ACL DAY 1
MUSIC FESTIVAL
Austin City Limits kicks off its 2025 edition with unforgettable performances
Photo by Pooneh Ghana for Austin City Limits Fest 2025.
Austin City Limits started full of energy. One of the most prestigious music festivals in the U.S., taking place from October 3 to 12 at Zilker Metropolitan Park, opened once again with powerful and memorable performances featuring Role Model, Hozier, Cage The Elephant, Luke Combs, and many others.
AUSTIN, TX. By Pablo Herrera
For Teens Media Network, this edition marks a milestone: our first time covering ACL accredited as a press outlet. TMN Creator Aja Haywood joined me on site, making this a landmark in our journey to build an educational media platform where students—and mentors—keep learning through real-world experiences.
Watch a snippet of King Princess’ performance. Cover photo: Greg Noire for ACL Festival 2025.
On Day 1, we arrived just in time for King Princess. She was sweet and unapologetic, a set full of clarity and force. After that, Dylan Gossett brought banjo and fiddle to the American Express Stage, into a landscape of boots and cowboy hats — a corner of Texas that makes sense of itself through sound.
Watch a snippet of Dylan Gossett’ performance. Cover photo: Izzy Nuzzo for ACL Festival 2025.
After a break at the press lounge, it was time for Role Model, a performance impossible to ignore. Thirty minutes into the set, the magic happened: Hilary Duff jumped onstage, capturing the excitement of the crowd in a moment that will last for years.
Watch a snippet of Role Model’ performance. Cover photo: Izzy Nuzzo for ACL Festival 2025.
We didn’t waste time and ran again to the American Express Stage to see Cage The Elephant. After experiencing them many times at different festivals in the U.S. and Europe, I can say the Kentuckians are still committed to pushing their sound forward.
Watch a snippet of Cage The Elephant’ performance. Cover photo: Pooneh Ghana for ACL Festival 2025.
We left early to catch Confidence Man, who was making noise at Tito’s Stage. This was the third time I’ve seen them in less than six months—SXSW, Primavera Sound, and now ACL. They earn my respect every time. They really curate their performances, leaving room for improvisation that makes the audience feel part of something unique. It was a blast! See it by yourself here.
Watch a snippet of Confidence Man’ performance. Cover photo: Frankie Vergara for ACL Festival 2025.
After experiencing the adrenaline of Confidence Man we rushed to the Miller Lite Stage, where Aussie band Empire of the Sun was making people fall in love. People exploded when they played their hit Walking on a Dream. Their performance was a statement—enigmatic, theatrical, magical.
Watch a snippet of Empire of the Sun’ performance. Cover photo: Roger Ho for ACL Festival 2025.
And then came Andrew John Hozier-Byrne (aka Hozier). The Irish songwriter came to Texas to show where all the songs come from. He made it clear: they come from the islands. His set was magnetic and unforgettable. And right after connecting with Hozier, we ran to see Luke Combs. The North Carolinian gave all those cowboy boots and hats the soundtrack they deserved before sending people home. Pure America!
Watch a snippet of Hozier’ performance. Cover photo: Charles Reagan for ACL Festival 2025.
That was day one: loud, varied, and strangely intimate for a festival this big. TMN’s accreditation made it feel like more than coverage — like building something that teaches while it reports. Two more days to go, and we’re just getting started.
Watch a snippet of Luke Combs’ performance. Cover photo: Chad Wadsworth for ACL Festival 2025.
Hit play and join us
Visit our ACL YouTube playlist with 50+ videos — interviews and crowd moments — and follow along for exclusive ACL 2025 coverage and more. Every view helps us create real opportunities for the next generation of young creators.
Phoenix performing at ACL 2023. Photo: Nell Carroll/American-Statesman.
Thanks to Colectivo Piloto , our main sponsor, and to ACL Music Festival for supporting our educational mission and making this coverage possible.
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