PJ To Tape Austin City Limits on Oct. 3
Austin City Limits is not just a music festival, it’s also TV show. Pearl Jam are taping their one hour episode of Public Broadcasting Service show appropriately named Austin City Limits on October 3rd. According to the Austin360 blog:
The day before they headline the Austin City Limits Music Festival, Pearl Jam will tape an episode of the namesake TV show. With a capacity of 320, it looks to be the toughest ticket for an “ACL” taping since Coldplay in 2005. Show producer Terry Lickona said to check the www.austincitylimits.org closer to showtime for ticket giveaway info.
“I sure wish the new studio was ready for Pearl Jam,” Lickona said, referring to the 2,750-capacity venue being built on West Second Street across from City Hall. “We’d still have to turn away people, but not quite as many.” Construction of the $40 million Austin City Limits Theater is expected to be completed in October 2010.
Also added to the coming 35th season of ACL are Allen Toussaint, who’ll tape his ACL debut June 30, and M. Ward Aug. 5. Again, check the web site for ticket details.
I don’t know ACL very well. Isn’t every episode televised on PBS? Does this mean that Pearl Jam may be releasing something on their own?
No, ACL owns the right to the taping. Several ‘full length’ ACL performances are available on DVD. The TV show is 60 minutes, however, the tapings generally take several hours. Ie. they may play for 2-3 hours, but in the end, only 1 hour will be broadcast….not sure who determines final televised playlist/order. If ACL chooses to release a DVD, then, we’d certainly get more than just the 1 hour shown on TV. Would not count on a DVD at this time.
The band will perform their usual set, however long that is, barring any retakes or desire from the band to stretch out a little. (It’s usually 90 minutes or so. The artist chooses which songs will appear in the final edited version, with some input from our producer and director.
The decision to put out a DVD of an episode comes mainly from our distribution partner New West Records, and from the artists themselves. (Of course, the artist’s current representatives/record company gets a say as well, for better or worse.) We’re happy to see any episode come out.
This is going to kick ass in HD.