You are obviously too old to rock. Or just dumb.
Michael Corocran, an alleged Austin-American Statesman writer said the following about the ACL festival's desire to lure in a younger crowd:
"many more of the acts, such as the White Stripes, LCD Soundsystem, M.I.A., Kaiser Chiefs and the Decemberists, appeal to younger fans and expand the styles of music that fit under the "Austin City Limits" umbrella. About 60 percent of the crowd at last year's ACL Fest was 25 to 44 years old, according to a survey taken by fest marketers.
Expect a younger crowd at the 2007 outing. The legendary Dylan, who last played Austin in April 2003 and will play his first ACL set in Sunday night's closing slot, is the only act in the lineup's top tier who appeals primarily to the classic rock crowd. Last year's three top headliners — Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Van Morrison and Willie Nelson — appealed to an older audience."
read the rest right here.
First of all, a big "fuck you" for placing 25 year-olds in the same bracket as 44 year-olds. What acts do you think I'm going to see? The freaking Indigo Girls???
Second of all, The White Stripes, LCD Soundsystem, M.I.A. and the Decemberists all appeal to people primarily in their 20's. The White Stripes have been around long enough for most of my generation to grow up on, and M.I.A. is the kind of shit people in and out of college dig, I'd even go so far as to say that M.I.A. appeals to the 22-32 crowd. And The Decembrists... well the Decembrists will pull in an eclectic crowd, but surely after having them play the festival three years in a row they don't expect that all the young folks will line up at the gate to watch.
As for dissing Bob Dylan, another big "fuck you." Corocran says of Dylan being chosen as the headliner:
"That the fest lacks a flashy headliner, such as the Police or U2, is partly by design, said ACL booker Charles Attal of C3 Presents."
Ok seriously, who the hell cares about the Police or U2? I wouldn't pay 5 dollars to see the Police. I'd pay even less to see U2. But Bob Dylan? It's Bob Dylan! Bob Dylan transcends time, people. He speaks to the masses. He's not on some righteous crusade to help third world countries and he's not some dated 80s band. He's Bob Dylan. So you go straight to hell, Michael Corocran.
Also, keep in mind that charging $145 for three-day passes and $60-$80 for single-day passes creates the audience itself. A lot of younger folks don't have that kind of cash. I don't know how young ACL promoters are trying to go, but even at 22, I could only afford to go one day. ACL wants younger people attending their shows? Drop the prices, people. The 16-23 crowd will appreciate it. The old folks will be grateful too.
But really...
Where are you from Michael Corocran? And why are people hiring you to write professionally?
If ACL wants the really young folks to attend the festival then 1. change the overall hippie theme, and 2. check out the Warped Tour's prices.
Furthermore, check out ACL's 2007 lineup here.
It isn't nearly as cool as Coachella's, but I'll go because it's 15 mins. away from my apartment.