Tag: Season 50

Austin’s Own Gary Clark Jr. and Black Pumas On Austin City Limits Season 50

Post author By Lily Angelle
Post date October 5, 2024

Austin, TX—October 4, 2024—As Austin City Limits (ACL) celebrates its Season 50, the program is proud to spotlight a pair of acclaimed Austin acts for the occasion. Four-time Grammy Award winner Gary Clark Jr. performs highlights from his powerful LP JPEG RAW and eight-time Grammy-nominated Black Pumas sparkle with selections from their Chronicles of a Diamond in a thrilling hour of next-generation rock and soul. The new episode premieres Saturday, October 5 @8pm ET/7pm CT. 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. 2024 marks the 50th Anniversary of the revered music institution, which continues its extraordinary run as the longest-running music series in television history, providing viewers a front-row seat to the best in live performance for an incredible half-century.

Ever since Austin City Limits taped its pilot episode in 1974 (featuring the one and only Willie Nelson), a hallmark of the series has always been the strong connection between performer and audience. This week’s installment highlights that relationship as a pair of sensational live acts demonstrate the communal experience with concertgoers and viewers. Austin hometown six-string hero Gary Clark Jr., who made his ACL debut in 2013, has often mentioned how, as a kid, he watched his heroes (like Stevie Ray Vaughan), on old episodes of the series. Clark Jr. now returns for his fourth appearance with selections from his latest studio album, JPEG RAW. The record signals the advent of an expansive sonic era in his musical journey, and finds the revered axeman exploring new sounds and textures from West Africa to the Mississippi Delta, classic ‘70s funk and soul, ‘90s R&B and elements of jazz and hip-hop. Clark Jr. opens the magnetic set with the powerful call to action “Maktub,” singing the urgent lyrics “We gotta move…time for a new revolution,” accompanied by his blazing guitar. The standout “What About The Children,” an album duet with Stevie Wonder, is both a funk stunner as Clark Jr. flexes his falsetto, and a family affair, as he is joined by his three sisters on celestial backing vocals. The epic set-closer “Habits,” a nine-minute opus, is a showcase for his honest, open-hearted songwriting, elevated by a passionate guitar solo for an electrifying close.

Gary Clark Jr. on Austin City Limits, 2024. Photo by Scott Newton.

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

Black Pumas return to the ACL stage for their second appearance with highlights from their acclaimed sophomore release Chronicles of a Diamond. The psychedelic soul act, led by vocalist Eric Burton and guitarist Adrian Quesada, and an ace six-piece band, are known for their transcendent live shows which Burton refers to as “electric church.” Opening with the 2024 Grammy-nominated “More Than A Love Song,” a blissed-out marvel enhanced by their backing singers sublime vocals, Burton invites the rapt crowd to sing-along on the soaring “We’ll fly together” refrain. Pumas reach back to their star-making 2019 debut for the breakout hit “Colors,” a soulful anthem that spoke to fans across the globe, pairing it with the chorus of the soul classic “You’re All I Need to Get By.” Burton contemplates the romance of rock music while pointing out the perils on the hypnotic “Rock and Roll,” as Quesada’s guitar wails, for a spellbinding close.

“Beyond being the ‘Live Music Capital of the World,’ Austin has long been a launchpad for fresh, new music that has gone on to national acclaim, world stages, and many Grammy awards,” says ACL executive producer Terry Lickona. “Gary took the guitar to new heights with his unique stylings, and Black Pumas fused a myriad of sounds, styles and genres into a powerhouse live show.”

Gary Clark Jr. setlist:

Maktub

This Is Who We Are

What About the Children

Habits

Black Pumas setlist:

More Than A Love Song

Ice Cream (Pay Phone)

Colors/You’re All I Need to Get By

Rock and Roll

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

2024 marks the 50th Anniversary of Austin City Limits, which taped its debut pilot episode with Willie Nelson on October 17, 1974; the pioneering series then premiered on PBS in 1975. That now legendary debut became the cornerstone for 50 years of groundbreaking, award-winning music television. ACL is proud to announce that Willie Nelson will return on the 50th anniversary of the pilot taping to commemorate Austin City Limits’ remarkable half-century milestone with a Texas-sized outdoor concert on October 17, 2024, at Austin’s Long Center. The performance will be taped; musical highlights will air as a special hourlong broadcast of Austin City Limits to air in early 2025 as a season highlight of the program’s golden anniversary Season 50.

Watch new episodes live, stream online, or download the PBS App. Viewers can visit acltv.com for news regarding upcoming Season 50 tapings, live streams 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.

Tags Black Pumas, Gary Clark Jr., Season 50

News Ticket Giveaway Tickets Distributed

Giveaway: Norah Jones

Post author By Austin Hegarty
Post date October 3, 2024

Photo Credit: Joelle Grace Taylor

UPDATE: The giveaway is now closed. Austin City Limits will tape a performance by Norah Jones on Thursday, October 10th 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.

9-time GRAMMY winning singer, songwriter, and pianist Norah Jones has released her ninth solo studio album Visions, a collaboration with producer and multi-instrumentalist Leon Michels, as well as the official video for the song “Paradise” directed by Joelle Grace Taylor which celebrates the rollercoaster of life. Visions is a vibrant and joyful 12-song set that is the yang to the yin that was Pick Me Up Off The Floor, Jones’ last album of new original songs which was released early in the pandemic lockdown of 2020 and foreshadowed many of the dark emotions of that period.

Norah Jones first emerged on the world stage with the 2002 release of Come Away With Me, her self-described “moody little record” that introduced a singular new voice and grew into a global phenomenon, sweeping the 2003 GRAMMY Awards including Album of the Year, Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best New Artist. Since then, Jones has become a nine-time GRAMMY-winner, sold 53 million albums, and her songs have been streamed 11 billion times worldwide. She has released a series of critically acclaimed and commercially successful solo albums—Feels Like Home (2004), Not Too Late (2007), The Fall (2009), Little Broken Hearts (2012), Day Breaks (2016), Pick Me Up Off The Floor (2020), the live album ‘Til We Meet Again (2021), her holiday album I Dream Of Christmas (2021), and Visions (2024)—as well as albums with her collective bands The Little Willies, El Madmo, and Puss N Boots featuring Sasha Dobson and Catherine Popper. The 2010 compilation …Featuring Norah Jones showcased her incredible versatility by collecting her collaborations with artists as diverse as Willie Nelson, Foo Fighters, Outkast, and Herbie Hancock. In 2022, Jones launched her podcast Norah Jones Is Playing Along which features candid conversations and impromptu musical collaborations with some of her favorite musicians.

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

News Ticket Giveaway Tickets Distributed

Giveaway: Mickey Guyton

Post author By Austin Hegarty
Post date October 1, 2024

Photo Credit: Joseph Llanes

UPDATE: The giveaway is now closed. Austin City Limits will tape a performance by Mickey Guyton on Wednesday, October 9th 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.

Mickey Guyton is a four-time GRAMMY-nominated artist and country music trailblazer. Over the course of her career, Mickey has been recognized for her musical achievements, including being named TIME Magazine’s Breakthrough Artist of the Year in 2022 and CMT’s Breakout Artist of the Year in 2021.

With her debut studio album, Remember Her Name, Mickey made history as the first Black artist to earn a GRAMMY nomination for Best Country Album. Additionally, she became the first-ever Black female solo artist to earn a nod in a country category with additional nominations for “Best Country Song” and “Best Country Solo Performance.”

Beyond the GRAMMYs, Mickey has shined on the grandest of global stages, delivering powerful renditions of the national anthem at Super Bowl LVI and the 2023 World Series. She has also performed on a wide array of star-studded award shows and platforms, including the ACM Awards, CMA Awards, CMT Music Awards, ESPYs, CBS Mornings, Good Morning America, The Today Show, The Jennifer Hudson Show, The Kelly Clarkson Show, SHERRI, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Sesame Street, and many more.

The multihyphenate has also evolved into a media personality, having co-hosted the Macy’s 4^th of July Fireworks special on NBC, the 2023 National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony on CBS and co-hosted the 56^th Academy of Country Music Awards on CBS along with Keith Urban. She also previously served as a guest host of The Ellen Show.

Mickey has released a series of new songs, including “Scary Love,” “Make It Me,” and “My Side of the Country” leading to her sophomore album House On Fire out Sept. 27, 2024 on Capitol Records Nashville.

Tags Season 50

News Ticket Giveaway

Giveaway: Carín León

Post author By Austin Hegarty
Post date September 27, 2024

Photo Credit: Jesús Fernando Espinoza

UPDATE: The giveaway is now closed. Austin City Limits will tape a performance by Carín León on Saturday, October 5th 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.

Carín León continues his rapid ascent after a monumental 2023, including winning a Latin Grammy for Best Norteño Album for Colmillo de Leche and releasing two massive hit singles, with “Primera Cita” and “Según Quién” each charting Top 25 on Spotify and Top 30 on the Billboard Global 200. Earlier this year, the global Mexican star earned a standing ovation at the Grand Ole Opry with a set entirely in Spanish and made history as the first Latin artist to perform at both Coachella and Stagecoach. His single “ALCH SI” with Grupo Frontera reached the #1 spot on Billboard‘s Regional Mexican Airplay chart. León’s latest album Boca Chueca Vol. 1 is out now to great fanfare, and his Boca Chueca Tour 2024 sees stops across major cities in North America and Europe, including a performance at New York City’s Madison Square Garden.

Originally from Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico, León embarked on his musical journey at the age of 15, taking his first steps by learning to play the guitar and developing skills in singing and songwriting. In 2018, León released his debut album Desvelada con Banda y Mariachi which propelled him to quickly dominate the Regional Mexican music scene as a performer, singer and songwriter. In 2021 his album INÉDITO debuted atop the Apple Music charts, reaching #1 on the Mexican Music chart and #3 on the Latin Music chart and was named one of Billboard’s 25 Best Latin Albums of the year.

León has received countless nominations and multiple awards, including a 2024 People’s Choice Country Award nomination for “The One (Pero No Como Yo),” his bilingual collaboration with country star Kane Brown, an ASCAP Award for the song “Me La Aventé,” numerous Premios Lo Nuestro (“Regional Mexican Breakthrough Artist,” “Best Male Artist” and “Banda Song of the Year”) and a 2022 Latin Grammy win for “Best Regional Mexican Song” for “Como lo Hice Yo,” a collaboration with Mexican pop group Matisse.

Tags Season 50

Episode Recap New Broadcast News Uncategorized

Episode Premiere: Kacey Musgraves Leads Off Austin City Limits Season 50

Post author By Lily Angelle
Post date September 26, 2024

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

Live music beacon Austin City Limits (ACL) kicks off a celebratory Season 50 with an unforgettable hour from an American original, seven-time Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Kacey Musgraves. The celebrated artist is newly nominated for a trio of awards from the Country Music Association for the upcoming CMA Awards (on November 20), including top honors of Album of the Year and Female Vocalist of the Year. The season premiere airs on Saturday, September 28th at 7pm CT/8pm ET. 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. 2024 marks the 50th Anniversary of the revered music institution, which continues its extraordinary run as the longest-running music series in television history, providing viewers a front-row seat to the best in live performance for an incredible half-century.

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

“It’s such an honor to be kicking off the 50th Season of ACL,” says Kacey Musgraves from the famed ACL stage. The Golden, Texas native returns for Austin City Limits golden anniversary season in her third series appearance; Musgraves made her ACL debut in 2014 and returned in 2018 for Season 44. The songstress shines in a radiant hour, with a new collection of songs from her latest album Deeper Well as the centerpiece, alongside career highlights and songwriting tales. With an easy rapport and exquisite singing, Musgraves delivers a captivating 13-song set joined by her seven-piece band. She opens with the delicate, soaring “Cardinal,” which pays homage to her late friend and mentor John Prine. Musgraves performs a suite of album highlights including “Deeper Well,” “Sway” and “Too Good To Be True,” weaving soft melodies around sparkling songs in a tender performance.

“ACL! Should we throw it back a little bit?” asks Musgraves before launching into the irresistible “Butterflies” from 2018’s Grammy-winning album Slow Burn. Musgraves performs a moving solo rendition of “Rainbow” with piano accompaniment, inviting the audience to sing-along. She reaches back to her 2013 breakthrough for “Follow Your Arrow,” letting the crowd take over on the final verse. A barefoot Musgraves thrills with lush vocals and harmonies on her fan-favorite anthem “Slow Burn.” “We’re gonna leave each other with good vibes,” smiles the free-spirited artist as she closes with the ACL audience joining in for her set staple “Three Little Birds.”

“Kacey Musgraves represents what Austin City Limits is all about – past, present, and hopefully future,” said longtime executive producer Terry Lickona. “There’s a through line from that very first ACL, from Willie to Kacey 50 years later: groundbreaking artists pushing boundaries, with powerful songs, and powerful performances. She sets the perfect tone for the 50th anniversary!”

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

Episode setlist:

Cardinal
Deeper Well
Sway
Too Good To Be True
Butterflies
Giver-Taker
Follow Your Arrow
The Architect
Heaven Is
Rainbow
Justified
Slow BurnThree Little Birds/Easier Said

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

Austin City Limits:

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.

Austin City Limits is produced by Austin PBS and funding is provided in part by Dell Technologies, the Austin Convention Center Department, Cirrus Logic and AXS Ticketing. Additional funding is provided by the Friends of Austin City Limits. Learn more about Austin City Limits, programming and history at acltv.com.

About Austin PBS:

Since 1962, Austin PBS has been a part of Central Texas, delivering programs that educate, entertain and inspire. As the only locally owned and operated nonprofit public television station in Central Texas, Austin PBS uses its unique position to serve as a bridge to the community and provide essential services to 3 million potential viewers in more than 20 counties across the region.

Tags Kacey Musgraves, Season 50

News Ticket Giveaway

Giveaway: Chris Stapleton

Post author By Austin Hegarty
Post date September 25, 2024

Photo Credit: Becky Fluke

UPDATE: The giveaway is now closed. Austin City Limits will tape a performance by Chris Stapleton on Thursday, October 3rd 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.

Kentucky-born Chris Stapleton is a 10x Grammy, 16x CMA and 19x ACM Award-winner and one of the country’s most respected and beloved musicians. In the midst of yet another triumphant year, Stapleton recently won four awards at 59th ACM Awards as well as two more trophies at the 66th Annual GRAMMY Awards.

These accomplishments celebrate Stapleton’s new album, Higher, which was released this past fall to overwhelming critical acclaim. Produced by Dave Cobb, Morgane Stapleton and Chris Stapleton and recorded at Nashville’s historic RCA Studio A, the record landed on several “Best of” lists including Billboard, Esquire, Los Angeles Times, Vulture and Rolling Stone, who praises, “dazzling…the best evidence yet for the way one man’s voice has become synonymous with the very idea of a musical genre.” Additionally, The New Yorker declares, “Stapleton is the rare country star with both traditional bona fides and broad commercial appeal. He has an outlaw soul and a pop star’s capacity for inescapable hooks,” while GQ proclaims, “In an age rife with division, he’s maybe the only thing Americans all agree on.”

Known for his electric live performances, Stapleton recently returned to NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” as musical guest for the third time and will continue his extensive “All-American Road Show” through this fall. In addition to teaming up with Dua Lipa, Stapleton has new collaborations with Slash (“Oh Well”) and George Strait (“Honky Tonk Hall of Fame”) in addition to recording a version of “I Should Have Known It” for new Tom Petty tribute album. Stapleton and his wife, Morgane, are founders of the Outlaw State of Kind charitable fund, which supports a variety of causes that are close to their heart. Stapleton also recently unveiled his new Traveller Whiskey, created in partnership with Buffalo Trace Distillery’s Master Distiller Harlen Wheatley.

Tags Season 50