Friday, October 1 kicks off the 24th iteration of the infamous Austin City Limits Festival, which takes place in Zilker Park in Austin, Texas. The festival has been around since 2002, and expanded to two weekends back in 2012: an impressive feat to not only execute once, but manage successfully for over ten years.
Despite the weather always being brutally hot and humid (although there is a forecast of rain for weekend 1 this year) and dust that will certainly clog your sinuses if you’re not prepared, the festival always pulls a big crowd, a mix of festival newbies and amateurs alike, those who travel from around the globe and Austin locals who attend every year, sometimes both weekends. With an always impressive array of acts spanning pop, rock, rap, hip-hop, EDM, and country, plus a diverse list of food and beverage options, Austin City Limits has proven themselves as a highly sought-after festival year after year: and the 2026 edition’s quick sell-out of 3-day passes proves it.
We’re heading down south for our fourth year of attending, first in 2021, then again in 2024, 2025, and now 2026. Lineup highlights include Charli xcx, Lorde, Twenty One Pilots, Lola Young, and many others, including a handful of impressive undercards we’ve featured across both weekends below.
Brigitte Calls Me Baby (w2) | 1:15-2pm | American Express
Chicago’s Brigitte Calls Me Baby have spent the past two years doing what few young rock bands manage: sounding like a lost 1980s classic without ever feeling like a costume. Frontman Wes Leavins’ velvet croon has drawn comparisons to Roy Orbison and Morrissey—the latter handpicked them as openers for his 2025 UK and European run, not long after they’d warmed up crowds for the Strokes. Their debut, The Future Is Our Way Out, set out their jangly, new-wave-tinged sound, and this spring’s sophomore record Irreversible pushes further, capturing the grandeur of their live show on tracks like “The Pit” and “Slumber Party.”
We’ve caught them live before at Metro, one of Chicago’s most iconic venues, and they’re well worth an early start during weekend two. – Jesse
Dallas Wax (w2) | 2-2:45pm | Snapchat
If you like your rock ‘n’ roll loud and a little sweaty, make time for Dallas Wax. The New York five-piece—Ryan Dallas Wax on vocals and guitar, Matt Stawinski on guitar, Fons Urbaneja on bass, Owen Hite on keys and Gabriel Seiler on drums—only played their first show in October 2023, but they came up opening at Mercury Lounge and Arlene’s Grocery and play like a band that’s been at it for years. Their sound draws on punk, psychedelia and the blues, full of ’70s-style guitar riffs, and latest single “Girl Like Me,” is a guitar-driven face-melter that fits right alongside The Strokes and the rest of the NYC garage-rock lineage. I caught them at Baby’s All Right last year and can vouch for the live show: it’s raucous, tight and a lot of fun. – Jesse
Bo Staloch | 3:15-4pm | Tito’s
Last year, I had the chance to chat with Bo Staloch after his debut performance at Lollapalooza, where I learned that he’s an Austin native. So it was super exciting to see his name landing on the ACL lineup earlier this year ahead of his upcoming EP, which drops in November.
Despite just being 21-years-old, Staloch’s music feels more mature than his age may suggest, and his work with collaborator Brad Cook (Mavis Staples, Waxahatchee, Bon Iver) is a sign for bigger things to come. His music feels at home with other artists on the lineup like Ryan Beatty or even Brandon Flowers’ country-folk solo project, plus previous acts like Noah Kahan and Medium Build. His mid-afternoon set on the Tito’s Stage is a great opportunity for festival attendees to hit for a laidback performance for a break in the shade or a chill first set of the day. – Kristin
Natasha Bedingfield (w2) | 4:30-5:30pm | Tito’s
I’m excited that Brit Natasha Bedingfield has released her first new single, “Dot Dot Dot,” since 2023, during a time where artists of the early aughts like Hilary Duff and Michelle Branch are also coming back into the pop culture conversation. Bedingfield, who has sold 20 million records worldwide and has a rolodex of hits like “Unwritten,” “These Words,” and “Pocketful of Sunshine,” is certainly going to pull a large crowd to the Tito’s Tent during weekend 2 of ACL…(majority being millennials, of course), and it’s making me genuinely concerned that her pull will be greater than what the festival area allows.
If you’re looking for a nostalgic set during your time at ACL, look no further. Bedingfield certainly fits the bill for an act that’s going to give us all the feels…and all signs point to her releasing more music in the future, and possibly a headlining tour after her stint opening for Teddy Swims concludes in November. – Kristin
Amyl and The Sniffers | 4:30-5:30pm | American Express
Australian punk band Amyl and The Sniffers have been an a group I’ve kept at an arms’ length for quite sometime…which sounds weird, but completely makes sense in my brain. As someone who dabbles very little into punk and hardcore music, I’ve appreciated Amyl and co.’s raucous energy, but don’t listen to it frequently (except the song “Jerkin,'” which I listen to routinely on my workout playlist). But even though their music isn’t in my rotation on the regular, I absolutely appreciate—and love—their style, aesthetic, and seemingly live performance: I only caught a bit of their set in 2022 at the now defunct Primavera Sound L.A., but admittedly knew none of their music back then.
But their frequent touring and lineup placements across huge festivals around the world is a testament to their pull as a live band, on top of their early evening spot on ACL’s main stage, performing just before Labrinth and Charli xcx. For those festival cynics who constantly complain about the ACL’s of the world becoming more mainstream and less about rock music, here’s your rock act must-see of the weekend. – Kristin
Macy Todd (w2) | 12:45-1:15pm | BMI
For ACL attendees brave enough to bear the heat even earlier in the day, I strongly suggest you check out Macy Todd, an up-and-coming artist from Georgia who balances her singer-songwriter sensibilities with a twang of country folk that rings true to artists like Kacey Musgraves and tour mates Willow Avalon and Carter Faith. Her debut EP, luckiest girl alive, is a strong showing for the artist, and her inspiration as a 20-something young woman navigating the music industry makes for a compelling first project.
The BMI Stage is remains a standout fixture of the festival as a “fan-favorite and a hotbed of new music discovery,” and Todd’s inclusion along with artists like Zinadelphia (2025), Dexter and The Moonrocks (2024), Aly & AJ (2022), and many others represent her worthiness as an artist to watch. – Kristin
Annie DiRusso | 1:15-2pm | American Express
Annie DiRusso makes the kind of indie rock that sounds like a group chat set to fuzzed-out guitars. The Croton-on-Hudson native, now based in Nashville, first broke through when “Nine Months” and “Coming Soon” went viral on TikTok. She then spent years on the road opening for HAIM, beabadoobee, Djo, Samia and more before releasing her debut album, Super Pedestrian, in March 2025. The record pairs garage-rock grit with big pop hooks and some very funny, very honest songwriting about situationships and bad decisions, and a deluxe edition followed last December alongside a costume-and-choreography-packed NPR Tiny Desk. Her live shows are famously fun, so start your day here: catch her Saturday of both weekends, Oct. 3 and Oct. 10, from 1:15 to 2 p.m. on the American Express stage. If you’re in town midweek, she’s also playing an ACL Fest Nights show at Stubb’s on Tuesday, Oct. 6.
Balu Brigada | 2:30-3:15pm | T-Mobile
If there’s one set I’ve been begging everyone I know to catch, it’s Balu Brigada. The Auckland-born brothers Henry and Pierre Beasley share vocals, trade instruments and produce everything themselves, and the result is groovy, left-of-center alt-pop built on big bass hooks and punchy drums. Their breakout single “So Cold” went all the way to No. 1 on Billboard’s Alternative Airplay chart, earned them a Jimmy Kimmel Live! debut and set up their 2025 debut album, Portal, which they wrote across New York, Berlin and Auckland.
But the song I can’t stop playing is “Backseat,” a six-minute ride that starts on a hypnotic, almost EDM pulse and slides into disco and post-punk without ever losing the groove. It’s the best example of what makes this band so exciting: they’re always willing to reinvent themselves. After a summer on stages like Lollapalooza and Outside Lands, and supporting slots with Twenty One Pilots, they’re ready for Zilker. – Jesse
Ryan Beatty | 3:30-4:30pm | BeatBox
If the name Ryan Beatty sounds familiar, it’s because he’s been in the industry for fifteen years, despite only being 31-years-old. Beatty got his started posting covers on YouTube back in 2011, which led to releasing his own music, collaborating with hip-hop group BROCKHAMPTON, and eventually signing with Benny Blanco’s imprint label in 2018. Since then, he’s released two albums to critical acclaim: 2023’s Calico and Sweet Fortune earlier this year. Oh, not to mention the credits he has on Beyoncé’s Grammy-winning album Cowboy Carter: songwriting and backup vocals on “PROTECTOR” and backup vocals on “BODYGUARD” and “JUST FOR FUN.”
Despite Beatty’s impressive songwriting discography for a variety of genres, his own music sits at the crossroads of folk, country, and singer-songwriter. His inspirations like John Denver and James Taylor feel even more evident in Calico, and his laidback, warm style of performance feels perfectly suited for an afternoon set at Austin City Limits. – Kristin
Chloe Qisha (w2) | 5:15-6:15pm | BMI
I’ve been listening to Chloe Qisha for awhile at this point, and I’ve been waiting for the rest of pop music fans to catch up with me! I was hoping she would land on this year’s Lollapalooza lineup, but I’m happy to see she’s made ACL’s weekend 2 lineup this year, too. I caught her headlining show in LA this past spring, which was also part of her first set of shows in the US ever, and she sold out a nearly 800-cap show.
Her alt-pop sound and unique voice feels at home with the rest of the lineup, and her experience opening for artists like Coldplay and Sabrina Carpenter prove that she’s ready for more live performances—she’s also touring with Holly Humberstone in the UK early next year. Her next mixtape drops on October 30, so make sure you study up on her music before you hit her set at the BMI Stage—you’ll surely get a hint of unreleased music during her hour-long set! – Kristin
Chelsea Jordan (w2) | 2-2:45pm | BMI
Like a lot of us, I first found Chelsea Jordan on TikTok, where her candid clips and warm, soulful voice make you feel like you’re catching up with a friend. The Baltimore-born, Los Angeles-based singer went to USC to play lacrosse, but a single songwriting class changed her plans. She started posting covers and original snippets, and 2024’s “Toronto” took off for its brutally honest lyrics. That led to a deal with Arista Records and the breakout “halfwaythru,” the lead single from this spring’s EP better late than not at all, which she wrote after her first real heartbreak.
The project moves from the aching “level out” to the self-worth anthem “picky choosy,” all carried by a rich, Amy Winehouse-inspired voice and a sound that sits somewhere between R&B, soul and pop. After opening for Ruel earlier this year, including her New York debut at Terminal 5, she’s ready to win over a festival crowd. – Jesse
Sunday (1994) | 2-2:45pm | Snapchat
Sunday (1994) write songs that sound like the soundtrack to a ’90s romance movie you half-remember. It’s no accident: Paige Turner, from Los Angeles, and Lee Newell, from Slough, England, are a real-life couple who spent a decade writing for other artists before finally making music together, joined by a mysterious drummer known only as “X.” Since debut single “Tired Boy” arrived in 2024, they’ve built a devoted following with shimmering, cinematic dream pop that recalls The Cranberries and The Cure, from last year’s Devotion EP to this spring’s deluxe edition.
That release added “Shame,” a twangy new single inspired by the 1994 film Heavenly Creatures, and came right after a European tour supporting The Last Dinner Party. When I caught them at All Things Go in D.C. last year, Turner took the stage in a silk dress while the rest of the band wore sharp suits, a mix of elegance and edge that matched their music. They pulled in the early crowd with songs from Devotion and made it clear they’re headed for bigger stages. – Jesse
Grace Ives (w2) | 3:30-4:30pm | Snapchat
N.Y.C. born and raised alternative pop singer Grace Ives may in fact be the sleeper hit of 2026…so much show that as I’m writing this, it’s only a few months until she embarks on a U.S. tour supporting Gracie Abrams…and then Olivia Rodrigo just 17 days later in Europe. Yep, you read that right: two of the biggest female pop acts in pop music are bringing the same artist on tour with them in 2027, and she’s right under our noses.
Grace Ives’ excellent new album Girlfriend is inevitably going to end up in my top list of the year, and our review of the project, which dropped in March, sum’s up her work on Girlfriend quite succinctly: it sounds like “Experimental pitching over club-worthy beats amps up choruses, akin to 2010s pop.” I caught Ives’ headlining show in LA this past May, where she performed to a packed, sold-out crowd at the Teragram Ballroom: despite the Mileys and the Charlis of the world, the kids in fact, were dancing. If you like pop music, I promise you’ll kick yourself if you miss the chance to see Ives before she catapults to the next level in less than a year. – Kristin
Underscores (w1) | 3:30-4:30pm | Beatbox
Devon Karpf, known for her work under the electronic moniker Underscores, has been releasing music for quite sometime, but it didn’t land in front of me until I heard her fantastic fourth album, U, which dropped this past March via Mom + Pop music. The last couple years have skyrocketed electronic music’s popularity (commercially) in general, thanks to the success of artists like Charli xcx, Ninajirachi, Slayyyter, and Kim Petras, which has opened the door for artists like Karpf to reach greater audiences (she’s currently touring with Charli on the music, fashion, film tour…everything falls into place in the end).
The album has been on repeat for me this year, and I’d be super curious to see how it translates in a live setting. I feel like this is the year that people will look back on and kick themselves for missing her set, so make sure you hit the Beatbox stage during weekend 1 so you can bask in the “I was there” glory once she’s inevitably even bigger. – Kristin
Fcukers | 6:30-7:30pm | Tito’s
If you need any more reason to believe that major US music festivals are moving away from rock and alternative, it comes in the form of the New York City-born bed Fcukers, who only started releasing music in 2022 but have already toured with acts like Rüfüs Du Sol, Tame Impala, and Harry Styles. Their debut album Ö only came out this past March, but they’ve been performing it extensively across several festivals including Shaky Knees, Portola, Bonnaroo, and Governor’s Ball…making their status clear as an contemporary act with a high draw.
I haven’t had a chance to see the band live, considering I wasn’t familiar with their music before 2026, but I know they’d be one of a must-sees on my list if I were heading to ACL this year. The only tough thing to consider is that their set directly clashes with Sofi Tukker’s set on the main stage…so I’ll be curious to hear back on how both of these electronic acts split festival attendees. – Kristin
Check out our previous festival coverage HERE.
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