Austin City Limits (ACL) newly-launched Season 49 continues with a double-bill showcasing a pair of Los Angeles-based acts: acclaimed singer-songwriter Jenny Lewis returns to the ACL stage for her first appearance in a decade with selections from her latest Joy’All and breakthrough indie-pop band MUNA deliver a revelatory set in a radiant ACL debut. The new episode premieres October 14 at 7pm CT/8pm ET. ACL airs weekly on PBS stations nationwide (check local listings) and full episodes are made available to stream online at pbs.org/austincitylimits immediately following the initial broadcast.
The program, produced by Austin PBS and recorded live at ACL’s studio home ACL Live in Austin, Texas, continues its extraordinary run as the longest-running music television show in history, providing viewers a front-row seat to the best in live performance for 49 years as the music institution nears a remarkable half-century milestone. Austin City Limits celebrates 50 years as a live music beacon in 2024: on October 17, 1974, Willie Nelson taped the pilot episode and the trailblazing series premiered in 1975. Stay tuned for news on special concerts, fan events and activations as Austin City Limits salutes an incredible legacy of 50 golden years of American musical history and iconic performances.
“What a joy to be back here at ACL,” says Jenny Lewis as she opens a joy-filled set in her second appearance as a solo artist on the ACL stage, two decades into a prolific career. Clad in a black leather jumpsuit, and fronting an all-female band of ringers, Lewis perches on a circular mini-stage for “Joy’All,” the irresistible title track of her acclaimed fifth album, produced by Nashville ace Dave Cobb. The clarion quality of Lewis’ voice soars as she switches between a guitar and a Wurlitzer. She sits at the keyboard for the soulful “Heads Gonna Roll,” from 2019’s On the Line, a tumultuous road trip anthem fueled by a fire of unrequited love. Revered by fans for her confessional, narrative lyrics, a set highlight is the country-rock kiss-off “Psychos,” featuring a lush melody, pedal steel arrangement and the fan-favorite line “I’m not a psycho, I’m just tryna get laid.” The set closes with the joyous rock tune “Love Feel,” earning rapturous cheers from the crowd as she namechecks forebears Waylon and Wilie, Marvin Gaye, Johnny Cash, Hank Williams and another ACL inspiration: “A little shout-out to John Prine there!” as Lewis closes out a sparkling set with a smile.
In their ACL debut, LA trio MUNA perform a supercharged set showcasing gems from their self-titled third album. The group consists of lead singer and songwriter Katie Gavin, multi-instrumentalist Naomi McPherson and lead guitarist Josette Maskin. The trio are enjoying a meteoric rise and a banner year, becoming one of music’s must-see live acts, landing 2023 arena dates opening for Taylor Swift and boygenius, in addition to high-profile festival appearances at Coachella and Bonnaroo, and their own sold-out “Life’s So Fun” tour. MUNA have earned legions of fervent fans and widespread acclaim for their propulsive pop-rock melodies and hook-filled queer anthems. MUNA’s songwriting touches on the joys, longings and complexities of life in the LGBTQ community. The band radiates electric energy as their followers in the MUNAverse thrill to the empowering singalongs of “Kind of Girl” and “Anything But Me.” The performance reaches a fever pitch with “Home By Now,” a dancefloor banger, as Katie Gavin dances across the stage for a euphoric close.
“‘Joy’ is the operative word for this powerful combo,” said ACL executive producer Terry Lickona. “Jenny Lewis showcases a new chapter in her prolific career, proving that she continues to break musical boundaries, and MUNA’s anthemic songs prove that everything is possible when people connect to each other.”
Jenny Lewis setlist:
Joy’All
Heads Gonna Roll
Cherry Baby
Psychos
Puppy And A Truck
Love Feel
MUNA setlist:
Loose Garment
Winterbreak
Kind Of Girl
Taken
Anything But Me
Home By Now
Season 49 Broadcast Line-up (second half of season to be announced separately)
Oct. 7 Rodrigo y Gabriela featuring the Austin Symphony Orchestra
Oct. 14 Jenny Lewis / MUNA
Oct. 21 Lil Yachty / Sudan Archives
Oct. 28 Margo Price / Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway
Nov. 4 Jorge Drexler
Nov. 11 Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit
Nov. 18 Foo Fighters
Watch new episodes live, stream online, or download the PBS App. The complete line-up for the full 14-week season, including seven new episodes to air beginning January 2023, will be announced at a later date. Viewers can visit acltv.com for news regarding live streams, future tapings and episode schedules or by following ACL on Facebook, Twitter, IG and TikTok. Fans can also browse the ACL YouTube channel for exclusive songs, behind-the-scenes videos and full-length artist interviews.
Austin City Limits
Austin City Limits (ACL) offers viewers unparalleled access to featured acts in an intimate setting that provides a platform for artists to deliver inspired, memorable, full-length performances. Now in its 49th Season, the program is taped live before a concert audience from The Moody Theater in downtown Austin. Austin City Limits is the longest-running music series in television history and remains the only TV series to ever be awarded the National Medal of Arts. Since its inception, the groundbreaking music series has become an institution that’s helped secure Austin’s reputation as the Live Music Capital of the World. The historic Austin PBS Studio 6A, home to 36 years of ACL concerts, has been designated an official Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Landmark. In 2011, ACL moved to the new venue ACL Live at The Moody Theater in downtown Austin. ACL received a rare institutional Peabody Award for excellence and outstanding achievement in 2012.
Austin City Limits is produced by Austin PBS and funding is provided in part by Dell Technologies, the Austin Convention Center Department, Cirrus Logic and AXS Ticketing. Additional funding is provided by the Friends of Austin City Limits. Learn more about Austin City Limits, programming and history at acltv.com.