Austin City Limits Music Festival is making its return to Zilker Park for the event’s 21st year this weekend and the following (Oct 6-8 and 13-15). Once again, the festival will feature two weekends jam-packed with music, from huge names to rising stars. Here are five lesser-known acts and five classics you should check out:
The Rising Acts
Michigander
Indie rocker Michigander’s most-played song on Spotify is “Misery,” an anthemic cut led by vocalist Jason Singer’s lush vocals and driving guitars. But he might have a contender for a new top song soon in the recently released, catchy track “Superglue.” It Will Never Be the Same, the EP on which “Superglue” appears, also features a collaboration with alt-rock stalwarts Manchester Orchestra (“In My Head”). Michigander is scheduled to perform on the Honda Stage on Sunday (10/8) at 12:45 p.m.
Suki Waterhouse
With just one LP and one EP under her belt, Suki Waterhouse is already drawing a passionate fan base. The Milk Teeth EP showcased the rising pop star’s versatility, from the rocking “Neon Signs” to the atmospheric “Coolest Place in the World.” 2023 has also brought a trio of new singles that showcase Suki Waterhouse: “Every Day’s a Lesson in Humility” (a collaboration with Belle & Sebastian), “NYE” (a collaboration with Local Natives), and “To Love.” Suki Waterhouse is scheduled to perform on the Miller Lite Stage on Sunday (10/8) at 3:15 p.m.
Die Spitz
With scuzzy, chugging guitar riffs and guttural vocals, Austin’s very own Die Spitz will set off Saturday’s festivities with a (sonic) kick in the face. The band’s new record, 2023’s Teeth, mashes up a bunch of headbanging flavors together, like hardcore punk, garage rock, grunge, and metal. Die Spitz are scheduled to perform on the Tito’s Stage on Saturday (10/7) at 11:45 a.m.
Shooks
Shooks, another band that calls Austin home, will bring their reverb-filled guitar riffs, bursts of bright synths, and hazy, slow-burning vocals to the stage. Pulsing cuts like “O2” and “Rum!” evoke the likes of MGMT and early Tame Impala. Shooks are scheduled to perform on the Tito’s Stage on Saturday (10/7) at 12:45 p.m.
BigXthaPlug
Dallas rapper BigXthaPlug is carrying the torch for a new generation of southern hip hop. Standout track “Texas,” from 2023’s Amar, features a bit of country twang and BigX’s booming, drawling flow. BigXthaPlug is scheduled to perform on the Miller Lite Stage on Saturday (10/7) at 11:45 a.m.
The Established Acts
Foo Fighters
If Foo Fighters’ prior festival appearances this year are any indication, Dave Grohl often has a special trick up his sleeve to make a set unique and memorable (see: bringing out Michael Bublé at Outside Lands; collaborating with Paramore’s Hayley Williams at Bonnaroo). Otherwise, the iconic rock band’s festival sets this summer have been rock solid with the Foo Fighters’ crowd-pleasing hits like “Learn to Fly,” “My Hero,” and “Everlong.” Foo Fighters are scheduled to perform on the American Express Stage on Saturday (10/7) at 8 p.m.
Shania Twain
Shania Twain is making a relatively uncommon festival appearance at ACL. (This is her last festival performance that’s on the docket in 2023.) Her recent headlining sets have been full of iconic hits like “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!”, “That Don’t Impress Me Much,” and “Any Man of Mine,” while also incorporating her more recent output, like the 2023 single “Giddy Up!” Shania Twain is scheduled to perform on the Honda Stage on Saturday (10/7) at 8:15 p.m.
The Mars Volta
It’ll be a home state show for El Paso’s The Mars Volta. Headed up by Omar Rodriguez-Lopez and Cedric Bixler-Zavala, the experimental rockers recently showed a more low-key side with latest record Qué Dios Te Maldiga Mí Corazón, which delivered acoustic takes on the songs from their self-titled 2022 album. The Mars Volta are scheduled to perform on the Miller Lite Stage on Friday (10/6) at 7:10 p.m.
Rina Sawayama
If you saw John Wick: Chapter 4, you likely took notice of Rina Sawayama’s scene-stealing support role (as well as the pulsing song “Eye for an Eye,” as heard in the closing credits). The hyper pop artist also just dropped another new collaboration (“Kiss Me”) with Empress Of. Rina Sawayama is scheduled to perform on the Honda Stage on Saturday (10/7) at 4 p.m.
Hozier
In the folksy rock department, there are plenty of great options at ACL, including Mumford & Sons, The Lumineers, Noah Kahan, and Hozier. The latter’s newest offering, 2023’s Unreal Unearth, has been well received – delivering some lush and eclectic instrumentation while showcasing Hozier’s sonorous vocal chops. Hozier is scheduled to perform on the American Express Stage on Sunday (10/8) at 6:15 p.m.
