Austin City Limits 2021 Preview

Honda Stage

Miley Cyrus, 8:00 PM – 9:30 PM

As The Soup would say, “It’s Miley!!!” The one-and-only Miley Cyrus has done everything and more, and you know it. The daughter of Achy Breaky Billy Ray Cyrus (which has become a footnote in her biography), she’s been one of the most successful artists of the twenty-first century. Yes, she was Hannah Montana, yet has managed to come out of being a Disney star into her own giant career under her own name. She’s had massive hits like “Party in the U.S.A.” and “Wrecking Ball”. She introduced twerking to all the white folks who’d never heard of it. She’s worked with the likes of alt-psych icons The Flaming Lips and DJ/producer Mike Will Made It (QRO photos with Mike Will Made It) for Miley Cyrus & Her Dead Petz. She’s coached on The Voice; she’s done great covers of classics from across the spectrum. Now she headlines Austin City Limits – look for some big-name surprise guest stars like she brought out at her Lollapalooza (QRO 2021 recap). It’s Miley!!!

Megan Thee Stallion, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM

From freestyling on Instagram to massive success for thee Megan Thee Stallion. She had a hit mixtape, 2019’s Fever, hit EP, last year’s Suga, hit LP, last year’s Good News. Her “Savage (Remix)”, featuring Beyoncé, was a number one hit, as was the song that got everyone hot, when she was featured on Cardi B’s one-and-only “WAP”. Grammy winner for Best New Artist, one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people in the world, catch her on the big stage, but get there early, as you know there’s going to be a so-big-she-should-be-headlining crowd (QRO photos at a 2021 festival) in her second Austin City Limits Festival in a row.

Machine Gun Kelly, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM

While he came up with rapid machine gun fire rapping (QRO photos from a decade ago), Machine Gun Kelly (QRO photos at a festival) has since blasted into being a full-fledged crossover star. Most recent record, Tickets To My Downfall, brought pop-punk to the top of the Billboard charts. He’s even acted, like in hit horror Bird Box and playing Tommy Lee in Mötley Crüe biopic The Dirt. Oh, and he’s currently dating none other than Megan Fox, so look for her in the wings like at his surprise Lollapalooza set this year (QRO recap).

Nothing, Nowhere, 2:30 PM – 3:15 PM (Week One)

jxdn, :30 PM – 3:15 PM (Week Two)

Chattanooga’s Jaden Isaiah Hossler, or jxdn, burst to fame via TikTok, then getting the notice of Travis Barker with single “Comatose”. His debut album Tell Me About Tomorrow, produced by Barker and featuring fellow ACL ’21 performer Machine Gun Kelly (see just above), just came out – here’s hoping for a reunion with MGK in Austin.

Asleep At the Wheel, 1:00 PM – 1:45 PM (Week One)

Saleka, 1:00 PM – 1:45 PM (Week Two)

West Virginia-born, Austin-living Asleep At the Wheel (QRO photos at an Austin festival) having been bringing western swing since 1970, racking up not only nine Grammy Awards, but have also appeared at every single Austin City Limits Festival!

Miller Lite Stage

Chet Faker, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM (Week One)

Erykah Badu, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM (Week Two)

Melbourne electronic musician Nick Murphy started music as Chet Faker (QRO live review) and won a slew of awards down under before retiring the name and just going by Murphy (QRO photos) in 2016. However, with this year’s new single “Low”, he’s revived the Chet moniker (QRO photos at a festival), and now comes to Austin City Limits Festival (QRO photos at a festival).

No festival is complete without an acclaimed diva or two, and Austin City Limits got a good one in Erykah Badu (QRO photos at a festival). The Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter from right here in Texas (QRO photos in Texas) blazed the neo-soul trail, earning comparisons to the likes of Billie Holiday & Nina Simone. She (QRO photos at a festival) stirred up controversy with her video for “Window Seat” by stripping down completely – and illegally, in Dealey Plaza (inspired by the video for “Lessons Learned” by Matt & Kim – QRO photos of Matt & Kim with Badu at a festival). She’s been promising a new studio album since 2010’s New Amerykah Part Two, though has dropped big-name mixtapes like 2015’s But You Caint Use My Phone, but hopefully there will be a preview of new material as she returns to ACL (QRO photos at a 2021 festival).

Moses Sumney, 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Ghana-by-way-of-America Moses Sumney (QRO photos at a festival) combines styles. He comes back to Austin City Limits (QRO photos in Austin) behind last year’s sophomore full-length, Græ.

Also:

Skip Marley, 3:15 PM – 4:00 PM

Unusual Demont, 1:45 PM – 2:30 PM (Week One)

Daydream Masi, 1:45 PM – 2:30 PM (Week Two)

BMI Stage

Zella Day, 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM (Week One)

OMB Peezy, 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM (Week Two)

From out even further west in Arizona, singer/songwriter Zella Day (QRO interview) has slowly been building an impressive career (QRO spotlight on), and comes to Austin City Limits (QRO photos at a festival) behind this year’s Sunday In Heaven.

Also:

Carolesdaughter, 3:15 PM – 4:00 PM (Week One)

The Teeta, 3:15 PM – 4:00 PM (Week Two)

Bexley, 1:45 PM – 2:30 PM (Week One)

Lean Blevins, 1:45 PM – 2:30 PM (Week Two)

Vrbo Stage

Dermot Kennedy, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Catch the soul-bearing beauty of the impressive new Dermot Kennedy. The Irish singer-songwriter has been promoted by even the likes of countrymen U2. His single “Giants” (QRO review) last year was an ode to what 2020 could have been, with the video (QRO review) seeing him running through the empty COVID streets.

Finneas, 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM

While he’ll always be best known for producing & playing with his sister, a little artist called Billie Eilish (see below), Finneas has his own successful musical career, such as last year’s single “Can’t Wait To Be Dead” (QRO review). He has his second solo appearance at Austin City Limits just before the much-anticipated release of his debut full-length, The Optimist.

Emotional Oranges, 3:15 PM – 4:00 PM (Week One)

HINDS, 3:15 PM – 4:00 PM (Week Two)

An audio engineer for Drake and vocal couch for Adele met at a bat mitzvah, and the rest is Emotional Oranges.

From all the way over in Madrid, female foursome HINDS (QRO photos at a festival) have been charming folks on both sides of the Atlantic with their cheery, if not very original, garage-rock, like on last year’s The Prettiest Curse.

Claud, 1:45 PM – 2:30 PM

Come early for the non-binary bedroom pop of Claud (QRO photos), who comes to Austin City Limits behind this year’s debut studio album, Super Monster.

Tito’s Handmade Vodka Stage

Silent Disco, 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Lane 8, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM (Week Two)

Deep House Denver DJ Daniel Goldstein is Lane 8.

Also:

Disko Cowboy (Vinyl Ranch), 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Q, 2:30 PM – 3:15 PM

Audic Empire, 1:00 PM – 1:45 PM (Week One)

Riders Against the Storm, 1:00 PM – 1:45 PM (Week Two)

T-Mobile Stage

Jon Pardi, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM

The T-Mobile Stage brings the country on Day One of Austin City Limits ’21, headlined by Jon Pardi. Leaning more into the instrumentalist neotraditional country style (and thankfully not ‘new country’…), Pardi has had hits such as “Head Over Boots”, “Dirt On My Boots”, and some songs that don’t have to do with footwear. He plays his third ACL.

Tkay Maidza, 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM (Week One)

Leann Rimes, 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM (Week Two)

The Zimbabwe-born Australian singer/rapper Tkay Maidza (QRO photos at an Australian event) hits Austin City Limits behind this year’s third mixtape, Last Year Was Weird (yes it was…).

From her “Blue” breakthrough in the nineties, not to mention “How Do I Live”, LeAnne Rimes has been a longtime country star, most recently with this year’s God’s Work.

The Backseat Lovers, 3:15 PM – 4:00 PM (Week One)

Durand Jones & The Indications, 3:15 PM – 4:00 PM (Week Two)

The smooth, contemporary R&B/soul of Durand Jones & The Indications (QRO photos at an Austin festival) comes back to Austin City Limits behind this year’s Private Space.

Also:

Primo, the Alien, 1:45 PM – 2:30 PM (Week One)

Maggie Rose, 1:45 PM – 2:30 PM (Week Two)

Lady Bird Stage

George Strait, 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM

The “King of Country” George Strait comes to Austin City Limits Festival. One of the historical genres greatest pioneers, he revived it in the eighties with “Unwound” in the ‘Urban Cowboy’ movement. He’s both been nominated, and won, more Country Music Association & American Country Music awards than anyone ever. He’s had more number-one Hot Country Songs. His 2014 AT&T Stadium in nearby Arlington made a record for largest indoor concert in North America. He’s one of the best-selling music artists of all time. He’s George Strait.

Black Pumas, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Eric Burton and Adrian Quesada have quickly launched into the big-time as Black Pumas. Their psychedelic soul brought them a Grammy nomination as Best New Artist, and their 2019 self-titled debut was nominated for Album of the Year. They’ve even played the inauguration activities for President Joe Biden and this year’s Tibet House Benefit (QRO live review), albeit virtually, but now they’ve been hitting up a bunch of festivals (QRO photos at a festival), including Austin City Limits.

Joy Oladokun, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM (Week One)

Bleachers, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM (Week Two)

Mixing everything from folk to R&B is Joy Oladokun (QRO photos from an 2021 festival), who just this year released In Defense of My Own Happiness.

Once upon a time just the guitarist from fun. (QRO live review), Jack Antonoff launched his own indie-pop side-project, Bleachers (QRO photos at a festival) that has quickly become his ‘main’ gig – when he’s not producing pop hits for the likes of Taylor Swift, Lorde (QRO Antonoff-produced album review), St. Vincent (QRO Antonoff-produced album review) & more. He returns to Austin City Limits Festival, behind the recent Take the Sadness Out of Saturday Night (QRO review).

Nané, 2:30 PM – 3:15 PM (Week One)

Heartless Bastards, 2:30 PM – 3:15 PM (Week Two)

Erika Wennerstrom’s (QRO photos) Heartless Bastards (QRO live review) emerged from the same post-industrial Ohio Rust Belt blues-rock revival as The Black Keys, who discovered the group (QRO photos at a festival).  However, after 2009’s The Mountain (QRO review), the group (QRO photos) left Black Keys’ Fat Possum label for Partisan for 2012’s Arrow (QRO review), along with playing bigger stages (QRO photos) and festivals (QRO photos at a festival). Wennerstrom (QRO interview) put the band on hiatus after 2015’s Restless Ones (QRO review) to do her own solo career (QRO solo album review), but this year got the group back together (QRO spotlight on) behind September’s A Beautiful Life, and comes back to Austin City Limits Festival (QRO photos at an Austin festival) for a fourth time.

Also:

Darkbird, 1:00 PM – 1:45 PM (Week One)

Vincent Neil Emerson, 1:00 PM – 1:45 PM (Week Two)

Honda Stage

RÜFÜS DU SOL, 8:20 PM

Sydney’s RÜFÜS DU SOL – a group, not a person – come back over to Austin City Limits Festival behind 2018’s Solace, which ‘only’ hit #2 in their native Australia, unlike prior Aussie chart-toppers 2016’s Bloom and 2013’s Atlas.

Modest Mouse, 6:20 PM – 7:20 PM

Washington State’s Modest Mouse (QRO photos) broke through to mainstream success in 2004 with Good News For People Who Like Bad News, and followed that up by adding Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr for 2007’s We Were Dead Before the Ship Even Sank (QRO review) – unfortunately, Marr left to join the even younger Cribs and then solo. But they’re still big and great outdoors (QRO photos at a festival), and in 2015 finally put out their first new record since Sank, Strangers To Ourselves (QRO review). They will come back to Austin City Limits Festival for a third time behind this year’s great The Golden Casket (QRO review) and single “We Are Between” (QRO review).

Future Islands, 4:20 PM – 5:20 PM

Baltimore’s Future Islands (QRO photos at a festival) play a highly acclaimed, darker form of synth-pop (QRO photos at a festival) as they come to Austin City Limits Festival (QRO photos at a festival) as they finally hit the road (QRO 2021 photos) behind last year year’s As Long as You Are.

Surfaces, 2:20 PM – 3:20 PM

Mixing everything from jazz and reggae to hip hop and calypso is Texas’ Surfaces, who come to Austin City Limits Festival behind last year’s Horizons.

Also:

Frances Forever, 12:50 PM – 1:35 PM

Miller Lite Stage

Jack Harlow, 7:20 PM – 8:20 PM

In just the last few years, rapper Jack Harlow (QRO photos at a 2021 festival) has come from deep Kentucky to Saturday Night Live earlier this year, behind his hit debut record, That’s What They All Say.

Arizona Zervas, 5:20 PM – 6:20 PM

Rapper Arizona Zervas came to worldwide attention in 2019 with hit song “Roxanne”.

AG Club, 3:20 PM – 4:20 PM (Week One)

White Reaper, 3:20 PM – 4:20 PM (Week Two)

Catch the next iconic hip-hop group, AG Club. Out of the Bay Area, Baby Boy, Jody Fontaine, Mick Anthony, and 777MEDIA are in the Club.

Giving Austin City Limits Festival another kick in the ass is White Reaper (QRO photos at a festival), coming off of 2017’s oh-so-humble The World’s Best American Band (QRO review) and 2019’s major label debut You Deserve Love.

Also:

Gracie Abrams, 1:35 PM – 2:20 PM

Payday, 12:05 PM – 12:50 PM (Week One)

Wizthemc, 12:05 PM – 12:50 PM (Week Two)

BMI Stage

Gina Chavez, 5:20 PM – 6:20 PM (Week One)

Raiche, 5:20 PM – 6:20 PM (Week Two)

Eight-time Austin Music Award winner and last year’s Austin Musician of the Year, Latin-folk artist Gina Chavez (QRO photos at ACL ’16) will be right at home back in Zilker Park.

Katie Pruitt, 3:20 PM – 4:20 PM (Week One)

Samantha Sanchez, 3:20 PM – 4:20 PM (Week Two)

Nashville’s Katie Pruitt (QRO photos at a festival) has been turning heads with her Americana alt-country, like on last year’s debut full-length, Expectations, from legendary independent label Rounder Records.

Also:

Yendry, 1:35 PM – 2:20 PM (Week One)

Leyla Blue, 1:35 PM – 2:20 PM (Week Two)

Sun Room, 12:05 PM – 12:50 PM (Week One)

Gigi, 12:05 PM – 12:50 PM (Week Two)

Vrbo Stage

Dayglow, 7:20 PM – 8:20 PM

Sloan Struble brings his Dayglow to Austin City Limits Festival, behind indie-pop on sophomore full-length Harmony House.

MISSIO, 5:20 PM – 6:20 PM

Austin electronic duo MISSIO come back to Austin City Limits Festival off of last year’s Can You Feel the Sun.

Also:

Charley Crockett, 3:20 PM – 4:20 PM

Mob Rich, 1:35 PM – 2:20 PM (Week One)

Arlie, 1:35 PM – 2:20 PM (Week Two)

Aaron Stephens, 12:05 PM – 12:50 PM (Week One)

Mike Melinoe, 12:05 PM – 12:50 PM (Week Two)

Tito’s Handmade Vodka Stage

Silent Disco, 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM

The Hu, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM

In the before-time of 2019, one of the great surprise successes in heavy metal was The Hu (QRO photos). Hailing all the way from Ulaanbaatar in Mongolia, they mix traditional Mongolian instrumentation and throat singing with the hard rock (and a charisma that crosses cultures & language), for a style the band calls “hunnu rock” after the ancient Hunnu Empire. Be sure to catch them at Austin City Limits Festival (QRO photos at a festival), as they’re back on this continent (QRO photos in 2021).

Lunay, 4:20 PM – 5:20 PM (Week One)

070 Shake, 4:15 PM – 5:15 PM (Week Two)

Next generation reggaeton star Lunay comes to Austin City Limits Festival behind this year’s sophomore full-length EL NIÑO.

From the 070 collective, Danielle Balbuene, a.k.a. 070 Shake, contributed to albums by the big-name likes of Kanye West, Pusha T, and Nas. Last year he put out his debut studio album, Modus Vivendi.

Also:

La Doña, 3:00 PM – 3:45 PM

Moziah, 2:00 PM – 2:45 PM (Week One)

LP Giobbi, 2:00 PM – 2:45 PM (Week Two)

Sir Woman, 1:00 PM – 1:45 PM (Week One)

The Tender Things, 1:00 PM – 1:45 PM (Week Two)

The Mighty Sincere Voices, 12:05 PM – 12:50 PM (Week One)

Disciples of Christ, 12:05 PM – 12:50 PM (Week Two)

T-Mobile Stage

Alison Wonderland, 7:20 PM – 8:20 PM

Sydney’s Alex Sholler began as a classically trained cellist, but has since stepped through the looking glass to become world-known DJ Alison Wonderland (QRO photos at a festival), playing her second Austin City Limits Festival, now headlining the T-Mobile Stage.

Freddie Gibbs, 5:20 PM – 6:20 PM

Originally from Gary, Indiana (QRO photos in Middle America – hey, that’s the same hometown as the Jackson clan…), Freddie Gibbs (QRO photos at a festival) has been compared to none other than Tupac Shakur – and even got shot at outside of Rough Trade NYC (QRO venue review) to boot! He comes to Austin City Limits Festival behind last year’s Grammy-nominated Alfredo, his second team-up with The Alchemist.

Remi Wolf, 3:20 PM – 4:20 PM

From a contestant in high school on American Idol to major label debut I’m Allergic To Dogs! has been the tale of Remi Wolf.

Arlie, 1:35 PM – 2:20 PM (Week One)

Aaron Frazer, 1:35 PM – 2:20 PM (Week Two)

Of fellow ACL ’21 performer Durand Jones & The Indications (see above), Aaron Frazer also plays his own set at the T-Mobile Stage.

Skyler Day, 12:05 PM – 12:50 PM (Week One)

Jade Bird, 12:05 PM – 12:50 PM (Week Two)

Austin City Limits welcomes the next generation of songstress in the awesome Jade Bird (QRO photos at a festival), who comes to the festival (QRO photos at an Austin festival) behind this year’s wonderful sophomore full-length, Different Kinds of Light (QRO review).

Lady Bird Stage

Billie Eilish, 8:30 PM

Just try to catch electro-pop sensation Billie Eilish (QRO photos at a festival), who turned a lot of heads and hips with her debut single “Ocean Eyes” and EP Don’t Smile at Me, and then debuting at #1 in 2019 with the hit “Bad Guy” and WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO? (QRO’s #1 Album of 2020, duh). She has since become one of, if not the, biggest stars on the planet (QRO photos), from the No Time To Die Bond theme song (QRO review) to playing the Democratic Convention with “My Future”. “Future”, fellow single “Therefore I Am” (QRO review), and much more came together this year for killer follow-up Happier Than Ever (which also saw Eilish go blonde) (QRO photos at a festival).

COVID canned her massive tour last year, so it’s been rescheduled for next year, and in the meantime she did some great livestreams (QRO photos at a taping), but before that, just watch out for her hordes of screaming female fans (QRO photos) as she returns to Austin City Limits Festival (QRO photos at a festival) to headline.

Doja Cat, 6:20 PM – 7:20 PM

After not finding success the traditional way in the music industry, Los Angeles rapper Doja Cat broke out on her own with viral videos, internet memes, and, of course, TikTok. And thus, this year’s chart-topping Planet Her.

Phoebe Bridgers, 4:20 PM – 5:20 PM

Nobody in music has had as good a COVID pandemic as Phoebe Bridgers (QRO photos from just before everything shut down). Bridgers already had critical acclaim with records like Stranger in the Alps (QRO Top Albums of 2017), and a great team-up with Conor Oberst (QRO photos together) as Better Oblivion Community Center (QRO photos) on their 2019 self-titled record (QRO review), plus her supergroup boygenius with Julien Baker & Lucy Dacus.

But last year’s Punisher (QRO review) launched her into the stratosphere. Basically the favorite record by everyone you have a crush on (except for the hilariously self-depreciating Bridgers herself), songs like “I See You” (QRO review), “I Know the End” (QRO review), and “Savior Complex” (QRO review) all broke your heart – if not in-person, than in videos (like the “Savior” one directed by her near-namesake Phoebe Waller-Bridge) on TV (QRO review of “I Know the End” on TV). We all were desperate to see her live, whether in her trademark skeleton onesie in a livestream (QRO livestream review) or in her pajamas from home. So, maybe you didn’t see her when (QRO photos from 2017), but catch her now as her tour (QRO 2021 live review) comes to Austin City Limits (QRO photos at a 2021 festival).

Girl In Red, 2:20 PM

Norway’s Marie Ulven Ringheim has been making waves around the world with her bedroom pop, like hit single “I Wanna Be Your Girlfriend” and this year’s If I Could Make It Go.

Amber Mark, 12:50 PM – 1:35 PM (Week One)

Holly Humberstone, 12:50 PM – 1:35 PM (Week Two)

Meet Pitchfork favorite Amber Mark, “whose soulful pop will make you dance and cry at the same time,” as she returns to Austin City Limits Festival for a second time in a row.

Honda Stage

Duran Duran, 8:30 PM – 9:30 PM

If you listened to music in the eighties, you know Duran Duran (QRO live review). Leading the “Second British Invasion” of that decade, with copious amount of help from MTV (back when it played music), as the group pioneered music videos as their own professional genre (including “Girls On Film”…). Their electronic dance music far predated today’s scene, for so long that it’s come back, and so have Duran Duran (QRO live review), who are “Hungry Like the Wolf” as they come to headline Austin City Limits Festival behind this year’s Future Past.

Karol G, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM

Hit Columbian reggaeton & Latin trap rapper Karol G is a true crossover artist, from “China” to team-up with Nicki Minaj on hit single “Tusa”. She comes to Austin City Limits Festival behind this year’s KG0516.

Polo G, 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM

Polo G is not lacking in self-esteem with albums like 2019’s Die a Legend and last year’s The Goat, not to mention this year’s chart-topping single “Rapstar”.

(and credit to Austin City Limits Festival for lining up the Gs…)

White Reaper, 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM (Week One)

AG Club, 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM (Week Two)

Giving Austin City Limits Festival another kick in the ass is White Reaper (QRO photos at a festival), coming off of 2017’s oh-so-humble The World’s Best American Band (QRO review) and 2019’s major label debut You Deserve Love.

Catch the next iconic hip-hop group, AG Club. Out of the Bay Area, Baby Boy, Jody Fontaine, Mick Anthony, and 777MEDIA are in the Club.

Mother Mother, 1:00 PM – 1:45 PM (Week One)

Serena Isioma, 1:00 PM – 1:45 PM (Week Two)

From all the way over in British Columbia’s Quadra Island, indie rockers Mother Mother (QRO photos) have been together for over a decade-and-a-half, but found another wind last year when their music went viral on TikTok. They come to Austin City Limits Festival just months after the release of their eighth album, Inside.

Chicago’s Serena Isioma has embraced 2021, the non-binary artist opening the year with her new video for “Meadows in Japan”.

Miller Lite Stage

Erykah Badu, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM (Week One)

Madeon, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM (Week Two)

No festival is complete without an acclaimed diva or two, and Austin City Limits got a good one in Erykah Badu (QRO photos at a festival). The Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter from right here in Texas (QRO photos in Texas) blazed the neo-soul trail, earning comparisons to the likes of Billie Holiday & Nina Simone. She (QRO photos at a festival) stirred up controversy with her video for “Window Seat” by stripping down completely – and illegally, in Dealey Plaza (inspired by the video for “Lessons Learned” by Matt & Kim – QRO photos of Matt & Kim with Badu at a festival). She’s been promising a new studio album since 2010’s New Amerykah Part Two, though has dropped big-name mixtapes like 2015’s But You Caint Use My Phone, but hopefully there will be a preview of new material as she returns to ACL.

Big house synths, and disco dance grooves with a pop friendly structure is what Madeon uses to describe his music. Barely by hitting drinking age (QRO photos at a festival), this precocious youngster had already played at Coachella, SXSW and many other festivals. Check out his dubstep song, “Finale,” as well as his pop mash-up, “Pop Culture”. Not too shabby for starting off in his garage, right?

Chris Lake, 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM

Chris Lake first became known for bootleg remixes of songs like Eurythmics’ “Sweet Dreams”, before his hit 2006 single “Changes” with Laura V, and has been making hit EDM singles ever since.

Cautious Clay, 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM

The breakout hip-hop/R&B star – with the greatest name since Nipsey Hussle – is Cautious Clay (QRO photos at a festival), who comes Austin City Limits Festival behind 2019’s Table of Context.

Sofía Valdés, 1:45 PM – 2:30 PM (Week One)

Amber Mark, 1:45 PM – 2:30 PM (Week Two)

Meet Pitchfork favorite Amber Mark, “whose soulful pop will make you dance and cry at the same time,” as she returns to Austin City Limits Festival for a second time in a row.

Also:

Deezie Brown, 12:15 PM – 1:00 PM (Week One)

Nané, 12:15 PM – 1:00 PM (Week Two)

BMI Stage

Hardy, 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM (Week One)

David Ramirez, 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM (Week Two)

Tenille Arts, 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM (Week One)

Superfónics, 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM (Week Two)

Public Library Commute, 1:45 PM – 2:30 PM (Week One)

Mattiel, 1:45 PM – 2:30 PM (Week Two)

Jany Green, 12:15 PM – 1:00 PM (Week One)

Zach Person, 12:00 PM – 12:45 PM (Week Two)

Vrbo Stage

Tierra Whack, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM

Catch the “Mumbo Jumbo” of Tierra Whack (QRO photos at a festival), as her Whack World returns to Austin City Limits Festival for a second time in a row.

Channel Tres, 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM

Actually straight out of Compton, rapper Sheldon Young, a.k.a. Channel Tres (QRO photos in Los Angeles), has made it on his own with singles like “Controller” and “Topdown”.

Cam, 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM

Camaron Marvel Ochs began as songwriter for the likes of Sam Smith and fellow ACL ’21 performer Miley Cyrus (see above), but has risen on her own in the last decade including Grammy nomination and more. She comes to Austin City Limits Festival behind last year’s The Otherside.

Noga Erez, 1:45 PM – 2:30 PM

If Feist was launched into stardom by “1,2,3,4” being in an iPod commercial, Tel Aviv’s Noga Erez has done the next generation of that with her “Dance While You Shoot” being in an ad for Apple’s streaming service.

Also:

Shooks, 12:15 PM – 1:00 PM (Week One)

BLK ODYSSY, 12:15 PM – 1:00 PM (Week Two)

Tito’s Handmade Vodka Stage

Silent Disco, 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM

Lane 8, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM (Week One)

Trixie Mattel, 6:30 PM – 7:15 PM (Week Two)

Deep House Denver DJ Daniel Goldstein is Lane 8.

070 Shake, 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM (Week One)

Lunay, 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM (Week Two)

From the 070 collective, Danielle Balbuene, a.k.a. 070 Shake, contributed to albums by the big-name likes of Kanye West, Pusha T, and Nas. Last year he put out his debut studio album, Modus Vivendi.

Next generation reggaeton star Lunay comes to Austin City Limits Festival behind this year’s sophomore full-length EL NIÑO.

Ant Clemons, 3:15 PM – 4:00 PM

Come early to Austin City Limits Festival for R&B singer Ant Clemons, who’s worked with everyone from Kanye West to Beyoncé.

Also:

TC Superstar, 2:15 PM – 3:00 PM (Week One)

Shiela, 2:15 PM – 3:00 PM (Week Two)

Calder Allen, 1:00 PM – 1:45 PM

Shields of Faith, 11:15 AM – 12:30 PM (Week One)

T-Mobile Stage

St. Vincent, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM (Week One)

Jon Batiste, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM (Week Two)

After the one-and-only Annie Clark (QRO interview) made 2007 her break-out year, both as part of The Polyphonic Spree on The Fragile Army (QRO review) and with her own debut as St. Vincent (QRO photos), Marry Me (QRO review), she followed that up with even-better years (QRO spotlight on), gracing festivals (QRO photos at a festival), charming and surprising crowds with winning humor live (QRO live review), and bringing a stable of new songs (QRO live review). Those new songs, like “Laughing With a Mouth of Blood” (QRO video) and “Actor Out of Work” (QRO video) formed into 2009’s Actor (QRO review), which vaunted her into the even bigger time (QRO photos at a festival), including playing Lincoln Center (QRO live review) and other storied concert halls (QRO photos at a festival) & venues (QRO photos at Royal Albert Hall).

Admittedly, 2011’s Strange Mercy (QRO review) wasn’t quite as good, but then she teamed up with the one-and-only David Byrne (QRO photos at a festival together) for 2012’s Love This Giant (QRO review) and the holy St. Vincent (QRO photos) came back with a vengeance in 2014 on St. Vincent (QRO review), including an absolutely stellar live show (QRO photos), with her platinum grey hair and mannequin moves shining outdoors (QRO live review outdoors), at festivals (QRO photos at a festival) and in the Old World (QRO live review in Europe). In 2017 she had the massively seductive MASSEDUCTION (QRO review), and seductive stage show (QRO photos at a 2018 festival), followed by the stripped down seduction of remix album MassEducation (QRO review). And even COVID couldn’t keep St. Vincent down, with the seventies-channeling Daddy’s Home (QRO review), “Pay You Way In Pain” (QRO review), and live show (QRO Daddy’s Home livestream review).

A must-see as she comes back to Austin City Limits Festival for a third time (QRO photos at ACL ’18 – QRO photos at ACL ’14).

Bringing the wild spirit of Nor’Leans is Jon Batiste (QRO photos outdoors), who was launched into stardom six years ago when named the bandleader for Stephen Colbert’s Late Show (QRO photos at a festival right after playing The Colbert Report). He’s since won an Oscar (with Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross) for his soundtrack to Pixar’s Soul, and comes back to Austin City Limits Festival (QRO photos at a festival) behind this year’s We Are.

Marc Rebillet, 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM

Improvisational French artist Marc Rebillet has become known worldwide for his livestreams where he uses loops & more to make on-the-spot songs with comical lyrics. So, who knows what he’ll come up with at Austin City Limits Festival?…

Toosii, 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM

“Sapiosexual” rapper Toosii comes to Austin City Limits Festival behind last year’s charting Poetic Pain.

KennyHoopla, 1:45 PM – 2:30 PM

Cleveland rapper KennyHoopla (QRO photos at a festival) asks, How Will I Rest in Peace if I’m Buried by a Highway?

Also:

Allison Ponthier, 12:15 PPM – 1:00 PM (Week One)

Payday, 12:15 PPM – 1:00 PM (Week Two)

Lady Bird Stage

Tyler, the Creator, 8:30 PM – 10:00 PM

Lollapalooza flirts with awesomeness and danger by booking the infamous Tyler, the Creator (QRO photos at a festival). In addition to fronting the ultra-chaotic Odd Future (QRO live review) collective, he’s released studio albums of his own, such as 2012’s Goblin (QRO review) and 2015’s Wolf (QRO review). He will headline the Lady Bird Stage (QRO photos at a festival), behind June’s Call Me If You Get Lost.

Greta Van Fleet, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM

Michigan rock comes back to Austin City Limits in the form of the next generation of classic rock, Greta Van Fleet (QRO spotlight on). One of Robert Plant’s favorite young bands, they were touring behind 2017’s Grammy-winning Black Smoke Rising & From the Fires (QRO reviews). Now they’ve got full-length Anthem of the Peaceful Army (QRO review), and they’ve only gotten bigger (QRO photos at a festival).

Band of Horses, 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM

Before the current, unceasing wave of alt-country, there was Seattle’s Band of Horses (QRO live review), who broke through with debut Everything All the Time and “Funeral” in 2006. While guitarist/co-founder Matt Brooke left after that for Grand Archives, singer/guitarist Ben Bridwell kept on the trail, with the following year’s Cease to Begin (QRO review). Band of Horses (QRO photos at a festival) dropped a little off the radar following that, but came back (QRO live review) in 2010 with Infinite Arms (QRO review), a more polished record in ways good & bad, but picked it up in 2012 with Mirage Rock (QRO review) and 2016’s Why Are You OK (QRO review), and are riding (QRO live review) from festival (QRO photos at a festival) to festival (QRO photos at a festival), including a COVID era livestream (QRO livestream review) of Cease, as they return to Austin City Limits Festival for a third time.

Tate McRae, 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM

While Tate McCrae first got notice at the tender age of thirteen by being the first Canadian finalist on America’s So You Think You Can Dance, but we also think she can sing, thanks to viral hits “One Day” and “You Broke Me First”, even last year getting on Forbes magazine’s precious ‘30 Under 30’ list.

Also:

Jessie Murph, 1:00 PM – 1:45 PM