Four-time Grammy Award winner and distinguished alumnus of Austin City Limits, Gary Clark Jr. returned to The Moody Theater stage Tuesday night for his fourth headlining appearance on the show. “I’m glad to be a part of this family,” said Clark, after wishing ACL a happy 50th anniversary. “It means more than you guys will ever know.” What transpired was a transcendent journey into his latest album, JPEG RAW, with Clark even leading the audience through meditation exercises at one point. Written predominantly during the COVID-19 pandemic, JPEG RAW hints at personal transformation, with introspective, sometimes melancholic themes, but not compromising Clark’s signature heavy guitar and occasional riffing with longtime bandmate, guitarist Eric Zapata (who was wearing a mesmerizing metallic spiked hat), or as Clark referred to him, “the man with the most mystique.”
“Lets have some fun,” said Clark, as he kicked off the set with “Maktub,” featuring a wailing guitar solo that cemented the promise of a great night ahead. As the audience journeyed with Clark and band through “Don’t Start” and title track “JPEG RAW,” he paused to switch guitars, telling the story of how as a young boy he begged his parents (who were in the audience) for a guitar that would make him sound like Stevie Ray Vaughan.
Clark brought out Austin-based singer-songwriter Naala for “This Is Who We Are,” and later nodded to the stacked list of guest performances on the JPEG RAW album, including Valerie June on “Don’t Start,” Stevie Wonder on “What About the Children,” and George Clinton on “Funk Witch U.”
Performing only one song, “Feed the Babies,” from his earlier body of work, Clark’s performance of primarily tracks from JPEG RAW was wholly a new experience for the live audience, lending itself to a sort of crowd hypnosis meets introspective listening. Closing out the set with 9-minute-long “Habits,” it was difficult not to be completely mesmerized by the hauntingly beautiful call and response echo between Clark and background vocalists Shanan, Shawn and Savannah (who also happen to be his sisters), as they sang, “come back my love…” While the night ended on a softer note, the audience roared with applause for their hometown hero Gary Clark Jr.
Gary Clark Jr. performs on Austin City Limits, March 26, 2024. Photos by Scott Newton.
SETLIST:
Maktub – JPEG RAW
Don’t Start – JPEG RAW
JPEG RAW – JPEG RAW
This is Who We Are (ft. special guest Naala) – JPEG RAW
Juanes on Austin City Limits, March 2024. Photo by Scott Newton.
“We can’t believe we are here again!” Juanes took the stage at ACL TV for the third time on Monday, having previously performed on season 32 and 39. For his third taping, Juanes presented a hits-packed set drawn from his entire career, and how fitting to welcome him back in celebration of ACL’s 50th anniversary. Bearded, tattooed, wrapped in a sleeveless denim jacket, the Colombian superstar took the stage like the international rock star he is. For his third taping, with songs drawn from his entire career, hopping from jangly guitar pop (“Gris”) to blues rock cumbia (“Mala Gente”) to romantic balladry (“Nada Valgo Sin Tú Amor”) – and that was in the first ten minutes. Backed by his five-piece band, the singer/songwriter not only emphasized the breadth and depth of his catalog, but also his own musicianship, with several extended guitar solos.
But the heart of the show was the interplay with the adoring crowd of diehard fans who turned out to literally cheer him on. Juanes encouraged singing along starting with “Mala Gente;” by the time he got to “Fotografia,” the eager audience needed little prompting, cheering loudly at the first note. Other giddily-received fan favorites included “Es Por Ti,” “La Paga,” “La Camisa Negra,” and the call-and-response powered “La Noche” and “A Dios Le Pido.” But two moments especially stood out. For “Para Tu Amor,” Juanes planted himself in the center of the floor with a mic stand and an acoustic guitar, performing the folky ballad surrounded closely by his loving crowd. In salute to the Mexican contingent of the audience, Juanes performed “Querida,” a classic Juan Gabriel ballad that Juanes recorded with its creator a few years ago. He ended the show with back-to-back monsters: “Me Enamora” and “La Luz,” which gave the crowd plenty of opportunity for call-and-response.
At one point during the show, Juanes talked about coming to Los Angeles in 1996 in order to make it in music, and how hard those years were. “But you know what?” he shrugged. “I made it – Austin City Limits!”
Juanes performs on Austin City Limits, March 4, 2024. Photos by Scott Newton.
Setlist:
Gris – Vita Cotidiana
Mala Gente – Un Día Normal
Amores Prohibidos – Vita Cotidiana
Nada Valgo Sin Tú Amor – Mì Sangre
Volverte A Ver – Mì Sangre
Lo Que Me Gusta A Mi / Fuego / Hermosa Ingrata – Mì Sangre/Mis Planes Son Amarte/
Black Pumas on Austin City Limits, 2024. Photo by Scott Newton.
Bearing highly acclaimed new album Chronicles of a Diamond and draped in the sparkles of a mirror ball, Austin’s own Black Pumas returned to the Austin City Limits stage for not only their second appearance, but the first taping of our landmark 50th (say it again – 50th) season. Leaders Eric Burton and Adrian Quesada have polished the band’s psychedelic rock & soul to a blinding sheen, as exemplified by the reaction to new hits “More Than a Love Song” and “Ice Cream (Pay Phone),” as well as fan favorites “Know You Better” and “Colors.” Hosting hometown heroes is always a great way to kick off an anniversary season, and the Pumas gave us a show for the books.
Black Pumas perform on Austin City Limits, February 20, 2024. Photos by Scott Newton.
Terry Lickona kicks off the ACL Hall of Fame Honors on October 26, 2023. Photo courtesy Austin City Limits/Austin PBS.
On the heels of wrapping tapings for our 49th season, Austin City Limits presented our biggest evening of the year: the Austin City Limits Annual Hall of Fame Honors. For our ninth annual celebration, we were thrilled to induct country superstar Trisha Yearwood and the late, legendary singer/songwriter John Prine. Friends and fans of both artists joined us at the Moody Theater to pay tribute to these music greats, both of whom clocked multiple episodes of the show.
Following remarks from Austin PBS CEO Luis Patiñoand longtime ACL executive producer Terry Lickona, the celebration of Trisha Yearwood kicked off the evening. “I was a fan of Trisha Yearwood the minute I heard that voice coming out of the radio,” proclaimed Don Henley, on hand to induct his longtime friend. “You can’t really wear out a CD, but I tried.” Yearwood riposted “To hear this singer talking about my singing is surreal!” She spoke about growing up watching the show: “It’s all about the music here, and that’s why I’m honored to be a part of it.”
Jo Dee Messina was the first of Yearwood’s all-star guests to salute, belting out a rousing, audience-enhanced version of “She’s in Love With the Boy,” her buddy’s chart-topping signature tune. The honoree herself took the stage, asking for a round of applause for Lloyd Maines & the ACL All-Stars, our longtime HOF house band. Yearwood teamed with country great Ronnie Dunn for the beautiful duet “I’ll Carry You Home,” a gospel-soaked anthem which allowed both singer’s powerful voices to soar to the heavens for which the song reaches. Singer/songwriter Brandy Clark gave a moving intro, saying Trisha’s voice is in the lineage of “Patsy Cline, Linda Ronstadt and Karen Carpenter,” and delivered a stunning rendition of Yearwood’s classic ballad “The Song Remembers When.” Celebrated duo Brothers Osborne hit the stage to rock “Wrong Side of Memphis,” a song chosen for them by Yearwood herself. She returned to thank Clark and the Brothers, as well as her producer and song-picker Garth Fundis. She then brought Henley back up for a poignant performance of their fan-favorite hit “Walkaway Joe,” the duo sounding just as strong and soulful now as they did when they recorded the song in the early nineties. Yearwood and all of her pals then took one final bow together.
When Terry Lickona returned to introduce John Prine, he noted that we intended to induct the songwriter’s songwriter in 2020, but the pandemic intervened. We were finally able to to do it in 2023, sadly two years after he passed; however, It didn’t diminish the joy of tonight’s celebration, as made clear by inductor Ethan Hawke. “To love John Prine and his songs is to be part of one of the greatest conversations in the world,” the actor said. “Say it with me – hello up there!” Prine’s widow Fiona, joined by sons Jack, Tommy, and Jody, accepted the award on the late songwriter’s behalf. “John considered Austin City Limits an important part of his career,” Fiona said. “Getting that call was a thrill every single time.” His youngest son Tommy followed in the tradition by taking center stage and singing “Souvenirs,” his favorite song by his dad. “Miss you, daddy,” he said as left the stage. Playing solo, Philadelphia indie rocker Kurt Vile performed “How Lucky,” a Prine deep cut he was lucky enough to record with its writer, just a few days before New Year’s 2020. Banjo in hand, singer/songwriter Allison Russell performed a moving take on “Storm Windows,” her daughter’s favorite John Prine cut.
Recounting a story of a wild night when Prine met rockabilly wild man Ronnie Hawkins, singer Nathaniel Rateliff joined the party to sing the only slightly sardonic “All the Best.” Singer/songwriter Tyler Childers, who appeared with Prine on his final ACL appearance in 2019, reminded us all of the master’s ability to write a great honky-tonker, singing the wry “Yes, I Guess They Oughta Name a Drink After You.” Singular singer Valerie June arrived to tell a story about being asked to open for Prine on the The Tree of Forgiveness tour, calling her tourmate “an angel.” Broad hint conveyed, she put her heart and soul into “Angel From Montgomery,” making it a joyful celebration of gospel intensity, to the audience’s delight. June then gathered the extended family around her, with Rateliff, Childers, Russell, Vile, and Tommy Prine each taking a verse on the honoree’s classic song “Paradise.” Appropriately, Tommy sang the last lines solo in tribute to his father, and a big bow from the second half cast brought to a close a memorable ACL Hall of Fame.
Part 1:
She’s in Love With the Boy – Jo Dee Messina
I’ll Carry You Home – Trisha Yearwood and Ronnie Dunn
The Song Remembers When – Brandy Clark
Wrong Side of Memphis – Brothers Osborne
Walkaway Joe – Trisha Yearwood and Don Henley
Part 2:
Souvenirs – Tommy Prine
How Lucky – Kurt Vile
Storm Windows – Allison Russell
All the Best – Nathaniel Rateliff
Yes, I Guess They Oughta Name a Drink After You – Tyler Childers
Angel From Montgomery – Valerie June
Paradise – cast
Trisha Yearwood – vocals
Jo Dee Messina – vocals
Ronnie Dunn – vocals
Brandy Clark – vocals
T.J. Osborne – vocals, guitar
John Osborne – guitar, vocals
Don Henley – vocals
Tommy Prine – vocals, guitar
Kurt Vile – vocals, guitar
Allison Russell – vocals, banjo
Nathaniel Rateliff – vocals, guitar
Tyler Childers – vocals, guitar
Valerie June – vocals
The ACL All-Stars:
Lloyd Maines – steel guitar, guitar
David Grissom – guitar
Chris Gage – keyboards, accordion
Bill Whitbeck – bass, vocals
Tom Van Schaik – drums
Don Henley inducts Trisha Yearwood into the ACL Hall of Fame, October 26, 2023.Backstage at the 2023 ACL Hall of Fame. L-R: Ronnie Dunn, John Osborne,Brandy Clark, Trisha Yearwood, Jo Dee Messina, T.J. Osborne.Backstage at the 2023 ACL Hall of Fame. L-R: Nathaniel Rateliff, Valerie June, Tommy Prine, Jack Prine, Jody Prine, Fiona Prine, Tyler Childers, Kurt Vile, Allison Russell, Ethan Hawke.The Prine family +1 backstage at the 2023 ACL Hall of Fame. L-R: Tommy Prine, Jack Prine, Jody Prine, Fiona Prine, Ethan Hawke.Tommy Prine backstage at the 2023 ACL Hall of Fame.Tyler Childers backstage at the 2023 ACL Hall of Fame. Valerie June backstage at the 2023 ACL Hall of Fame.Don Henley and Trisha Yearwood backstage at the 2023 ACL Hall of Fame. Ethan Hawke, Kurt Vile, Tommy Prine, Tyler Childers, and Nathaniel Rateliff backstage at the 2023 ACL Hall of Fame. The extended Prine family backstage at the 2023 ACL Hall of Fame. L-R: Savannah Prine, Tommy Prine, Fiona Prine, Jody Prine, Jack Prine, Hannah Hexter.Austin PBS CEO Luis Patino opens the 2023 ACL Hall of Fame with the ACL All-Stars.Terry Lickona onstage with David Grissom of the ACL All-Stars at the 2023 ACL Hall of Fame.Jo Dee Messina sings “She’s in Love With the Boy” for Trisha Yearwood, accompanied by the ACL All-Stars. L-R: Drummer Tom Van Schaik, bassist Bill Whitbeck, keyboardist Chris Gage. Brandy Clark sings “The Song Remembers When” for Trisha Yearwood at the 2023 ACL Hall of Fame. Also picture: Tom Van Schaik, Bill Whitbeck, Chris Gage. Lloyd Maines leads the ACL All-Stars at the 2023 ACL Hall of Fame.Ethan Hawke inducts John Prine into the ACL Hall of Fame, October 26, 2023. Fiona Prine accepts John Prine’s induction into the ACL Hall of Fame, as Ethan Hawke, Jody Prine, Jack Prine, and Tommy Prine look on. Ronnie Dunn and Trisha Yearwood duet on her song “I’ll Carry You Home” at the 2023 ACL Hall of Fame.Don Henley joins Trisha Yearwood to reprise his harmonies on “Walkaway Joe” at the 2023 ACL Hall of Fame. Photos courtesy Austin City Limits/Austin PBS.
Foo Fighters on Austin City Limits, Oct. 12, 2023. Photo by Scott Newton.
Rock superstars Foo Fighters returned to the ACL stage for their third headlining appearance with a powerhouse, unforgettable, near 20-song set. The iconic band have captured the hearts of audiences worldwide with their soul-baring rock and roll.
Fearless leader Dave Grohl led the band through a mellow version of their classic “Times Like These,” opening a nearly two and a half hour performance—a musical sermon that celebrated the Foos legendary near three-decade career. Fans were undoubtedly welcomed to the church of rock and roll. A collection of the Foos’ signature blend of melody-driven alternative rock, roughened around the edges by Dave Grohl’s punk-influenced screams, were delivered masterfully. The rockers became intimate storytellers amongst speedy drum fills and rock and roll riff-mania, as they delivered tracks from their 2023 release But Here We Are and hard-hitting classics from throughout their catalog.The rock veterans proved their rightful place as the rock heroes of the ACL stage – a monumental music moment that fans will remember, everlong.
Grohl’s candid stage charisma and heartwarmingly charming commentary lead the way for audience interactions sprinkled in between tracks. “What’s up, people!” Grohl shouted ahead of playing “Nothing At All.” “We’ve been here hanging out all week – this is good shit! I like playing new stuff with an audience like this.” After Grohl introduced esteemed guitarists Pat Smear and Chris Shiflett, bassist Nate Mendel banged out the instantly recognizable riff to the Beastie Boys classic “Sabotage.” Grohl then turned the spotlight to keyboardist Rami Jaffee and new addition drummer Josh Freese (The Germs, Nine Inch Nails). “I wish this was the biggest band he’s ever been in,” Grohl noted about Freese. “He was in Devo, you guys!” Cue Freese energetically launching into the intro for their classic “Whip It.”
Following the band’s powerfully moving performance of “The Glass”, a musical memorial to Grohl’s late mother, the Foos propelled forward with a change of pace, as Grohl asked “Anyone have any happy requests? Who wants to hear what? Let’s do a big, happy sing-along!” The uplifting anthem “My Hero”emerged to gracefully lead the audience into an all-consuming emotional recovery, with the raising of heart-shaped hands in a momentous gospel-like sing-along.
As the heartfelt fan-lead choir filled the studio walls, the Foos’ raw lyricism returned to center stage with “The Teacher.” The song, off the 2023 release, But Here We Are,is a ten minute-long ode to grief’s tumultuous nature, one that pulls us to yearn for fond memories while tugging us to grapple with the abruptness of goodbyes. Grohl’s double decker ruby red Gibson SG played through to the final song, as the singer fondly recalled past ACL performances, and added “Let’s hear it for Terry and everyone at ACL!” before seamlessly pumping the breaks into Groho’s solo rendition of the signature tune “Everlong.”
Encoring with their powerful anthem “The Best of You,” Foo Fighters exemplified an unparalleled realness that never shied away from raw musicality. Invigorated by a rock and roll type of sincere sensitivity that is exclusively Foo-like, Foo fans are simply left to watch their heroes as they go.
Foo Fighters record Austin City Limits, Oct. 2023. Photos by Scott Newton.
Bonnie Raitt and her band perform on Austin City Limits, Oct. 15, 2023. Photo by Scott Newton.
“Welcome to my fourth decade on Austin City Limits!” declared the legendary Bonnie Raitt after taking the stage at the Moody Theater in her fourth headlining appearance, for a taping that doubled as the final show of her most recent tour. A true statement – the beloved singer, songwriter, and slide guitarist previously taped in Seasons 9, 28, and 38. We’re always happy to welcome back the ACL Hall of Famer, who’s long been one of our besties, and this time she returned as a newly-minted multiple Grammy winner, including Song of the Year, thanks to her latest album Just Like That…. Raitt always brings her best to the ACL stage, making this, our final taping for Season 49, a treat on many levels.
Joined by her crack band (bassist Hutch Hutchinson, drummer Ricky Fataar, keyboardist Glenn Patscha, and guitarists Duke Levine and George Marinelli), Raitt traveled through the past thirty years of her long career, drawing deep cuts from records recent and revered. In great voice and with her stinging slide guitar as potent as ever, she revisited her hit album Luck of the Draw for the blues-rocking “No Business” and her acclaimed Silver Lining for the defiant breakup tune “Back Around.” She plucked her sultry cover of INXS’s “Need You Tonight” from her last album Dig In Deep, and grabbed two classics from her 1989 breakthrough LP Nick of Time: the reggae-grooved “Have a Heart” and the wisdom-frosted title track. “I’ve been wanting to sing this for Austin City Limits for a while,” revealed Raitt.
Of course she performed a generous helping of tunes from the acclaimed Just Like That…, including a pair of her recent Grammy-winning gems, the slinky Best Americana Song “Made Up Mind” and Song of the Year winner “Just Like That,” alongside the soulful ballad “Blame It on Me”and the bopping rocker “Livin’ For the Ones.” She dedicated the Grammy-winning title track to her longtime friend John Prine. “This is a song I wrote inspired by singing ‘Angel From Montgomery’ every night,” she noted about the deeply moving track. “This is for John.” She and the band ended the main set to big cheers with a medley of Rufus & Chaka Khan’s devilishly funky “You Got the Love” and her own groovy hit “Love Sneakin’ Up On You.”
For the encore, Raitt invited her tourmate Sunny War onstage to sing and play guitar on a bluesy, primarily acoustic cover of Jackson Browne’s socially charged “World in Motion.” As she indicated earlier, no Bonnie Raitt show is complete without John Prine’s “Angel From Montgomery,” and she sang it beautifully for her late friend in salute to his forthcoming induction into the ACL Hall of Fame this month. That was intended to be the final song, but no. “I don’t wanna stop playing,” Raitt asserted. “Are you kidding me?” The band then laid into a steamy cover of B.B. King’s “Never Make a Move Too Soon,” which Raitt herself cut with R&B legend Ruth Brown, in honor of “one of the greatest blues towns in America – Austin, Texas!” With the warm familiarity and unabashed love of old friends getting together, Bonnie Raitt delivered magic in her long-awaited Austin City Limits return, carving her name yet again in ACL history.
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Bonnie Raitt tapes Austin City Limits, Oct. 2023. Photos by Scott Newton.
Setlist:
Made Up Mind – Just Like That…
No Business – Luck of the Draw
Blame It On Me – Just Like That…
Back Around – Silver Lining
Just Like That – Just Like That…
Livin’ For the Ones – Just Like That…
Need You Tonight – Dig In Deep
Nick of Time – Nick of Time
Have a Heart – Nick of Time
You Got the Love/Love Sneakin’ Up On You – Rufus & Chaka Khan cover/Longing In Their Hearts
Encore:
World in Motion – Jackson Browne cover
Angel From Montgomery – Streetlights
Never Make A Move Too Soon – B.B. King/Crusaders cover
