Austin City Music Festival at Zilker Park in Austin, Texas on October 11, 2025. (Photo: Ralph Arvesen)
By Sunday night, the grass at Zilker Park was gone, the dust hung in the air, and more than 225,000 people had passed through the gates over three long, beautiful, chaotic days. Austin once again lived up to its claim as the Live Music Capital of the World, proving that few cities can match the blend of sound, spirit, and scene that defines the Austin City Limits Music Festival.
ACL Festival 2025 enjoyed mild but still demanding Texas weather. Daytime highs hovered near 93 degrees, manageable compared to 2024’s record-breaking 101, but still punishing after hours in the sun. Dust coated everything by Sunday afternoon, and many festivalgoers wore face masks as protection against allergies and haze. Hydration and safety remained priorities, with boxed water tossed into crowds and hydration stations never far away. Medical tents, staffed by Ascension Seton volunteers, stayed busy throughout the weekend, treating up to sixty patients per hour.
The nonprofit This Must Be The Place distributed free Narcan and educated festivalgoers about overdose prevention. The organization’s quiet work added an important layer of safety in a weekend filled with celebration.
Food was a highlight as always. Forty-six local and regional vendors filled the ACL Eats lineup, with most offering vegan or vegetarian options. Barton Springs Beer Hall was renamed to The Big Tent, and became a shaded haven where guests cooled off with pizza from Bambino while watching the Red River Showdown, with Texas defeated Oklahoma 23 - 6, adding another reason for the park to erupt in cheers that day.
This year's ACL Festival felt both familiar and significantly refreshed, particularly in the layout and sponsor presence. The grounds saw major signage changes, with the long running Honda Stage officially rebranded as the T-Mobile Stage, and the former T-Mobile platform renamed the Lady Bird Stage. The Beatbox Stage, once the small southernmost stage, gained new attention with its increasingly eclectic lineup.
Though the loss of the traditional Honda Retreat disappointed some regulars, sponsors quickly filled the void. T-Mobile took a sprawling footprint, offering massive Club Magenta lounges and essential portable charger rentals. Tito’s Vodka impressed festivalgoers with the Chillmaster5000, a massive walk-in fridge that doubled as a brand activation zone, complete with prizes and branded bandanas. Meanwhile, Miller Lite offered shaded games and cooling stations, and American Express continued to pamper cardholders with its privileged, shaded viewing decks.
While ACL 2025 scaled back some attractions, including the Wrangler Ranch and Coke Studio, new experiences filled the gap. Hacienda Patrón debuted its multi-level tequila lounge, and a mirror exhibit near Rock Island became one of the most photographed spots of the weekend. The festival’s family-friendly spirit endured. Austin Kiddie Limits offered crafts, dance lessons, and a drum zone for young attendees, while the Bonus Tracks Stage hosted drag shows, taco fests, and lively discussions that expanded the meaning of a music festival.
By the end of Sunday night, the skyline behind the stages glowed with city lights. The dust still hung in the air, shoes were ruined, and voices were gone, but no one wanted to leave. ACL Music Festival 2025 delivered what Austin does best, community, rhythm, and the sense that music still has the power to connect strangers under the same hot Texas sky.
Fan reviews:Saturday was a study in contrast. Early crowds swelled at the Beatbox Stage for Joey Valence & Brae, who mixed humor and chaos into a high-octane hip-hop set. “Give us a thumbs up if you’re good,” they told the crowd between mosh pits, proving that safety and wild energy can coexist.
Amazing festival! great organization, multiple water stations and food options. It's a nice vibe, everyone is cool, polite and respectful. I felt very safe. I went solo both times and trust me, such a pleasant experience! got to know lots of new artists that I still till these days.
I look forward to attending ACL every year! Time and time again, ACL can bring amazing artists from many genres of music. From country, rock, pop, and rap to EDM, this festival appeals to the masses. Something I have appreciated is that they recruit up-and-coming artists who perform on smaller stages and allow them the audiences to one day be a potential superstar.
ACL is so special to me. It is in the heart of Austin, with the downtown skyline in the background and full of people who appreciate music. I highly recommend going at least once!
This year was my first time going to ACL and it was tremendous! From start to finish everything ran smoothly. What seemed to be extensive lines to enter moved quickly. There were several areas of refuge, water, medical, etc. for safety and well-being during the event. The crowds were enormous but still space to move around comfortably. The performers were amazing!
This was my first time going to ACL and I was pleased I got to secure my 3 day ticket as soon as they dropped. I went with friends and had a great time. Yes, it was a bit chaotic at times (food lines) and certain stage areas were extremely crowded. Beverages and food prices were questionable but folks need to eat and hydrate. I personally loved the credit card linked to wristband feature, made it super easy to purchase items and no worries about losing your physical credit card. Overall solid experience, would love to go again next year.
Everyone should go to ACL at least once! I go every year, but I'm bias, I just love live music and the vibe.
I've been attending this festival for years. I will even purchase tickets before I even know what artists will be playing. That's how confident I am that regardless of who'll be performing it'll be a good time. Each year there will be some popular headliners performing each day. Throughout the day there will be artists playing from open to close. It gives you a chance to discover new upcoming artists. There are some cool photo opportunities available throughout the park along with games to win some cool prizes.
As fun as it is dusty! In the past five years I have been to about 10 music festivals and this one has become my personal favorite as far as the lineup, the vibe, the location, the art, the food, the set up and layout.
Best event of this kind we have been to. So organized, plenty of restrooms, plenty of friendly upbeat staff, constantly removing garbage and recycle . Plenty of water everywhere, they were handing it out and it seemed impossible anyone would get dehydrated. Security good without being invasive, medical tents and hydration stations everywhere, and good swag.
Look forward to coming back! First time attending the festival and can’t wait to return. Friendly staff, clean grounds, easy to get there and depart, incredible line ups, and all in the heart of an awesome city!
Fashion became part of the show later that day. Sabrina Carpenter’s pop-country crossover set the tone for the weekend’s most distinctive style trend. Fans arrived in cowgirl hats, red lipstick mark tattoos, ruffled skirts, and concho belts, creating a sea of coordinated sparkle and denim that glittered across Zilker Park.
Meanwhile, Doechii delivered a high-impact, genre-blending set, showcasing her versatility as both a rapper and singer, while DJO provided a perfect dose of catchy, sophisticated psychedelic pop. The night was ultimately anchored by rock royalty, The Strokes. The legendary New York band closed the main stage with their signature cool, effortless swagger, delivering their beloved catalog of garage rock anthems and proving why they remain one of the most influential acts of the 21st century.
Eric Slick
Eric Slick performing at the Austin City Music Festival at Zilker Park in Austin, Texas on October 11, 2025. (Photo: Ralph Arvesen)Eric Slick stepped onstage at Zilker Park with a quiet confidence. His drumming roots and solo work blend rock, jazz, and pop influences; at ACL he showcased both his rhythmic precision and melodic sense. Slick’s set felt intimate but not small: he drew the crowd in by building space around each note and letting subtler moments breathe. Throughout his performance, he shifted between solo spotlighting and engaging with his backing band. The audience responded to his technical command and emotional sincerity. In a festival full of spectacle, Slick offered a refreshing reminder that musicianship and emotional clarity still carry weight.
Shallowater
Shallowater performing at the Austin City Music Festival at Zilker Park in Austin, Texas on October 11, 2025. (Photo: Ralph Arvesen)Shallowater stepped into Zilker Park with a plain spoken intensity that felt right at home on the big stage. Their sound married Americana guitar lines with a modern sense of pacing, and the set felt like a careful story told in chapters. Every song seemed built from lived moments, and the crowd responded to the authenticity in the lyrics and the way the band tightened and opened their playing. Live, Shallowater kept the momentum steady. The quieter moments allowed the audience to lean in, then the band pushed forward when hooks arrived, resulting in a performance that rewarded both attentive listening and sunlit singing.
Sydney Rose
Sydney Rose performing at the Austin City Music Festival at Zilker Park in Austin, Texas on October 11, 2025. (Photo: Ralph Arvesen)Sydney Rose earned an early slot that belied her impact. Her voice floated over gentle instrumentation in the daylight and steadily gained strength as the sun dipped. She leaned into vulnerability, inviting listeners to lean in with her as she traced themes of love, growth, and self discovery. Her set was full of moments where simplicity spoke louder than production. When she stripped things back to just voice and piano, the crowd hushed. Then she layered in fuller textures, leading to gentle crescendos that felt earned. For many fans, her ACL appearance will mark the moment they first heard her on a big stage.
South Arcade
South Arcade performing at the Austin City Music Festival at Zilker Park in Austin, Texas on October 11, 2025. (Photo: Ralph Arvesen)South Arcade brought their cinematic indie sound to the BMI stage with composure and clarity. Their mix of shimmering guitar textures and melodic vocals translated well to a festival setting, where space and dynamics matter as much as volume. As the set unfolded, their arrangements revealed small, sharp details that made repeated listening feel inevitable. Onstage, the band balanced atmosphere and focus. They used the park’s daylight to highlight subtler sonic colors and then let choruses bloom wide enough for the crowd to sing along. For Zilker Park attendees, their performance felt like discovering a favorite album played live for the first time.
TOPS
TOPS performing at the Austin City Music Festival at Zilker Park in Austin, Texas on October 11, 2025. (Photo: Ralph Arvesen)TOPS retro informed pop lingered between disco and soft rock, and the band delivered it with an understated glamour that felt cinematic. Melody led the way, and the crowd moved in time to shimmering hooks and warm vocal harmonies. The performance proved why TOPS fit so naturally into festival programming. The relaxed tempo let listeners drift into each song, while subtle rhythmic shifts kept attention taut. By the end, their set left the crowd was both content and a little wistful.
Leisure
Leisure performing at the Austin City Music Festival at Zilker Park in Austin, Texas on October 11, 2025. (Photo: Ralph Arvesen)Leisure brought sun soaked soul and a polished groove to their ACL appearance. Their set felt like an extended feel good moment, built from soft funk bass lines and airy vocals that made people sway rather than sprint. It was the kind of performance that repaired any fatigue from a day of festival walking. They paced their songs to let the hooks take hold. The crowd responded by laying back into the rhythm and singing along when choruses opened up. Leisure’s set proved that tight production and laid back charisma can combine for a memorable festival performance.
Olivia Dean
Olivia Dean performing at the Austin City Music Festival at Zilker Park in Austin, Texas on October 11, 2025. (Photo: Ralph Arvesen)Olivia Dean’s ACL slot felt like a true pop revelation. Her voice cut through the park with clarity and emotion, and she paired a refined stage presence with a sense of warmth that kept the audience engaged. Each song landed with directness, and fashion and visual detail added to a performance that felt fully thought out. Onstage, Dean moved through quiet moments and fuller arrangements with equal command. The crowd reacted not only to the big moments but to the intimacy she created between lines. For many attendees, her set will be one that lingers as a highlight of the day.
Ocean Alley
Ocean Alley performing at the Austin City Music Festival at Zilker Park in Austin, Texas on October 11, 2025. (Photo: Ralph Arvesen)Ocean Alley brought the laid-back groove of Australian reggae rock into the Austin heat. Their set rode on warm basslines, dreamy guitar textures, and vocal hooks that drifted across the crowd. In a festival setting, their blend of mellow and momentum created a space of chill energy. At ACL they paced their set to let highs land and lows resonate. The crowd caught that ebb and flow, swaying during slower passages and lifting voices during choruses. Their performance reminded festivalgoers of the power of mood and groove in live music.
Joey Valence & Brae
Joey Valence & Brae performing at the Austin City Music Festival at Zilker Park in Austin, Texas on October 11, 2025. (Photo: Ralph Arvesen)Joey Valence & Brae slammed into ACL’s Saturday lineup with raw energy and unapologetic fun. Their hip hop carnival style, big beats, call-and-response hooks, playful aggression, cut through the festival noise with swagger. They owned the stage by leaning into crowd interaction and kinetic movement. They crossbred older rap styles with contemporary flair, alternating between party anthems and braggadocio lines. The energy was continuous; fans jumped with them, shouted along, and embraced the set as a charged zone of release. In the festival’s bigger moments, Joey Valence & Brae reminded everyone why hip hop still belongs in the center of the live-music conversation.
Dizzy Fae
Dizzy Fae performing at the Austin City Music Festival at Zilker Park in Austin, Texas on October 11, 2025. (Photo: Ralph Arvesen)Dizzy Fae’s ACL performance came with bold, kinetic energy. Their music blends pop and electronic textures with anthemic hooks, and onstage they amplified that blend with choreography and visuals. The result was a set that felt built for immediate connection, designed to get the crowd moving. The festival environment suited them well; their production elements fit into the big field without overwhelming it. Fans reacted to the beats and the call and response hooks. For those seeking pop confidence with visual flair, Dizzy Fae delivered.
Car Seat Headrest
Car Seat Headrest performing at the Austin City Music Festival at Zilker Park in Austin, Texas on October 11, 2025. (Photo: Ralph Arvesen)Car Seat Headrest played ACL’s Saturday afternoon with professionalism and intensity. Will Toledo led the performance with a voice that carried both weariness and urgency. The band moved tightly between intricate musical passages and hook-driven rock moments. Despite relentless midday heat, they delivered with conviction. The crowd sang back lyrics and engaged with performance cues. Some reviews noted that while their ambition and musicianship were evident, the lack of theatricality left gaps in connection. But fans of the group celebrated hearing newer material live and being treated to the emotional core Toledo brings to the stage.
LA LOM
LA LOM performing at the Austin City Music Festival at Zilker Park in Austin, Texas on October 11, 2025. (Photo: Ralph Arvesen)LA LOM offered a slice of bold, modern pop wrapped in punchy production. Their songs balanced sharp hooks with textural nuance, giving their ACL slot both polish and edge. Onstage they moved with assured confidence as their synth lines and vocal layering commanded attention. They paced their set to introduce sonic tension. Moments of atmospheric build preceded choruses, and those peaks landed the way festival peaks often do: unexpected but inevitable. For listeners who caught them at ACL, LA LOM proved they could translate studio ambition into compelling live presence.
Latin Mafia
Latin Mafia performing at the Austin City Music Festival at Zilker Park in Austin, Texas on October 11, 2025. (Photo: Ralph Arvesen)Latin Mafia’s ACL performance leaned into rhythm and persona. Their music blends Latin flair, urban beats, and vocal swagger. Onstage they delivered with flair and presence: front-and-center energy, rhythmic tightness, and confident movement. They wove Spanish and English lyrics through beats that urged feet to move. The audience responded in kind, hands in the air, voices up. In a festival setting crowded with stars, Latin Mafia’s set felt like a solid statement of identity and excitement.
Magdalena Bay
Magdalena Bay performing at the Austin City Music Festival at Zilker Park in Austin, Texas on October 11, 2025. (Photo: Ralph Arvesen)Magdalena Bay’s ACL set was a glittering journey through synth-pop wonder. Their sonic palette leapt between atmospheric textures, danceable grooves, and crystalline vocal production. Onstage they delivered with playfulness and precision, each visual, each switch in momentum felt intentional. Their set built in waves, quiet intro, layering of electronics, and full-pop staggered choruses that landed clean. Even under bright sun, they maintained theatrical presence, drawing the crowd into their vibrant sonic world. Their ACL slot confirmed they belong in festival headspaces.
Doechii
Doechii performing at the Austin City Music Festival at Zilker Park in Austin, Texas on October 11, 2025. (Photo: Ralph Arvesen)Doechii took her moment at ACL with boldness and artistry. Her set moved between rap, R&B, and free-flowing expression. She had stage presence, gestures, vocal control, and an ability to anchor bigger production without losing her voice. She included both confident showmanship and vulnerability. In some songs she invited quiet moments, then reignited intensity with beat drops or vocal layering. The crowd matched her energy. Her ACL performance felt like a breakthrough, even in a festival loaded with stars.
Zeds Dead
Zeds Dead performing at the Austin City Music Festival at Zilker Park in Austin, Texas on October 11, 2025. (Photo: Ralph Arvesen)Their production-heavy set featured deep bass, shivering synth lines, and space for dance that felt immersive rather than overwhelming. They paced the evening’s energy with precision: starting strong, pulling back, and gradually building to crescendos that had the crowd moving as one. Their performance reaffirmed their place at the intersection of festival main stage and underground club.
Djo
Djo performing at the Austin City Music Festival at Zilker Park in Austin, Texas on October 11, 2025. (Photo: Ralph Arvesen)Djo’s art-rock lean and moody performance connected directly with those in the crowd. He balanced atmospheric instrumentation with sharp vocal delivery. He moved through his catalog with fluidity, varying tempo and dynamics. For fans, his performance felt like a hidden gem, one of those moments that linger.
The Strokes
The Strokes performing at the Austin City Music Festival at Zilker Park in Austin, Texas on October 11, 2025. (Photo: Ralph Arvesen)The Strokes commanded ACL’s Saturday lineup with veteran swagger and timeless hooks. They opened with energy, pacing their set to let iconic songs land hard. Fans sang entire choruses back as the band leaned into canon favorites and newer compositions. On stage they balanced legacy and presence. Julian Casablancas’s voice carried grit, the guitars rang classic lines, and the rhythm section locked tight. In a festival context heavy on novelty, The Strokes arrived as proof that rock core still matters to big audiences. Their ACL set was a celebration of what enduring appeal looks like.
Austin City Music Festival
web | facebook | x | instagram
