ACL Festival 2024 Review: A Musical Playground!
The ACL Festival 2024 was an unforgettable experience, once again transforming Zilker Park into a musical wonderland! From October’s golden sunshine to the electric vibe of live performances, this year’s fest was packed with moments that had everyone singing, dancing, and soaking up the Austin spirit.
Top performances include amazing shows by Chappell Roan, Dua Lipa, Teddy Swims, Orville Peck, Sturgill Simpson, Blink 182, Tyler the Creator, Chris Stapleton, as well as a slew of others! And of course its a true honor to have Asleep At the Wheel extending their record of performing at every ACL Festival to date as well as seeing the 70’s rockers Grand Funk Railroad!
Top recognition goes to Chappell Roan and Dua Lipa who both turned out electrifying performances. For Chappell Roan, what can we say except that we now understand all the hype from her previous performances! We have never seen the Amex Stage so packed. The energy both on the stage and in the crowd was unmatched! So many of her songs were a sing along with the estimated 75,000 fans surrounding the stage who knew every lyric. The performance, sound, and crowd were one happy amalgamation as the sun was setting in Austin on both Sundays! This year’s festival was also about celebrating local talent! From up-and-coming bands to Austin’s best food vendors, the spirit of the city was everywhere.
Dua Lipa turned in a spectacular performance on Saturday. She is definitely one of the top pop performers of the current times. Her vocals were right on as well as her presence and performance. She also has to get an extra nod for diving into Austin culture and being seen around town at favorites like the Broken Spoke, La Barbecue, and Don’s Depot. Walking through the festival felt like stepping into a vibrant art piece. From colorful murals to funky installations, every corner was Insta-worthy! It is also hard to believe that local food vendors can do such a great job at ACL, but they deliver! The food scene was pretty remarkable for an event this size featuring everything from vegan delights to mouth-watering Texas BBQ. And yes, there were tacos—because when in Austin!
Overall, ACL 2024 was a magical blend of music, art, and community, leaving everyone with hearts full of joy and a new batch of great memories of life in Austin. You could feel the love for the community in every beat and every bite. Here’s to the next adventure—can’t wait for ACL2025.