Benson Boone, Halsey, AJR & More Wowed Fans in the Heart of Austin at Coca-Cola’s Sips & Sounds Music Festival
Music lovers had a blast at the two-day family-friendly festival along Auditorium Shores
Coca-Cola’s Sips & Sounds Music Festival made its anticipated return to Austin this year, with a great location lighting up the city’s iconic Auditorium Shores. The two-day, family-friendly festival held March 7-8, proved to be a standout event, offering a fantastic blend of fun pop music and vibrant activations. With Sips & Sounds taking place at the same time as the kick-off to SXSW, festival-goers could fully embrace Austin’s exciting festival energy that weaved throughout the city.
Location
Nestled along Lady Bird Lake and surrounded by the stunning Austin skyline, the location of Sips & Sounds couldn’t have been more perfect. With a manageable size, navigating the festival was a breeze, making it the ideal experience for families, particularly those looking to introduce their kids to the exciting world of live music festivals.
Lineup
One of the most significant highlights of the 2025 festival was the impressive lineup. Fans were treated to performances from powerhouse, Grammy-nominated artists like Halsey and Benson Boone, setting the stage for an unforgettable experience. Over the two days, festival attendees enjoyed stellar sets from Suki Waterhouse, Khalid, AJR, Ashe, Chelsea Cutler & Jeremy Zucker. Rising stars like Nessa Barrett and Gus Dapperton also brought their unique sounds, making for a well-rounded and diverse musical experience. Another highlight was a set from hometown favorite DJ Cassandra who had everyone dancing.
RELATED: Looking for more concert energy from Benson Boone? He plays again on Tuesday, March 11 at the Rolling Stone Future of Music showcase which is open to the public for those who RSVP.
Festival Food & Fun
In addition to the fantastic music, the festival offered a variety of activations to keep fans entertained in between sets. The Silent Disco was a hit, drawing crowds eager to dance to their own beats. The Coca-Cola Fan Zone provided a perfect spot to grab a refreshing drink. With plenty of food options from beloved Austin staples like Amy’s Ice Cream, Burro Cheese Kitchen and Southside Flying Pizza, there was no shortage of tasty bites to enjoy.
A noteworthy feature of the festival was its commitment to sustainability. The “Recycle & Refresh” stations, set up throughout the grounds, encouraged attendees to recycle bottles and cans in exchange for exclusive festival swag. Volunteers from Keep Austin Beautiful helped make this eco-friendly initiative a success, ensuring that the festival left a minimal environmental footprint.
Coca-Cola’s Sips & Sounds Music Festival was a perfect blend of fun, family and fantastic music, adding it to the list of must-attend annual events for Austin’s music lovers.