ACL Weekend One: Heat, Magic, and Unforgettable Performances
Austin City Limits 2024 was a weekend of unforgettable performances and exciting discoveries. Sharing these moments with the youth creators of Teens Media Network for the first time made it even more special.
Chappell Roan was by far the most awaited performance of this year's ACL festival, and she didn’t disappoint.
The first time I experienced Austin City Limits (ACL) was in 2021, and since then, it has become a festival I eagerly anticipate every year. This past weekend was no exception—three days filled with sweltering heat, unforgettable performances, and incredible moments shared with the youth creators of Teens Media Network.
Friday kicked off with Sir Chloe, delivering a solid, if not particularly standout, performance. It set a decent tone for the day. Then came Norah Jones, whose smooth and soulful performance was exactly what we needed to cool off from the afternoon heat. As the sun began to dip, Foster the People took the stage, accompanied by retro visuals that matched their nostalgic sound. It was a perfect fit for the golden hour, drawing the crowd in with both music and imagery.
As night fell, The Marias took over. I was especially excited to see them, and they didn’t disappoint. Their dreamy sound paired perfectly with the darkness settling over the festival. It was a performance I had been looking forward to, and they delivered everything I’d hoped for. To close out the night, Blink-182 brought a surge of energy that felt timeless. They played their classics alongside newer tracks that still carry the same 90s spirit, making it feel like time had stood still for them.
Blink-182. Photo by pablo Herrera.
By Saturday, the festival hit its stride. For me, this was the strongest day of the weekend. Things got off to an incredible start with Promqueen, a Vietnamese-American artist from Austin, whose performance was nothing short of electric. Her energy was contagious—always smiling, always giving back to the audience despite the intense midday heat. We had the opportunity to interview Promqueen, and I can’t wait to release that conversation soon on our platforms (so stay tuned!).
The Criticals, an indie rock band from Nashville, followed and quickly became one of my favorite discoveries of the weekend. Their gritty, raw sound made them a must-see act for anyone who loves discovering new talent at a festival like ACL. Not far from there, iDKHOW (I Don’t Know How But They Found Me) took over the Lite-Miller stage. Despite being from Salt Lake City, their sound had a distinctly British feel. Frontman Dallon Weekes knows how to put on a show, and their set was both cool and entertaining.
One of the unexpected highlights of the day was Geese, a band from Brooklyn. I hadn’t been familiar with them before, but their performance was the epitome of the Brooklyn music scene—gritty, introspective, and undeniably cool. As someone who used to live in Brooklyn, their set transported me straight back to a venue in Greenpoint. It was a nostalgic yet fresh experience.
The Beaches, an all-female band from Toronto, blew me away. From the very first note, I was hooked. Frontwoman Jordan Miller’s playful comment about performing in her underwear—"something that would make my mother so proud"—was a cheeky reminder of how rock music has always been about pushing boundaries. They owned the stage, and I couldn’t get enough of their rebellious and infectious energy.
iDKHOW (I Don’t Know How But They Found Me.) Photo by Pablo Herrera.
Later, Hermanos Gutiérrez took me on a different kind of journey. I had last seen them perform an intimate gig alongside The Black Keys during SXSW, and their set at ACL was just as flawless. Their music is soulful, precise, and as captivating as ever.
As the sun began to set, Khruangbin hit the stage, and the Austin-born band was a perfect match for the golden hour. Their meticulously crafted sound, paired with their polished appearance, was met with an outpouring of love from their hometown crowd. Watching them was like being in a trance.
The night built up to one of the weekend’s headliners—Dua Lipa. This was the second time I had the chance to see her live, the first being at Primavera Sound in Barcelona. But this performance surpassed the first. With tracks from her latest album Radical Optimism, she delivered a flawless, highly polished show. Everything about her set—from the choreography to the vocals—was so perfectly executed that you start to wonder if Dua Lipa is, in fact, as perfect as she seems.
To cap off an already great Saturday, Pretty Lights delivered a standout performance. Their dynamic fusion of electronic beats and live instrumentation brought a fresh energy to the festival, making them one of the day’s most exciting discoveries.
Take a look at the highlights from ACL Day 2.
By Sunday, I was ready for a more laid-back day. Country music isn’t usually my genre, but Orville Peck made me reconsider my stance. His deep, haunting voice paired with his unique sense of style captivated me in a way I didn’t expect. Peck made a powerful statement when he told the crowd, “If you feel like crying, please do it.” It was a poignant reminder of how much the narratives in country, and music in general, have shifted to embrace vulnerability and challenge toxic masculinity.
Later in the day, Empress Of (Lorely Rodriguez) delivered an incredible set. I’ve been following her for years, having seen her at both Primavera Sound and in New York City, so seeing her again at ACL was a personal highlight. She performed tracks from her latest album For Your Consideration, and it was clear that she’s grown tremendously as an artist. Jess Glynne also gave a standout performance, bringing her pop and R&B vibes to an eager crowd.
As the sun began to set for the final golden hour of the weekend, Chappell Roan took the stage. The energy from her young fanbase was electric—they knew every lyric to every song. Watching her command the stage with such confidence was impressive. After missing her set at All Things Go the previous weekend, I was thrilled to finally experience her live. She has this magnetic presence, and I wouldn’t be surprised if she becomes one of the defining pop stars of the next decade.
The festival wrapped up with a performance from Tyler, the Creator. As always, he brought a unique blend of poetry, rebellion, and charisma to the stage. Tyler has this incredible ability to break down stereotypes, leaving the audience captivated and, frankly, in awe of what he delivers every time.
Chappell Roan. Photo by Pablo Herrera.
ACL 2024 weekend one was nothing short of unforgettable. From the heat to the music, from discovering new artists to watching festival veterans, this year’s event had everything. Sharing it with the talented youth creators of Teens Media Network made it even more special. There is still one more weekend of incredible performances coming, so you’re still on time to get the deal. While I can’t wait to dive into our interviews and stories in future articles, for now, I’m just grateful for another unforgettable ACL—and I’m already counting down to 2025.
