On the first Saturday of ACL Festival, energy downtown was already high. Coming off his headlining performance at the festival on Friday, Carín León and his amazing backing band of talented musicians took the ACL TV stage by storm, performing career-spanning highlights including “Primera Cita” and “Que Vuelvas.”
The night was a boot-stomping singalong that may have been one of the most fun tapings to date. León engaged with the studio audience throughout his spirited performance, throwing multiple hats and, toward the end of the night, his belt, into the audience. León ended the night with covers “Don’t Stop Believing,” and “Free Fallin’,” showcasing his incredible vocal range, then taking us home with “La boda del Huitlacoche.” Everyone was out of their seats, dancing and clapping along.
On the eve of Weekend 1 of Austin City Limits Music Festival, Chris Stapleton returned to the Austin City Limits stage for the first time since his debut in 2018 as part of Season 43. Also headlining both Fridays of ACL Festival, Stapleton’s precursor performance at The Moody Theater made for an intimate evening that set it apart from the festival weekend that would ensue.
Joined by wife Morgane Stapleton and a talented six-piece backing band (including Mickey Raphael, member of Willie Nelson’s Family Band since 1973), Stapleton powered through career highlights including “White Horse,” “You Should Probably Leave,” “Cold,” and “Tennessee Whiskey” to cap the evening.
Chris Stapleton performs on Austin City Limits, October 3, 2024. Photos by Scott Newton.
Listen to the set list from the Austin City Limits taping below:
On the precipice of ACL’s 50th anniversary, folks filed into Austin City Limits’ studio home ACL Live at The Moody Theater on September 5 to witness Garth Brooks’ induction into the Austin City Limits Hall of Fame, thus kicking off 50th anniversary celebrations with a hoot and holler heard round our great state. We knew the 10th Anniversary Austin City Limits Annual Hall of Fame Honors was going to be special, but nothing could have prepared us for a night theAustin American-Statesman declared a “raucous hoedown,” evoking the spirit of old Austin drawn from late nights at honky tonks, sharing beers with friends and strangers.
For the first time in the decade-long history of the ACL Hall of Fame, only one inductee was honored, making it all the more special of a celebration. Established in 2014, the Austin City Limits Hall of Fame recognizes legendary musicians and key individuals who have been instrumental in making television’s longest-running popular music show an institution. The ACL HoF is a historical archive, educational resource and celebration of ACL and the Austin spirit, capturing milestones in the history of the show and celebrating the performers who have graced its iconic stage. A longtime friend of the show, Brooks made his ACL debut in 1990 during Season 15 at the beginning of his career, and anchored ACL’s 25th Anniversary broadcast season with a pair of appearances in 2000 (and closing down Studio 6A on the UT campus before ACL moved its studio downtown), and made his celebrated return almost a quarter of a century later to the ACL stage, something he and executive producer Terry Lickona spoke of doing way back in Season 25.
Following remarks from Chet Garner of The Daytripper and Austin PBS CEO Luis Patiño, a video tribute took guests on a journey through Brooks’ past Austin City Limits appearances. Next, executive producer Terry Lickona took the stage to present Brooks with the award of the evening. Overwhelmed with emotion, Garth stood back from the award podium for a beat, taking in the unending cheers from the studio audience. Joking about putting his award next to wife Trisha’s Yearwood’s (Yearwood was inducted in 2023), Brooks gave a rollicking acceptance speech before posing with the studio audience behind him for a crowd selfie.
Brooks kicked off the night with unrivaled energy in what would turn out to be a career-spanning stadium-worthy performance, clocking in at over two hours. Playing a medley of songs that influenced his roots and served as a music lesson for the audience, including “Unchained Melody” and “Hallelujah,” Brooks warmed the audience up before his incredible 9-piece band joined him onstage for “Much Too Young (To Feel This Damn Old).” “We’re gonna have fun tonight,” laughed Brooks as he and his band tore through hit after hit, including crowd favorites “Two Piña Coladas,” and “Thunder Rolls.”
Brooks picked up a stack of papers with previously submitted audience requests written on them. He theatrically called out the requesters, asked them to stand, and interacted with them in a heartfelt way before playing requests; “Unanswered Prayers,” “It’s Your Song,” and more. When Brooks reached the last request, he read it animatedly, “Garth, I love you but…. can you bring out Trisha?” The audience was out of their seats, cheering, at that point. Trisha Yearwood joined her husband and now fellow ACL Hall of Fame icon onstage for an acoustic version of their “In Another’s Eyes” and a rousing solo rendition of her fan-favorite “She’s in Love With a Boy.”
At that point the studio audience was probably wondering if it could get any better than that. Brooks took a pause to introduce his longtime band, calling out backing vocalist Robert Bailey Jr. A little lively back and forth revealed Bailey Jr. had appeared in the legendary movie Animal House (as a member of Otis Day & The Knights), and led to Bailey Jr. performing a roof-rattling cover of the movie’s iconic “Shout!” joined by the band. Brooks then paid moving tribute to the night’s other man of the hour, longtime ACL executive producer Terry Lickona, dedicating “The Dance,” to him and describing Lickona as “the beating heart of the show.” From there, the grand finale had everyone out of their seats, clapping, dancing in a joyous crowd-singalong. Brooks brought the house down with his biggest hit, “Friends in Low Places,” ending the unforgettable night on a perfect note with his Austin friends. Before exiting the stage, Brooks and band bowed and waved to the audience. It almost seemed like Brooks would have stayed onstage all night, taking requests. That’s how much he loves his fans.
Highlights from Brooks’ Hall of Fame induction ceremony will air as a special hourlong Austin City Limits broadcast in early 2025 to celebrate the program’s golden anniversary Season 50.
The series’ anniversary season launches on PBS on September 28, 2024 with a season premiere featuring an hour with Kacey Musgraves.
September 3, 2024 – Country superstar Wynonna returned to the Austin City Limits stage Tuesday evening for the first time since her episode in 1997 for Season 22. “If you’re here for the first time, it’s about freakin’ time,” joked Wynonna to the exuberant studio audience. Bringing her vivacious showmanship and flair for onstage glam with her, Wynonna took the stage in a bejeweled velvet suit, with her unmistakable mane of perfectly coiffed red hair. Her career-spanning hour included classic chart-toppers from her legendary solo career, as well deeply personal new material, and tried-and-true hits from The Judds catalog.
Wynonna kicked the hour off with “What It Takes” and “I Saw The Light,” from her 1992 self-titled solo debut. Pausing between songs to tell stories and check in with the audience, it was clear the intimate studio setting offered a place where Wynonna’s humility and care for her fanbase could shine. “I have a fan who’s been with me since 1984. She’s been to 47 states. In country music, we stick with one another,” said the singer/songwriter.
“I’ve sung a lot of songs about love,” said Wynonna ahead of “Cry Myself To Sleep” from 1984 album Wynonna & Naomi. “This isn’t one of them. I’d like to dedicate this to my first ex-husband,” she continued to the cheering crowd.
She then gave a raw and heartfelt account of personal hardships she’s endured over the last two years, including the loss of her mother and second half of The Judds.“I thought I would die of a broken heart, but instead I went on tour,” said Wynonna, describing the healing power of music and the unyielding support of her fans. She went on to introduce “It’s All Downhill From Ashland,” and “Broken And Blessed,” written alongside husband and drummer Cactus Moser, and never before performed live. Though candid with the audience about being nervous to perform them, she delivered the two new songs beautifully to an enraptured audience, people standing from their seats after each song in two impassioned standing ovations. Wynonna bowed, taking in the love from the audience, visibly moved.
The second half of the hour was an electric joyride through some of the greatest hits from The Judds and Wynonna’s solo careers, including “Tell Me Why,” “Grandpa,” Why Not Me,” and, to close out the set, “No One Else on Earth.” By the end of the night, the studio audience was on their feet yet again giving the country legend standing ovation after standing ovation. You can catch Wynonna’s Austin City Limits episode when it airs on PBS later this year as part of our anniversary Season 50.
Wynonna performs on Austin City Limits, September 3, 2024. Photos by Scott Newton.
Listen to the full set list from the Austin City Limits taping below:
Gracie Abrams on Austin City Limits, 2024. Photo by Scott Newton.
A long line of fans gathered outside Austin City Limits studio home, ACL Live at The Moody Theater, as early as 4 A.M. on the morning of Gracie Abrams’ highly anticipated Austin City Limits taping debut, many sporting hair bows of the popular coquette aesthetic currently making rounds on social media and arguably inspired by Gracie herself during her 2022 This Is What It Feels Like headline tour. Now sporting a chic bob, oversized denim and dress shirt, the metamorphosed Abrams made an understated, mature entrance to the ACL stage Tuesday night to a house packed with ecstatic fans chanting her name in unison.
More than accustomed to performing to massive arenas, having supported both Olivia Rodrigo and Taylor Swift’s world tours as an opener, the stripped down intimacy of the ACL studio audience brought out a special magic from the singer-songwriter and her four-piece band. “I’m so grateful to be here. Thank you to ACL for having us,” said Abrams midway through her hourlong set, taking time to scan the audience and wave to excited fans.
With her recent sophomore album The Secret of Us as the centerpiece of her set,Abrams shared with the crowd that this was the first time she and her band had the opportunity to run through the new songs onstage. “It’s really lucky to get to [perform new songs] in a setting like this,” she continued.
Abrams and company kicked off the top of the hour with a trio of highlights from The Secret of Us, “Risk,” “Blowing Smoke,” and “I Love You, I’m Sorry.” Right off the bat, the adoring studio audience sang along to every word, which doesn’t come as a surprise since Abram’s latest release has been making headlines and topping Billboard charts in both the US ad UK since its release in June. Throwing it back with “21,” “Friend,” and “I miss you, I’m sorry,” off her breakout 2020 EP minor, Abrams expertly balanced new material with fan favorites.
Within minutes of Abram’s radiant set coming to a close with “Free Now,” online Gracie Abrams fan accounts posted designed setlists and reviews of the performance. Word travels fast – especially with Abrams’ fan base demographic. Fan accounts, studio audience, and crew alike can all agree Abrams made a remarkable debut on Austin City Limits we won’t soon forget. Make sure you follow us to find out more about how to watch the episode when it airs and streams this fall on PBS as part of Austin City Limits upcoming Anniversary Season 50.
Gracie Abrams performs on Austin City Limits, July 30, 2024. Photos by Scott Newton.
Listen to the full set list from the Austin City Limits taping below:
“This is a dream come true to finally have the honor of taping an [episode of] Austin City Limits,” said singer/songwriter Alynda Segarra of Hurray for the Riff Raff Tuesday night. In their debut appearance on the show, Segarra took the stage humbly, waving at the studio audience, dressed in chaps and a leather vest with a scorpion and the bold lettering of ”Colossus” on the back. Backed by a four-piece band, Segarra made the hour a dusky, nostalgic venture through Hurray’s acclaimed latest release and ninth studio album, The Past Is Still Alive, drifting through personal stories of their past and heavily influenced by the proverbial and literal “ride” life can take you on.
Hurray kicked off the set following the album sequencing with “Alibi,” “Buffalo” and “Hawkmoon,” which Segarra declared a trans song and dedicated to “Miss Jonathan, wherever you are,” a muse of theirs whom they met in their early travels as a young runaway. Next up was a trip back in time to 2022 album LIFE ON EARTH with “RHODODENDRON,” Segarra taking pause to regard the studio audience and speak about their latest album. Next up was “Dynamo,” “Snake Plant,” and “Colossus of the Roads,” which Segarra wrote for queer people and fringe communities shortly after the Club Q shooting in Colorado.
“The next song is over ten years old,” said Segarra as an introduction to “The Body Electric” off 2014 album Small Town Heroes. By the time the band arrived at “Vetiver,” “Hourglass,” and “The World is Dangerous” off the latest album, it truly felt like a journey had been taken across America, exposing its dark underbelly but at times managing to bring out flashes of silver linings laced with perspective only time can achieve. It comes as no surprise elements of the album were lifted from Segarra’s phase of cross-country train travel inspired by Woody Guthrie songs and a poet’s sensibility.
Ending the evening with an encore performance of “Ogallala,” named after a city in Nebraska, Segarra soaked in the audience’s applause, bowing deeply and once again waving with gratitude to the live audience. We sure hope Hurray for the Riff Raff’s travels bring them back through Austin again one day soon. You can catch Hurray For The Riff Raff’s Austin City Limits episode when it airs on PBS later this year as part of our anniversary Season 50.
Hurray For The Riff Raff performs on Austin City Limits, July 2, 2024. Photos by Scott Newton.
Listen to the full set list from the Austin City Limits taping below:
