Like many young Austinites, then-seventh grader Jackie Meisel knew exactly what to ask her parents for each year when birthdays and Christmas came around — a prized Austin City Limits Music Festival wristband. Meisel attended the festival every year before the pandemic hit, and now gains access to the festival in a new way. 

Meisel now attends the festival through catering shifts at Amy’s Ice Creams. After working a catering shift at ACL, workers attend shows free of charge, thanks to their staff wristbands. Meisel first worked the festival through Amy’s Ice Creams in 2019. She said festival shifts are unlike any other.

“When I worked my first ACL, it was Amy’s next to JuiceLand, and the energy dynamic between both stores was so fun,” Meisel said. “You get to talk to the stores next to you. You get to trade food. … I wish everybody could work ACL.”

Sno-Beach began catering ACL in 2017, with their main work pool consisting of UT students, said Elizabeth Newsom, the owner and operator. For long festival shifts, Newsom said students serve as great workers.

“Students are eager to be there,” Newsom said. “They bring the energy. It’s a pretty grueling day, especially in those meal rush times, when lines are endless for hours at a time.”

Newsom said Sno-Beach does not set many restrictions or guidelines for workers, which allows them to attend sets.

“If there’s (an artist) that someone really wants to go see, we try to be flexible so they can clock out for 30 minutes or so,” Newsom said. “If things aren’t busy or if their shift is over, then they’re free to attend the festival.”

Daniella Garcia, a psychology senior and “bananarista” at the Bananarchy food truck, said working the festival this year was an easy yes.

“I’ve gone every year since 2019, so I’m super excited to be working it as well,” Garcia said. “I’m sure I’ll be a little tired, but it’s fine.”

While organizations like the Austin Parks Foundation offer ways for students to get involved through volunteering, working the festival ensures a paycheck when the weekend ends.

“You have to be ready to stand on your feet and serve customers for probably eight to 10 hours,” Meisel said. “But it (is) super enjoyable.”

Some businesses, like Amy’s, label festival shifts as “catering” to ensure higher pay for their workers.

“When you’re under catering, you make more than you do when you’re in the store,” Meisel said. “That, plus all the tips that you get from ACL, and how long your shifts are … there’s higher pay and then higher tips.”

With tickets going for $370 to $380 for a weekend pass and $165 for a one-day pass, Newsom said earning a wage and gaining access to the festival is a win-win. Meisel said that while the shifts are tough, the hard work proves to be rewarding.

“If you are that kind of person that is ready to work for a while (and) be high energy, it is one of the best work experiences you could have,” Meisel said. 

Editor’s note: This story has been corrected to address the misspelling of a source’s name. The Texan regrets this error.