AUSTIN, Texas — Over a year of not attending in-person events, Austin brings vibrant and jubilant news to the State of Texas announcing the return of Austin City Limits Festival (ACL Fest) just in time for the music festival’s 20th anniversary.
ACL Fest will take place in-person this year, returning to Zilker Park for two back-to-back weekends, beginning October 1-3 for weekend one (W1), and continuing the 8-10 for weekend two (W2).
On Thursday, ACL Fest released its lineup for the 2021 festival, with Texas favorites like George Strait, Erykah Badu, Megan Thee Stallion, Black Pumas, St. Vincent, Marc Rebillet, Surfaces, Dayglow, Missio, Charley Crockett, Heartless Bastards, Asleep at the Wheel, Nané, Riders Against the Storm, Mike Melinoe, and Deezie Brown.
Other headline artists include Billie Eilish, Stevie Nicks, Miley Cyrus, DaBaby, Doja Cat, and Machine Gun Kelly headlining. For the full 2021 ACL Fest lineup, please click here.
The return of ACL Fest in-person comes as a huge relief to not just the city of Austin, but the music industry as a whole, as the 2020’s ACL Fest was completely virtual due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As COVID-19 cases decline and mask mandates are loosened, the festival organizers intend to keep as close to Austin tradition as possible to see to it that ACL Fest is everything it has always been: positive and lively.
“Music is coming back strong to the Live Music Capital of the World,” said Austin Mayor Steve Adler.
“The return of Austin City Limits as an in-person festival celebrates that our efforts as a community to become vaccinated are working. Health and safety remain our top priority, and we will work closely with the organizers and Austin Public Health to ensure ACL Fest is in line with our health standards. We must continue to get everyone vaccinated and keep up our success.”
The city’s public safety announcement states that the public safety of fans, artists, and staff remains a top priority, as ACL Fest organizers are in regular communication with local health and public safety officials. As ACL Fest weekend approaches, festival patrons will receive regular updates with important information regarding safety policies and procedures before they enter festival grounds at Zilker Park. These updates will also be posted to ACL Fest’s website, social media, and via official ACL Fest-related emails.
“Music is coming back strong to the Live Music Capital of the World,” said Austin Mayor Steve Adler. “The return of Austin City Limits as an in-person festival celebrates that our efforts as a community to become vaccinated are working. Health and safety remain our top priority, and we will work closely with the organizers and Austin Public Health to ensure ACL Fest is in line with our health standards. We must continue to get everyone vaccinated and keep up our success.”
Three-day general admission tickets went on Sale at noon for $275 per ticket on Thursday for W1 only, giving attendants access to 130 bands performing on eight stages over the three-day weekend at Zilker Park. Food choices come from over 35 local chefs and restaurants include vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options. General admission tickets also include access to bars, concessions, official band merch, festival merch, free water stations, and specialty items from art vendors throughout the park.
How cool would it be if some of these vendors release their own digital NFT art for ACL Fest 2021? It can’t hurt to put feelers out there!
ACL Fest’s sponsors include American Express, Honda, Miller Lite, T-Mobile, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, BMI, Karbach Brewnig Co., and Lifeway Kefir.
And yes, for you Billie Eilish fans out there, her brother/producer FINNEAS will also be performing. Get excited.
