Live music beacon Austin City Limits is extending access to its archives through June 30 as a gift to music fans during the current live music void. The perennial television series is making fan-favorite episodes from the recently broadcast Season 45 and choice vintage gems available for streaming during these stay-at-home days, in addition to the entire slate of programs from the previous two seasons of the acclaimed concert showcase. Over 40 ACL installments are available to stream free online at https://www.pbs.org/show/austin-city-limits/ offering a wide variety of music’s finest from every genre. Cited by USA Today as the lead option for streaming live music, Austin City Limits has offered viewers a front-row seat to the best in performance for an incredible four-and-a-half decades from the Live Music Capital of the World, Austin, Texas; the series is the flagship of the popular ACL Music Festival.
In addition, the long-running series has delivered classics from its catalog for recent high-profile events: In honor of Willie Nelson’s 87th birthday, ACL showcased an historic 1976 live performance of Red Headed Stranger, which also marked the 45th anniversary of that classic album’s release; UK hitmaker Ed Sheeran’s stunning 2017 hourlong solo acoustic performance recently opened the virtual 3-day PlayOn Fest to benefit the COVID-19 response. ACL is also offering fans the ability to appear on the legendary ACL stage, complete with the iconic Austin skyline, with new virtual backgrounds for Zoom and smartphones free for fans to use here. Custom ACL face masks are also available for fans, and with every mask purchase one will be distributed to someone in need shop.acltv.com.
While live music is grounded and with the postponement and cancellation of countless tours and music festivals, ACL aims to keep its spirit alive and fill the void, providing new viewing options for cooped-up music fans. The program has fast-tracked popular episodes to stream at home, and the show goes on with a generous helping of performances to choose from. Favorites from ACL’s recent Season 45 and the entire slate of Seasons 43 and 44 are available to stream at https://www.pbs.org/show/austin-city-limits/. ACL unlocks two classic fan-favorite vintage installments: the late blues giant B.B. King’s classic 1983 debut and Tom Waits’ legendary 1978 appearance. There’s something for everyone in the extended line-up: highlights include a golden hour with late singer-songwriter giant John Prine (the 2018 performance is one of ACL’s most-requested episodes of all time); an epic stage journey with 2020’s Grammy-winning global pop phenom Billie Eilish; songs for uncertain times with indie-rock provocateur Father John Misty (backed by a 16-piece orchestra); Willie Nelson’s 2018 return to “the house that Willie built” in a career-spanning performance for the ages; a sparkling hour with country superstar Miranda Lambert; a dazzling, career-spanning hour with celebrated jazz legend Herbie Hancock; supergroup The Raconteurs, featuring Jack White and Brendan Benson, in an all-out hour of pure rock and roll; a show-stopping hour with visionary funk songstress Janelle Monáe; rock legends the Pretenders in a shining hit-filled hour of career highlights; a thrilling hour with blues legend Buddy Guy; a radiant hour with acclaimed singer-songwriter Brandi Carlile; powerhouse rap duo Run the Jewels; rock stars Cage The Elephant; an electrifying hour with guitar hero Gary Clark Jr.; a captivating performance from indie original Sharon Van Etten; an endorphin rush set from dance floor magnets LCD Soundsystem; a euphoric hour with New Orleans funk phenom Trombone Shorty and his 10-piece band; standout Austin progressive soul act Black Pumas; innovative art-rock performer St. Vincent; acclaimed singer-songwriter Jason Isbell; stripped-down roots music with Patty Griffin; R&B phenom Miguel; fan-favorite Norah Jones; a rare television performance from acclaimed indie-rock innovator Mitski; next-generation country with chart-topper Kane Brown; and a thrilling hour with celebrated Flamenco-fusion artist Rosalía. ACL’s renowned production is an industry leader, making it a required stopping point for legendary artists and innovators of all genres. Featuring unparalleled audio, and dynamic camerawork, ACL captures all the artistry and energy of live performance.
The series has also created an upcoming encore broadcast programming block with highly-requested episodes from recent ACL archives to air weekly on PBS stations, beginning on May 16 with a buoyant hour with breakout singer-songwriter Maggie Rogers. The programming slate again offers something for all and continues through the end of June: choices include left-of-center country queen Kacey Musgraves; an unforgettable hour of stories and songs with Americana icon Steve Earle saluting the songwriting legacy of the legendary Guy Clark; UK modern rock superstars Arctic Monkeys; country superstar Chris Stapleton; powerhouse R&B sensation H.E.R.; indie rock titans Vampire Weekend; breakout R&B/pop star Khalid; laid-back indie rocker Mac DeMarco; road-tested red-dirt country-rockers Turnpike Troubadours and Austin favorites, indie-folk band Wild Child. Check local PBS listings for times. These broadcast episodes will also be available to stream at https://www.pbs.org/show/austin-city-limits/.
Tune-in, log on, and let ACL be a trusted sidekick for entertainment during these challenging days. The power of music has sustained people in difficult times throughout history and ACL encourages fans and folks to please enjoy these gifts from their archives. And, if you need to freshen up your video calls, we’ve created backgrounds for your calls. Click on the images below to and download:
Fans can also browse the ACL YouTube channel for exclusive songs, behind-the-scenes videos and full-length artist interviews.For images and episode information, visit Austin City Limits press room at http://acltv.com/press-room/.
ACL Encore Broadcast Schedule
May 16 Maggie Rogers
May 23 Khalid / Mac DeMarco
May 30 Steve Earle & The Dukes: A Tribute to Guy Clark
June 6 H.E.R.
June 13 Vampire Weekend
June 20 Chris Stapleton / Turnpike Troubadours
June 27 Arctic Monkeys / Wild Child