News - Page 9 of 215 - Austin City Limits

ACL Announces First Half of Season 50 Broadcast Schedule

Post author By Lily Angelle
Post date August 14, 2024

Kacey Musgraves on Austin City Limits, 2024. Photo by Scott Newton.

Five decades ago on October 17, 1974, Willie Nelson taped the pilot for the show that holds the title “the longest-running music program in television history.” The trailblazing live music series Austin City Limits (ACL) is proud to announce its landmark 50th Anniversary broadcast season, featuring an all-star slate of returning favorites for the half-century milestone including Chris Stapleton, Juanes, Gary Clark Jr., Brittany Howard, Nickel Creek, Black Pumas, Maggie Rogers and The War And Treaty, alongside highly-anticipated debuts from Gracie Abrams, Jelly Roll and Jacob Collier. Providing viewers a front-row seat to the best in music performance for 50 years, ACL returns on Saturday, September 28th at 7pm CT/8pm ET with a luminous hour from an American original, seven-time Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Kacey Musgraves.

50 Years of Music Austin City Limits featured artists

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.
Produced by Austin PBS, and recorded live at ACL’s studio home ACL Live in Austin, Texas, the program has earned its place in history. In May 2024, the show’s longtime executive producer Terry Lickona was awarded public television’s highest honor, The Beacon Award, presented by Foo Fighters’ Dave Grohl. The esteemed award pays tribute to individuals whose work inspires Americans and enriches our nation, in keeping with the mission of PBS.

Golden, Texas native Kacey Musgraves returns for Austin City Limits golden anniversary season in her third series appearance. Musgraves shines in a radiant season premiere, with a collection of songs from her latest Deeper Well, alongside career highlights and songwriting tales. Two great Austin acts, Gary Clark Jr. and Black Pumas, get the ACL treatment in a thrilling hour of next-generation rock and soul. Grammy-winner Gary Clark Jr. makes his fourth appearance on the program with highlights from his powerful latest offering JPEG RAW and eight-time Grammy nominees Black Pumas sparkle with selections from their sophomore release Chronicles of a Diamond. Breakthrough singer-songwriters Maggie Rogers and Gracie Abrams share a buoyant hour: the Grammy-nominated Rogers illuminates with bountiful gems from Don’t Forget Me in her second appearance while 2024 Grammy Best New Artist nominee Abrams makes her ACL debut with standouts from her chart-topping The Secret of Us.

Black Pumas on Austin City Limits, 2024. Photo by Scott Newton.

Gracie Abrams holds a guitar and smiles — Gracie Abrams on Austin City Limits, 2024. Photo by Scott Newton.

A pair of virtuoso acts wow in an innovative hour: In his ACL debut, six-time Grammy-winning UK phenom, multi-instrumentalist and singer Jacob Collier performs highlights from his Djesse suite of albums and formative bluegrass trio Nickel Creek returns for the first time in a decade to showcase songs from their acclaimed Celebrants.

Brittany Howard performs on Austin City Limits, 2024. Photo by Scott Newton.

Powerhouse singer-songwriter Brittany Howard makes her second solo performance, dazzling with highlights from her recent What Now along with career gems in an epic hour. Grammy-nominated Nashville sensations Jelly Roll and The War And Treaty thrill in an electrifying installment. Jelly Roll makes a must-see ACL debut with highlights from his breakthrough smash Whitsitt Chapel and celebrated husband-and-wife duo The War And Treaty raise the roof with powerful vocals in their second appearance on the ACL stage.

Country superstar Chris Stapleton returns with a scorching, hourlong set of country-rock classics and new gems in a performance for the ages. Colombian icon Juanes returns for the first time in over a decade for an arena-worthy, hourlong performance, delivering an irresistible career-spanning set featuring selections from his acclaimed smash Vida Cotidiana, his 10th studio album and a career highpoint.

Join ACL as it kicks off its yearlong 50th anniversary celebration with a trio of Austin-based events: the 10th Anniversary Austin City Limits Hall of Fame honoring Garth Brooks taping on September 5, 2024; Austin City Limits 50th Birthday Bash on October 17, 2024, a Texas-sized outdoor concert event featuring a music legend; and on November 21, the program will tape a primetime special, ACL Celebrates 50 Years, an all-star celebration featuring some of the brightest stars in the show’s 50-year history as they return to the ACL stage for the occasion, set to air on PBS in 2025. The anniversary events are open to the public and celebrate the city and community that plays a starring role in the series. The Austin skyline is the famous backdrop for the weekly show and Austin music fans comprise the audiences featured in each episode’s trademark crowd shots.

Season 50 Broadcast Line-Up (second half of season to be announced separately):

September 28: Kacey Musgraves

October 5: Gary Clark Jr. | Black Pumas

October 12: Maggie Rogers | Gracie Abrams

October 19: Jacob Collier | Nickel Creek

October 26: Brittany Howard

November 2: Jelly Roll | The War And Treaty

November 9: Chris Stapleton

November 16: Juanes

Watch new episodes live, stream online, or download the PBS App. The complete line-up for the full 14-week season, including seven new episodes to air beginning January 2024, 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, IG and TikTok. Fans can also browse the ACL YouTube channel for exclusive songs, behind-the-scenes videos and full-length artist interviews.

A monument to music, Austin City Limits has showcased iconic performances from legends and innovators in every genre of popular song for a remarkable five decades. The series is the flagship of the popular Austin City Limits Music Festival and has earned countless accolades for its quality presentation of live music performances, including a Peabody Award, a Rock & Roll Hall of Fame designation and it remains the only TV series awarded the National Medal of Arts.

Tags Season 50

Taping Recap

Taping Recap: Gracie Abrams

Post author By Lily Angelle
Post date August 1, 2024

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:

BAND CREDITS:

Gracie Abrams – Artist, Guitar, Keys

Cooper Cowgill – Bassist & Musical Director

Casey Kalmenson – Keys, Guitar, Vocals

Elle Puckett – Guitar, Vocals

Gabe Smith – Drums & Vocals

Tags Tapings

New taping: Wynonna

Post author By michael
Post date July 30, 2024

Austin City Limits is thrilled to announce a new taping with one of country music’s most legendary voices and iconic performers: Wynonna. A musical force like none other, we welcome her to the ACL stage on September 3 for our milestone Anniversary Season 50.

One of the most widely recognized and awarded female country musicians in history, Wynonna is celebrating a remarkable 40-year career. Her 1992 self-titled solo debut sold over five million units, becoming the highest-selling debut album by a female artist at the time. Wynonna earned three consecutive #1 hits and the singer followed the wildly successful debut with the multi-platinum album Tell Me Why. Building on the groundbreaking music she and her mother created as The Judds, Wynonna grew into her once-in-a-generation vocal prowess with an ease that resonated with legions of fans. Chart-topping hits “No One Else On Earth,” “Tell Me Why,” “She Is His Only Need,” “Girls With Guitars,” and “I Saw The Light” set the next chapter in motion for the girl from Ashland, Kentucky who became a global superstar. Having practically grown up as America’s favorite musical daughter, Wynonna matured into a woman who embraced life’s peaks and valleys, great thrills, and heavy disappointment. Beyond the Grammy Awards, multi-platinum albums and sold-out tours, the country/soul vocalist expanded on the Appalachian traditionalism that defined The Judds to create a world where Top 5 dance/club hits were as possible as being inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Wynonna has sold-out concerts scheduled throughout the summer before she hits the road for her “Back to Wy” tour in September. She’ll be playing her debut and sophomore albums back-to-back for 17 special shows across the country. Wynonna first appeared on Austin City Limits with The Judds during ACL’s 10th Anniversary Season in 1985 and opened our Season 22 in 1997 with a full-hour season premiere. We’re proud to welcome her back during our 50th Anniversary Season for the first time in nearly three decades.

Want to be part of our audience? We will post information on how to get free passes a week in advance of the taping. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for notice of postings. The broadcast episode will air on PBS as part of our milestone Season 50, which premieres on September 28, 2024.

Tags Season 50, Wynonna Judd

News Ticket Giveaway Tickets Distributed

Giveaway: Gracie Abrams

Post author By Austin Hegarty
Post date July 22, 2024

Photo Credit: Abby Weisler 2024

UPDATE: The giveaway is now closed. Austin City Limits will tape a performance by Gracie Abrams on Tuesday, July 30th 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.

Since making her debut in 2019, Gracie Abrams has emerged as one of the most compelling singer-songwriters of her generation, earning the admiration of artists such as Taylor Swift, Lorde, Billie Eilish and Olivia Rodrigo. Abrams penned her first song at age eight, then went on to amass a devoted following on the strength of her emotionally intimate lyrics and DIY sensibilities. With the arrival of her breakout debut project minor in summer 2020, she received glowing reviews from NME, who praised her “painfully honest tales of heartbreak draped in delicate melodies that carry much more intrigue than the usual run-of-the-mill singer-songwriter.” The seven-song effort features her beloved singles “21,” “I miss you, I’m sorry” and “Long Sleeves.” In 2021, Abrams returned with This Is What It Feels Like, a 12-track project exploring complex emotional experiences such as self-betrayal, insecurity and failed attempts at connection. Soon after completing her sold-out North American headline tour for This Is What It Feels Like, she set to work on her debut album. Abrams kicked off 2022 with a headline tour of North America followed by a support slot on Olivia Rodrigo’s tour and connected with her friend and frequent collaborator, The National’s Aaron Dessner to release two songs “Block me out” and “Difficult.” Gracie toured with Taylor Swift as the opening on select dates of her blockbuster Eras Tour and will continue as direct support when the Eras Tour returns to North America later this year.

Gracie Abrams’ sophomore album, The Secret of Us, is out now via Interscope Records. The critically acclaimed album has been met with an overwhelming amount of support and excitement from fans and publications alike, including Rolling Stone (4 stars), Billboard, Associated Press, Vogue and more. Gracie debuted in the top five in nine countries making it her best-performing album. The 24-year-old songwriter co-wrote the album with longtime friend Audrey Hobert and produced the new album alongside Dessner. The Secret of Us comes nearly a year after her debut album, Good Riddance, which Gracie released in February 2023 and Rolling Stone hailed “one of 2023’s Best Debuts.” Good Riddance earned Gracie her first ever Grammy nod at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards with a nomination for Best New Artist. In September, Gracie will embark on her sold out headlining tour, kicking off September 5^th in Portland, Oregon.

For entry to Austin City Limits tapings, you agree to abide by the Taping Health & Safety Protocols based on the current COVID-19 Community Risk Stage in effect at the time of the event. By attending the ACL tapings, you agree to the Terms & Conditions.

Tags Season 50

Featured Hall of Fame News

Austin City Limits kicks off 50th anniversary celebration with Garth Brooks

Post author By michael
Post date July 16, 2024

Iconic music series Austin City Limits (ACL) kicks off the 50th Anniversary celebrations by welcoming a new Austin City Limits Hall of Fame honoree into its ranks for this milestone: Garth Brooks. For the first time in the decade-long history of the ACL Hall of Fame, only one inductee will be honored at this epic 10th Anniversary Hall of Fame celebration taking place on September 5, 2024, at ACL’s studio home, ACL Live at The Moody Theater in downtown Austin. Brooks and his band will perform for the occasion. Brooks anchored ACL’s 25th Anniversary broadcast season with a pair of appearances and returns now for the Hall of Fame salute to launch the trailblazing television series’ record-making 50th season. Musical highlights and Brooks’ induction from the Hall of Fame ceremony will air as a special hourlong broadcast of Austin City Limits as a highlight of the program’s golden anniversary Season 50 which premieres on September 28, 2024, on PBS.

“To be part of anything Austin City Limits is and always has been an honor,” Brooks said. “I am humbled and grateful to not only be a part of the 50th Anniversary, but to be inducted into the ACL Hall of Fame is over the top.”

The event is open to the public and a limited number of tickets will be on sale August 2 at acltv.com/hall-of-fame via AXS ticketing. Sponsor packages are available now. This event will be a phone-free experience. Upon arrival at the venue, tickets will be scanned and all phones will be secured in Yondr cases that will be unlocked at the end of the event. Austin City Limits 10th Annual Hall of Fame Honors is produced by Austin PBS and proceeds benefit the public television station.

2024 marks the 50th Anniversary of the live music beacon Austin City Limits, which taped its debut pilot episode on October 17, 1974; the pioneering series then premiered on PBS in 1975. ACL celebrates its remarkable legacy with a yearlong celebration through 2025. Since its inception in 2014, the ACL Hall of Fame has honored legendary artists who have played a pivotal role in the trailblazing music series’ outstanding half-century as a music institution. The inaugural awards in 2014 honored Willie Nelson and Stevie Ray Vaughan. Garth Brooks has longtime ties to ACL, with three legendary Austin City Limits performances. He first appeared on the program in 1990, during Season 15, at the beginning of his career. The celebrated artist returned a decade later to both open and close ACL’s milestone Season 25 with two hourlong episodes.

Brooks returned to ACL in 2021 for a memorable pair of intimate, non-broadcast events to close Studio 6A on the University of Texas campus, the fabled soundstage where the program first started recording in 1974. Brooks carved his name into ACL’s history with the final performances in the historic studio that was the show’s home from 1974 to 2010, before a move to downtown Austin. The singular artist performed the special benefit shows solo acoustic to a sold-out audience of 200 fans per night, as a fundraiser for Austin PBS, sharing stories, taking song requests, and answering questions from the audience.

“Garth is a special friend—there’s no one else quite like him,” said longtime ACL executive producer Terry Lickona. “He never forgets his roots, or the people who were there for him in those early days. He hit the ACL stage just as his career was taking off, kicked off our 25th anniversary season, and now almost 25 years later, it’s our turn to honor him.”

Austin City Limits Hall of Fame celebrates the legacy of legendary artists and key individuals who have played a vital part in the pioneering music series’ remarkable half-century as a music institution. The Hall of Fame has inducted over twenty artists at nine previous ceremonies including Willie Nelson, Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble, Lloyd Maines, Asleep at the Wheel, Loretta Lynn, Guy Clark, Flaco Jiménez, Townes Van Zandt, Kris Kristofferson, Bonnie Raitt, B.B. King, Roy Orbison, Rosanne Cash, The Neville Brothers, Ray Charles, Marcia Ball, Los Lobos, Lyle Lovett, Buddy Guy, Shawn Colvin, Lucinda Williams, Wilco, Alejandro Escovedo, Sheryl Crow and Joe Ely. The ninth annual Hall of Fame in 2023 welcomed John Prine and Trisha Yearwood to its ranks.

About Garth Brooks:

Garth Brooks just opened his brand new bar on Lower Broadway in Nashville, Friends in Low Places Bar & Honky-Tonk. The opening was celebrated with a Dive Bar concert on Black Friday that streamed exclusively on Amazon. He also just released a new boxed set, “The Limited Series,” which is the third and final in the series and contains Garth’s 14th studio album, Time Traveler. The boxed set is on sale exclusively at Bass Pro Shops. Garth has returned to radio with the SEVENS Radio Network on TuneIn. So far, the announced stations include The BIG 615 with Storme Warren, Tailgate Radio with Maria Taylor and The Garth Channel. He currently has a residency, Garth Brooks/Plus ONE at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace. 2023 completely sold out, dates for 2024 are currently on sale. In 2022, Garth completed the three and a half year long Stadium Tour. It drew an average of more than 95 thousand people in each city it played and was seen by a cumulative audience of nearly three-million people. The tour ended that September when Garth played the fifth sold-out concert at Dublin, Ireland’s Croke Park. The five concerts were seen by over 400-thousand people. Garth has received every accolade you can bestow on an artist. Garth has received The Kennedy Center Honor, the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song, seven CMA Entertainer of the Year honors and nine Diamond Awards. He remains the #1-selling solo artist in U.S. history, certified by the RIAA with 162 million album sales.

Austin City Limits and the Austin City Limits Hall of Fame are produced by Austin PBS. Austin PBS is a non-profit organization providing public television and educational resources to Central Texas as well as producing quality national programming.

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 launching its 50th 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. ACL celebrates 50 years as an American music institution in 2024-2025.

Tags ACL Hall of Fame, Garth Brooks, Season 50

News Taping Recap

Taping Recap: Hurray For The Riff Raff

Post author By Lily Angelle
Post date July 8, 2024

“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.