The Best Moments From Austin City Limits From Someone Who Was There

Published on Oct 13, 2022 at 4:50 PM

For the past two decades, locals and out-of-towners alike have gathered for Austin City Limits Music Festival in Austin, TX, for two weekends in October. A member of the latter category, I joined the 200,000+ people in attendance for weekend one from Oct. 7 to 9, thanks to American Express (which had its own stage and several activations at the festival), who brought me along for an unforgettable, VIP experience.

I'm not an avid festival goer, so I wasn't sure what to expect, but it turns out ACL was an ideal event to dip my toes in. Set in Austin's beloved Zilker Park, the festival was an easy walk from the Carpenter Hotel in South Austin, where I stayed for the weekend. (Aside from the sheer convenience, the hotel had this cool, old Texas feel and was curated to perfection with local touches; it felt very Austin — exciting for a first-timer.)

Despite the number of people at the festival, I noticed they made up a relatively chill crowd, with a range of fans looking forward to the variety of performers. ACL's lineup catered to all kinds of crowds, from indie acts like Japanese Breakfast to both EDM and country musicians. Case in point: the big headliners this year were Pink, SZA, The Chicks, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Lil Nas X, Flume, Kacey Musgraves, and Paramore. As a casual music-lover who has a broad taste in music, I was particularly eager to see Carly Rae Jepsen, Jazmine Sullivan, and Japanese Breakfast, in addition to the headlining acts.

My all-access Platinum wristbands gave me the choice of multiple areas to enjoy the sets, like front-row access in the pits (where I witnessed Lil Nas X, Pink, Paramore, and Jepsen jamming out up close), the elevated viewing deck in the Platinum Lounge, and from the comfort of an air-conditioned deluxe lounge filled with delicious eats when I needed to recharge from all the walking and dancing. It's true what Anna Delvey says — VIP is always better.

Amex Experience at Austin City Limits — Courtesy of Amex | Matthew Niemann

I also hung out at the Amex Experience, which had fun activations and freebies for both cardholders and non-cardholders alike, including DIY phone charms, ice cream from local creamery Bésame, photo ops under a tree swing and in front of a mural by local graffiti artist Zuzu, and glam stations with face gems from "Euphoria" makeup artist Donni Davy. At the Amex Experience, I also minted a collectible POAP NFT (think of it as a digital ticket stub for your digital scrapbook), with a unique piece of artwork by Zuzu available each day. Luckily, these perks are available both weekends, so weekend-two guests can also take advantage of the experience.

From Lil Nas X's theatrical, compelling stage to Pink's mini Cirque du Soleil-esque performance, ACL filled me with contagious energy and offered some great additions to my Spotify playlists. I discovered new artists, heard from seasoned favorites for the first time, and found renewed love for nostalgic artists. Whether you're prepping for weekend two or curious as to what you've missed, keep scrolling to read about the most standout moments from ACL from someone who was right on the ground.

When Pink Flew Across the Crowd

I didn't expect Pink to be my favorite performer of the weekend — not because I don't recognize her raw talent, but because I hadn't kept up with her music in years. Yet with the mix of nostalgic bangers like "Just Give Me a Reason" and "Raise Your Glass" and iconic covers like "Bohemian Rhapsody," I couldn't stop singing (screaming) along to her set, which took place on the Amex stage on Saturday night. She sounded even better live than in studio, and she belted with ease while simultaneously following her choreography. For her finale performance of "Sober," she flew across the crowd, doing flips and aerial acrobatics. I know she's done this before — and even with her daughter — but to see her with my own eyes was absolutely mesmerizing.

When Lil Nas X Paid Tribute to Beyoncé

I was also lucky enough to see the "Montero" musician up close and personal at the Amex stage on Saturday, and Lil Nas X truly delivered with a production. From his numerous outfit changes (five? six?) within his hour-long performance and the chemistry with his widely talented dancers, the singer had one of the most energizing sets of the weekend, despite it being the first time he's ever performed outdoors, not to mention at ACL. A major highlight was his dance break to Beyoncé's "Pure/Honey" in the middle of his lineup, paying homage to the Texas native.

When SZA Serenaded the Crowd With a Soulful Set

Friday evening, SZA kicked off her set on the Honda stage with "All the Stars," captivating people for her soulful, visually beautiful production ahead. Despite the huge crowd, in true SZA fashion, her stage still felt intimate as she got vulnerable with fans and sang tracks from "Ctrl (Deluxe)" with her usual depth and emotion. Her performances of fan favorites like "Good Days" and "Kiss Me More" in particular were effortless.

When Carly Rae Jepsen Sang "Call Me Maybe"

The "Talking to Yourself" pop singer was another surprise for me — and apparently the festival as well. The crowd was spilling out of the section as Jepsen arrived on the smaller Barton Springs stage on Friday night. Her big hits like "Call Me Maybe" and "I Really Like You," plus her playful set decorated with clouds and stars, made me nostalgic for my teenage years. As the set went on, I grew excited to hear new music from her upcoming album, "The Loneliest Time," which releases on Oct. 21.

When Paramore Rocked Out to "Misery Business" For the First Time in Years

Yet another nostalgic set, Paramore's Sunday stage was one to remember. After recently getting back on tour after a four-year hiatus, it was clear the band were missed by fans. Starting with their first new song in five years, "This Is Why," Paramore then of course embraced their 2010 roots with tracks like "Decode" and "Ain't It Fun." Fans went wild, especially for "Misery Business," a song they previously retired from their setlist, and the energy was infectious, even for someone who admittedly never went through a pop-punk phase.

When Kacey Musgraves Called Out Senator Ted Cruz

Kacey Musgraves is a mainstay on Texas stages and has previously performed at ACL, but it was my first time seeing her on stage on Sunday night. The Texas native and country singer put on a lively, '70s-themed set with bops like "Golden Hour" and "Breadwinner," but perhaps the best part of her performance was when she called out Senator Ted Cruz midsong. She sang the first verse of "High Horse" — "'Cause everyone knows someone who kills the buzz / Every time they open up their mouth" — and then shouted, "Ted Cruz!"

When Japanese Breakfast Implored Texans to Vote

As a newer fan of Japanese Breakfast and their lead singer, Michelle Zauner, I was pumped to see her live following all the buzz from the band's ongoing tour. The indie-pop singer demonstrated her dreamy, comforting vocals on the T-Mobile stage on Sunday, and it was impossible not to smile during her warm, joyful set. Similar to Musgraves, Zauner criticized another Texas politician. "F*ck Greg Abbott . . . To be a Texan voter is not to be a disillusioned one. If you believe abortion is healthcare, and if you believe in gun control, please turn up," she said.