The Austin City Limits Music Festival is back for its 24th year, sprawling across two weekends in October at Zilker Park. Organizers unveiled the 2025 lineup this week, promising a whirlwind of sounds from indie rock to hip-hop, with headliners that could easily pack stadiums on their own. It's the kind of bill that feels both ambitious and a touch overwhelming, especially as the festival juggles nine stages over six days.
Weekend one kicks off October 3-5, followed by a breather and then October 10-12. Hozier returns to headline, his soulful vibes likely drawing massive crowds after a strong 2023 showing. The Strokes make a rare festival appearance, 15 years since they topped the bill—expect that gritty New York edge to cut through the Texas heat. Luke Combs brings country thunder, while Sabrina Carpenter debuts with her pop flair, fresh off her tour buzz. Doechii emerges as a breakout star, her rap energy poised to steal sets, and Doja Cat adds that unmissable hip-hop punch.
Indeed, the diversity here is striking. John Summit handles the electronic pulse as the top DJ, and Cage the Elephant revives alt-rock nostalgia from their 2016 stint. Set times rolled out recently, with main stage action starting at 11 a.m. and wrapping by 10 p.m. daily—plenty of overlap for tough choices, like pitting indie darlings against rap heavyweights. Moreover, food stalls and art markets round out the experience, though navigating the 450,000 expected attendees might test even the most seasoned festival-goer.
However, not everything's seamless; some fans online gripe about repeat acts, wondering if fresh blood could invigorate the mix further. Still, with tickets already moving fast since the May announcement, ACL seems set to reclaim its spot as Austin's musical heartbeat. As the dates approach, one can't help but ponder how this eclectic roster will resonate amid the park's dusty chaos.