Now in its 25th year, the Austin City Limits Festival has grown from a largely local affair into one of the world’s biggest destination festivals, drawing more than 70,000 music fans each day.
Even with its global reach, Austin artists remain a vital part of the lineup. Whether they still call the city home or have taken their music elsewhere, these artists put the A in ACL Fest.
Almost Heaven
Austin duo Almost Heaven combines post-punk, electronic pop, and indie dance music. Led by producer and vocalist Stefan Barraza and drummer and co-songwriter Jaelyn Valero, the band released its debut EP, RAW CRANIUM, in January. After appearances at SXSW and Austin Psych Fest, Almost Heaven makes its ACL Fest debut this year.
WHEN: Friday, Oct. 9, 12:45-1:30 p.m.
WHERE: Tito’s Handmade Vodka Stage
Asleep At The Wheel
This Western swing outfit, fronted by Ray Benson, has played every ACL Fest since it began in 2002. Be a part of the tradition and catch them when they open.
WHEN: Friday, Oct. 2, 1-1:45 p.m.
WHERE: T-Mobile Stage
Bo Staloch
Bo Staloch is an Austin-born, Nashville-based singer-songwriter known for his introspective storytelling that blends alt-folk and Americana.
WHEN: Friday, Oct. 2, and Friday, Oct. 9, 3:15-4 p.m.
WHERE: Tito’s Handmade Vodka Stage
Calder Allen
Calder Allen is an Austin-born, fifth-generation Texan singer-songwriter known for his gritty take on Americana.
WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 4, and Sunday, Oct. 11, 3:15-4 p.m.
WHERE: Tito’s Handmade Vodka Stage
Coleman Jennings
Born in Connecticut and raised in Texas from age 7, Coleman Jennings draws inspiration from Texas songwriters like Townes Van Zandt and Blaze Foley. He honed his craft at Austin venues while studying English at UT, pairing his songs with a vibrato-heavy voice that recalls classic country singers.
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 3, 3:30-4:15 p.m.
WHERE: BMI Stage
DJ Cassandra
DJ Cassandra (Cassandra Shankman) is an Austin DJ, classically trained pianist, composer and sound curator whose sets move across electronic, dance and roots music. A UT Austin graduate in composition and film studies, she became the first woman to win Best DJ at the Austin Music Awards.
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 3, 2-2:45 p.m.
WHERE: Tito’s Handmade Vodka Stage
Elijah Delgado
Elijah Delgado is an Austin-based singer-songwriter who describes his music as “indie rock lullabies” — indie folk that pairs atmospheric guitars with warm, emotive vocals. Since his 2021 debut EP, When I Was On Cloud 9, Delgado has performed at Blues on the Green, ACL Radio’s Drop-In series, and SXSW. He followed his debut with Wherever You Go, There You Are and, most recently, Moonboy.
WHEN: Friday, Oct. 2, 2-2:45 p.m.
WHERE: Snapchat Stage
Flight by Nothing
Flight by Nothing is an Austin-based indie rock outfit originally formed in North Texas in 2016 by Conner (vocals), Huey (keys), Pacco (lead guitar), Porfii (bass) and Sam (drums).
After relocating to Austin in 2021 and moving in together to focus on music full-time, the five-piece developed a reputation for energetic live shows and a sound built around indie-rock guitars, driving rhythms, and pop hooks.
WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 4, 2-2:45 p.m.
WHERE: BeatBox Stage
Grocery Bag
Grocery Bag is an Austin psych-garage rock four-piece formed in 2022 by multi-instrumentalists Bella Martinez, Jimmy Mercado, Dillon Aitala, and Logan Kerman. The band came up through Austin’s house-show, co-op, and club scenes before landing spots at Levitation and opening for Osees and Frankie and the Witch Fingers. Their new Deadvolt EP pairs fuzzed-out guitars and driving rhythms with sharp, hook-heavy garage rock.
WHEN: Friday, Oct. 2, 5:15-6:15 p.m.
WHERE: BMI Stage
Huston-Tillotson University Jazz Collective
The Huston-Tillotson University Jazz Collective is a student ensemble from Austin’s historic HBCU that brings together jazz and R&B. The group has become a regular presence on Austin stages, including featured performances at the Austin Blues Festival.
WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 11, 12:45-1:30 p.m.
WHERE: Tito’s Handmade Vodka Stage
Jess Williamson
Jess Williamson first emerged from Austin’s music scene before joining forces with Waxahatchee’s Katie Crutchfield in 2022 to form Plains. The duo released I Walked with You a Ways, and Williamson followed with her 2023 solo album Time Ain’t Accidental, which combines country-folk with minimalist arrangements and drum machines. Her new album, A Mile South of Heaven, arrives October 9.
WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 4, 2-2:45 p.m.
WHERE: Miller Lite Stage
lluvii
Austin quintet lluvii (say it with us: “U-V”) breezes through coastal south-of-the-border psychedelia, primal rainforest-ready percussion, and incredibly intriguing indie art rock, all anchored by the idiosyncratic soft siren vocals of frontwoman Carol Gonzalez. For some, that may be enough range to call it a day, but for lluvii, the journey of genres has only just begun.
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 10, 2-2:45 p.m.
WHERE: BeatBox Stage
Montclair
Montclair is an Austin indie folk-rock band made up of four half-siblings — Casen, Anna, Jackson, and Clay — who started making music together out of a shared curiosity and love of songwriting. They have shared the stage with Austin bands like Briscoe and Dayglow and released their debut album, Heart is Alive!, in April 2025.
WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 10, 12:45-1:30 p.m.
WHERE: Tito’s Handmade Vodka Stage
NIGHT TRAVELER
NIGHT TRAVELER is the Austin duo of Adam Fischer and Hunter Glaske. Their guitar-driven songs draw on 1980s rock and the mood of a late-night drive.
WHEN: Friday, Oct. 2, 2-2:45 p.m.
WHERE: BeatBox Stage
The 4411
The 4411 is an Austin indie-rock band formed by lifelong friends who draw inspiration from early-2000s rock. Expect punchy guitar hooks, big melodies, and plenty of energy when they hit the stage.
WHEN: Friday, Oct. 2, 12:45-1:30 p.m.
WHERE: Tito’s Handmade Vodka Stage
The Moriah Sisters
Formed in 1994 out of the Greater Mount Moriah Primitive Baptist Church in East Austin, the group was founded by sisters Janice Lee and Cynthia “Cece” Reliford. Over the years, they have become an Austin cultural fixture, best known as long-standing resident performers for the legendary Sunday Gospel Brunch at Stubb’s Bar-B-Q.
WHEN: Sunday, Oct. 4, 12:45-1:30 p.m.
WHERE: Tito’s Handmade Vodka Stage
Wild Child
Wild Child is an Austin-bred indie-folk band formed in 2010 by Kelsey Wilson and Alexander Beggins, known for lush harmonies, ukulele and violin melodies, and openhearted songwriting. In 2026, the band released its first-ever children’s record, Wild Child for Kids.
WHEN: Friday, Oct. 2, 4:30-5 p.m.; Sunday, Oct. 4, 2:45-3:15 p.m.; Sunday, Oct. 11, 3:45-4:15 p.m.
WHERE: Austin Kiddie Limits Stage