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Featured Important Feature New Broadcast News

Miguel Makes A Highly Anticipated Return to the ACL Stage with Acclaimed Album CAOS

Austin City Limits (ACL) welcomes back GRAMMY Award-winning R&B trailblazer Miguel for a dynamic, emotionally charged hour featuring highlights from his acclaimed album CAOS alongside fan favorites spanning his celebrated career. The episode premieres Saturday, September 26 at 8 p.m. CT/9 p.m. ET on PBS stations nationwide (check local listings), with full episodes available to stream at PBS.org, YouTube and the PBS App. All Season 52 episodes, including Miguel’s hour, will be available to stream free on the Austin City Limits YouTube Channel.

Miguel, who made an unforgettable ACL debut in Season 44 in 2018, returns to the series with a visually striking performance that finds the singer atop an overturned police cruiser as lights flash around him. Throughout the set, Miguel uses the stage as a platform for both personal and social commentary, spray-painting “ICE OUT” across the car and leading the crowd in a chant of “ICE out” during the searing CAOS track “Triggered.” “How could we not be mad?” he calls out to the crowd.

The Los Angeles-raised artist, born Miguel Jontel Pimentel, draws from his Black and Latino roots throughout his music and across CAOS, his fifth studio album and first new album in eight years. Rolling Stone raves, “This is an album about searching for meaning as you try your best to process a world on fire.” 

The hour unfolds as an intensely personal exploration of a world in turmoil, with Miguel moving between vulnerability, love, and the realities of fear and violence. He brings a restless creativity and emotional immediacy to the ACL stage, moving effortlessly between the atmospheric sounds of CAOS and the career-defining hits that have made him a singular voice in R&B. Set highlights include “El Pleito,” (“the fight”) a bilingual meditation on struggle that draws deeply from Miguel’s Mexican heritage. The Spanish-language song reflects on the immigrant experience and the state of the world, ultimately returning to its message of collective resilience, as Miguel soulfully sings the refrain, “We’re all that we’ve got.” “RIP,” a self-described “crash-out anthem,” finds the artist returning to the seductive R&B sound that helped establish him as one of the genre’s most adventurous voices, blending a propulsive electronic edge with vulnerable lyrics. 

Miguel is in his feelings as he closes the magnetic set with a pair of fan favorites, leading the audience in a call-and-response on the GRAMMY Award-winning smash “Adorn” before bringing  the set home with the multi-platinum “Sure Thing,” which has recently reemerged as a viral hit for a new generation. The crowd sings along on the hypnotic hook, “You could  bet that, never gotta sweat that,” carried by Miguel’s smooth falsetto.  

“Miguel’s show, and every song in it, speaks to the times in which we live,” said longtime ACL executive producer Terry Lickona. “The scope of his music takes in the world around him, but exposes the deep personal pain from within, as only Miguel can do.”

Miguel Episode Setlist:

  • “Perderme”
  • “CAOS”
  • “Do You”
  • “Coffee”
  • “New Martyrs”
  • “Triggered”
  • “El Pleito”
  • “The Thrill”
  • “Anointed”
  • “RIP”
  • “Adorn”
  • “Sure Thing”

Season 52 Broadcast Line-up (second half of season to be announced):

  • September 4 —Carlos Vives y La Provincia
  • September 12—Austin City Limits 12th Annual Hall of Fame Honors Brandi Carlile
  • September 19—Billy Strings
  • September 26—Miguel
  • October 3—Sienna Spiro
  • October 9—Olivia Rodrigo
  • October 17—Ari Lennox
  • October 24—The Red Clay Strays
  • October 31—Ty Myers
  • November 14—Sebastián Yatra
  • November 21—Austin City Limits Presents: Americana 25th Annual Honors

For press images and episode information, visit the Austin City Limits press room at ACLTV.com/press-room.

Austin City Limits is produced by Austin PBS. Since its debut in 1974, the landmark music series has showcased the world’s finest artists from its home in Austin, Texas, and remains the longest-running music television program in history. Austin City Limits has been awarded the National Medal of Arts, a Peabody Award, and a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Landmark designation.

Watch full episodes of Austin City Limits on PBS, stream online, and via the PBS App. As of Season 52, all episodes will be available to stream for free on the ACLTV YouTube Channel. Follow @acltv on Instagram, Facebook, X/Twitter and TikTok for updates on livestreams, future tapings and episode schedules. Fans can also explore the ACLTV YouTube Channel for exclusive songs, behind-the-scenes content, and full-length artist interviews. Learn more about Austin City Limits, its programming and its history at ACLTV.com.

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Important Feature Live Stream News

Austin City Limits to Livestream Arturo Sandoval’s Season 52 Debut

Austin City Limits is thrilled to announce an exclusive worldwide livestream of virtuoso trumpeter, pianist, composer, and bandleader Arturo Sandoval’s highly anticipated Season 52 taping on Friday, September 25th. His live performances are the stuff of legends—he has lit up the stage at the Oscars, GRAMMY Awards and Billboard Awards, dazzling audiences with breathtaking technique and sheer joy, and now he joins us in Austin, TX for a very special ACL Season 52 taping.

For one night only, fans everywhere can experience Arturo Sandoval’s Austin City Limits debut live from Austin, Texas. Streaming free exclusively at YouTube.com/AustinCityLimitsTV, the livestream begins at 9 p.m. ET/ 8 p.m. CT and offers music fans a rare opportunity to experience an Austin City Limits taping as it happens. ACL’s exclusive livestreams give viewers around the world a front-row seat to the magic of one of television’s most iconic music stages.

Available only during the live event, the full-set performance livestream offers fans an early preview of Sandoval’s hour-long Season 52 episode ahead of its PBS broadcast premiere, set to release the second half of ACL’s expanded Season 52 in January 2027.

Arturo Sandoval is one of the most respected and renowned musicians of our time. A virtuoso trumpeter, pianist, composer, bandleader, and fearless innovator, his artistry has captivated millions around the globe. Sandoval’s live performances are the stuff of legend—he has lit up the stage at the Oscars, GRAMMY Awards and Billboard Awards, dazzling audiences with breathtaking technique and sheer joy. The accolades match the legend: 10 GRAMMY Awards, six Billboard Awards, an Emmy Award, the Hispanic Heritage Award, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, bestowed by President Obama, a Kennedy Center Honor, and a Latin GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award.  

A protégé of legendary jazz trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie, Sandoval is one of the world’s foremost entertainers, having spent a lifetime redefining what is possible on the trumpet and far beyond. His collaborators form a dazzling constellation of stars, including Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Stevie Wonder, Celia Cruz, Plácido Domingo, John Williams, Alicia Keys, Pharrell Williams, Ariana Grande, among many others. His remarkable life story—escaping political oppression in Cuba to achieve international acclaim—is a testament to the power of music to break barriers. The Washington Post raves, “The music of Arturo Sandoval is what freedom sounds like.” 

A tireless creative force, Sandoval’s latest album, SANGÚ, finds the maestro at his most fearless and deeply rooted. A vibrant musical statement of ancestry, artistic freedom and groove, the album returns to the electrifying pulse of Afro-Cuban rhythm, where ancestral spirit, raw groove and masterful collaboration collide. SANGÚ draws on the Afro-Cuban traditions, Cuban phrasing, bebop fire, funk and fearless improvisation that have shaped Sandoval’s singular musical language, while pushing his sound into thrilling new territory. Both timeless and strikingly modern, SANGÚ is a powerful contemporary statement from a living legend who continues to evolve, explore and make music on his own terms.

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Important Feature News Ticket Giveaway

ACL Season 52 Taping Pass Giveaway: Arturo Sandoval

*Giveaway Closed* Austin City Limits will tape a performance by Arturo Sandoval on Friday, September 25th at 8 pm at ACL Live at The Moody Theater (310 W. 2nd Street, Willie Nelson Blvd). Austin City Limits Taping Giveaways are presented by AXS Events.

Winners will be chosen at random and a photo ID will be required to pick up tickets. Winners will be notified via email. Duplicate entries for a single taping will be automatically voided. Tickets are not transferable and will be voided if sold. Standing may be required. No photography, recording or cell phone use in the studio. No cameras, computers or recording devices allowed in the venue. While we do our best to accommodate all winners, we cannot guarantee admission. These passes are based on space available therefore you will be filling in spots available on the floor or balcony depending on the tickets that are available when you arrive. Read our helpful Know Before You Go guide for more information.

Arturo Sandoval is one of the most respected and renowned musicians of our time. A virtuoso trumpeter, pianist, composer, bandleader, and fearless innovator, his artistry has captivated millions around the globe. Sandoval’s live performances are the stuff of legend—he has lit up the stage at the Oscars, GRAMMY Awards and Billboard Awards, dazzling audiences with breathtaking technique and sheer joy. The accolades match the legend: 10 GRAMMY Awards, six Billboard Awards, an Emmy Award, the Hispanic Heritage Award, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, bestowed by President Obama, a Kennedy Center Honor, and a Latin GRAMMY Lifetime Achievement Award.  

A protégé of legendary jazz trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie, Sandoval is one of the world’s foremost entertainers, having spent a lifetime redefining what is possible on the trumpet and far beyond. His collaborators form a dazzling constellation of stars, including Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Stevie Wonder, Celia Cruz, Plácido Domingo, John Williams, Alicia Keys, Pharrell Williams, Ariana Grande, among many others. His remarkable life story—escaping political oppression in Cuba to achieve international acclaim—is a testament to the power of music to break barriers. The Washington Post raves, “The music of Arturo Sandoval is what freedom sounds like.” 

A tireless creative force, Sandoval’s latest album, SANGÚ, finds the maestro at his most fearless and deeply rooted. A vibrant musical statement of ancestry, artistic freedom and groove, the album returns to the electrifying pulse of Afro-Cuban rhythm, where ancestral spirit, raw groove and masterful collaboration collide. SANGÚ draws on the Afro-Cuban traditions, Cuban phrasing, bebop fire, funk and fearless improvisation that have shaped Sandoval’s singular musical language, while pushing his sound into thrilling new territory. Both timeless and strikingly modern, SANGÚ is a powerful contemporary statement from a living legend who continues to evolve, explore and make music on his own terms.

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Ticket Giveaway

ACL Season 52 Taping Pass Giveaway: Bella Kay

*GIVEAWAY CLOSED* Austin City Limits will tape a performance by Bella Kay on Tuesday, September 22 at 8 pm at ACL Live at The Moody Theater (310 W. 2nd Street, Willie Nelson Blvd). Austin City Limits Taping Giveaways are presented by AXS Events.

Winners will be chosen at random and a photo ID will be required to pick up tickets. Winners will be notified via email. Duplicate entries for a single taping will be automatically voided. Tickets are not transferable and will be voided if sold. Standing may be required. No photography, recording or cell phone use in the studio. No cameras, computers or recording devices allowed in the venue. While we do our best to accommodate all winners, we cannot guarantee admission. These passes are based on space available therefore you will be filling in spots available on the floor or balcony depending on the tickets that are available when you arrive. Read our helpful Know Before You Go guide for more information.

At just 20, Texas-born singer-songwriter Bella Kay has emerged as one of pop’s most emotionally resonant new voices, channeling heartbreak, isolation, racial identity and resilience into fearless, deeply personal songs. Her newly released debut album, My Reckless Abandon, marks a defining new chapter for the young artist, tracing a journey of self-acceptance and introspection through turbulent highs and lows. Executive produced by Idarose (Becky G, Suki Waterhouse, Joji), the album blends hazy alternative pop, cinematic guitar and bedroom-born songwriting, with Bella’s hauntingly timeless voice at the center. “My Reckless Abandon is an album about all my thoughts—the good, bad, confusing, obsessive, honest, and beautiful ones,” says Bella. “It’s cathartic to share this album with the world. When people listen to it, I hope they recognize themselves and their own experiences.” 

After releasing a trio of breakout EPs in quick succession—sick to my stomach, a couple minutes out and are you mad at me?—through late 2025 and early 2026, Bella’s ascent has been fueled by the viral success of “The Sick,” an unblinking ballad about hard truths and lost causes. The song has surpassed 220 million streams and generated more than 2.7 billion TikTok views. Her momentum accelerated with a couple minutes out, featuring the platinum-certified “iloveitiloveitiloveit,” a searing bedroom-pop single about throwing romantic caution to the wind that earned an American Music Awards nomination for Song of the Summer, landed on the Billboard Hot 100, and has amassed more than 493 million streams and 3.5 billion views across 1.3 million TikTok creates. 

Rolling Stone praised the young artist’s “grit” and called her debut “a true capsule of her coming-of-age experience,” while NYLON declared, “Bella Kay is taking the indie-rock sound and flipping it on its head.” Her rise has translated to the stage as well, with her North American Reckless Tour selling out every date following sold-out headlining tours across North America, Europe and the U.K., further cementing her transition from viral breakout to global touring artist. This fall, Bella will join Noah Kahan on his U.K. and Ireland arena tour, marking her largest performances to date. 

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Hall of Fame Important Feature News

Austin City Limits 12th Annual Hall of Fame Honors Brandi Carlile Premieres September 12

In an unforgettable installment, Austin City Limits (ACL) celebrates acclaimed singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile with a special hour saluting her induction into the Austin City Limits Hall of Fame. The Season 52 episode features a memorable induction by the legendary Bonnie Raitt, who also joins Carlile onstage for a one-of-a-kind performance. One of the most respected and beloved artists of her generation, Carlile makes her fourth headlining appearance on the ACL stage in an hour that celebrates both her remarkable career and her deep connection to the series. The 11-time GRAMMY Award winner delivers a stunning set centered around her acclaimed album Returning to Myself. 

The episode premieres Saturday, September 12 at 8 p.m. CT/9 p.m. ET.  ACL airs weekly on PBS stations nationwide (check local listings), with full episodes available to stream at PBS.org and on the PBS App. All Season 52 episodes, including Brandi Carlile’s Hall of Fame hour, will also be available to stream free on the ACLTV YouTube Channel. 

The hour opens with a series of recorded salutes celebrating Carlile’s singular talent and impact, featuring tributes from Sheryl Crow, the Indigo Girls, the Highwomen and more. 13-time GRAMMY Award winner Bonnie Raitt, a 2016 ACL Hall of Fame inductee, takes the stage to induct Carlile, reflecting on the legacy of the television series and its unique place in music history. “For more than half a century now Austin City Limits has been a loving home to all kinds of real music and the real people that make it,” says Raitt, who celebrates Carlile by sharing, “There’s really no one quite like her. The most amazing range in voice, clarion clear and powerful, and as far-reaching as her songs and lyrics.” 

Carlile accepts the honor by recounting her first journey to Austin with longtime bandmates  and collaborators Tim and Phil Hanseroth. “Me and my brothers…first rolled into Austin in our old Chevy van, White Lightning it was called, over 20 years ago,” she recalls. “I remember getting to town and wanting two things: Tex-Mex and to know where Austin City Limits was taped.”

Following her induction, Carlile takes the stage for a dynamic set featuring selections from Returning to Myself, her first solo album in four years. She opens  with the title track, alone with an acoustic guitar before her seven-piece band joins her mid-song, transforming the intimate opening into a soaring full-band arrangement. Acclaimed violin-and-cello duo SistaStrings adds lush accompaniment to the performance. Introducing “No One Knows Us,” Brandi quips, “This song’s about dysfunctional relationships—and how much I love ‘em,” before launching into the sweeping highlight.

“I want to welcome to the stage my hero Bonnie Raitt,” smiles Carlile, inviting Raitt to join her for “Love Me Like A Man,” Raitt’s early career classic that Carlile hand-selected for the occasion. Calling it “one of my favorite songs that you’ve ever done,” Carlile adds, “The guitar playing alone is about the sexiest thing I’ve ever been able to fathom.” Carlile and Raitt trade vocals on the blues burner in a powerhouse duet, bringing together two trailblazers in a one-of-a-kind ACL performance.  

Carlile continues with “Human,” “Church & State” and “You Without Me” before closing the hour with a soaring rendition of Alanis Morissette’s “Uninvited.”

Carlile first appeared on Austin City Limits in 2010 and returned in 2018 and 2022, building a remarkable legacy on the ACL stage. Her Hall of Fame induction marks another milestone in that relationship and recognizes an artist whose music has transcended genre while earning widespread acclaim as a singer, songwriter, producer, performer and activist.

“When you watch this episode, you’ll see why Brandi says it was ‘one of the most special days of my life,’” said ACL executive producer Terry Lickona. “There is a glow about her that creates a certain magic that runs through the whole show. The love between Brandi and Bonnie is genuine, and when they make music together, it’s a joy to watch.”

Brandi Carlile Episode Setlist:

  • “Returning to Myself”
  • “No One Knows Us”
  • “Human”
  • “Church & State”
  • “You Without Me”
  • “Love Me Like A Man” (with Bonnie Raitt)
  • “Uninvited” 

Established in 2014, the Austin City Limits Hall of Fame honors artists who have played a defining role in the series’ more than half-century legacy, celebrating them with unforgettable, one-night-only tributes, carving their name into ACL history. Since its 10th anniversary in 2024, the Hall of Fame has shifted to spotlight a singular artist each year with an in-depth tribute.

Over the years, the Hall of Fame stage has brought together unforgettable pairings and once-in-a-lifetime performances, including Matthew McConaughey inducting Willie Nelson with Texas reverence and wit, Sean Penn honoring Lyle Lovett in a hilarious and deeply personal tribute, and Ethan Hawke saluting John Prine with poetic grace. Filmmaker Cameron Crowe welcomed My Morning Jacket into the fold, while Jason Isbell paid moving tribute to Lucinda Williams, and Don Henley honored Trisha Yearwood. Guitar great Jimmie Vaughan inducted Buddy Guy, Mavis Staples honored Bonnie Raitt and Chris Isaak saluted Roy Orbison. The Hall of Fame stage has also produced singular musical moments, including Garth Brooks’ marathon two hour masterclass for his induction, Willie Nelson joining Buddy Guy in tribute to Stevie Ray Vaughan, and the Flatlanders reuniting to celebrate Joe Ely. From all-star collaborations to intimate moments of connection, the Hall of Fame has become a cornerstone of ACL’s story, capturing the freewheeling spirit, community, and musical excellence that define the series.

Season 52 Broadcast Line-up (second half of season to be announced):

  • September 4 —Carlos Vives y La Provincia
  • September 12—Austin City Limits 12th Annual Hall of Fame Honors Brandi Carlile
  • September 19—Billy Strings
  • September 26—Miguel
  • October 3—Sienna Spiro
  • October 9—Olivia Rodrigo
  • October 17—Ari Lennox
  • October 24—The Red Clay Strays
  • October 31—Ty Myers
  • November 14—Sebastián Yatra
  • November 21—Austin City Limits Presents: Americana 25th Annual Honors

For press images and episode information, visit the Austin City Limits press room at ACLTV.com/press-room.

Filmed before a live audience at ACL Live at The Moody Theater in downtown Austin, each episode captures the intimacy and authenticity that have made Austin City Limits a cultural institution for more than five decades. From legendary icons to today’s most exciting new voices, the series continues its mission of showcasing the very best in live music. 

Austin City Limits Hall of Fame Honors Brandi Carlile premieres Saturday, September 12 on PBS.  Austin City Limits and the Austin City Limits Hall of Fame are produced by Austin PBS. Watch full episodes of Austin City Limits on PBS, stream online, and via the PBS App. As of Season 52, all episodes will be available to stream for free on the ACLTV YouTube Channel. Follow @acltv on Instagram, Facebook, X/Twitter and TikTok for updates on livestreams, future tapings and episode schedules. Fans can also explore the ACLTV YouTube Channel for exclusive songs, behind-the-scenes content, and full-length artist interviews. Learn more about Austin City Limits, its programming and its history at ACLTV.com.

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Featured Important Feature News

Austin City Limits Remembers Dolly Parton

Austin City Limits mourns the loss of Dolly Parton, the legendary singer, songwriter, musician and cultural icon, who died today at age 80.

When Dolly Parton made her long-awaited ACL debut on December 5, 2000 for a Season 26 taping that aired January 18, 2001, ACL Executive Producer Terry Lickona called the occasion “a dream come true.” More than 25 years later, that dream remains one of the most treasured performances in the series’ history. 

“The heart speaks louder than words, but the news of Dolly‘s passing is heartbreaking. Hundreds and hundreds of artists have appeared on Austin City Limits over the years,  but Dolly Parton stood out above them all. She told us it was one of the most fun times she ever had doing TV. Her humanity was equal to the impact of her music. Dolly, we will always love you.”

– Terry Lickona, Executive Producer, Austin City Limits

Dolly delivered a performance for the ages.

Taking the ACL stage with the warmth, wit and extraordinary musicianship that made her one of the most beloved artists of all time, Dolly offered an intimate glimpse of the artist behind the legend. Her set moved effortlessly between her own songs and the country and bluegrass traditions that shaped her, including “Train, Train” and “Little Sparrow,” the title track of her forthcoming album, before turning to two of her most beloved songs at the end of the set: “Coat of Many Colors,” her autobiographical song about growing up poor in the Tennessee mountains.

Then Dolly closed the performance with an intimate acoustic rendition of “I Will Always Love You.”

“I’ve written many, many songs about my life and my growing up days, and about my folks and all,” said Dolly in her intro to the song. “Every now and then I get lucky and I’ll write a love song that other people like and want to sing.”

It was a fitting finale to an unforgettable ACL performance: just Dolly and one of the most enduring songs she ever wrote, stripped down to its emotional core. Written by Parton in 1973 as a farewell to Porter Wagoner, “I Will Always Love You,” would go on to become a defining song of the American songbook, recorded by countless artists and famously transformed into a global pop phenomenon by Whitney Houston.

Dolly Parton performs on ACL TV. Photo by Scott Newton.

But on the ACL stage, it was simply Dolly, singing her song.

That intimacy was quintessential Austin City Limits. Despite the extraordinary scale of her career, Parton needed no spectacle to command the room. Her performance was filled with the qualities that made her so captivating: the humor and sparkle, the tenderness beneath the bravado, the deep connection to country and bluegrass traditions, and an ability to make even the most personal song seem universal.

By the time she arrived at ACL, Parton had already spent more than three decades establishing herself as one of the greatest songwriters and performers in American music. She had written songs that transcended genres, built an extraordinary career on her own terms, and become a cultural force whose influence extended far beyond music.

Yet her Season 26 appearance captured something more personal: an artist completely at ease, having fun, sharing stories and songs. 

More than 25 years later, the performance remains a treasured moment in the Austin City Limits archive—and a perfect reflection of what the series has always sought to preserve: extraordinary artists in an intimate setting.

Dolly Parton leaves behind one of the most remarkable bodies of work in American music. Her influence can he heard in generations of artists who followed her to the ACL stage, while her generosity and commitment to helping others extended her impact far beyond the stage.

But for Austin City Limits, there will always be something especially precious about December 5, 2000: the night Dolly Parton finally walked onto the ACL stage.

For Terry Lickona, it was a dream come true.

For Dolly, it was one of the most fun times she ever had doing television. 

And for Austin City Limits, it was an unforgettable night with an artist who, in Terry’s words, “stood out above them all.”

Dolly, we will always love you.💕