The Austin City Limits Music Festival kicked off its 2025 edition yesterday, October 3, with Hozier drawing massive crowds to Zilker Park under a crisp fall sky. Indeed, the Irish singer-songwriter, fresh off his Unreal Unearth tour, delivered a set that had fans swaying to hits like "Take Me to Church" and newer tracks from his recent releases. His performance, slotted for the main stage starting around 8 p.m., capped a day packed with diverse acts across nine stages.
However, the festival's daily schedules, released back in August, reveal a lineup that's both exciting and familiar. Hozier shares headlining duties with Sabrina Carpenter on Friday, while Saturday spotlights Luke Combs and The Strokes, and Sunday features Doechii before The Killers step in as a last-minute replacement for Doja Cat. Weekend two, running October 10 through 12, mirrors much of the first but with slight tweaks to keep things fresh—or so organizers hope. Tickets, which sold out quickly after the May announcement, now hover around $300 for general admission, though resale options have spiked prices amid the hype.
Critics have noted a certain repetition in the bookings; Hozier himself returned just two years after his acclaimed 2023 set, sparking some online grumbles about innovation. Moreover, the event's expansion to two weekends continues to strain Austin's infrastructure, with traffic snarls and park recovery efforts drawing quiet complaints from locals. Yet, the energy remains electric, blending country, rock, pop, and EDM into a whirlwind experience.
Indeed, as sets wrap up on this second day—with acts like Noah Kahan and Teddy Swims taking the stages today—the festival underscores Austin's enduring pull as a music mecca. But with weather holding steady and crowds swelling, one can't help but ponder if this year's ACL will redefine the live music landscape or simply echo the past.