Haha, sorry, I wasn't really thinking in relation to Austin, I was thinking Missouri (dumb, I know)

Anyways, You're right, it'd be like a 20 hour drive to get to the festival, it just doesn't make sense, they won't be performing this year it seems, which is a let down because then Robert Randolph won't be there too, so it's two big artists I wanted to see gone.

Actually...it's about 1400 miles from Chicago to either Austin or Charlottesville - their next date. Still a huge long shot, but I suppose it's not over yet.

And Robert Randolph isn't with them in Chicago, so I guess he could still be in it.

Sorry to triple post it's more like 800 to Charlottesville

If for some reason Dave Matthews Band still plays the festival, they would probably fly the band and key people/equipment down on Saturday. I don't see them driving. They don't need to full set-up that they tour with, since it is a festival.

Most likely, they will add a Saturday date in Chicago and meander over to Virginia.

When I speculated that the delay in announcing Chicago shows was ACL related. I meant that there were probably discussions regarding DMB playing ACL that never amounted to a confirmation. The Chicago shows were booked when it was apparant DMB would not play ACL.

Perhaps, DMB would have done a midweek show in Chicago after ACL and before Charlottsville.

We may never know, the organizers don't issue press releases about who they don't book. I wish they would tell us more though, I am sure it would be fascinating.

Nathan

Typo, Should have read:
"They don't need to bring the full set-up that they tour with, since it is a festival."

Agreed on all counts Malone.

I understood what you meant by saying it was ACL Related, I was just looking at it from another perspective to see if they could still play.

I agree, though, that it is most likely they will play another date or two in Chicago then go to Virginia.

Perhaps they could still play on Sunday too, but with Tom Petty playing that day it looks unlikely to have two such big acts on the same day. It's not impossible though, Bonnaroo put DMB and Bob Dylan on the same day in 04, so it could be done.

quote:

We may never know, the organizers don't issue press releases about who they don't book. I wish they would tell us more though, I am sure it would be fascinating.

Nathan

I thought this was a good point and wrote to ACL about it.

My E-mail:
"I realize it seems strange, but I am curious if you guys would do
a little tidbit on festival booking when the lineup is announced. By this I
mean the ACLMF as an organization putting out some sort of information on
booking, how you booked bands, what bands you nearly booked, etc. etc. A
lot of people like to speculate on who is going to play/how the festival
books musicians and all of that, so it'd be awesome if you could do
something on how it all works.

Thanks a lot, the festival is great, keep up the good work."

Their response:

"Hmmm, interesting idea, Isaac. I'll pass it on to Charles Attal Presents
(they actually book ACL). Thanks for writing. Shanda for ACL"

I know they could just be patronizing but, I'll hope not.

So I also tried to sneak some info on DMB or Beck playing, and got this. Nice reply, but not the info I'd hoped for.

Question: I acknowledge this seems a bit strange given that the lineup isn't due until the 11th, but with tickets moving from tier to tier so
quickly, I wondered if it would be possible for you to say whether or not a couple of
artists are ruled out. I am wondering if the Dave Matthews Band or Beck are potential performers, it seems antsy but to ask people to take a $115 lunge of faith without a little more back info is a bit much. I still love the
festival, loved it last year, but this year tix are going faster so I wondered if you could give me any information on whether either of those groups will perform. Thanks much, have a great day.

Answer:
Sorry, Isaac, but I can't say. I know it's a gamble, but how's this: We will sell out. We will. So if you buy your tickets now and decide
it's not worth it to you, I would stake my reputation on the fact that you would have no trouble selling them. ('course, you have no idea what kind of rep I've got, huh?!). Really, though, that's what I'd do in your place. Good
luck,
(s) for ACL

Nice of her, but I was really hoping to get them to slip up.

dave matthews band is one of the greatest and most influetial bands of our time. To me, they are the BEST! I can't believe that anyone who is a fan of great music and who attends Austin City Limits would not like them. It's a disgrace. Appreciate their musical talents and originality. Of course everyone is entitled to their own opinion, I just think that they deserve a lot more respect!

I wonder if they could do a Dave and Friends thing because some of the members (like Trey Anastasio) will be there anyways, so they wouldn't have to bring the whole band, just Mr. Matthews...

this would be awesome

I agree with lauren on this subject. DMB would be the perfect saturday night headliner. With a ton of guest appearances on stage, non dave fans would not be dissapointed.

i couldn't have said it better myself, lauren!