Over the years, I’ve been to places and given opportunities I could have never imagined — moments that shaped not only my career but my soul. Every interview, every event, every story shared has deepened my purpose and strengthened my voice.

From my experience as the Editor of a digital magazine, I had the privilege of covering major events that changed the trajectory of my life. Today, I bring those experiences, lessons, and connections to A Wild Ride Called Life™ — where storytelling meets purpose.

Thank you for being part of this journey and for believing in the power of stories that heal, connect, and inspire.

The ride continues — and it’s only getting wilder.

Austin City Limits Music Festival (ACL Fest)

Where sound, soul, and storytelling collide in the heart of Texas.

What It Is

The Austin City Limits Music Festival (ACL Fest) is one of the most celebrated music events in the world. Each October, Zilker Park in Austin, Texas transforms into a vibrant landscape of sound and energy for two unforgettable weekends. With more than 100 artists performing across nine stages, ACL brings together music lovers from around the globe to experience live performances that span every genre imaginable—rock, country, folk, hip-hop, pop, indie, and electronic.

Where It Takes Place

Nestled against the Austin skyline, Zilker Park serves as the perfect setting for this massive event. The festival stretches across 350 acres of green space, offering breathtaking views, open skies, and that unmistakable Austin vibe that’s equal parts laid-back and electric.

The Inspiration

Born from the legacy of the iconic PBS television series “Austin City Limits”, the festival carries forward the same spirit that made the show legendary. Since 1974, “Austin City Limits” has been the longest-running music program in American television history—celebrating live performance and authentic storytelling. The festival was created in 2002 to bring that same magic from the studio to the stage, turning Austin into the live-music capital of the world.

What to Expect

ACL Fest isn’t just about music—it’s an immersive experience.

Food & Flavor: Taste Austin through the ACL Eats Food Court, where local chefs and restaurants serve up everything from barbecue to vegan bites.
Art & Creativity: Wander through the Art Market, a curated space filled with local artisans, creators, and festival fashion finds.
Family Fun: Austin Kiddie Limits keeps the festival family-friendly, with music, crafts, and fun activities for kids.
Sustainability: The Rock & Recycle Program ensures the park stays beautiful, embracing Austin’s eco-friendly heartbeat.

The Experience

Every year, hundreds of thousands of fans gather under the Texas sun to celebrate community, creativity, and connection through live music. It’s more than a festival—it’s a tradition that captures the essence of Austin’s culture: inclusive, artistic, and unapologetically free-spirited.

From world-famous headliners to local artists making their debut, ACL Fest reminds us why music is one of life’s greatest wild rides.

My Experience at ACL 2025

Austin City Limits 2025: A Wild Ride in the Heart of Zilker Park

Story & Photos by Annette Marie Whittenberger/Donald Marone and ACL Photographers (listed below), Founder of A Wild Ride Called Life Media

Stepping Into My Own Spotlight

“This year, I didn’t just attend ACL—I arrived as my own brand.”

For the second year in a row, I was honored to be credentialed as media for the Austin City Limits Music Festival—but this time, the badge carried a deeper meaning.
Last year I came representing a magazine I co-founded. This year, I stood on my own as A Wild Ride Called Life Media, a female-veteran-owned storytelling platform built on authenticity, healing, and voice.

One of the best parts of the ACL media experience is meeting other creatives who make the magic happen behind the lens. From photographers catching that perfect jump-shot to writers chasing the next great story, we’re all part of the same rhythm.
I reconnected with Jess Nelson from Post Concert Depression and met Avery from Tribeza—proof that ACL is as much about community as it is about music.

Heat, Heart, and Humanity

The festival grounds at Zilker Park felt like a living postcard: families pushing strollers, best friends dancing barefoot, and expectant moms glowing under the Texas sun.
At 98 degrees, it was hot enough to test your endurance—but not your spirit.

Using my go-to app SpotHero, I scored a parking spot near the S. Lamar & Barton Springs entrance and Ubered in to save my energy. Volunteers greeted us with free Coke cans and bottled water, their smiles almost as refreshing as the drinks themselves.

👟 Fashion watch: Cowboy boots, sequined tops, hiking boots, and glitter everywhere. I stuck to my reliable Nikes—because ACL is a marathon, not a runway.

The Magic of the Music

I kicked off my day with a full-circle moment—DJ Cassandra’s electrifying set at the Bonus Tracks Stage. I had previously interviewed her, and seeing her command that crowd filled me with pride.
When I ran up and shouted, “Do you remember me?”, her smiling “YES!” was everything.

Later, I danced through a kaleidoscope of lights during Empire of the Sun’s performance at the Miller Lite Stage.
And then ACL delivered one of its legendary surprises—Hilary Duff joined ROLE MODEL on the T-Mobile Stage. A collective gasp swept through the crowd as nostalgia met pop perfection.

As the night closed, I sat outside the Patrón Lounge listening to Luke Combs on the American Express Stage. His heartfelt storytelling about family and fatherhood wrapped the evening in warmth.

“There’s something sacred about watching thousands of strangers sing the same song under the same Texas sky.”

Day 2 – Finding the Rhythm

Day 2 was a blur of sound, sweat, and soul.

Midnight Generation opened my day with a groovy interview that left me buzzing with creative energy.
Then came Latin Mafia, who turned the field into a fiesta of rhythm—crowds sang, flags waved, and the percussion shook the ground.

Just a few feet away, history was made as RIIZE, the first-ever K-pop group to perform at ACL, hit the stage. Ten feet from history—I could feel the crowd’s heartbeat.

As the sun set, I pushed through the sea of fans to catch Doechii, DJO, and Sabrina Carpenter.
The energy was wild—people standing, sitting, swaying, shouting lyrics in unison.
Doechii’s “Anxiety” hit deep, DJO’s set felt hypnotic, and Sabrina closed the night like the pop star she was born to be.

“ACL isn’t just a festival—it’s a living, breathing story told through music, sweat, and shared emotion.”

Day 3 – A Perfect Finale

By Day 3, I was running on caffeine and pure adrenaline.

I kicked off with interviews with Aaron Page and Bebe Stockwell, who later captivated the Tito’s Stage with her smoky-soulful sound.

Then I stumbled upon one of my favorite finds of the entire weekend—the Custom Trucker Stop booth.
Here, festival-goers designed one-of-a-kind trucker hats using exclusive ACL patches.
I spent nearly thirty minutes crafting mine—each patch telling a small part of my story.

“It wasn’t just a hat—it was a memory stitched in color and fabric.”

As twilight fell, I caught The Killers performing via the Hulu Live Stream. The drone footage swept over Zilker like waves of light—a cinematic goodbye to three unforgettable days.

Reflections: What This Ride Means

Covering ACL Fest 2025 under my own banner was more than a professional milestone; it was personal growth in motion.

From the sweaty crowds to surprise celebrity moments, every connection reminded me why I do this work—why I tell stories that make people feel seen and alive.

ACL taught me that no matter how big the crowd, there’s always room for one more voice—yours.

❤️ Thank you, Austin—for the music, the magic, and the memories. Until next year… keep living the wild ride.