ACL Fest returns to Zilker Park October 6-8 & 13-15
One hundred different performers will take the stage at Austin’s annual music festival this October. With close to 450,000 people flocking to the “green” grass of Zilker Park to catch performances from talented musicians all over the world, sometimes it can be easy to forget what the “A” in ACL stands for. To that end, KUTX has compiled a list of every Austin artist set to perform at the festival this year, along with reasons why you need to be at the barricade for each and every one of them.
– Darren Puccala
Both Weekends
Calder Allen
Calder Allen’s exemplifies the quintessential Austin singer-songwriter. Lyrically, the southern charm of this fifth-generation Austinite embodies a universal experience of love and nostalgia. The hometown kid returns to the ACL stage this October. A sense of familiarity and comfort will be present throughout his performance.
Calder Allen plays 2:45 – 3:30pm at the Titos stage Sat 10/7 and same time same place for weekend two 10/14.
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Ben Kweller
At the height of a critically acclaimed three-album run, including Sha Sha, On My Way, and Ben Kweller, singer-songwriter Kweller performed at ACL for the first time in 2006. Kweller is celebrating the 20th anniversary of his first album, Sha Sha. and fans are “Wasted and Ready” for his return.
Ben Kweller plays 3:00 – 4:00pm at the Miller Lite stage Sat 10/7 and same time same place for weekend two 10/14.
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Weekend One
Asleep At The Wheel
Austin’s original cowboys and Gen-Z vintage aesthetic obsessed will undoubtedly find themselves swaying and twirling to the sounds of western swing legends Asleep at the Wheel. Don’t miss the traditional ACL opener, and toss your cowboy hat higher than the ACL flags fly.
Asleep at the Wheel plays from 12:55-1:30pm at the Honda Stage Friday 10/6.
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Die Spitz
In a year that brought immense success to Austin’s female punk quartet, Die Spitz, bringing their signature “fuck you” attitude to ACL is only fitting. Primal and electrifying, Die Spitz has captivated venues in Austin from Mohawk to Studio 1A. Now, the lights will shine on them at Zilker Park.
Die Spitz plays from 11:45- 12:30pm at the Titos Stage Saturday 10/7.
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Shooks
Swooning vocals and distortion on any and all instruments elevate audiences to the frequency of Shooks. Melodic bass tabs and revolutionary lyrics immediately ground listeners. Expect the ground at Zilker to shake from stomping feet and the roar of the guitar.
Shooks plays from 12:45- 1:30pm at the Titos Stage Saturday 10/7.
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Wesley Bray and the Disciples of Joy
Wesley Bray and the Disciples of Joy are dedicated to spreading love through their music. The rhythm and blues gospel choir will be sure to elicit a general sense of peace and possibly an ear-to-ear smile. If you need a break from the orchestrated chaos of ACL, check them out.
Wesley Bray and the Disciples of Joy plays from 12:00- 12:45pm at the Titos Stage Sunday 10/8.
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Ellis Bullard
Is there any better way to describe Ellis Bullard’s music than with the title of their first and only album, Piss-Hot Freightlining Country Music? Ellis Bullard has curated a 23-minute album of honky tonk tracks capturing the life of a country rockstar. Let’s put the “Ranch” back in your $9 Ranch Water . Line dance your way to the front.
Ellis Bullard plays from 12:00- 12:45pm at the Barton Springs Stage Sunday 10/8.
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Jane Leo
Synthpop reverberates throughout the park, as catchy new wave dance ballads spring from the guitar, keys, and vocals of Jane Leo. Our March artist of the month began 2023 with the release of their eponymous first album. The duo has cemented themselves as a can’t-miss performance, and their inevitable masterclass at ACL will be no exception.
Jane Leno plays from 1:00- 1:45pm at the Titos Stage Sunday 10/8.
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Grace Sorensen
Digit’s, the collab between Magna Carda and Grace Sorensen, was on our best songs of 2023 so far for a reason. R&B artist Grace Sorensen has become the newest voice of Austin R&B and hip-hop. She creates distinct and memorable vocal performances on every line. Hurried, slowed down, quiet and self-assured, every word of every lyric is powerful, relatable, and beautiful. Levitate to the sound of Sorensen’s voice and catch her performance this October.
Grace Sorensen plays from 1:30- 2:15 pm at the BMI Stage Sunday 10/8.
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Arya
Serbian national Arya spent about a decade and a half in Belgrade playing classical piano while also earning a Bachelor’s in Jazz. Now an Austinite, Arya takes her classical training and transforms it into daring, new, and authentically emotional pop-R&B.
Arya plays from 11:45 – 12:30 pm at the T-Mobile Stage Saturday 10/7.
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Weekend Two
Font
Font is a perfect example of why post-punk has endured the test of time since its heyday in the 80s. The guitar is captivating and the bass is as groovy as you could want – pair that with Font’s electrifying chants and this might be the biggest pit Zilker has ever seen. With a band this exciting it’s not enough to just see them once – make sure to catch Font at ACL and at Levitation for our 10th birthday series!
Font plays from 12:55-1:40pm at the American Express stage Friday 10/13.
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We Don’t Ride Llamas
The sibling afro-rock sensation, We Don’t Ride Llamas, was born out of the game “Rock Band,” and now find themselves playing on the ACL stage in October. The quartet combines their love for astrology, sci-fi, and anime with groovy bass lines and gnarly riffs to create mesmerizing rock anthems.
We Don’t Ride Llamas plays from 1:40-2:25pm at the Miller Lite stage Friday 10/13.
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Jimmie Vaughan
Vaughan has been making magic with the guitar since before a lot of us at KUTX were born. Few artists have been more influential to the Austin music scene than this seasoned blues legend. Make sure to pay tribute to a legend this October when he takes the stage at ACL.
Jimmie Vaughan and the Tilt-A-Whirl band plays from 12:55-1:40pm at the Honda stage Friday 10/13.
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Nemegata
Nemegata might be the best thing to happen to Cumbia and psych-rock. They’re probably the best thing to happen to many other genres, too. The trio seem to pull something new out of a magician’s hat with every release. One of the best live shows around on any given night. ACL crowds will see why Austin can’t get enough of their sound.
Nemegata plays from 12:00-12:45pm at the Honda stage Friday 10/13.
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Nemegata performing in KUTX Studio 1A
BLAKCHYL
East Austin’s BLAKCHYL has an underdog mentality that comes from a tenured career in the Austin music scene and a steadily growing fanbase. The hip-hop artist’s tracks combine clever bars with a delivery that matches any beat thrown at her. BLAKCHYL’s energy has dominated every stage and ACL, her biggest stage yet, will be no different.
BLAKCHYL plays from 11:45 – 12:30pm at the Titos stage Saturday 10/14.
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The Moriah Sisters
If you’re at ACL on a Sunday and want to both listen to music and worship, the Moriah Sisters have you covered. Their gospel music can hang with the grooviest acts on any lineup, especially ACL. These sisters will have you jumping and dancing all while keeping six-inches for Jesus.
The Moriah Sisters plays from 12:00-12:45pm at the Titos stage Sunday 10/15.
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Caramelo Haze
What do you think happens when you bring together a group of producers, songwriters, and multi-instrumentalists? Musical lightning in a bottle. At least that’s the case with Caramelo Haze. We were happy to host Caramelo Haze’s first-ever live performance. Now, we are more than happy to see them bring their musical melting pot to ACL.
Carmelo Haze plays from 3:15- 4:15pm at the BMI stage Sunday 10/15.
Quin Nfn
Quin Nfn brings a powerful mentality to recording tracks; he gets in the studio simply to “talk shit.” Quin Nfn is one the most notorious artists to come out of Austin, giving him national attention and celebrity status at local venues. Now, Quin Nfn takes his commanding sound and rapid hard-hitting bars to ACL.
Quin Nfn plays from 2:00-2:45pm at the Titos stage Sunday 10/15.
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Kathryn Legendre
In a lineup full of Austin music legends, especially in a genre as true to Texas as country, Kathryn Legendre has cemented herself as another can’t-miss performance. Paving a way for women in country, Legendre has been nominated for the Austin Music Awards “Best Country Artist.” Catering to the old souls of Austin and relating to the new kids in the city, Kathryn has everything you could want.
Kathryn Legendre plays from 12:00-12:45pm at the Barton Springs stage Sunday 10/15.
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Huston-Tillotson University’s Jazz Collective
I can’t imagine a more difficult decision during ACL than finding the perfect spot to fully experience Huston-Tillotson’s Jazz Collective. With an ensemble of talent this deep, no solo can be missed and no “stank face” is exaggerated enough. No matter what spot you land on, you’ll be swinging and moving far from it by the time these cats are done cooking.
Huston-Tillotson University’s Jazz Collective plays from 1:15-2:00pm at the Tito’s stage Sunday 10/15.
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Rattlesnake Milk
Here’s something to sink your fangs into: Cowpunk taking you out on long and dusty highways, crushing country and rock together and cranking up the speed, then rubbing a cigarette out on your face at the end. Nice.
Rattlesnake Milk plays from 1:15 – 2:00 pm at the BMI stage Saturday 10/14.
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The Barton Hills Choir
If you’re wondering what an elementary school choir is doing at ACL Fest, you haven’t seen this guileless group of kids in action. Under the direction of Gavin Tabone, the choir takes on everything from Pink Floyd to the Flaming Lips to Belle and Sebastain, and has collaborated with many of them as well. An unexpected delight. Expect surprise guests.
The Barton Hills Choir plays from 11:30 – 12:00 pm at Austin Kiddie Limits Saturday 10/14.
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