With weekend two of Austin City Limits Music Festival now in full swing, Saturday was stacked with a number of standout performances.
Across Zilker Park, there was a wide array of sounds no matter where you happened to find yourself. Add in an exciting Red Rivalry Game between Texas and Oklahoma lighting up the beer hall where tons of fans were cheering on the Longhorns, and it was a good day to be at ACL.
Of course, while there were so many great sets, we've highlighted some of our favorites of the day.
The Beaches
It was perhaps the perfect way to cap a busy time for the Canadian rock outfit, who have been on a North American tour for the past few months and have only a pair of upcoming shows in Mexico City and Las Vegas, respectively. Their performance was truly electric, with songs like "Edge of the Earth" and "Blame Brett" easily pulling the crowd in over at the T-Mobile stage.
Elyanna
Likewise, the Palestinian-Chilean singer is coming off an incredible year. She just kicked off her own North American tour and, last Saturday, she joined Coldplay on NBC's Saturday Night Live for a performance of their collaboration "We Pray." At ACL, her set was one of the strongest of the weekend, with stunning vocals and an equally transcendent visual performance, as she was flanked by a handful of dancers who were perfectly in sync with her as she performed a series of Arab pop tracks, at times weaving in Spanish lyrics.
Benson Boone
At 22, Benson Boone is most definitely just getting started in what is surely a long career ahead. But on Saturday evening at ACL, he offered evidence of why. Sporting a custom, blue jumpsuit with the word "Austin" embroidered on the back, he delivered a truly stirring set, weaving effortlessly between intimate piano ballad; dynamic, thrilling pop tracks; and heart-on-his-sleeve, confessional barnburners, with a series of backflips to keep the crowd on their toes. This surely won't be the last time we see Boone in Zilker Park.
Emei
The Los Angeles singer was a brilliant representation of why the BMI stage continues to be a must-see during Austin City Limits, as you never know when you might discover your next favorite artist. Between ACL and sister fest Lollapalooza in Chicago, a number of notable alumni have previously played the BMI stage, including Lady Gaga, Halsey, Young Thug, Miranda Lambert, Gary Clark Jr. and Luke Combs. Emei would be in perfect company as she gave what had to be one of the most magnetic, authentic performances of ACL, all coming before the release of her new Rabbithole EP next month.
Jungle
For anyone following Variance for a while, you probably already know we've been longtime fans of the collective helmed by Josh Lloyd-Watson and Tom McFarland. Their latest album Volcano and their subsequent performances are proof of the level of confidence they clearly have these days, after previously keeping their identities anonymous and seemingly feeling more comfortable in the shadows. Their set at ACL was big and vibrant, fully embracing their status as dance kings. We can never get enough.
Dua Lipa
Just a few years ago, it might have seemed questionable for an artist such as Dua Lipa to be headlining a major festival such as Austin City Limits, but after two weekends at the pinnacle of the Saturday schedule, it felt more like had been destined to be one of the crowning performances. Take her commanding entrance on the American Express stage, for example. Strutting out to "Training Season," surrounded by glowing lights and dancers doing pushups before elevating her above their shoulders, while she declared: "I need someone to hold me close, deeper than I've ever known / Whose love feels like a rodeo, knows just how to take control." While Dua Lipa might be the epitome of a big, shiny pop star, she made it clear she didn't come to mess around in Austin, telling the crowd she hoped they came to party. And a party she delivered.
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See photos from Saturday, weekend two, of ACL, also including Teddy Swims, Jordy, Vince Staples, Reneé Rapp and more.
