Written by Davis Mendoza Darusman
Austin City Limits (ACL) is one of the most celebrated annual music festivals in the United States, known for its eclectic mix of genres and artists from all over the world, offering a unique opportunity for music lovers to discover new sounds and connect with diverse communities. This year's festival, taking place in Austin's Zilker Park on October 6th - 8th and 13th - 15th, will feature 125+ performers, which we will break down by genre in this article and highlight some of the must-see performances of the festival!
Folk, Country, Americana & World:
The folk, country, Americana, and world music acts at ACL
2023 promise to deliver an array of soulful and heartfelt performances from world-class performers.
Headlining the festival are the likes of Mumford & Sons, The Lumineers, and
Shania Twain. Mumford & Sons are back after their headlining performance in 2016, with their signature blend of folk rock
and Americana, combining upbeat banjo riffs with heartfelt lyrics. The
Lumineers, on the other hand, have a more stripped-down & intimate sound, with acoustic
guitars and piano dominating their arrangements. Shania Twain, a Canadian
country-pop icon, is sure to bring a fun and energetic vibe to the festival, with hits
like "Man! I Feel Like a Woman!" and "That Don't Impress Me
Much" certain to get the crowd singing along.
Other notable acts in this genre include Hozier, MaggieRogers, and Tanya Tucker. Hozier's powerful vocals and bluesy guitar riffs make for a soul-captivating performance, while Maggie Rogers' unique mix of folk-pop and synth-pop is heavily anticipated to be a crowd-pleaser. Tanya Tucker, a legend of country music, will showcase her outlaw country roots and timeless songwriting.
For those looking for folk music based outside of the US,
there are acts like Ivan Cornejo and Ali Sethi. Ivan Cornejo's
"folk-influenced corridos" and Mexican regional music is a great booking that pays respects to Austin's and Texas's incredible Mexican culture, while Ali Sethi's mix of ghazal, folk, and
sufi music is an exiting blend that will likely introduce new audiences to these diverse musical stylings.
Indie Rock & Pop:
The indie rock and pop acts at ACL 2023 are a diverse group, with something for everyone! Alanis Morissette (Ironic, You Oughta Know, Hand in my Pocket and countless more), The 1975 (led by Matty Healy, in recent headlines after rumored to be dating Taylor Swift), and M83 will bring their rock and sing-along-pop sounds to the festival, while CigarettesAfter Sex and Ethel Cain's dreamy & atmospheric styles will create a mesmerizing musical environment for attendees to dance around while in their feels.
Other notable acts in this genre include Niall Horan, ToveLo, and Rina Sawayama. Niall Horan's folk-pop sensibilities and catchy hooks make for a fun and upbeat performance, while Tove Lo's electro-pop sound and charismatic stage presence are sure to get the crowd dancing. Rina Sawayama's avant-pop and electropop fusion is a refreshing take on pop music, showcasing her unique vocal range and songwriting talent.
For those looking for something more indie and experimental,
there are acts like Yves Tumor, Gus Dapperton, and Half-Alive. Yves Tumor's
hypnagogic pop and art pop will transport listeners to another world, while Gus
Dapperton's indie pop and bedroom pop sound is both introspective and catchy. Half-Alive's
indie pop and rock sound, featuring catchy guitar riffs and powerful vocal
harmonies, promises to be a crowd-pleaser.
ACL 2023's hip-hop, R&B, and soul lineup is particularly impressive, with a mix of established and rising artists. Kendrick Lamar, who Billboard called the #2 best rapper of all time and whose 2012 "Good Kid, M.A.A.D City" album was recently hailed by Rolling Stones as the best concept album ever, will bring his progressive rap style to the festival. Known for his introspective and socially conscious lyrics, Lamar has become one of the most influential rappers of his generation.
Kali Uchis, the 2021 Grammy winner for Best Dance Recording, will showcase her neo-soul and pop sound, with her music draws inspiration from Latin American music, soul, and R&B creating a unique blend that has garnered her a massive following.
Labrinth (best known for his work on the original score for HBO hit series, Euphoria), Lil Yachty (who recently released a beloved but unexpected psychedelic rock album), and Coi Leray will also grace the ACL stages, each bringing their own take on hip hop and R&B. Death Grips, known for his experimental and industrial hip hop sound, will also perform, adding his signature noise rap stylings o the festival.
Tash Sultana, Amaarae, and Sudan Archives will showcase their fusion of R&B, electronic, and experimental sounds. The Teskey Brothers and Thee Sacred Souls will bring their soul and blues-inspired sound to the festival, while RAYE and Eddie Zuko will add their R&B and pop-infused style.
Alternative Rock, Punk & Metal:
ACL 2023's alternative rock, punk, and metal lineup is as diverse as it is impressive. Foo Fighters, returning headliners since their previous appearance in 2015, will bring their legendary post-grunge and alternative rock sound to the festival. Led by rock icon, Dave Grohl, this will be one of the band's first performances since the tragic passing of their drummer, Taylor Hawkins (who was also the drummer for another ACL performer, Alanis Morissette), so audiences are anticipating who will helm the drummer's seat.
The YeahYeah Yeahs will showcase their post-punk revival and garage rock sound, while
Thirty Seconds to Mars, led by the multi-talented Jared Leto (who recently made headlines for dressing up as a cat at the Met Gala), will bring their progressive and alternative rock style
to the stage. The Mars Volta, known for their experimental and progressive
rock sound, will add a unique touch to the festival. The Breeders, The Walkmen,
and Sincere Engineer will also showcase their alternative rock and post-punk inspired
sound. Bass Drum of Death, Wunderhorse, and Snõõper will add their garage punk
and noise rock sound, while Jane Leo and Die Spitz will bring their pop punk
and punk rock style to the festival.
Electronic:
ACL 2023's electronic lineup will feature some of the biggest names in the genre, including ODESZA, Above & Beyond, and Bob Moses. ODESZA, known for their indietronica and cinematic dance music sound, is back to headline after their 2018 performance. Above & Beyond will showcase their trance and progressive house sound, while FKJ will bring their alternative dance-pop and deep house style to the festival.
Electronic:
ACL 2023's electronic lineup will feature some of the biggest names in the genre, including ODESZA, Above & Beyond, and Bob Moses. ODESZA, known for their indietronica and cinematic dance music sound, is back to headline after their 2018 performance. Above & Beyond will showcase their trance and progressive house sound, while FKJ will bring their alternative dance-pop and deep house style to the festival.
For those who enjoy a bit of nu-disco and synth-pop, Chromeo and Poolside are two acts not to be missed, while SIDEPIECE and Blond:ish will be bringing the heat with their deep and tech house beats.
Funk, Blues, Jazz & Jam:
Finally, the funk, blues, jazz, and jam portion of the lineup promises to be a soulful and groovy affair, with a number of exciting acts set to take the stage.
One of the standout acts in this genre is Christone "Kingfish" Ingram, the young blues guitarist from Mississippi who has been hailed as a rising star in the world of blues music. Devon Gilfillian and Celisse are also set to perform, showcasing their unique blend of funk, soul, and blues.
For fans of Latin-inspired funk and soul, The Altons are an exciting act to watch, while The Huston-Tillotson University Jazz Collective, CVC, and The Disciples of Joy will be bringing their own brand of jazz, funk, and gospel to the festival.
Conclusion:
The Austin City Limits Music Festival 2023 lineup promises to be one of the most diverse and exciting in recent years, with something for everyone, from rock and metal to electronic, funk, blues, jazz, and jam.
Whether you're a longtime fan of legendary headliners like Foo Fighters, Kendrick Lamar, or Mumford and Sons, or looking to discover some new and exciting artists, this year's festival is sure to deliver the goods. So mark your calendars and get ready for an unforgettable weekend of music, food, and fun in the heart of Texas!