Austin Bands to Watch at ACL Music Festival This Year

Whether it’s your first time or your 20th attending Austin’s eponymous ACL Music Festival, it never fails to spread an exciting, infectious energy throughout the city. Taking place for two weekends from October 3–5 and 10–12 at the picturesque Zilker Park, more than 100 acts will play across nine stages, making it easy to spend the day watching your favorite musicians and discovering new ones. 

While invariably each year there are some disagreements over the lineup, one thing the program has never shied away from is hosting a considerate list of upcoming and established local artists, representing a slice of Austin culture to visitors and residents alike.

It can be hard to keep up with who’s who in a city filled with so much natural talent. And even if you’re not planning to brave the sky-high temps or scores of concert-goers this year for a chance to jam out in-person, each of these homegrown artists are still worth putting on your playlist or catching at an esteemed venue all year round. Take a look at our locals-only schedule below for a little taste of Austin’s renowned music scene.

Asleep at the Wheel

Friday, Oct. 3 (W1)
T-Mobile Stage | 12:45 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

The band, the myth, the legend. Asleep at the Wheel is a western swing ensemble with over 50 years of live music under their belt and deep roots in ACL history. Although the band originated in Virginia, they’ve become a staple of the festival experience after relocating their home base in 1974 at the invitation of Willie Nelson himself. The band boasts an impressive streak of performances, kicking off ACL Fest every year since their debut in 2002. With that legacy—plus their induction into the Austin City Limits Hall of Fame and multiple appearances on the iconic PBS show—Asleep at the Wheel has become a beloved tradition that early-bird festival goers can count on. Get there when the gates open, and you might just catch Ray Benson performing “Hot Rod Lincoln,” and we guarantee there’s no better way to start your day.

S. L. Houser

Saturday, Oct. 4 (W1)
BMI Stage | 12:15 p.m. – 12:45 p.m.

S. L. Houser, formerly the frontwoman of Austin band Löwin, has carved out her own path as an indie pop artist, releasing her “Hibiscus” EP in 2023 on Spaceflight Records. A musician since an early age, she is a classically trained pianist and a Berklee College of Music graduate. She has been a fixture of the Austin music scene since 2009, she’s played stages from Stubb’s to SXSW, earned airplay on KUTX, and collaborated widely while also working as a producer, arranger and educator. We’re looking forward to her kicking off Saturday of Weekend one with her magnetic sound.

Geto Gala

Sunday, Oct. 5 (W1)
Beatbox Stage | 1:45 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Hip-hop duo Geto Gala, made up of Deezie Brown and Jake Lloyd, delivers raw, hard-hitting verses layered over experimental production and smooth harmonies that nod to trailblazers like Run the Jewels and Outkast. Their debut LP, “Major League,” is a polished collection that moves fluidly from traditional hip-hop beats to jazz-inflected live instrumentation and more experimental production. With soulful lyricism and a reputation for high-energy performances, Geto Gala is poised to deliver one of those can’t-miss sets.

Dylan Gossett

Friday, Oct. 3 and Oct. 10 (W1 and W2)
American Express Stage | 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Austin-born singer-songwriter Dylan Gossett blends folk and Americana genres with raw lyrics and stripped-down acoustic storytelling. His breakout single “Coal” has introduced him as a standout voice in modern country circles. With humble beginnings right here in his hometown, it’s only fitting that he’s taking the stage at ACL Fest—a festival he once attended as a fan, now sharing the lineup with artists he’s previously admired from the crowd. His set is a must-see for fans of acoustic-driven country in the vein of Zach Bryan, and if you’re lucky, you just might catch “Sweet Lady” on the set list. 

Next of Kin

Saturday, Oct. 4 (W1)
Tito’s Stage | 1:00 p.m. – 1:45 p.m.

Queer alt-country/Americana trio Next of Kin consists of Lili Hickman, Madison Baker, and Caelin, three powerhouse singer-songwriters whose harmonies demand to be heard live. Their voices weave together in soulful, three-part arrangements that feel both transcendent and intimate, radiating an energy that’s impossible not to sway or slow-dance to. Their latest EP, “Homemaker,” balances punchy country rhythms with soul-stirring lyricism, a collection that already feels tailor-made for an ACL stage. With their charm, chemistry, and cute country flair, the trio is carving out a sound that’s as infectious as it is unforgettable.

Briscoe

Friday, Oct. 3 (W1)
Lady Bird Stage | 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

Arguably one of the biggest Austin breakout acts of this year’s fest, Briscoe, the folk-rock duo Philip Lupton and Truett Heintzelman, first came together while at the University of Texas. With a sound rooted in Americana and inspired by storytellers like Neil Young and the Avett Brothers, they’ve built a reputation for poetic songwriting and powerful live shows. Fresh off their second album, “Heat of July,” the band is now on a major national tour that includes this hometown stop to play ACL. 

The Point.

Sunday, Oct. 12 (W2)
Beatbox Stage | 1:45 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Genre-bending trio The Point., which consists of Joe Roddy, Jack Montesinos, and Nico Leophonte, crafts a laid-back yet dynamic sound that ranges from psychedelic rock to jam-band cumbia grooves. Their new single “Itis” shimmers with a sunny, free-flowing energy that’s part trance-inducing jam, part soundtrack for a long drive with the windows rolled down. The band’s fourth album, “Maldito Animal,” showcases their range, weaving together Turkish psychedelic rock, cumbia, jazz, and beyond. A deluxe edition of the aforementioned record arrives September 26 via local labels Keeled Scales and Spaceflight Records. Fans of indie-rock acts with jammy, genre-blurring sensibilities, such as Chicano Batman or BALTHVS, will find plenty to love here.

Farmers Wife

Friday, Oct. 10 (W2)
Tito’s Stage | 1:15 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.

We’ll be starting our weekend two at one of our favorite intimate areas of the fest, the Tito’s tent, where year after year, we discover some of our top new-to-us performers. Farmer’s Wife is an Austin-based dream grunge band fusing the grit of ’90s alternative rock with shoegaze textures and themes drawn from dark fairy tales and gothic romance. With singles including “Shoe Goo” and “Swarm,” they’ve carved out a sound that’s both raw and ethereal. We can’t wait to catch their brooding, high-energy set.

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