leaf Tea, that is.  But I was lucky enough to get a VIP wristband on Saturday evening after my shift was over!  (Thanks again to those stars that look out for me in the macro cosmic universe …& thank you Craig & Adi too!! )

Friday….It rained all day….boo.

Saturday….Sweet Saturday.

After my day shift of slingin’ tea, my friend SweetLeafCraig and I, we headed to the VIP area to get my savage hands on a few ice cold beers and to get a better view of Animal Collective.  I enjoyed kicking back a few with double fists after a LONG day!   Sitting there looking out at the Chicago skyline, it was blazing something sweet and undeniable!!  Once we caught a decent buzz, we headed to the Bud stage to see the Yeah Yeah Yeahs!!!  Watched them from the VIP area, brews in hand and the consensus was, “YEAH YEAH!!”  To the Yeah Yeah Yeahs!!!  Indeed.  They were really good!  I was impressed and tickled I was able to catch this show.

After the night was over, we took a detour back to the hotel and walked through Millennium Park….this is where it gets really exceptional…we came upon 2 huge stone pillars facing each other.  They were both projecting a woman’s face and spewing water from the tops as little people danced about under the stream of water flowing towards the ground… YOU saw this too!?!  After we joined them and washed away some of the days sweat, we walked further up the hill and came upon a giant, metallic bean.  It looked like something that came in from the ether.  Craig told me I was in for a treat, but this was otherworldly.  I dug it.

So ends one of the most emotionally contrasting days I’ve experienced in a long time.  Such is life…. filled with adversity and then there’s Light.

Sunday…the day of, rest?

Sunday I was only able to see Lou Reed whom I really wanted to see thanks to Alexandra who watched my booth for me!!  THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!   Lou looked handsome.  I was proud to see all these kids pour in to see him!  He opened with “Sweet Jane”…
“Some people, they like to go out dancing
And other peoples, they have to work, just watch me now!”
Amen Lou, Amen.  He struggled with the sound, but don’t we all.  I purchased a Lou Reed shirt and will wear it proudly.

Fast forward to late Sunday night, I’m in my hotel room ready & willing to be anti-social, but I couldn’t not see Craig and the rest of my Sweet Leaf family and say, “Au revoir my friends”…… until next time.

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