As one of the longest-running music festivals in American history, Austin City Limits celebrated another successful year in Zilker Park. A destination for music fans from around the world, this year’s festivities were arguably the biggest to date. The first day featured some of the biggest names in music, celebrated the industry’s newest voices, and offered everything in between over the course of the weekend.
Kicking off the weekend, one of the most storied country acts in Austin history, Asleep at the Wheel, took the stage for their 24th consecutive ACL, setting the tone for the weekend. The only band to have played every year of the festival since its inception, this legacy act had no problem drawing a crowd, as fans lined up early at the barricade to watch them inaugurate the speakers. Over the years, the group has become synonymous with the soul of Texas country music, and they put on a clinic in showmanship, waking up the crowd early with their upbeat and homespun twang.
One of the country genre’s biggest breakout musicians of the year, California artist Dasha took the main stage for a midday showcase of her young talents. In a much-anticipated performance, fans flocked to the American Express stage to show their support. Her energy was contagious from the first seconds of her performance, as she leapt onto the stage and began with her recent hit “What Happens Now?” Staying true to form, her setlist ran the gamut of her range as she performed a full repertoire, including “Leaving Don’t Mean Goodbye,” “Even Cowboys Cry,” and “King of California.” Ending with a bang, she finished her set on an appropriate note, closing with her TikTok-famous single “Austin (Boots Stop Working).”
As the sun set over the Texas crowd, producer and indie pop act Porter Robinson closed out the Miller Lite stage for the evening. Known primarily for his contributions to the EDM scene, Robinson thrilled fans when he walked out with an electric guitar to deliver an upbeat, emo-pop-style show, opening with his recent hit “Knock Yourself Out XD.” A large inflatable cat beside him served as the centerpiece of an ambiance reminiscent of the early 2010s pop-punk aesthetic, adding to the production’s identity and the artist's unique style. His performance showcased a well-rounded selection of his music over the years, including “Mona Lisa,” “Something Comforting,” and “Sad Machine,” even covering MGMT’s 2007 hit “Kids.”
Closing out the night on the Honda stage, Titans of the Warped Tour generation blink-182 gave a rousing performance that showcased their decades together as a band. In their first ACL appearance since reuniting with original member Tom DeLonge, fans showed up in masses to witness the event, despite the competing allure of country superstar Chris Stapleton’s set across the park. As the band walked onstage to a dramatic overture, they wasted no time, launching directly into their 2003 single “Feeling This.” “I’m going to be honest, I came to mess with Texas,” bassist Mark Hoppus quipped early in the show, setting the tone for the sarcastic humor they displayed throughout the evening. The trio spent the hours playing a full range of hits from their time together, including “All the Small Things,” “What’s My Age Again?” and “Up All Night,” leaving little to be desired in their setlist. Blink’s reunion with DeLonge and the mended relationships among the members were conveyed through their music in a heartfelt way that was not lost on longtime fans. Late in the set, the band decided to cover “When Your Heart Stops Beating” and “There Is,” from blink-182 spin-off projects +44 and Box Car Racer, respectively, symbolizing the repair of past rifts. Ending with gusto and heartfelt affection, the band sent fans into the night with the marquee single from their latest album and reunion tour, performing “One More Time” as fans sang along with every lyric.
