Austin City Limits 2018 Preview

America’s longest-running live music show, Austin City Limits, throws one of the country’s biggest music festivals, over two weekends, Friday-Sunday, October 5th-7th & 12th-14th, in Zilker Park....
Austin City Limits

Austin City Limits 2018 Preview

America’s longest-running live music show, Austin City Limits, throws one of the country’s biggest music festivals, over two weekends, Friday-Sunday, October 5th-7th & 12th-14th, in Zilker Park:

 

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 5th/12th

Honda Stage

ODESZA, 7:45 PM – 9:00 PM

Harrison Mills & Clayton Knight managed to put out their debut as electronic duo ODESZA (QRO photos) while still in their senior year back in ’12 with Summer’s Gone, and come to Austin City Limits (QRO photos at a festival) off of 2014’s follow-up full-length, In Return, and big live show (QRO photos at a 2018 festival) – including lots of drums (QRO photos headlining a festival).
ODESZA
Khalid, 5:45 PM – 6:45 PM

Khalid Donnel Robinson (QRO photos outdoors) released “Location”, and the rest was history. His debut single hit quadruple platinum, followed by last cheer’s hit debut full-length, American Teen, and now the R&B singer very much on the rise plays Lollapalooza (QRO photos at 2018 festival).
Khalid
BØRNS, 3:45 PM – 4:45 PM

Actually from Michigan, not Scandinavia, is singer Garrett Borns, a.k.a. BØRNS (QRO photos at a festival). He’s already graduated to the big-time with 2015’s debut Dopamine, and comes back to Austin City Limits behind this year’s gender-bending Blue Madonna (QRO review).
BØRNS
Gang of Youths, 1:45 PM – 2:45 PM (Weekend One)

Reignwolf, 1:45 PM – 2:45 PM (Weekend Two)

Catch the indie rock of Australia’s Gang of Youths, who come to ACL behind last year’s Down Under chart-topper & ARIA winning sophomore record, Go Farther In Lightness.

Check out the wild, one-man action of Reignwolf (QRO photos at a festival), who returns to Austin City Limits.
Gang of Youths


Reignwolf

Asleep At the Wheel, 12:00 PM – 12:45 PM (Weekend One)

Alice Merton, 12:00 PM – 12:45 PM (Weekend Two)

West Virginia-born, Austin-living Asleep At the Wheel 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!

The German-Canadian-English singer/songwriter Alice Merton (QRO photos) had a number one single, “No Roots”, in France. Truly international.

Asleep At the Wheel


Alice Merton


Miller Lite Stage

Brockhampton, 6:45 PM – 7:45 PM

Formed in an online forum, making them “the internet’s first boy band,” Brockhampton (QRO photos at a festival) bring the twentieth century phenomena into the modern age, including hip-hop and mixtapes – and not being just lily-white pretty faces. Though they recently kicked out a member for sexual assault allegations (very modern), and went on a hiatus, but are back (QRO photos at a festival).
Brockhampton
Greta Van Fleet, 4:45 PM – 5:45 PM (Weekend One)

Lily Allen, 4:45 PM – 5:45 PM (Weekend Two)

New Michigan rock comes to Panorama in the form of the next generation of classic rock, Greta Van Fleet (QRO spotlight on), one of Robert Plant’s favorite young bands, touring behind last year’s EPs Black Smoke Rising & From the Fires (QRO reviews).

London’s Lily Allen (QRO photos) was one of the first musicians to garner a following solely through her MySpace page, leading to a major label contract, worldwide tours, and the massively successful debut Alright, Still & 2009’s It’s Not Me, It’s You. But then she closed down her MySpace account and announced a hiatus. That only lasted until 2013’s U.K. chart-topper Sheezus. After personal difficulties, including the end of her marriage, Allen (QRO photos in Texas) channeled into this year’s No Shame (QRO review).
Greta Van Fleet


Lily Allen

Alvvays, 2:45 PM – 3:45 PM

New U.K. indie hit Alvvays (QRO live review in the U.K.) comes to America (QRO photos at a festival) to play at Austin City Limits (QRO photos outdoors) after last year’s release of highly acclaimed sophomore record Antisocialites (QRO review).
Alvvays
Also:

Lewis Capaldi, 12:45 PM – 1:45 PM

Näm, 11:15 AM – 12:00 PM (Weekend One)

Curtis Roush, 11:15 AM – 12:00 PM (Weekend Two)

Lewis Capaldi

Barton Springs Stage

Father John Misty, 6:45 PM – 7:45 PM

While a member of overrated folk outfit Fleet Foxes, guitarist Joshua Tillman found time to do his own solo stuff (QRO album review), but in 2012 he moved to solo full-time as Father John Misty (QRO photos) with Fear Fun, and he comes back to Austin City Limits (QRO photos at ACL ‘15) behind last year’s Pure Comedy (QRO review). As Aziz Ansari said in Master of None (before his more recent issues), “That’s a hot ticket!”
Father John Misty
JUNGLE, 4:45 PM – 5:45 PM

Catch the modern-soul London music collective JUNGLE (QRO photos at a European festival), who bring “mid-tempo 1970s funk” intermixed with “tropical percussion, wildlife noises, falsetto yelps, psychedelic washes and badoinking bass.”
JUNGLE
Sir Sly, 2:45 PM – 3:45 PM

Not a rapper but an indie-rock trio, Sir Sly (QRO photos at a festival) came out of The Hype Machine blog to success (including songs used in movies, video games, and a Cadillac ad).
Sir Sly
Big Thief, 12:45 PM – 1:45 PM

It takes a lot for a band to name their album Masterpiece – their debut, in fact. But Brooklyn indie-folksters Big Thief (QRO photos outdoors in Brooklyn) pulled it off, and come to Austin City Limits behind their last year’s follow-up, Capacity.



Also:

The Coronas, 11:15 AM – 12:00 PM

Big Thief

Austin Kiddie Limits presented by Lifeway (Weekend One)

Red Yarn, 4:30 PM – 5:00 PM

School of Rock, 2:30 PM – 3:00 PM

The Barton Hills Choir, 12:20 PM – 1:00 PM
School of Rock
Austin Kiddie Limits presented by Lifeway (Weekend Two)

Lard Dog & The Band of Shy, 4:30 PM – 5:00 PM

Ralph’s World, 2:30 PM – 3:00 PM

School of Rock, 12:20 PM – 1:00 PM

Ralph's World

Tito’s Handmade Vodka Stage

Silent Disco, 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM



Gryffin, 5:45 PM – 6:45 PM

Remix master Dan Griffith comes to Austin City Limits as Gryffin.
Gryffin
Golden Dawn Arkestra, 3:45 PM – 4:45 PM

Influenced by the ultra-influential Sun Ra and his Arkestra, Austin’s own Golden Dawn Arkestra (QRO photos at an Austin festival) is a feast for the ears, eyes, and mind, as they come to Austin City Limits.
Golden Dawn Arkestra
Also:

The Weather Station, 2:15 PM – 3:00 PM (Weekend One)

Duncan Fellows, 2:15 PM – 3:00 PM (Weekend Two)

Ravyn Lenae, 1:15 PM – 2:00 PM

Fatai, 12:15 PM – 1:00 PM

Wesley Bray & The Disciples of Joy, 11:15 AM – 12:00 PM (Weekend One)

The Gospel Stars, 11:15 AM – 12:00 PM (Weekend Two)

The Weather Station

BMI Stage (Weekend One)

Fickle Friends, 4:45 PM – 5:45 PM

Brighton’s Fickle Friends (QRO photos) spent two years touring their native U.K. & Europe before finally getting signed, putting out their debut You Are Something Else earlier this year.
Fickle Friends
Mikky Ekko, 2:45 PM – 3:45 PM

While he first came to notice when he was featured on Rihanna’s “Stay”, Mikky Ekko (QRO photos) comes to Austin City Limits while we wait for his sophomore LP, Fame.
Mikky Ekko
Also:

lovelytheband, 12:45 PM – 1:45 PM

RF Shannon, 11:15 AM – 12:00 PM
lovelytheband
BMI Stage (Weekend Two)

Arkells, 4:45 PM – 5:45 PM

Explosive rock band, Arkells, have been ensuing in chaos amongst all their shows on tour. They come to Austin City Limits just before the release of their latest, Rally Cry.
Arkells
Also:

Sasha Sloan, 2:45 PM – 3:45 PM

Nicole Atkins, 12:45 PM – 1:45 PMQRO spotlight on

The Blancos, 11:15 AM – 12:00 PM

Sasha Sloan

HomeAway Stage

Hozier, 6:45 PM – 7:45 PM

Ireland’s Andrew Hozier-Byrne (QRO live review in England) comes back to Austin City Limits (QRO photos at a festival) off of 2014’s massive breakthrough single “Take Me To the Church” – not to mention being impersonated on Saturday Night Live!
Hozier
Manchester Orchestra, 4:45 PM – 5:45 PM

From Atlanta, not New or Old England, Manchester Orchestra (QRO live review) were more rock than alt- on debut I’m Like a Virgin Losing a Child (QRO review), and moved firmly into the rock camp with 2009’s Mean Everything To Nothing (QRO review), 2011’s Simple Math (QRO review), 2014’s Cope (QRO review), and last year’s A Black Mile To the Surface (QRO review). However, the outfit does it well (QRO live review) and big (QRO photos) as they come back to Austin City Limits (QRO photos at a festival) to rock (QRO live review).
Manchester Orchestra
Noname, 2:45 PM – 3:45 PM

Off of an appearance on “Lost” in Chance the Rapper’s 2013 mixtape Acid Rap, Noname (QRO photos at a festival) has made her own name.
Noname
Also:

Cuco, 12:45 PM – 1:45 PM

Topaz Jones, 11:15 AM – 12:00 PM (Weekend One)

Magic City Hippies, 11:15 AM – 12:00 PM (Weekend Two)

Cuco

American Express Stage

Paul McCartney, 7:45 PM – 10:00 PM

Do you need to be told who Paul McCartney (QRO photos) is? Seriously? In addition to birthing the hilarious “Who the fuck is Paul McCartney” meme, Sir Paul just might be the biggest living music star on the planet (QRO photos). He was a Beatle, for Christ’s sake – and not Ringo. He had a successful second career in the seventies in Wings, and has kept going and going (QRO photos) – long past age sixty-four (that vegetarian lifestyle has done something…). He has even released new records, most recently with this year’s Egypt Station (though let’s forget about 2012’s collection of standards, Kisses On the BottomQRO review). Live (QRO photos headlining a festival), the ageless wonder (QRO photos) plays from his entire discography, “Band On the Run” to “The End” – so just “Let It Be”.
Paul McCartney
The National, 5:45 PM – 6:45 PM

Cincinnati-by-way-of-Brooklyn’s The National (QRO photos outdoors) hit it big in 2007 with Boxer (QRO review) and tracks like “Fake Empire”, “Mistaken For Strangers”, and “Apartment Story” (QRO video) – and again in 2008 with the Virginia EP (QRO review), but that just presaged 2011’s High Violet (QRO review), which debuted at #3 on the Billboard charts (QRO expanded edition review). An impressive and much-in-demand act (QRO live review), they’re fitting in nicely as even festival headliner (QRO photos headlining a festival) or curator (QRO photos curating a festival), like at London’s All Tomorrow’s Parties (QRO photos), Eaux Claires (QRO photos at Eaux Claires ‘15), or Boston Calling (QRO photos at Boston Calling ‘14).

Blown up to the point that New York Times Magazine ran a feature on them (QRO spotlight on) & Obama used (a family-friendly) bit of “Mr. November” (QRO video at a festival) as a campaign song, The National (QRO photos at a festival) returned from an hiatus in 2013 to take North America by storm (QRO photos headlining a festival) behind Trouble Will Find Me (QRO review), after having done so in Europe (QRO photos in Europe), the festival circuit (QRO photos at a festival), the European festival circuit (QRO photos at a European festival), Canada (QRO photos at a festival in Canada), Croatia (QRO photos at a Croatian festival), Singapore (QRO photos in Singapore) & their own Brooklyn (QRO photos in Brooklyn), plus both Barcelona’s Primavera Sound (QRO photos at Primavera Sound) and Portugal’s NOS Primavera Sound (QRO photos at NOS Primavera Sound). They’ve since keep it going (QRO photos in 2014), including headlining American festivals (QRO photos headlining an American festival).

Last year, The National (QRO live review) released yet another amazing album, Sleep Well Beast (QRO review), which earlier this year won the Grammy for Alternative Album of the Year (QRO live review at Grammy party). They play Austin City Limits for a third time (QRO photos at a festival), with an electric live show (QRO live review), making for a perfect return (QRO photos at a festival).
The National
David Byrne, 3:45 PM – 4:45 PM

If you like music, you like David Byrne (QRO photos). The lead Talking Head became the art-rock icon in the eighties behind amazing songs like “Psycho Killer”, “Once In a Lifetime”, “Burning Down the House”, “And She Was”, and so much more, like the classic live full concert movie/album, Stop Making Sense.

Since The Heads, he’s become the most recognized & influential art-rock artist since David Bowie, teaming up with everyone from Brian Eno to ACL ’18 performer (see below) St. Vincent (QRO photos at a festival with St. Vincent), with 2012’s Love This Ghost (QRO review) – hopefully they’ll be a reunion – but this year has come out solo on American Utopia (QRO review). And his live show features a massive, all-dancing (including drummers) ensemble (QRO photos at a festival). He returns to Austin City Limits for the first time in a decade!
David Byrne
Bishop Briggs, 1:45 PM – 2:45 PM

Born in London to Scottish parents from Bishopbriggs, Sarah Grace McLaughlin (QRO photos) comes to Austin City Limits (QRO photos at a festival) in the run-up to her highly anticipated debut full-length, next month’s Church of Scars.
Bishop Briggs
Also:

Natalie Prass, 12:00 PM – 12:45 PMQRO photos
Natalie Prass

 

 

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 6th/13th

Honda Stage

Justice, 8:30 PM – 9:30 PM (Weekend One)

Travis Scott, 8:30 PM – 9:30 PM (Weekend Two)

One of the biggest breakouts in the dance-rock craze of last decade has been France’s Justice (QRO photos at a festival), who followed up smash 2007 debut with 2011’s Audio, Video, Disco and 2016’s Woman, as well as expanding their live show (QRO photos), including at festivals (QRO photos at a festival).

Texan rapper Travis Scott has succeeded in everything from producing (for GOOD Music’s Very GOOD Beats) to mixtapes to studio albums to team-ups (with Quavo as Huncho Jack) – not to mention being Kylie Jenner’s man. He comes to play Austin City Limits after the release of his highly anticipated AstroWorld, so look for new material like recent single “Watch”, which featured Kanye West and Lil Uzi Vert.
Justice


Travis Scott

CHVRCHES, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM

Scottish electro-pop outfit CHVRCHES (QRO live review) have gotten very big very fast (QRO photos at a festival), before & after the release of debut full-length The Bones of What You Believe (QRO review) – but are fronted by the tiny Lauren Mayberry (QRO photos at a festival) and some giant lights. They successfully followed up Bones with 2015’s Every Open Eye (QRO review), and have Love Is Dead (QRO review) out this year, and now return to Austin City Limits.
CHVRCHES
Brandi Carlile, 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM

Singer/songwriter Brandi Carlile (QRO interview) has emerged alongside a whole new generation of socially minded melodic songstresses (QRO photos), and in 2015 she (QRO spotlight on) put out her latest (QRO photos outdoors), The Firewatcher’s Daughter, now returning to Austin City Limits.
Brandi Carlile
Also:

Mon Laferte, 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM

Supa Bwe, 12:45 PM – 1:30 PM (Weekend One)

Donna Missal, 12:45 PM – 1:30 PM (Weekend Two)

Mon Laferte

Miller Lite Stage

St. Vincent, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM

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 ACL ’18 performer (see above) David Byrne (QRO photos at a festival together) for 2012′s Love This Giant (QRO review) – hopefully there will be a reunion – 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). A must-see (QRO photos at a festival) as she returns to Austin City Limits (QRO photos at ACL ’14), she comes behind last year’s massively seductive MASSEDUCTION (QRO review) and seductive stage show (QRO photos at a 2018 festival).
St. Vincent
Blood Orange, 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM

Dev Hynes (QRO photos) first came up writing for others, such as on Chemical Brothers’ Grammy-winning We Are the Night (QRO review), before forming his own band, Lightspeed Champion (QRO photos), not to mention playing in the short-lived Test Icicles. But he found serious success in his electronic project Blood Orange (QRO live review), including a feature in The New York Times, coming to Austin City Limits after the release of his latest, Negro Swan.
Blood Orange
Also:

Smino, 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM

Durand Jones & The Indications, 1:30 PM – 2:30 PMQRO photos at a Texas festival

Paris, 12:00 PM – 12:45 PM (Weekend One)

Lo Moon, 12:00 PM – 12:45 PM (Weekend Two)QRO photos

Smino


Durand Jones


Barton Springs Stage

Residente, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM

René Juan Pérez Joglar, a.k.a. Residente, has done a wide range of things. His rapping (including his group Calle 13) has earned him four Grammys and twenty-four Latin Grammys – more than any other Latin artist. But he’s a professional artist, director, and writer, and has been the face of campaigns by UNICEF and Amnesty International.
Residente
Sharon Van Etten, 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM (Weekend One)

Marian Hill, 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM (Weekend Two)

While there’s a ton of stripped songstresses out there, one of the nicer ones is Sharon Van Etten (QRO photos at a festival), who evoked the sad strains of Appalachia on her debut, Because I Was In Love (QRO review), while 2011’s Epic (QRO review) made her the Brooklyn ‘it girl’ (QRO photos in New York), and 2012’s Tramp (QRO review) got her get even more acclaim – and attention (QRO photos). She’s even had a star-studded show in NYC (QRO photos), where she had special guests like Thurston Moore of Sonic Youth & Aaron Dessner of The National (see above). She comes to Austin City Limits (QRO photos at a festival) behind 2014’s Are We There (QRO review) and last year’s remastered & remixed (it was) because i was in love (QRO review).

Not a woman but a duo, Marian Hill (QRO photos) is synth-pop Philly pair Samantha Gongol and Jeremy Lloyd, who return to Austin City Limits’ second weekend.
Sharon Van Etten


Marian Hill

Japanese Breakfast, 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM

The solo project of Michelle Zauner (QRO photos at a festival), Japanese Breakfast brings Soft Sounds from Another Planet (QRO review).
Japanese Breakfast
Also:

IAMDDB, 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM

Molly Burch, 12:00 PM – 12:45 PM (Weekend One)

Mamafesta, 12:00 PM – 12:45 PM (Weekend Two)

IAMDDB

Austin Kiddie Limits presented by Lifeway (Weekend One)

SaulPaul, 4:30 PM – 5:00 PM

Kupira Marima, 2:30 PM – 3:00 PM

Red Yarn, 12:30 PM – 1:00 PM
Red Yarn
Austin Kiddie Limits presented by Lifeway (Weekend Two)

Ralph’s World, 4:30 PM – 5:00 PM

Lard Dog & The Band of Shy, 2:30 PM – 3:00 PM

The Barton Hills Choir, 12:30 PM – 1:00 PM

Ralph's World

Tito’s Handmade Vodka Stage

Silent Disco, 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM



San Holo, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM

Last year’s Electronic Music Awards winner for New Artist of the Year, Dutch DJ San Holo first got notice for his remix of Dr. Dre’s “The Next Episode”.
San Holo
Sofi Tukker, 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM (Weekend One)

Rhye, 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM (Weekend Two)

Sophie Hawley-Weld and Tucker Halpern form house duo Sofi Tukker.

Canada’s Mike Milosh brings his down-tempo alternative R&B to Austin as Rhye (QRO photos at a festival).



Also:

Curtis Harding, 2:45 PM – 3:30 PMQRO photos

Ikebe Shakedown, 1:45 PM – 2:30 PM

Jackie Venson, 12:45 PM – 1:30 PM (Weekend One)

Harry Paradise, 12:45 PM – 1:30 PM (Weekend Two)

Bells of Joy, 11:45 AM – 12:30 PM (Weekend One)

Ty Morris & H.O.W., 11:45 AM – 12:30 PM (Weekend Two)

Sofi Tukker


Rhye


Curtis Harding


BMI Stage (Weekend One)

flor, 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM

Sweet Spirit, 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM

Naked Giants, 1:30 PM – 2:30 PMQRO photos at a festival

Dizzy, 12:00 PM – 12:45 PM
flor


Naked Giants

BMI Stage (Weekend Two)

Trampled by Turtles, 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM

From frigid Duluth comes the warm jam-folk of Trampled by Turtles (QRO photos), who are heading onto the open road (QRO photos outdoors) behind this year’s great Life Is Good On the Open Road (QRO review), and return to Austin City Limits.
Trampled By Turtles
Also:

Lucie Silvas, 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM

Ruston Kelly, 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM

Charley Crockett, 12:00 PM – 12:45 PM

Lucie Silvas

HomeAway Stage

Nelly, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM (Weekend One)

Justice, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM (Weekend Two)

Nelly is more than just a chart-topping, Grammy-winning rapper. The man who told us it was “Hot In Herre” and to cool down with some “Pimp Juice” has his own clothing lines & more, and is one of the top five best-selling rappers in American history.

One of the biggest breakouts in the dance-rock craze of last decade has been France’s Justice (QRO photos at a festival), who followed up smash 2007 debut with 2011’s Audio, Video, Disco and 2016’s Woman, as well as expanding their live show (QRO photos), including at festivals (QRO photos at a festival).
Nelly


Justice

BAZZI, 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM

Andrew Bazzi came to fame with last fall’s single “Mine” – which became an Internet meme when used with a Snapchat filter. So twenty-first century…
BAZZI
The Breeders, 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM

Back in the early nineties alt-boom, Kim Deal left Boston’s acclaimed Pixies to form her own band with her sister Kelley, The Breeders, and they had one of the biggest hits of the era with the classic Last Splash (QRO live review performing Last Splash). However, after that the band sputtered to a delayed disappointment record Title TK a decade later.

But this is the twenty-first century, and everything is coming back. First Deal and Pixies frontman Black Francis buried the hatchet and reunited the old band, while Kim & Kelley reteamed up (QRO live review) to make Mountain Battles (QRO review) – which unfortunately was no Last Splash. So Kim left the Pixies (again), recruited the entire old Splash crew and played the record on tour (QRO photos of them performing Last Splash at a festival).

2018 (QRO photos in 2018) has seen the old band release the new All Nerve (QRO review) – and it’s yet another disappointment. But hey, Last Splash still sounds great live (QRO photos of them performing it at another festival)…
The Breeders
Also:

Verité, 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM

slenderbodies, 12:00 PM – 12:45 PM

Verité

American Express Stage

Metallica, 8:30 PM – 10:00 PM

The definition of heavy metal and the most successful band in the genre, Metallica (QRO live review) are pure headliner. The band (QRO photos) that has given us …And Justice For All, the blackest album cover since Spinal Tap, St. Anger documentary (and… LuluQRO review), and split ears worldwide (QRO photos). They (QRO photos) come to headline Austin City Limits behind 2016’s Hardwired… to Self-Destruct and a suitable epic show (QRO photos at an intimate show).
Metallica
Deftones, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM (Weekend One)

Disturbed, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM (Weekend Two)

Alternative metal doesn’t come much better than the Deftones (QRO live review). The Sacramento has been act elevating the often-derided style for over two decades now, most recently with 2012’s Koi No Yokan (QRO review) and 2016’s Gore. They’re also mainstays on the rock festival circuit (QRO photos at a festival). They (QRO live review) are known for being the rare band that both head-bangers and hipsters like (QRO photos), so come see why (QRO photos at a festival) as they hit Austin City Limits (QRO photos at a festival).

Weekend Two has another strong alt-metal act in this slot, in Chicago’s Disturbed (QRO photos), who come to Austin City Limits just before the release of their seventh record, Evolution.
Deftones


Disturbed

Highly Suspect, 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM

Cape Cod rock trio Highly Suspect (QRO photos) come to Austin City Limits (QRO photos at a festival) behind two Grammy nominations in 2015.
Highly Suspect
The Wombats, 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM

There are some acts that you can’t help but enjoy, and Liverpool’s The Wombats (QRO spotlight on) are one. The infectious electric sound of 2007 debut A Guide To Love, Lose & Desperation and songs such as “Moving To New York” (QRO video) and “Here Comes the Anxiety” (QRO video) was followed-up nicely in 2011 with This Modern Glitch (QRO review), and songs like “Techno Fan” (QRO video) and “Tokyo (Vampires and Wolves)” (QRO video). In 2015 The Wombats (QRO interview) returned with Glitterbug (QRO review) and pieces such as “This Is Not a Party” (QRO video) and “Emoticons” (QRO video), and this year with the excellent titled Beautiful People Will Ruin Your Life (QRO review) & fun show (QRO photos at a festival), as they return to Austin City Limits.
The Wombats
Also:

Alice Merton, 12:45 PM – 1:30 PM (Weekend One)QRO photos

Wallows, 12:45 PM – 1:30 PM (Weekend Two)
Alice Merton

 

 

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 7th/14th

Honda Stage

Arctic Monkeys, 8:00 PM – 9:30 PM

If you’re unfamiliar with the Sheffield-native English rockers (QRO live review), you obviously were not paying much attention in 2006 when their much ballyhoo-ed debut album Whatever People Say I Am, That’s What I Am Not was being pumped out of every speaker and headphone either side of the Atlantic & more (QRO live review in Australia), thanks to an energetic MySpace fan base. Fast-forward eight years. MySpace is a shell of its former self, but the Arctic Monkeys (QRO photos at a festival) have put out four more studio albums, 2007’s Favorite Worst Nightmare (QRO review), 2009’s Humbug (QRO review), 2011’s Suck It and See (QRO review), and 2013’s American breakthrough AM, and with a new media storm around them (QRO photos). They come back to Austin City Limits to headline the Honda Stage (QRO photos headlining a festival) after the release of Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino.
Arctic Monkeys
Travis Scott, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM (Weekend One)

Shawn Mendes, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM (Weekend Two)

Texan rapper Travis Scott has succeeded in everything from producing (for GOOD Music’s Very GOOD Beats) to mixtapes to studio albums to team-ups (with Quavo as Huncho Jack) – not to mention being Kylie Jenner’s man. He comes to play Austin City Limits after the release of his highly anticipated AstroWorld, so look for new material like recent single “Watch”, which featured Kanye West and Lil Uzi Vert.

Canadian Shawn Mendes first got notice on Vine, and quickly launched into his own successful pop career. His three records, 2015’s Handwritten, 2016’s Illuminate, and this year’s Shawn Mendes, have all debuted at the top of the Billboard charts, making him one of the youngest ever to reach such heights. And he only turned twenty in August.
Travis Scott


Shawn Mendes

X Ambassadors, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM

Ithaca’s X Ambassadors (QRO photos) come back to Austin City Limits (QRO photos) while we wait for Joyful, their follow-up to 2015’s hit debut, VHS.
X Ambassadors
Also:

A R I Z O N A, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM

shame, 12:15 PM – 1:00 PM (Weekend One)

Thunderpussy, 12:15 PM – 1:00 PM (Weekend Two)

A R I Z O N A

Miller Lite Stage

ILLENIUM, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM

San Francisco DJ & producer Nick Miller, a.k.a. ILLENIUM, comes to Austin City Limits (QRO photos at a festival).
ILLENIUM
Tinashe, 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Tinashe Jorgenson Kachingwe (QRO photos at a festival) first came to notice for her acting, including motion capturing the female protagonist in Tom Hanks’ Polar Express, but more recently has broken out as a singer/songwriter (QRO photos at a festival), already up to third album last year with Joyride – and even performed “America the Beautiful” at WrestleMania 33!
Tinashe
Bahamas, 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM

One of the best names in the singer/songwriter genre today, Afie Jurvanen cut his teeth as a backing musician for names like Jason Collett, Feist, and Hayden. Under the stage name ‘Bahamas’ (QRO photos at a festival), the self-taught musician recorded his first solo album in a rural Ontario cabin. The result: 2009’s Juno-nominated Pink Strat, which earned the Toronto native spots and just about every ‘Who To Watch’ list, as well as a place on the 2010 Polaris Long List. Bahamas (QRO live review) comes south to Austin (QRO photos) behind this year’s Earthtones.
Bahamas
Also:

Amen Dunes, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM

Wilderado, 11:30 AM – 12:15 PM (Weekend One)

Freya Ridings, 11:30 AM – 12:15 PM (Weekend Two)

Amen Dunes

Barton Springs Stage

Shakey Graves, 7:00 PM – 8:15 PM

Shakey Graves (QRO photos at a festival) is the post-folk alter ego of Austin’s Alejandro Rose-Garcia (QRO photos), who comes back home to ACL with an extra ‘e’ (QRO photos at ACL ’15).
Shakey Graves
Houndmouth, 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM

From somewhere others consider nowhere, New Albany, Indiana, Houndmouth (QRO photos in Middle America) have managed to make it by working the Americana rock road, and are coming back to Austin City Limits behind this year’s The Golden Age (QRO review).
Houndmouth
Parquet Courts, 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Bringing grunge back has been the active Parquet Courts (QRO photos at a festival), who come back to Austin City Limits (QRO photos at a festival) after April’s release of Wide Awake!.
Parquet Courts
Also:

Mt. Joy, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM

Sailor Poon, 11:30 AM – 12:15 PM (Weekend One)

Kydd Jones, 11:30 AM – 12:15 PM (Weekend Two)

Mt. Joy

Austin Kiddie Limits presented by Lifeway

Lisa Loeb, 4:30 PM – 5:00 PM (Weekend One)QRO photos at a festival

SaulPaul, 4:30 PM – 5:00 PM (Weekend Two)

Q Brothers, 2:30 PM – 3:00 PM

School of Rock, 12:30 PM – 1:00 PM

Lisa Loeb


The Q Brothers


Tito’s Handmade Vodka Stage

Silent Disco, 8:00 PM – 10:00 PM



The Revolution, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM

Prince forged The Revolution, one of the biggest acts of the eighties, including the iconic Purple Rain. The wide and varied group broke up in 1986, but thirty years later reunited following their founder’s tragic death.
The Revolution
Khruangbin, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM (Weekend One)

Moses Sumney, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM (Weekend Two)

Houston’s Khruangbin (QRO photos in Austin) draw from all over the world, Spain to the Middle East to Thailand, but return to Austin City Limits.

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


Moses Sumney

Also:

Flor de Toloache, 2:15 PM – 3:00 PM

The Ghost of Paul Revere, 1:15 PM – 2:00 PM

The Texas Gentlemen, 12:15 PM – 1:00 PM (Weekend One)

Superfónicas, 12:15 PM – 1:00 PM (Weekend Two)

The Relatives, 11:15 AM – 12:00 PM (Weekend One)

The Spiritualettes, 11:15 AM – 12:00 PM (Weekend Two)

Flor de Toloache


The Ghost of Paul Revere


BMI Stage (Weekend One)

Hailey Knox, 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Injury Reserve, 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM

The Nude Party, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM

Neighbor Lady, 11:30 AM – 12:15 PM
Hailey Knox
BMI Stage (Weekend Two)

The Sisterhood Band, 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM

B.A.G., 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Phil Cook, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM

Davie, 11:30 AM – 12:15 PM

Phil Cook

HomeAway Stage

Sylvan Esso, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM

Durham, North Carolina indie-pop duo Sylvan Esso (QRO photos outdoors) have moved up very fast (QRO photos at a festival) since the release in 2014 of their eponymous debut full-length, with well-titled follow-up What Now (QRO review) out last fall. They return to Austin City Limits (QRO photos at ACL ‘15). Never stop starting!
Sylvan Esso
REZZ, 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM

Persian-Ukrainian by way of Canada DJ, Isabelle Rezazadeh, a.k.a. REZZ, comes to Austin City Limits behind last year’s debut album, Mass Manipulation.
REZZ
Elle King, 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM

Songstress Elle King (QRO photos at a festival) encompasses country, soul, rock, and blues. She’s also, randomly, actor Rob Schneider’s daughter…
Elle King
Also:

Yungblud, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM

Lemaitre, 11:30 AM – 12:15 PM

Yungblud

American Express Stage

Childish Gambino, 8:45 PM – 10:00 PM

The world is littered with rappers trying their hand at acting, and actors trying their hand at rapping (to say nothing of sports stars trying both) – with usually poor results. Standing out from that crowd is Childish Gambino (QRO photos), a.k.a. Donald Glover (QRO photos at a festival) of NBC’s great (but sadly cancelled) Community and now his own much acclaimed creation, FX’s Atlanta (plus young Lando Calrissian in Solo).

While initial responses were lukewarm, 2016’s “Awaked, My Love!” became a commercial & critical hit, including winning a Grammy. Most recently, Glover Gambino’s (QRO photos at a festival) “This Is America” put him on the top ranks of political rappers. Danny Childish returns to Austin City Limits (QRO photos at ACL ’14).
Childish Gambino
Camila Cabello, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM (Weekend One)

Vince Staples, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM (Weekend Two)

Formerly one of the five ladies of Fifth Harmony, Camila Cabello (QRO photos at a festival) comes solo to Austin City Limits (QRO photos at a festival) after last year’s release of her debut solo full-length, The Hurting. The Healing. The Loving.

Austin City Limits got another choice lyricist in Vince Staples (QRO photos at a festival). The Long Beach native first came up with others, such as in the group Cutthroat Boyz and in association with Odd Future (QRO live review), but has since made a name all his own (QRO photos at a festival), most recently with last year’s sophomore album Big Fish Theory. He plays his second ACL.
Camila Cabello


Vince Staples

Janelle Monáe, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM

The Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter (QRO photos at a festival) nicely crosses between the urban and alternative genres, from signing to Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ Bad Boy Record to opening on tour with of Montreal (QRO live review with of Montreal) to much, much more. She has since risen to amazing heights (QRO photos) with 2013’s The Electric Lady and this year’s Dirty Computer, from festivals (QRO photos at a festival) to guest singing on mega-hit single “We Are Young” by fun. to starring as an electric lady in Philip K. Dick’s Electric Dreams and even becoming a face for CoverGirl (QRO photos at a festival).
Janelle Monae
Twin Shadow, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM

With one of the best debut albums of 2010, Forget, produced by Chris Taylor of Grizzly Bear, George Lewis Jr. (a.k.a. Twin Shadow – QRO photos) shot up on the hype meter. Turns out, the ‘80s new wave-influenced pop of the Dominican Republic born musician (QRO photos at a festival) actually lived up to its reputation. Sophisticated melodies and catchy hooks abound, the tracks of Forget easily transitioned from haunting poetics to infectious dance numbers (QRO photos at a festival), and he’s lived up to that level with later records Confess, Eclipse, and the new Caer, as he returns to Austin City Limits.



Also:

Amber Mark, 12:15 PM – 1:00 PM
Twin Shadow

 

Late Night Shows

Thursday, October 4th

Gang of Youths, with Annabelle Chairlegs @ Antone’s
A R I Z O N A, with slenderbodies @ Monhawk

Friday, October 5th

Sofi Tukker, with Ikebe Shakedown, Crush Club, LP Giobbi @ Scoot Inn
St. Vincent @ Stubb’s
Japanese Breakfast, with Molly Burch @ Antone’s
The Wombats, with Yungblud @ Emo’s
Wild ChildGryffin (DJ set) @ Vulcan Gas Company
FATAI @ Stubb’s Indoors

Saturday, October 6th

Houndmouth, with Neighbor Lady @ Antone’s
X Ambassadors, with Lewis Capaldi @ Scoot Inn
Shame, with Naked Giants @ Barracuda
Brockhampton @ Stubb’s
Amen Dunes @ Mohawk
San Holo (DJ set), with Robotaki @ Emo’s
Kydd Jones @ Stubb’s

Sunday, October 7th

The Bells of Joy @ Stubb’s Indoors
The Breeders, with Moaning @ Scoot Inn

Jai WolfMonday, October 8th

Lisa Loeb, with Dizzy @ Scoot Inn

Tuesday, October 9th

Bishop Briggs, with Donna Missal @ Emo’s

Wednesday, October 10th

Alvvays, with Caroline Says @ Scoot Inn
David Byrne, with Topaz Jones @ Bass Concert Hall
Residente, with TROOKO @ Emo’s
Wild Child, with Golden Dawn Arkestra @ Stubb’s

Thursday, October 11th

Sir Sly, with Verite @ Scoot Inn
Mt. Joy, with Duncan Fellows, Adam Melchor @ Antone’s
JUNGLE & Rhye @ Emo’s
The National @ Stubb’s
Alice Merton, with Sasha Sloan @ The Parish
Big Thief, with Sweet Spirit @ Mohawk
Ben KwellerMagic City Hippies @ Stubb’s Indoors

Friday, October 12th

Sylvan Esso, with Durand Jones & The Indications @ Stubb’s
Reignwolf, with Arkells @ Antone’s
ILLENIUM, with Trivecta @ Emo’s

Saturday, October 13th

Trampled by Turtles, with Phil Cook @ Scoot Inn
ODESZA, with Jai Wolf, EVAN GIIA @ Stubb’s
Manchester Orchestra, with Ben Kweller @ Emo’s
Parquet Courts, with SASS @ Mohawk
Harry Paradise @ Stubb’s Indoors

Sunday, October 14th

Ty Morris @ H.O.W. @ Stubb’s Indoors
Curtis Harding, with Jackie Venson @ Antone’s

 

 

For festival website, go here: https://www.aclfestival.com/

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