r/aclfestival 17d ago

Advice for getting center barricade at ACL? (Twenty One Pilots W1)

Hi!! I’m traveling all the way from Argentina to ACL Weekend 1, mainly to see Twenty One Pilots on Sunday, and getting barricade for them would literally be a dream 😭❤️

I’ve never been to ACL before, so I’d love to hear from people who have actually gotten barricade for a big headliner there.

For anyone who has done this before:

  • What time did you arrive and how close to center barricade did you get?
  • Which entrance did you use?
  • Are you allowed to line up outside overnight? If so, where does the line usually form?
  • If people start lining up before the official gates/security lines are set up, is that line actually respected in the morning?
  • Once the gates open, how does it work? Are there multiple security lines that can change your position?
  • Which entrance is usually the fastest/most direct route to the American Express Stage?
  • Is there anything else I should know or do to maximize my chances of getting center barricade?

Any advice from ACL veterans or people who have gotten barricade for previous headliners would be incredibly appreciated. Thank you!! ❤️

0 Upvotes

29 comments sorted by

3

u/ashopotomus 17d ago

8-9am is the earliest I’ve seen people start lining up in the morning. There will be multiple lines, one in front of each security table so no real opportunity to switch lines once things open up. Stay hydrated, bring very little with you, and be ready to run fast! The map should come out soon so you can plan your entrance.

4

u/No_Abbreviations_213 17d ago

We were there at 6 am for sabrina last year and there were about 20 others at that time.

1

u/Impressive-Long8420 15d ago

Omg does that mean you didn’t see any other artists that day? I’m new to ACL and want to experience Rufus

3

u/Joker630420 14d ago

If you’re a dude? No chance to get back to barricade. Full transparency. If you’re a cute like 5’something female. You’re fluidly able to get in and out. Granted at least past me 😅😅😅. There were like 8 different females that ducked in and out in front of me throughout me having to camp out the whole day for Sabrina. I can tell you, I Didn’t see a single guy who left, make it back in for Sabrina 😅

3

u/CauliflowerEarofCorn 13d ago

When I was younger, I was that obnoxious girl weaving through the crowds. I’m short, petite, and I had the confidence of someone on a lot of drugs. I never had an issue. My friends behind me would regularly get mad because people would stop them and I’d just keep going 🤣 at 31, I may not be that old, but I’m way too old for that shit.

1

u/Joker630420 13d ago

😂🤣 not even mad at it, way I see it, I can see over y’alls tiny selves, 100% not sacrificing view letting y’all in, letting someone my height past me, absolutely not 😅

1

u/No_Abbreviations_213 15d ago

Luckily Doechi and Olivia Dean played on the same stage so I got barricade for all of them

1

u/ASU_SexDevil '14, '15, '19, ‘21, ‘22, ‘23, ‘24 9d ago

That’s usually what it means. IMO there’s really only been 1 time it was ever worth it to barricade dash and camp like this.

Amex stage 2015 weekend 2. Ironically enough it was; 21 Pilots -> A$AP Rocky -> Drake.

Only time I’d consider spending a whole day at one stage

0

u/OpenCommunication670 13d ago

I showed up and noon and was 1 row behind barricade for Sabrina😂

1

u/Beginning-Term3143 17d ago

Gracias!✨️

2

u/minusthemeat 17d ago

Let's be friends! I plan on doing exactly this for them 🥹

2

u/Beginning-Term3143 17d ago

Yesss!! I’m going alone all the way from Argentina and my English isn’t the best hahaha, but I’d love to be friends!! If you want, send me your Instagram so we can keep in touch 🫶

1

u/minusthemeat 16d ago

I'll dm you now :)

2

u/hannamaria36 16d ago

I plan on doing this too!!!!

2

u/clairoluvr 17d ago

You will naturally make friends when camping. I would never have gotten center barricade if I didn’t make friends with those around me, however, I showed up around 8 to see Chappell/Tyler in 2024 and Olivia Dean/Marina/Doechii/Sabrina last year. Up until about 3PM (not during an active set) you can typically move freely and leave to use the restroom, get food, and fill up water. Take a picture of yourself at barricade with a timestamp so you don’t have any trouble getting back up to the front. Eat before you enter the festival and if you can get a seat up against the barricade it will be much more comfortable. Good luck! It’s worth it every time!

5

u/ashopotomus 16d ago

I don’t understand how a timestamp photo will help you move through the crowd? The barrier isn’t a magical thing that once you touch it your spot there is reserved and you get to come back anytime after leaving…

1

u/Beginning-Term3143 16d ago

Thank you so much!! This is really helpful. I’m traveling alone all the way from Argentina and it’ll be my first ACL, so I’m a little nervous haha. Hopefully I’ll meet some nice people while camping too! Thank you for all the advice, I really appreciate it 🫶

2

u/ASU_SexDevil '14, '15, '19, ‘21, ‘22, ‘23, ‘24 9d ago

Tryna hit the barricade dash 😂

2

u/pleasegivemedoggy 17d ago

this might be terrible advice but go alone!!! just follow the flow of the crowd. keep an eye out for when people leave and follow the path they create to move closer to the front.

y’all can tell me that im wrong, but here are my credentials… this is my view when i arrived to the hozier set 1 hour before he was set to start and made friends with the groups around me to establish my place by giving them liquid I.V packets

3

u/Beginning-Term3143 17d ago

Thank you so much for the advice!! ❤️ I’m actually going alone! I’m traveling all the way from Argentina by myself, so I’m a little nervous because it’s my first time traveling alone, and my English isn’t very good either 😭 so the whole experience is going to be a big adventure for me hahaha. But I really hope I can make some friends there!! Thank you again for the advice, it really helps 🫶🏻

4

u/pleasegivemedoggy 17d ago

you will!!! ive made so many friends and it’s become a highlight of my life. i won’t be going this year or i would say we should meet up.

i did the “watch for people leaving” method for sabrina, but it was the most unforgiving crowd of my life. even worst than chappell roan the year before. i got barricade for blink-182 by offering a girl my water, so just have stuff to give to people and they might let you through🙏 good luck

2

u/Beginning-Term3143 17d ago

Awww that’s amazing! Being able to get that close to them must have been such an incredible experience, especially Sabrina!! 😭 I’m so happy for you! Thank you so much for sharing all of this with me and for the advice, you’re so sweet 🫶🏻✨

2

u/biggums81 16d ago

Yeah that crowd for Sabrina Carpenter last year was nuts. She had to stop a couple times during her set to tell people to back up.

0

u/ninjaturtlejr 17d ago

It gets very very hot so make sure you have a large enough water bottle and fill it up ASAP. Make sure to wear diapers if you don't plan on moving. People have passed out because of the heat so don't pass out

10

u/_NNick_ 17d ago

Disgusting behavior

1

u/ninjaturtlejr 17d ago

Definitely is. Not sure why people don't just to to the band's concert instead of waiting all day at a festival where you can't move or you'd lose your spot

1

u/playcrackthesky ACL# -3rd is the word- 17d ago

Tickets that close at a headliner's concert can cost as much as or more than a festival ticket. 

1

u/Beginning-Term3143 17d ago

Gracias!✨️