Austin City Limits presents a season highlight and homecoming: the long-awaited return of celebrated singer-songwriter and bandleader Lyle Lovett, joined by his iconic Large Band, making his first appearance in over a decade with songs from his first new album in 10 years, 12th of June. One of music’s most vibrant and iconic performers, the Grammy Award-winning Lovett is accompanied by his 16-piece band for an entertaining hour of new songs and extraordinary musicianship. The new installment premieres November 5 at 8pm CT/9pm ET as part of ACL’s Season 48. The program, recorded live at ACL’s studio home in Austin, Texas, continues its run as the longest-running music television show in history, providing viewers a front-row seat to the best in live performance for 48 years as the music institution nears a remarkable half-century milestone. 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 show’s official hashtag is #acltv.
Lyle Lovett made his first headlining appearance on Austin City Limits during Season 12 in 1987 with songs from his landmark self-titled debut, and has since been featured on ACL more times than any artist, save for one Willie Nelson. This beloved performer and ACL Hall of Famer returns for a remarkable seventeenth appearance, with his recent album 12th of June as the centerpiece. The Texas hero is accompanied by his impeccably dressed Large Band for a radiant 10-song set showcasing new gems. Lovett shares the love and joy of home life with his trademark wry humor on new numbers such as “Pants Is Overrated” and the bluesy stroll “Pig Meat Man,” which Lovett explains he wrote for his 5-year-old son “who is a vegetarian except he loves bacon.” Lovett’s longtime backing singer Francine Reed, who recently retired from the road, returns for the occasion and joins Lovett center stage for a gorgeous rendition of the Nat King Cole classic “Gee Baby, Ain’t I Good to You?” He welcomes friend and frequent touring partner Chris Isaak for a pair of songs, including a lively duet on Roy Orbison’s “Dream Baby.” Lovett celebrates life’s joys with his wife and children with the tender title track “12th of June” and closes with the barrelhouse piano-led “On A Winter’s Morning,” which revels in the simple magic of being alive.
“Lyle has always been a big part of the ACL family – in more ways than one,” said executive producer Terry Lickona. “He was there when ACL had barely hit its first 10 years, and even before his career took off. It’s been a joy to capture his music as we both grew and evolved, and it’s obvious that we both still have lots more new music to offer to the world!”
Lyle Lovett and His Large Band setlist:
ARE WE DANCING
PANTS IS OVERRATED
GEE BABY, AIN’T I GOOD TO YOU?
HER LOVING MAN
MIRRORED MAN’S LAMENT (with Chris Isaak)
DREAM BABY (with Chris Isaak)
THE MOCKING ONES
12TH OF JUNE
PIG MEAT MAN
ON A WINTER’S MORNING
Season 48 Broadcast Line-up (first half of season)
October 1 Brandi Carlile
October 8 Japanese Breakfast/Arlo Parks
October 15 Sylvan Esso/Lucius
October 22 Allison Russell/The Weather Station
October 29 Parker McCollum/Robert Earl Keen
November 5 Lyle Lovett and His Large Band
November 12 Cimafunk and The Tribe
Watch live, stream anytime, 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 and IG. 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 48th 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, Workrise, 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.