Photographs by Dan Garcia
by Dan Garcia
Below the sweltering Texas solar, the primary weekend of Austin Metropolis Limits 2025 proved as soon as once more why the pageant stands among the many nation’s most important stay music occasions. With temperatures climbing into the 90s throughout all three days, tens of hundreds of followers offered out Zilker Park for the primary of two weekends that combined a numerous variety of genres with town’s signature laid-back vibe.
Whereas Doja Cat’s cancellation weeks in the past disenchanted some, The Killers stepped in as Sunday’s headliner, becoming a member of the remainder of the pageant’s stacked and numerous lineup, closing the weekend with stadium-sized power. And regardless of a comparatively lighter rap and hip-hop presence on this 12 months’s lineup, heavy hitting artists like Doechii, T-Ache, Feid, and even Joey Valence & Brae greater than made up for it with commanding, crowd-shaking units to fulfill any rap fan’s repair.
There have been surprises in every single place, from Function Mannequin bringing out Hilary Duff to a roar of pleasure for “Sally, When the Wine Runs Out,” to Sabrina Carpenter turning her Saturday evening headline into viral historical past by bringing Shania Twain on stage for a duet that immediately trended throughout platforms. It was the type of weekend that reminded everybody why ACL’s dual-weekend format works: one weekend isn’t sufficient to comprise this a lot music, sweat, and magic.
From chart-topping hip-hop and genre-bending pop to reggaeton, rock, and extra, Austin Metropolis Restrict 2025’s first weekend had a bit of one thing for everybody. Under are among the standout performances that outlined the pageant; moments of shock, nostalgia, and pure musical energy that minimize via the Texas warmth and turned Zilker Park right into a stay music playground for one more consecutive 12 months.
Doechii Places on the Weekend’s Greatest Set
Yearly there’s one artist whose set turns into the second of ACL, and this 12 months, it was Doechii. Her efficiency blended fierce choreography, blistering flows, and theatrical confidence that left the group mesmerized. She commanded the principle stage in entrance of an enormous crowd like she’d been headlining festivals for years, unleashing tracks that balanced empowerment and playfulness in equal measure. The following afternoon, followers have been calling it the most effective set of your entire weekend, and so they weren’t mistaken.
T-Ache Reminds Austin of His Infinite Hits
T-Ache’s Sunday night efficiency was a celebration of hits and a reminder that few artists and even fewer rappers have as many. From “Purchase U a Drank” to “Bartender” and “Can’t Imagine It,” each track felt like a shared reminiscence. His charisma and outdated
west impressed stage setup turned the park into one massive sing-along, and by the point he closed his set, followers have been buzzing that it rivaled any act of the weekend. If anybody forgot how deep his catalog ran, they left the sphere re-educated and hoarse from singing.
Feid Brings Reggaeton Warmth to Zilker Park
Representing Latin music with swagger and heat, Feid delivered a high-energy, reggaeton-charged set that had the group dancing beneath the Austin solar. His shiny visuals and stage presence reworked Zilker Park right into a green-lit dance occasion, proving that Latin artists (like his girlfriend and ACL-alum, Karol G) aren’t simply thriving at Austin Metropolis Limits, they’re defining its world attain.
Joey Valence & Brae Flip the Park Right into a Rap-Rock Rager
The rap-punk duo Joey Valence & Brae introduced chaotic, youthful enjoyable to the weekend. Their Saturday set felt like a mosh pit married to a block occasion, with their quick-fire rhymes and punk-leaning beats injecting ACL with a jolt of adrenaline. In a lineup lighter on hip-hop, they made certain the style’s power stayed alive and loud.
Function Mannequin Brings Out Hilary Duff for a Viral Shock
Function Mannequin’s Friday set delivered one among ACL’s most unforgettable moments when he introduced out Hilary Duff for a shock visitor look throughout “Sally, When the Wine Runs Out.” The gang’s response was pure disbelief, half nostalgia, half euphoria and all what goals are made from. The random collaboration immediately turned one of many weekend’s largest viral clips. Past the cameo, Function Mannequin impressed together with his assured mixture of alt-pop hooks and introspective lyrics that had followers singing each phrase.
Luke Combs Raises a Beer to Texas and His Journey
Luke Combs kicked off the pageant’s headlining run on Friday evening with a efficiency that was equal components rowdy and heartfelt. Between chugging beers on stage and sharing tales about his early days touring throughout Texas radio stations in rental automobiles, Combs turned his set right into a love letter to nation followers who’ve been there from the beginning. His booming voice and singalong anthems like “Beer By no means Broke My Coronary heart” and “Lovely Loopy” had the group dancing within the Texas mud, closing evening one on a excessive be aware that set the tone for the remainder of the weekend.
Cage The Elephant Convey Rock Chaos to the Fundamental Stage
If any band embodied uncooked power this weekend, it was Cage The Elephant. Even within the punishing Austin warmth, frontman Matt Shultz sprinted throughout the stage and catwalk like a person possessed,
swinging his mic stand and leaping mid-song as if the temperature didn’t matter. Their Friday set drew one of many largest crowds of the day, an exciting reminder that rock nonetheless thrives within the pageant circuit when achieved with this a lot fireplace.
The Strokes Shut Out Saturday with Cool Precision
The Strokes closed out Saturday evening with the type of moody cool solely they’ll pull off. Julian Casablancas leaned into his signature indifferent appeal because the band powered via a setlist full of hits, proving their endurance to a crowd that spanned generations.
Djo Transports Followers with His Psychedelic Sound
Performing beneath his stage identify Djo, Stranger Issues star Joe Keery turned his Saturday evening slot into an atmospheric dream. Bathed in moody lighting and psychedelic visuals, his set had followers swaying within the the wrong way up as he blurred the road between actor and indie artist. The immersive manufacturing and vintage-tinged sound made his efficiency one among ACL’s most sonically distinct.
Maren Morris Returns Residence with Coronary heart and Energy
Returning to her Texas roots, Maren Morris introduced country-pop polish and a heartfelt connection to her followers. Her voice minimize clear via the nice and cozy air as she carried out hits outdated and new, simply previous
solar down, balancing emotion with empowerment in true Maren style.
FINNEAS & Ashe Make Their Duo Debut a Should-See
Finneas and Ashe united as The Favors, a brand new collaborative undertaking that felt each recent and overdue. The duo’s chemistry was simple, buying and selling harmonies and smiles via a set that alternated between cinematic pop and stripped-back vulnerability. For followers of both artist, it was a dream pairing that felt like a one-time ACL reward.
Empire of the Solar Ship a Neon Fever Dream
Empire of the Solar turned ACL right into a neon-drenched sci-fi fantasy. Their costumes, visuals, and surreal choreography made for one of the visually arresting performances of the pageant. It was theatrical escapism at its best, precisely the type of spectacle ACL weekends are constructed on.
Moist Leg Hold Issues Bizarre, Witty, and Enjoyable
With their cheeky appeal and deadpan supply, Moist Leg had the group laughing, dancing, and shouting alongside to each tongue-in-cheek lyric. The UK duo proved that wit and perspective go hand in hand with sharp guitar pop, providing a welcome dose of levity amid the warmth.
Ocean Alley Convey Summer season Vibes to Austin
Australia’s Ocean Alley introduced breezy psychedelic rock vibes to the park, matching the sun-drenched temper completely. Their laid-back set felt tailored for the nice and cozy climate, a sonic escape that saved the afternoon power excessive with out burning anybody out.
Latin Mafia Ship Style-Mixing Swagger
Latin Mafia closed their Saturday slot with genre-blending swagger, bridging pop, hip-hop, and reggaeton influences that resonated throughout the pageant grounds. Their sound match ACL’s world scope completely, proof that the subsequent wave of Latin crossover acts is already right here.
