Mud, rain and booming bass marked the first weekend of an undeniably messy Austin City Limits Music Festival. From exhilarating headline sets by Charli xcx and Lorde to local acts who are about to break out, musical memories were made. There were a few missteps too.
These are the best and worst things we saw, heard and experienced at ACL Fest 2026.
Best of ACL Fest 2026
Turnstile
Fans mosh to Turnstile at the Austin City Limits Music Festival in Zilker Park on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026.
Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman
Turnstile performs at the Austin City Limits Music Festival in Zilker Park on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026.
Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman
Yeslyann Cruz and Billy Mounlasy kiss in the Turnstile mosh pit at the Austin City Limits Music Festival in Zilker Park on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026.
MIkala Compton/Austin American-Statesman
Brad Tuma finds a lost shoe in the mud during Turnstile’s performance at the Austin City Limits Music Festival in Zilker Park on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026.
Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman
Turnstile performs at the Austin City Limits Music Festival in Zilker Park on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026.
Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman
Lance Steiner of Denver watches Turnstile’s performance at the Austin City Limits Music Festival in Zilker Park on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026.
Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman
People mosh in the mud during Turnstile’s performance at the Austin City Limits Music Festival in Zilker Park on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026.
Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman
Fans mosh to Turnstile at the Austin City Limits Music Festival in Zilker Park on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026.
Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman
Turnstile performs at the Austin City Limits Music Festival in Zilker Park on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026.
Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman
Kitty Divine watches Turnstile’s performance at the Austin City Limits Music Festival in Zilker Park on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026.
Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman
Fans mosh to Turnstile at the Austin City Limits Music Festival in Zilker Park on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026.
Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman
Fans mosh to Turnstile at the Austin City Limits Music Festival in Zilker Park on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026.
Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman
Fans mosh to Turnstile at the Austin City Limits Music Festival in Zilker Park on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026.
Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman
Fans mosh to Turnstile at the Austin City Limits Music Festival in Zilker Park on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026.
Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman
Fans mosh to Turnstile at the Austin City Limits Music Festival in Zilker Park on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026.
Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman
Fans mosh to Turnstile at the Austin City Limits Music Festival in Zilker Park on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026.
Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman
Fans mosh to Turnstile at the Austin City Limits Music Festival in Zilker Park on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026.
Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman
Fans mosh to Turnstile at the Austin City Limits Music Festival in Zilker Park on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026.
Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman
Fans mosh to Turnstile at the Austin City Limits Music Festival in Zilker Park on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026.
Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman
People mosh in the mud during Turnstile’s performance at the Austin City Limits Music Festival in Zilker Park on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026.
Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman
Hannah Roth, left, of Anchorage, Alaska, and Kaylee Adelmann, of Fort Wayne, Indiana, watch Turnstile’s performance at the Austin City Limits Music Festival in Zilker Park on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026.
Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman
Fans mosh to Turnstile at the Austin City Limits Music Festival in Zilker Park on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026.
MIkala Compton/Austin American-Statesman
Karlis Vidass watches Turnstile perform at the Austin City Limits Music Festival in Zilker Park on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026.
Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman
Friday’s mud-soaked Turnstile set at the T-Mobile stage was the kind of ACL moment people will be talking about years from now. By that point in the evening, everyone in the crowd was already a mud-soaked mess — or about five seconds away from it. The only thing to do was lean in. The performance, interspersed with fan videos from previous Turnstile shows and interviews about why hardcore music fosters a strong sense of community, felt like vintage ACL in the best way. It wasn’t just one of the best moments of Weekend 1 — it’ll go down in the books as a top moment in my 15 or so years of attending this fest. Next weekend’s set may not be muddy, but I left feeling ready to run it back and do it all over again. — Katey Psencik
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Amyl and the Sniffers
Amyl and the Sniffers perform at the Austin City Limits Music Festival in Zilker Park on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026.
Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman
Amyl and the Sniffers perform at the Austin City Limits Music Festival in Zilker Park on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026.
Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman
Amyl and the Sniffers perform at the Austin City Limits Music Festival in Zilker Park on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026.
Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman
Amyl and the Sniffers perform at the Austin City Limits Music Festival in Zilker Park on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026.
Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman
Amyl and the Sniffers perform at the Austin City Limits Music Festival in Zilker Park on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026.
Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman
Amyl and the Sniffers perform at the Austin City Limits Music Festival in Zilker Park on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026.
Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman
Amyl and the Sniffers perform at the Austin City Limits Music Festival in Zilker Park on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026.
Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman
I hate to admit it, but Texans love a little pandering. Early in Friday’s mud-soaked set, frontwoman Amy Taylor asked, “What’s that song you sing when the night sky is bright?” And without further instruction, the crowd broke into a chorus of “Deep in the Heart of Texas,” claps and all — Melbourne punk goes Texas. With Taylor’s signature snarling vocals and “Hedwig and the Angry Inch”-adjacent wardrobe, Amyl and the Sniffers kicked off what ended up as a rock-heavy holy trinity for this writer: Austin’s Grocery Bag kept the momentum going, and Turnstile brought it gloriously home in the mud. — K.P.
Young Miko
Young Miko performs at the Austin City Limits Music Festival in Zilker Park on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026.
Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman
Young Miko performs at the Austin City Limits Music Festival in Zilker Park on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026.
Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman
Fans cheer as Young Miko performs at the Austin City Limits Music Festival in Zilker Park on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026.
Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman
Dancers perform alongside Young Miko at the Austin City Limits Music Festival in Zilker Park on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026.
Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman
Young Miko performs at the Austin City Limits Music Festival in Zilker Park on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026.
Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman
Fans cheer as Young Miko performs at the Austin City Limits Music Festival in Zilker Park on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026.
Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman
Young Miko performs at the Austin City Limits Music Festival in Zilker Park on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026.
Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman
Young Miko performs at the Austin City Limits Music Festival in Zilker Park on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026.
Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman
As a native Spanish speaker, I wish I could hear Miko’s very explicit lyrics for the first time again. But even without understanding what the Boricua singer was saying, fans at the American Express stage on Saturday were dancing and getting down to her sound. Mixing urban, rap and reggaeton is a smart move to make her music more commercial and overcome boundaries created by language differences. Miko included songs from her latest album like “BIAF” (Baby, I’m a Freak), and popular collabs including “FINA” with Bad Bunny and “CLASSY 101.” — Ana Gutierrez
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Twenty One Pilots
Twenty One Pilots performs on the American Express Stage on the third day of Austin City Limits Festival at Zilker Park, Oct. 4, 2026.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Twenty One Pilots performs on the American Express Stage on the third day of Austin City Limits Festival at Zilker Park, Oct. 4, 2026.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Twenty One Pilots performs on the American Express Stage on the third day of Austin City Limits Festival at Zilker Park, Oct. 4, 2026.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Twenty One Pilots performs on the American Express Stage on the third day of Austin City Limits Festival at Zilker Park, Oct. 4, 2026.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Twenty One Pilots performs on the American Express Stage on the third day of Austin City Limits Festival at Zilker Park, Oct. 4, 2026.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Twenty One Pilots performs on the American Express Stage on the third day of Austin City Limits Festival at Zilker Park, Oct. 4, 2026.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Twenty One Pilots performs on the American Express Stage on the third day of Austin City Limits Festival at Zilker Park, Oct. 4, 2026.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Twenty One Pilots performs on the American Express Stage on the third day of Austin City Limits Festival at Zilker Park, Oct. 4, 2026.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Twenty One Pilots performs on the American Express Stage on the third day of Austin City Limits Festival at Zilker Park, Oct. 4, 2026.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Twenty One Pilots performs on the American Express Stage on the third day of Austin City Limits Festival at Zilker Park, Oct. 4, 2026.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Twenty One Pilots performs on the American Express Stage on the third day of Austin City Limits Festival at Zilker Park, Oct. 4, 2026.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Twenty One Pilots performs on the American Express Stage on the third day of Austin City Limits Festival at Zilker Park, Oct. 4, 2026.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Twenty One Pilots performs on the American Express Stage on the third day of Austin City Limits Festival at Zilker Park, Oct. 4, 2026.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Twenty One Pilots performs on the American Express Stage on the third day of Austin City Limits Festival at Zilker Park, Oct. 4, 2026.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Twenty One Pilots performs on the American Express Stage on the third day of Austin City Limits Festival at Zilker Park, Oct. 4, 2026.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Twenty One Pilots performs on the American Express Stage on the third day of Austin City Limits Festival at Zilker Park, Oct. 4, 2026.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Twenty One Pilots performs on the American Express Stage on the third day of Austin City Limits Festival at Zilker Park, Oct. 4, 2026.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Twenty One Pilots performs on the American Express Stage on the third day of Austin City Limits Festival at Zilker Park, Oct. 4, 2026.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Twenty One Pilots performs on the American Express Stage on the third day of Austin City Limits Festival at Zilker Park, Oct. 4, 2026.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Twenty One Pilots performs on the American Express Stage on the third day of Austin City Limits Festival at Zilker Park, Oct. 4, 2026.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Twenty One Pilots performs on the American Express Stage on the third day of Austin City Limits Festival at Zilker Park, Oct. 4, 2026.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Twenty One Pilots performs on the American Express Stage on the third day of Austin City Limits Festival at Zilker Park, Oct. 4, 2026.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Tyler Joseph was a singing surfer and an ocean of people held him up during the duo’s Sunday night closing set. Fans of all ages — decked out in TØP staple red beanies with black-painted hands and necks — screamed along to hit songs like “Tear in My Heart,” “Heavydirtysoul” and “Heathens,” the band’s song from the 2016 movie “Suicide Squad.” The last stretch of the show included a crazed cover of The White Stripes’ “Seven Nation Army” and the duo’s biggest hit, “Stressed Out.” For the grand finale, the pair hovered above the crowd on boards supported by fans during “Trees.” Dun banged a drum that spouted water with every strike.
Joseph asked if the the duo “earned” their headline spot. Without a shred of a doubt, yes. — Mars Salazar
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Labrinth
Labrinth performs on the American Express stage on the first day of ACL, Oct. 2, 2026.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Labrinth performs on the American Express stage on the first day of ACL, Oct. 2, 2026.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
When the artist formerly known as “that guy from the ‘Euphoria’ soundtrack” last played ACL, he leaned into mystery, lurking in the backline, his face obscured by plumes of smoke. He returned to the fest in his frontman era, preaching love and flexing guitar hero chops as he opened with “Still Don’t Know My Name.” He wove rich textures into techno-fuzz soul, the softness of a stray guitar melody or a three-part harmony cutting through distorted noise. He layered drum pad polyrhythms over the drum kit and dabbled in gospel and grimy blues. Sure, “Euphoria”/ songs like “Formula” and “When I R.I.P.” still got the biggest cheers, but the British singer and multi-instrumentalist is a stand-alone star. — Deborah Sengupta Stith
Rüfüs du Sol
Fireworks light up the night during Rüfüs du Sol’s Austin City Limits Music Festival headline set on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026.
Nathan Zucker/Provided by Austin City Limits Music Festival
The Australian electronic trio brought magic to their Saturday headlining set. Surprisingly, this was one of the crowds with the fewest phones out. But it checks out for a group with a song called “In the Moment.” Their techno set was complemented by live drums and Tyrone Lindqvist playing an electric guitar sporadically. They wrapped up the night with the slow and transcendent “Innerbloom” which picked up with beats, a laser show and fireworks. —A.G.
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Lorde
Lorde performs at Austin City Limits Music Festival on Oct. 4, 2026, in Zilker Park.
Ashley Osborn/Provided by Austin City Limits Music Festival
Scream-singing “Ribs” with your best friend. That’s it. — KP
The XX
Rebecca Black performs at the Austin City Limits Music Festival in Zilker Park on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026.
MIkala Compton/Austin American-Statesman
The XX headline Austin City Limits Music Festival in Zilker Park on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman
The first half of the reunited British indie-pop duo’s set was awash in loud noise from the much heavier Twenty One Pilots. Turns out an introspective set of love ballads with dueling, whispered boy-girl vocals is a tough sell if you’re closing out ACL. Then the house, DJ-stuff took over and ignited a simmering, romantic dance party as songs like “On Hold” fought back with beat drops. — R.R.
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Bleachers, Suki Waterhouse
Suki Waterhouse performs on the T-Mobile stage during the second day of Austin City Limits Festival, Oct. 23 2026.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Does love or heartache make music better? Yes.
Jack Antonoff recently split with actress Margaret Qualley, and Suki Waterhouse recently had a baby with “Twilight” superhunk Robert Pattinson. The two are on opposite sides of the love spectrum. So which makes for better music: heartbreak or honeymoon? Waterhouse began her set with an arrow to the chest and played with a disco ball heart behind her, singing songs of bliss like “My Fun” and “Good Looking.” Honestly, I want what she has — so badly. The music spoke to the hopeless romantics looking for Cupid’s arrow at ACL Fest.
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Jack Antonoff of Bleachers performs at the Austin City Limits Music Festival in Zilker Park on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026.
Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman
Ryan and Izzy McLagan, 7, left, dance with Matt and Stella Coccimiglio, 7, as they watch Bleachers perform at the Austin City Limits Music Festival in Zilker Park on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026.
MIkala Compton/Austin American-Statesman
Bleachers performs at the Austin City Limits Music Festival in Zilker Park on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026.
Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman
From left, Jillian Collin, Shy Render and Ryan Lucken dance to Bleachers in the mud at Austin City Limits Music Festival in Zilker Park on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026.
Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman
Jack Antonoff of Bleachers performs at the Austin City Limits Music Festival in Zilker Park on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026.
Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman
Inez Anderson, 10, and Lucinda Nine, 3, spin as they dance alongside Michelle Everidge and Carlos R Nine to Bleachers at the Austin City Limits Music Festival in Zilker Park on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026.
Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman
Jillian Collin, right, and Gracie Amiss, left, dance to Bleachers at the Austin City Limits Music Festival in Zilker Park on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026.
MIkala Compton/Austin American-Statesman
Bleachers performs at the Austin City Limits Music Festival in Zilker Park on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026.
Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman
Jack Antonoff of Bleachers performs at the Austin City Limits Music Festival in Zilker Park on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026.
Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman
With Bleachers, Antonoff brought a renewed fire to his live show, leading his band through hits like “I Wanna Get Better.” He even brought his dad out to play a song midway through the set. His performance felt reinvigorated as the virtuoso musician-producer channeled his passion. The result? Two of the most emotionally charged performances of the weekend. — M.S.
Geese
Geese performs at the Austin City Limits Music Festival in Zilker Park on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman
The Brooklyn 20-somethings trolled Texas sports fans with a video intro showing highlights from this summer’s NBA Finals, in which their Knicks bested our Spurs. As footage of OG Anunoby’s miracle tip-in played on-screen, the art rockers began noodling. Their fast-tracked fame is thanks in part to their management’s use of stream-boosting social media manipulation, but Cameron Winter and co. proved they are Gen Z’s sulking, weirdo answer to the Smashing Pumpkins — R.R.
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Brandon Flowers
Brandon Flowers performs at Austin City Limits Music Festival on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026.
Rob Loud/Provided by Austin City Limits Music Festival
“That was a little bit of country. How about a little rock and roll?” Killers frontman Brandon Flowers asked the Miller Lite stage on Friday. Then he went into “When You Were Young,” an enduring 20-year-old anthem bolstered by its timeless inclusion in “Guitar Hero.” He later played the still-stirring “All These Things That I’ve Done.” The two standards folded beautifully into his “Thrasher”-first set. That’s his heralded new Americana album. The ACL hall-of-famer is pure charisma and all blue collar grind, lording over a seven-piece band with impeccable timing. — Ramon Ramirez
Audrey Hobert
Audrey Hobert performs at the Austin City Limits Music Festival in Zilker Park on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman
Sue me, she’s weird but I love her. Audrey Hobert is relatable. She dances around onstage the way kids come up with choreography at sleepovers. Hobert came out wearing a ridiculously long trench coat and a comical disguise mask while standing on a ladder. Under it, she wore another, shorter trench coat. Hobert’s lyricism, from “Thirst Trap” to “Phoebe,” landed perfectly with Gen Z and millennial fans. She graced the crowd with her TikTok-famous song “Sue Me,” not once but twice. The first time she ran around the stage as everyone grabbed clips on their phones. The second time, she told fans to put away their phones. And as the sun came out and the sky cleared for the first time, I reached euphoria. – A.G
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Lola Young
Lola Young performs on the American Express stage on the second day of ACL, Oct. 3, 2026.
Sara Diggins / Austin American-Statesman
Lola Young performs on the American Express stage on the second day of ACL, Oct. 3, 2026.
Sara Diggins / Austin American-Statesman
After a few difficult years for an artist who skyrocketed to stardom only to crash almost as quickly, Lola Young’s set felt like redemption in the best way. She looked happy, healthy and genuinely grateful to be there. As Young closed with “Messy,” her biggest hit, the sun broke through the clouds for the first time all weekend. Just before the chorus, she paused to tell the crowd, “And let me tell you something, ACL: it is absolutely allowed” — a nod to the song’s message about showing up as your authentic self. As the tiniest sliver of sunlight streaked orange across the sky, it felt poetic for an artist who finally seems to be stepping into a brighter chapter. — K.P.
Leon Thomas
Leon Thomas performs on the Miller Lite Stage during the first day of Austin City Limits Festival, Oct. 2, 2026.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
The former Nickelodeon star has fully shed that skin, and his evening set on opening day of the festival is proof. One of just a few R&B artists on the lineup, Thomas wasn’t afraid to stick to his contemporary take on the genre. Paired with his signature black beret-style cap, his soulful vocals make him feel much older than his 33 years.
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He took brief breaks from crooning to hit the drums, much to the crowd’s delight, and his steady stream of visualizers projected in the background brought his songs to life. They also evoked another era. In the past, he’s called these “fine art backdrops” and said he intentionally hires directors who harness their raw enthusiasm through their work. He brought his own raw energy to the audience Friday, with the heartbreaking hit “Mutt” a fitting closer. — Julianna Duennes Russ
Balu Brigada
Balu Brigada performs on the T-Mobile stage on the second day of ACL, Oct. 3, 2026.
Sara Diggins / Austin American-Statesman
Balu Brigada performs on the T-Mobile stage on the second day of ACL, Oct. 3, 2026.
Sara Diggins / Austin American-Statesman
I’ve said it thrice, and I’ll say it again: New Zealand’s Balu Brigada is the next big thing in rock. Despite Saturday’s unexpected weather delay and half of the field being closed, the band had people hyped for songs like “Backseat” and “So Cold.” Brothers Henry and Pierre Beasley even pulled out a new song called “Bedhead.” If you manage to pull yourself out of bed early next Saturday, this one’s a can’t-miss set. You‘ll kick yourself over the next couple years if you don’t see them now. — M.S.
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Palace
Palace performs on the Miller Lite stage during the second day of Austin City Limits Festival, Oct. 3, 2026.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Palace’s evening set on the Miller Lite stage was chill, vibey and everything this longtime fan was looking for. The British alt-rock band broke out classics like “Bitter, Lover (Don’t Let Me Down)” and my favorite, “Let’s Go Swimming.” With their new album on the projector behind the band, lead singer Leo Wyndham was smiling at his bandmates when the crowd started dancing to their new songs. — Sanchalli Singh
Rusowsky
Rusowsky and his band played at the Beatbox stage on Friday Oct. 2, 2026.
Ana Gutierrez/American-Statesman
Rusowsky (Ruslán Mediavilla) is the future of music production. The Spanish singer most recently produced and was featured on Karol G’s hit “BbY WOW” alongside Judeline. Rusowsky is tapping into sounds that are unlike anything you’ve heard: a little bit of flamenco and a little bit of bachata, all mixed with brainrot. His band, dressed in black bob wigs, complemented this sound, most notably with an incredible flute player. He switched between English and Spanish during songs like “pink+pink” and “BBY ROMEO.” The crowd echoed his sound with palmas flamencas, singing and moshing to his more electronic tracks. — A.G.
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Cure For Paranoia
Cure for Paranoia performs at the Austin City Limits Music Festival in Zilker Park on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026.
MIkala Compton/Austin American-Statesman
Cure for Paranoia performs at the Austin City Limits Music Festival in Zilker Park on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026.
Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman
Fans cheer for Cure for Paranoia at the Austin City Limits Music Festival in Zilker Park on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026.
Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman
Cure for Paranoia performs at the Austin City Limits Music Festival in Zilker Park on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026.
Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman
Cure for Paranoia performs at the Austin City Limits Music Festival in Zilker Park on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026.
Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman
Cure for Paranoia performs at the Austin City Limits Music Festival in Zilker Park on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026.
Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman
Remember when Malcolm Gladwell said it takes 10,000 hours to master a subject? Dallas rapper Cameron McCloud has put in the work. In 2025, the frontman of the Dallas hip-hop and soul collective challenged himself to write and post one original rap verse a day to Instagram for an entire year. Working through mental health issues, including diagnoses of bipolar disorder and paranoid schizophrenia, he considered it both a creative and therapeutic exercise. When his mother, his biggest champion, died midway through the year, it pushed him to work harder. Practice works. As his skills became sharper, his follower count ballooned from roughly 10,000 to more than 600,000. This year, the group beat more than 6,000 other acts to win National Public Radio’s Tiny Desk Contest.
At ACL Fest the crew raised vibrations at an afternoon marked by immaculate wordplay, positive affirmations and some of the weekend’s most strident political commentary on “WTF (Where The Files)”. — D.S.S.
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Lykke Li
Lykke Li performs at the Austin City Limits Music Festival in Zilker Park on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026.
Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman
The 40-year-old Swedish songwriter is a veteran of the indie sleaze days. Cuts like “Little Bit” were popular enough online that a young Drake remixed them in 2009. But her brooding, richly layered pop performance on Saturday night was all peacocking sashay. It’s unclear whether the plastic stage wrapping was weather protection or intentional, but it added decorative flair that obfuscated the screens, blending crowd shots into one faceless mass of humanity. — R.R.
Grocery Bag
Grocery Bag performs on the BMI stage on the first day of ACL, Oct. 2, 2026.
Sara Diggins / Austin American-Statesman
Grocery Bag performs on the BMI stage on the first day of ACL, Oct. 2, 2026.
Sara Diggins / Austin American-Statesman
In our pre-fest planning meetings, this was my “watch this space” band. After catching part of Grocery Bag’s set during South by Southwest, the Austin garage-rock group seemed on its way to becoming the city’s next hometown success story. I stand by that. Grocery Bag is loud, scrappy and impossible not to bop your head to. More importantly, the band was a reminder that even in an era when ACL is defined by blockbuster headliners, there’s still room for local artists to breakout. — K.P.
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Noga Erez
Noga Erez performs at the Austin City Limits Music Festival in Zilker Park on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman
Wearing a baggy, sleeveless sweater-and-tie combo like a ‘90s hip-hop dancer, the Israeli rapper sang anti-war songs with fatalist flair. “I hope you know the world is ending — but don’t be so sad about it,” she postured on one. “If you want a happy ending let’s just start a war with Thailand,” she barked on another. — R.R.
Dolly Parton ‘9 to 5’ drag tribute
Extragrams hosted a drag tribute to Dolly Parton on the Bonus Tracks stage at Austin City Limits Music Festival 2026 on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026.
Ashley Osborn/Provided by Austin City Limits
This rhinestone-bedazzled double helping of Southern-fried sass kicked off with “Jolene,” climaxed with a Dolly and Whitney “I Will Always Love You” duet and concluded with more than half a dozen performers from Extragrams onstage dancing to “Light of a Clear Blue Morning” as fans sang, “Everything’s gonna be all right/ It’s gonna be okay,” at the top of their lungs. A welcome shot of queer joy deep in the heart of Texas. — D.S.S.
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Marlon Funaki
A fan dances as Marlon Funaki performs at the Austin City Limits Music Festival in Zilker Park on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026.
Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman
Marlon Funaki performs at the Austin City Limits Music Festival in Zilker Park on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026.
Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman
Marlon Funaki performs at the Austin City Limits Music Festival in Zilker Park on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026.
Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman
Los Angeles singer-songwriter Marlon Funaki has Japanese and Mexican roots, and presents as a distinct, cool rock star. So distinct that I think he’s pioneering a new genre of rock. It’s called “cool guy rock,” and it’s distinctly Gen Z, baked in a world of promotional Reels where bands play in a kitchen to catch your eye. Imagine the post-rock, ethereal guitars pioneered by bands such as Explosions in the Sky — only the drummer and bassist are grooving. Smooth enough for curious watchers to sway along to effective, but often simple, progressions.
Funaki and his three-piece band sport sunglasses. They wear monochrome T-shirts with chains dangling above them (men’s fashion so of the moment even Mark Zuckerberg wears one.) Funaki pulls off the black cowboy hat, in part, because he wears cool boots and several silver rings.
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“I am just a man who is all alone,” he sings, slyly. Not for long brother, you’ll have to shake off the fans with a stick after this one.
Dexter and the Moonrocks
James Tuffs of Dexter and the Moonrocks performs at the Austin City Limits Music Festival in Zilker Park on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman
Fresh off performing the viral hit “Freakin’ Out” on Jimmy Fallon, these Abilene rockers arrived on the AmEx stage ready for the mud with Attitude Era flair. The drummer wrote a curse word on his kickdrum. They wore camo pants and gave the crowd the finger as singer James Tuffs snarled, “Here’s your ‘Free Bird.'” Take that, Mom and Dad. — R.R.
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Villanelle
Villanelle performs on the American Express stage during the third day of Austin City Limits Festival at Zilker Park, Oct. 4, 2026.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
It was immediately obvious that Villanelle’s Gene Gallagher, one of the cockiest kids I’ve ever seen, was Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher’s son. I don’t care much for nepo babies and didn’t want to like the band, but these young rockers ripped. Gallagher inherited his dad’s snide, don’t-care attitude and is modernizing sleek-slacker Brit rock for a new generation. It’s too bad the crowd seemed disinterested. It was overcast and drizzling, which made the whole set feel very English. “Look at you lot down in the mud, making me feel at home,” Gallagher commented. I think they have the swagger and potential to be contenders in the next few years. — M.S.
Worst of ACL Festival 2026
The mud
A discarded boot remains stuck in deep mud at the Austin City Limits Music Festival in Zilker Park on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman
Enemy No. 1 for festgoers this year. Many shoes became casualties as festgoers trudged through a slimy mess that grew soupier as each day wore on. One of our writers sludged a phone too.
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The mulch
Guest services shovels mulch to help soak up puddles at the Austin City Limits Music Festival in Zilker Park on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026.
Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman
It attracted gnats. Fine, I’d rather deal with gnats than my skin burning in the sun, but it’s not pleasant when the little bugs fly right in your face like they’re ready to give you a kiss. — M.S.
I know it’s not Dillo Dirt, but it stinks and there’s something about it that had my throat absolutely wrecked by Sunday. I know I shouldn’t complain because at least it’s not clouds of dust, but if I still have to wear a bandana on my face stagecoach-robber style, is there really a difference? — K.P.
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Skrillex
Skrillex performs at Austin City Limits Music Festival on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026.
Roger Ho/Provided by Austin City Limits Music Festival
An area man whose lock screen featured a pic of his black Lab offered this reporter a popper. Then he asked who was onstage. That’d be the longtime meme DJ whose most noteworthy drop samples a YouTube cup-stacking champion. The 38-year-old pressed play on booming, unrelenting noise and later, mainstream rap songs by Ken Carson and Chief Keef. The muddy rave was as lit as it was nihilistic. At least he had a spaceship in 2016. — R.R.
The Chainsmokers, Steve Aoki on side stages
The Chainsmokers perform at the Austin City Limits Music Festival in Zilker Park on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026.
Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman
Not sure whose idea it was to put The Chainsmokers on the Snapchat stage. The space was disproportionately small considering the duo’s popularity. Sure, their biggest hits came out around 2016, but they have enough era-defining hits to draw thousands of Gen Z and younger millennial festgoers. They played right before headliners Charli xcx and Skrillex on a stage in the middle of the park, meaning a mass of people watching The Chainsmokers became nearly impassable for people trying to move toward the biggest stages at the opposite ends of Zilker Park.
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Another issue: Steve Aoki on the Tito’s stage. The crowd spilled out on every side of the small tent. It was so crowded, I bet there was at least one person standing inside one of the stage-adjacent porta potties just to get a glimpse at the veteran DJ. The most dedicated fans camped out at the barricade with signs reading “Cake Me.” Austin’s Sugar Mama’s Bake Shop made 10 sheet cakes that Aoki flung at the audience, but for people in the back they may as well have been sheets of paper flying in the wind. — M.S.
Finn Wolfhard
Finn Wolfhard performs at the Austin City Limits Music Festival in Zilker Park on Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026.
Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman
Hollywood actors sometimes make music in bands that enjoy shortcuts onto large stages because they are of a higher social ilk. The “Stranger Things” star’s Rickenbacker-strummed garage rock struggled to lift muddy spirits, as the 23-year-old Canadian sparked dozens of confounding looks. Like seeing your co-worker’s band with your other co-workers on a Tuesday. He sang a piano ballad where he didn’t play the piano himself, but it felt like he should have been playing the piano because he was going for piano balladeer. He said a closing bit of a song featured the “Finn Wolfhard’s childrens choir” and sang in childish, high-pitched “la-las.” And when there weren’t enough songs to fill the void, he played a defensive note-for-note cover of “You Don’t Know How It Feels” by Tom Petty. With harmonica. — R.R.
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No crossover from Charli xcx, Lorde
Charli xcx headlines Austin City Limits Music Festival on Friday, Oct. 2, 2026.
Henry Redcliffe/Provided by Austin City Limits Music Festival
Some fans were disappointed that Charli xcx didn’t bring Lorde onstage for their collab, “Girl, so confusing,” especially after Lorde was seen dancing on the side of the stage during Charli’s set. Lorde also didn’t bring Charli out when she played “Girl, so confusing” the next day. Fingers crossed for a Weekend 2 crossover. — M.S.
Rebecca Black
The XX headline Austin City Limits Music Festival in Zilker Park on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman
The XX headline Austin City Limits Music Festival in Zilker Park on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman
The XX headline Austin City Limits Music Festival in Zilker Park on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman
The XX headline Austin City Limits Music Festival in Zilker Park on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman
The XX headline Austin City Limits Music Festival in Zilker Park on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman
The XX headline Austin City Limits Music Festival in Zilker Park on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman
The XX headline Austin City Limits Music Festival in Zilker Park on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman
The XX headline Austin City Limits Music Festival in Zilker Park on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman
The XX headline Austin City Limits Music Festival in Zilker Park on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026.
Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman
Rebecca Black was like Charli xcx’s backwash. She has come a long way since she became a 13-year-old internet meme for the song “Friday,” and her choreography is stellar. But it felt like she was trying to copy other artists making club-kid dance pop and falling short. “Miss Delicious” and some of her other songs felt too similar to Christina Aguilera’s “Candyman” era. — M.S.
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Woke lyrics with no substance
Jesse Wells performs on the T-Mobile stage during the first day of Austin City Limits Festival, Oct. 2, 2026.
Sara Diggins/Austin American-Statesman
Jesse Welles was polarizing for the Statesman team. Up front during his set, Ramon Ramirez found this singer-songwriter amazing. The team members listening from the press tent had a different reaction:
We love that you try to be accepting and welcoming. But lyrics like, “It won’t matter if you’re neocon or a MAGA democrat” and, “The 401(k)s are slaying” made us roll our eyes. We get the point. We just think there’s a more poetic way to express those views. — A.G.
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Musically, the folk artist helped us catch a vibe, but the shallow lyrics were distracting. My worst moment came during “Bugs” — a well-intentioned song about enjoying nature — when the phrase “stinky stink bugs” made me full-body cringe. — K.P.