“This is the worst year,” a young man told me outside Zilker Park. He said he usually comes to the Barton Springs entrance during the Austin City Limits Music Festival and buys a three-day pass from scalpers for $200. On Friday, a reseller wanted $800 for a 3-day pass, he told me.

The price was independently confirmed by this reporter when another scalper said he could sell me a 3-day pass for $850 and a day pass for $400.

(He offered to buy my media bracelet for $400 and said he could offer more if I brought him four.)

Another merchant closer to the entrance was offering a day pass for $350. Over at the west entrance to the park, a gentleman was trying to sell a three-day pass for $1,250.

Five other scalpers told the Austin American-Statesman they had trouble finding bracelets at all. None of them had bands to sell before 3 p.m. They were cautious about the price.