As I walked into Zilker Park, my weather app blared a scorching 90 degrees beneath clear skies. Waves of festival-goers shuffled through security like a slow-motion stampede, spilling onto the grounds, in a torrent of excitement. The park stretched endlessly, cloaked in swirling clouds of dust, while thousands raced to catch the next performance.
Spanning two weekends in early October, the Austin City Limits (ACL) Music Festival celebrated its 50th anniversary with a lineup packed with heavy hitters like Dua Lipa, Tyler, the Creator, and Blink-182. As a seasoned festival-goer, I dove into this iconic event for the first time during its second weekend, joined by my girlfriends, Lauren and Emma, all of us eager to soak in the legendary ACL vibe.
ACL is truly a “come as you are” affair, with the majority showing up in cowboy boots. However, the eclectic outfits ranged from metallic ensembles, to classic cowboy hats, all screaming Texas pride. Festival-goers arrived unapologetically as themselves—men, women, and children—celebrating vibrant self-expression at every turn. Whether rocking a full-on festival look or just chilling in jeans and a tee, everyone was welcomed with open arms. It was a beautiful reminder that at ACL, everyone is part of the family. I met concertgoers who had been attending for decades, others visiting from out of town, and some who were venturing solo for the first time.
The weekend was packed with interactive events, like the DJ Jungle Set at the Concourse Project on Friday, and the Rolling Stone x Patron Tequila event at the South Congress Hotel on Sunday, where we caught an intimate performance by rising country star Dasha. These moments added extra layers to the experience, making it about so much more than just the music. I felt fully immersed in the ACL community, connecting with the city and the festival on a deeper level. Even amidst the crowds and swirling dust, the memories made with both old and new friends truly defined what made this festival special.
At times, the scale of the event was downright overwhelming. We were swept into massive crowds, occasionally feeling gridlocked within the crowd, despite the nine stages scattered throughout the park. Everything really is bigger in Texas, and ACL was no exception. “There are just too many people and not enough space between the stages,” Lauren sighed as we navigated the sea of bodies.
Simultaneous performances often drowned each other out, creating a chaotic backdrop that made it challenging to engage fully with any one artist. The sheer volume of sound and movement underscored the festival’s energy, but left us craving those moments of connection that felt just out of reach.
This year’s lineup leaned heavily toward pop and country, with just a sprinkle of R&B and rap artists, so there weren’t a whole lot of genres represented. Many festival-goers we chatted with in the guest lounge, particularly the locals from Austin, expressed frustrations about the noticeable lack of diversity compared to previous years. One attendee lamented the absence of “heavy hitters” like Lil Uzi Vert, Cardi B, and SZA, who have graced ACL stages in the past. Despite mixed feelings about the lineup, a few standout performances left their mark, including those by Renee Rapp, DJ Jungle, Chappell Roan, Remi Wolf, and Tyler, the Creator.
Renee Rapp and Chappell Roan closed out their tours during ACL’s final weekend, delivering performances that were nothing short of showstoppers. Their vibrant energy and unapologetic pride resonated throughout the festival grounds, as both artists embraced the moment. I had never seen Chappell Roan live before, and witnessing her command the massive American Express stage was electrifying.
Roan created intimate moments amidst the crowd, playfully calling out fans who were too “prideful” to dance to her infectious hit, “Hot To Go.” “It’s really weird that you aren’t dancing to this,” she quipped, daring the audience to let loose. Her infectious spirit inspired everyone around her—men, women, families—all caught up in the joy of the moment.
Even with the dust swirling—an ongoing struggle for performers—Roan delivered a breathtaking performance that ended on a high note. Concertgoers around me confided that they had purchased Sunday festival tickets solely for her show, and the excitement in the air was palpable. It was clear she was Sunday’s undeniable star.
Unfortunately, we missed performances from Vince Staples and other artists due to the overlapping festival schedule, amplifying our FOMO. It stung even more because we couldn’t fully immerse ourselves in the rich tapestry of Black culture that felt somewhat lacking during the second weekend. For many festival-goers, seeing their identities and interests reflected in the lineup is crucial. Sadly, there were moments when it felt like we were the only ones in the room, especially in a city like Austin, where Black experiences often go unnoticed. Each missed performance felt like a lost opportunity to connect with the music, artistry, and experiences that are essential to the festival’s spirit.
While the Austin City Limits Music Festival delivered a memorable experience with vibrant performances and a rich culture of self-expression, it also highlighted areas for improvement. The lineup’s lack of diversity compared to previous years was a notable concern among attendees, particularly for those seeking more inclusive representation of genres and artists. Given this was their 50th anniversary, expectations for greater diversity should be expected, not asked for. Additionally, the overwhelming scale of the festival could detract from the intimate connections one hopes to forge with both the music and fellow festival-goers. Simultaneous performances occasionally created an auditory chaos that made it difficult to engage deeply with individual artists. Moving forward, a more thoughtfully curated lineup prioritizing diverse voices and a slightly restructured layout to improve crowd flow, could enhance the festival experience and allow attendees to fully immerse themselves in the magic that ACL has to offer.
Throughout the weekend, I realized that the festival’s true originality lies not just in the performances but in the vibrant culture built around it. Everywhere I turned, interactive experiences beckoned us to dive in—from crafting our own bandanas to snagging unique finds from Austin’s local vendors. And let’s not forget the cowboy hats—finding one was easier than spotting a selfie stick in a crowd! The essence of Austin radiated from every corner, inviting us not only to revel in the music but also to fully embrace the wild, eclectic spirit that defines the festival experience. This celebration of culture has thrived for the last 50 years, reminding us of the profound connections forged in the heart of Austin.
