Iconic television music series Austin City Limits (ACL) is thrilled to announce an exclusive worldwide livestream of Grammy-winning bluegrass superstar Billy Strings’ second headlining ACL taping on Thursday, July 2. The performance will showcase highlights from Highway Prayers, winner of the 2026 Grammy Award for Best Bluegrass Album, alongside fan favorites from throughout Billy Strings’ celebrated catalog.
For one night only, fans around the world can experience Billy Strings’ Austin City Limits Season 52 taping live from Austin, Texas. The exclusive livestream on July 2 features two full 60-minute sets with a 20-minute intermission, offering an extended evening of music rarely seen outside the ACL studio. Fans can tune in live and free at YouTube.com/AustinCityLimitsTV beginning promptly at 9 p.m. ET/ 8 p.m. CT. The livestream will feature the complete performance as it happens and will be available exclusively during the live broadcast.
The exclusive livestream offers fans an early look at Billy Strings’ Season 52 performance ahead of its hour-long broadcast premiere this fall on PBS. The episode will also stream on the PBS App and at pbs.org/austincitylimits as part of Austin City Limits’ expanded Season 52. Fans can follow ACLTV on Instagram, Facebook, X/Twitter and TikTok for updates and exclusive content.
Three-time Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter, and musician Billy Strings returns to the ACL stage following another landmark year. His latest full-length album, Highway Prayers was named Best Bluegrass Album at the 2026 Grammy Awards, marking his second consecutive win in the category and third overall. Produced by Strings and Jon Brion (Fiona Apple, Mac Miller, Aimee Mann) and released via Reprise Records, the album debuted at #1 on Billboard’s all-genre Top Album Sales chart, the first bluegrass album to achieve the feat in more than two decades. The record has drawn widespread acclaim, with GQ calling Strings “the hottest roots-music phenomenon in decades” and Pitchfork praising, “the bluegrass wunderkind expands his palette, exploring new textures and emotional registers while staying true to his beloved genre.”
Following Highway Prayers, Strings released an exclusive Apple Music Nashville Sessions EP featuring reworked songs from the record as well as the surprise collaborative album Live at the Legion with bluegrass virtuoso Bryan Sutton. Recorded live at Nashville’s American Legion Post 82, the project captures the duo performing 20 traditional bluegrass and folk songs, including new renditions of Bob Dylan’s “Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright” and Doc Watson’s “Way Downtown.”
Born in Michigan and now based in Nashville, Strings has emerged as the genre’s new superstar, blending bluegrass traditions with influences from rock, jazz and psychedelia. Since his 2017 debut, he has received numerous accolades, including Best Bluegrass Album at the 63rd, 67th and 68th Grammy Awards, Artist of the Year at the 2022 and 2023 Americana Music Awards, Entertainer of the Year at the International Bluegrass Music Awards in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2025, and Pollstar Awards’ Breakthrough Artist of the Pandemic in 2021 and Best New Headliner in 2022.
An electrifying live performer, Strings is currently in the midst of an extensive headline arena tour throughout 2026 and will join Willie Nelson for his annual Fourth of July picnic. He made his ACL debut in Season 47 (2021), and returned for the series’ 50th Anniversary celebration in 2024.
A production of Austin PBS, Austin City Limits is the longest-running music series in television history, providing viewers a front-row seat to unforgettable live performances for more than five decades. Recorded live at ACL’s studio home, ACL Live in Austin, Texas, the acclaimed series remains a cornerstone of public media, showcasing the finest in live music performance from across the musical spectrum. Austin City Limits writes the next chapter in its remarkable 50+ year broadcast run with the upcoming Season 52.