Has anyone ever been to this? What's it like as a Festival? Some friends are going after Fest and it seems I may be heading that way with them so potentially have the option to go. It's $185 for a ticket though and there's not that many bands I'm that bothered about so was wondering if anyone can convince me either way. It would have to be pretty bloody special if I'm gonna spend over twice the price of a Fest pass just to get in!

So bands aside, what are peoples thoughts on it?

It's a pretty damn good festival. I haven't been since they moved it to Auditorium Shores from Waterloo Park last year, but the music is usually good, the comedy stage looks pretty stacked, and there's a bunch of other shit to entertain yourself with. That said, there are usually tons of other shows going on around it (like the Snips, Flatliners, and OWTH two years ago, and Nothington and Cobra Skulls last year), so you can usually check out some great music without going. However, the Sword, Lagwagon, and Fucked Up are playing this year...so I'm pretty excited.

My studio is also going to have a booth at Fun Fun Fun, as well as being a sponsor for Fest and giving away shit at the Flea Market. So either way, come say hi. I'll give you free swag/beer.

Yeah, Fest is a whole lot of fun, and there are tons of other things usually going around Austin at any given time. It's a friendly city and most clubs are in walking distance from where the event is happening (10 to 20 minutes through downtown). come enjoy, have fun, eat lots of different foods, see shows, drink tons of beer. stay away from 6th street unless it's Jackalope or Casino el Camino.

We went a couple of years ago, Tim. It's fun but immediately post-Fest it's hard not to see it as a bit of a let down. We had to go because Cap'n Jazz and Appleseed Cast were playing which I wasn't going to miss but it's a lot more like a UK-style festival, in terms of the stages and whatnot - there's no camping or anything. It's a decent enough atmosphere, beer's pretty expensive (dunno about cider!), and you'll need a lot of sun tan lotion. Austin's a fun town.

Well I bought a one day ticket in the end for the Friday which also gets me into the nite shows for both Thursday and Friday too.

So what's the deal with the night shows? I've been told by someone who's never been before but seems to know all about it that if you don't get to the one you wanna go to super early (ie be in line before doors) then you won't get in at all. Is this actually the case or is it like Fest and you can go see one band in one venue then go elsewhere to see something else?

For example, on the Thursday night I think Superchunk play in one place at around 10 but the Dwarves play elsewhere at around midnight. I wanna go to both but won't go to Superchunk if it means I'll have no chance of getting into the Dwarves gig later.

Also on the Sat/Sun (the days I don't have a ticket) can I just pay in to one of the night shows? My friend wants to see Black Tusk (she has a weekend pass) and I wanna go with her but not buying another 75 dollar day pass for one band!

Any advice would be greatly appreciated as none of us really know what to expect! Cheers guys and girls!

Wao Fest is lot of fun and many other things going around Austin at any time. I am going here for walking and enjoy and It have a most clulbs for drink tons of beer.