All photos by Steve Galli for Full Access Detroit. Story by Chloe Catajan.
Links to full galleries of 400+ images at the bottom.
The scene at weekend one of Austin City Limits Music Festival (ACL) could not have been any more picture perfect. Sounds of the Star Wars theme song ushers the early crowd into Zilker Park each day when the gates open. The sun was out; the sky, clear; and a cool breeze had settled in by day two. The famous flag centerpiece flowed in the wind as hordes of festival goers carried the tradition of waving their own pennants at the fest. Some fan flags repped Whataburger, Snoop Dogg dressed as Jesus, Dia de Los Muertos, and, most of all, the lone star state of Texas.
Dusk at the Austin City Limits Music Festival (ACL)
In its 22nd year, the C3 Presents fest is still a major modern marvel full of iconic acts, ones to watch, vibrant visual art, and good eats. Just ask Full Access Detroit photographer Steve Galli, who was in for his 13th ACL this year. Steve broke his personal record and captured 121 stages across all 6 days of the fest.
“I am completely blessed and humbled to have worked shoulder to shoulder with what has to be some of the best live music photographers in the world” Steve noted.
Of the 112 different artists Steve covered, he reported back with a mix of big names, rising acts, and local talents who played memorable sets.
The Lumineers headlined weekend one, day one—marking a milestone since their 2012 ACL debut. Though the quintet walked onstage to Rihanna’s “Desperado,” they capped the night with a folksy Friday jam session. Fan favorites like “Cleopatra,” “Flowers in Your Hair,” and “Ho Hey” appeared early in the setlist. Other highlights included lead singer Wesley Schultz entering the pit during “BRIGHTSIDE” and a cover of Donny Hathaway’s “A Song For You,” which the band dedicated to Willie Nelson.
The Lumineers
Maggie Rogers took the Honda Stage before The Lumineers. Her combination of electro pop and folk, a perfect formula for an engaging experience. When she danced, so did the crowd. And when she slowed things down, her fans did the same and swayed to the new flow. She played a nearly even mix of songs off 2019’s Heard It In A Past Life and 2022’s Surrender. Her song list also included a mashup for “Retrograde” and Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me).”
Maggie Rogers
Another show-stopping performance that weekend came from Thirty Seconds to Mars on Saturday. Though they haven’t reached outer space just yet, brothers Jared and Shannon Leto came close to defying gravity and definitely went beyond sky-high expectations. During the set opener, “Walk on Water,” Jared bungee jumped off a high rise and onto the Honda Stage in the most graceful manner. Ever-so casually after the stunt, he draped a metallic silver cape over his back as Shannon Leto kicked off the beat on “Up In The Air.”
Jared Leto of Thirty Seconds To Mars
The surprises didn’t end there. At one point during their set they let all photographers take pictures from onstage. On new song “Seasons,” Austin’s own Calder Allen joined the band. During “The Kill (Bury Me),” Jared got up-close-and-person with fans, singing from the pit. And last but not least, Matthew McConaughey made an appearance during “Closer to the Edge.”
Shannon & Jared Leto of Thirty Seconds To Mars
Before Mars there had to be Saturn. Mac Saturn that is. An energetic quintet from Detroit, Michigan, Mac Saturn is well known for their explosive live performances, with a multi genre groove of rock, funk, R&B, and of course Motown running through each band members veins. The early afternoon 45-minute set included included fan favorites “Diamonds”, “Mr Cadillac” and “Mint Julep” and was Mac Saturn‘s third Austin performance in about 24 hours. The day before began at The Long Center, with an exclusive ACL Radio live performance on the world’s first 3D printed stage, and ended with a sold out show at iconic live music venue, Stubbs in Austin’s Red River Cultural District.
Mac Saturn
Shania Twain closed Saturday with a stunning 18-song performance. Dressed in a sparkly, all-silver outfit with crimson red hair, the pop-country icon delivered all the bangers and more, from “Come On Over” and “You’re Still The One” to “That Don’t Impress Me Much” and “Man! I Feel Like A Woman!”. Her vocals were on point, as her band ripped through their famous riffs. Fans packed around the Honda Stage—many donning an array of cowboy hats—and jumped, sang, and threw their hands up for every song.
Shania Twain
Mumford & Sons provided the Sunday sendoff on the American Express stage with a set heavy on folk rock and bluegrass stylings. After walking onstage to Ying Yang Twins’s “Halftime” and Lil Jon’s “Rep Yo City,” both of which was performed live by the Austin High Marching Band, Mumford & Sons launched into “Babel” and “Little Lion Man.”
Their set was full of special moments, including the first full band performance of “Little Wanderer” since 2013, Marcus Mumford joining the crowd on “Ditmas,” and Noah Kahan making an appearance for “Maybe. The Huston-Tillotson University choir also joined onstage for the penultimate songs, “Sigh No More” and “Awake My Soul.”
Mumford & Sons
And sure the headliners made a lot of noise, but the daytime sets got the party started each day.
Friday at the American Express Stage saw poignant performances from pop up-and-comer Nessa Barrett and soul singer Devon Gilfillian.
Devon Gilfillian
And per ACL tradition, Austin’s own Asleep at the Wheel kicked off the fest at the Honda Stage with the finest country jams.
Asleep at the Wheel
On Saturday, SHEAD delivered indie pop bliss to the BMI Stage, while Gus Dapperton amped up his bedroom pop tendencies for the T-Mobile Stage. Over at the Honda Stage, Detroit’s own Mac Saturn turned in some rocking riffs early in the day. Other standout sets from Saturday came from hip-hop artist Coi Leray on the IHG Hotels & Resorts stage and Austinite Marlon Sexton’s band Shooks, and blues musician Christone “Kingfish” Ingram on the Tito’s Handmade Vodka stage.
Christone “Kingfish” Ingram
Michigan native Michigander took the first slot at the Honda Stage Sunday, giving the midwest indie scene some sweet representation. And over at the American Express Stage, Madison Cunningham and her band gave an electric performance that combined country, folk, and jazz.
Michigander
Weekend two of a music festival has a reputation for slowing down, drawing in a different crowd, and having fewer surprises. In exchange for the laid-back vibes, there’s less urgency. Less buzz. Whether or not those ring true, the second weekend of Austin City Limits proves to still have plenty of magic in it.
A part of that was written in the stars, literally. On Saturday, the “Ring of Fire” solar eclipse happened, which ended up being an honorable feat for some sets. English singer-songwriter Declan McKenna, for example, donned special eclipse sunglasses in honor of the event. Many festival goers showed up with eclipse sunnies as well, taking in the sights at the beginning of the day.
Declan McKenna
Over at the massive Barton Springs Beer Hall with hundreds of local draft beer options and two extra-large TV screens playing sports, strangers bonded over college football.
And sure, weekend one’s surprises were seen and heard all over social media, but artists came prepared with more special appearances and songs in store.
Rising folk star Noah Kahan brought out Mumford & Sons for his set, while Mumford & Sons brought out Hozier during their performances of “Timshel” and “Awake My Soul.”
Noah Kahan
Day four headliner Kendrick Lamar threw in a couple covers throughout his set on the American Express Stage: Pusha T’s “Nosetalgia” and The Weeknd’s “Sidewalks.” The rapper also got to deliver a full 21-song performance, after his weekend one set was cut short due to a delayed start time (a result of transportation issues) and the local curfew.
Flanked by a dance team of Kendrick clones and artwork by Henry Taylor, Kendrick charged up the crowd with a moving performance. Each song, from “King Kunta” to “LOYALTY.” to “HUMBLE.”, were evidently all fan favorites.
On the Honda Stage, Portugal. The Man played an entirely different setlist front-to-back from weekend one. This performance was dedicated to deep cuts, opening with “Purple Yellow Red and Blue” and closing the set with the reprise version. A cover of Pink Floyd’s “Another Brick in the Wall, Part 2” also made the song list.
Portugal. The Man
The Foo Fighters mixed things up during their weekend two headlining set as well, tagging in songs like “La Dee Da,” “These Days,” and “Generator.” They still stuck to tradition for certain feats, including their mega mid-set medley, which includes some guitar and keys solos, covers of Beastie Boys’s “Sabotage,” Ramones’ “Blitzkrieg Bop,” Devo’s “Whip It,” and Nine Inch Nails’s “March of the Pigs.” They also dedicated “Aurora” to the late Taylor Hawkins.
Hozier
On top of setlist surprises, weekend two was also all about local Texas acts and up-and-comers.
Texas royalty Jimmie Vaughan & the Tilt-A-Whirl Band was a highlight. The veteran blues icon and crew opened the Honda Stage on weekend two with a blues rock set of guitar-driven joy. According to a conversation between Full Access Detroit photographer Steve Galli and Robin Vaughan, Jimmie’s wife, the band is hopeful to be an ACL mainstay starting in 2024.
Jimmie Vaughan & the Tilt-A-Whirl Band
On the Miller Lite stage was Ben Kweller fresh off his tour with Ed Sheeran. The Texas-based singer-songwriter retold the story of his infamous show-ending nosebleed at ACL 2006, which he had tried to curb with a tampon. This time around, he got to turn in a full 14-song set, including several songs off Sha Sha, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year.
Sunrose
Since 2009, our photographer has made it a personal mission to catch every artist at the BMI Stage, which also celebrates its 20-year partnership with the fest and C3 Presents. The BMI Stage at ACL is renowned for hosting rising acts in the music scene such as Luke Combs, Gary Clark Jr, Maren Morris, Chris Shiflett, Hardy, Jon Pardi and numerous more. This year’s 22 artists featured SHAED, Sunrose, BASS DRUM OF DEATH, Brother Thunder, Corook, Corey Kent, Delacey, Grace Sorensen, Husbands, New West, Serayah, Patrick Martin, Tanner Usrey, MAJOR., Oliver Hazard, Emlyn, Snõõper, Rattlesnake Milk, Pony Bradshaw, Caramelo Haze, Myron Elkins and The Moss this year.
Another one of Steve’s traditions involves starting each Sunday with some spiritual music. This year, the Austinite ensemble, The Moriah Sisters, kicked things off at the Tito’s Stage with an energized set of gospel.
Kathryn Legendre, a fixture of the Austin music scene and expectant mother also performed an enthusiastic set to open the sixth and final day.
Kathryn Legendre
More standout sets included Alanis Morissette’s performance on the American Express Stage. She kept her setlist consistent on both weekends, but you can’t go wrong with that when every song is a fan favorite. Hits like “All I Really Want” and “Hand In My Pocket” showed up early on the set, and Alanis’ vocals were sharp and on point on belters like “You Oughta Know.”
Breland, Sudan Archives, and Celisse each brought their own unique take on soul music. Breland mixes country rap, while Sudan Archives fuses in their violin chops. And Celisse incorporates spoken-word into her songs.
Sudan Archives
Country artists Valley James and Morgan Wade, Austin folk singer-songwriter Sisi, and rising pop star Mimi Webb also made some noise throughout ACL’s daytime sets.
Next years dates are : October 4-6 and 11-13, 2024
Important links :
https://www.facebook.com/aclfestival
WEEKEND ONE GALLERY : https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.838181868308734&type=3
WEEKEND TWO GALLERY : https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.842269931233261&type=3
All photos by Steve Galli for Full Access Detroit.
