Austin City Limits Music Festival kicked off the 2025 edition on Friday. And despite the sweltering heat enveloping Zilker Park, it was quite the perfect way to launch into the first of two weekends for the Austin-based fest.
Headliners Hozier and Luke Combs were surely a draw for the massive crowd that showed up for the first day, but there were plenty of gems and standout performances tucked throughout the lineup on day 1. And for us, that was where so much of the magic was.
From the early slots, building momentum
Good Neighbours kicked off their festival slot in the early afternoon, bringing a breezy yet earnest set that felt perfectly attuned to the opening-day energy. Their melodic hooks and layered instrumentation gave festivalgoers a warm welcome, setting a mellow but hopeful tone for what lay ahead. Their spot at 2:15 p.m. on the T-Mobile Stage confirmed they were part of the day’s rising tide. And despite having only released music for just under two years, they have already had quite the ride, opening for the likes of Benson Boone, Foster the People and Mumford and Sons on their respective tours in the past year.
Austin's own Dylan Gossett, also on the roster for Friday, was easily a highlight of the first day, offering introspective, raw vocal moments that resonated even in the shifting festival flow. Though he played earlier in the day, his emotive style added texture with a country croon meshing perfectly well with a hot summer day.
Newcomers Moody Joody also appeared on the Friday lineup, complementing the day’s sonic palette with their more playful pop leanings, fusing HAIM and Taylor Swift-esque melodies with the live debut of their upcoming single "Oops" and a cover of Don Henley's "The Boys of Summer," showing those gathered at the BMI Stage a wide range of their musical palette. Don't be shocked if you hear (and see) more from this band in the future.
The prime-time highlights
As the sun dipped, anticipation coalesced around the later acts, especially Cage the Elephant and Empire of the Sun. Their inclusion on day 1 validated the festival’s commitment to blending indie, rock and electronic flavors.
Cage the Elephant delivered a punchy, high-energy set that leaned on both their back catalog and festival staples. Their stage presence and ability to pivot between intensity and groove made them a magnetic anchor during prime hours, and it's the reason we can't help but constantly love this band's live performance, especially the showmanship of both singer Matt Shultz and his brother and guitarist Brad Shultz, who never cease to amaze us.
Nearly two decades into their career, Empire of the Sun, proved to be such a draw at dusk, attracting an incredible crowd around the Miller Lite Stage. Known for their striking visuals and synth-laden soundscapes, they transformed the stage into a luminous journey. Their set felt cinematic, with soaring vocals, neon accents and moments of transcendence that captivated both casual onlookers and die-hard fans.
And then there was Role Model, anchoring the evening on the T-Mobile Stage with a performance that blended charm, vulnerability, and unexpected theatrics. It's clear the 28-year-old singer is hitting his stride, with his performance on Friday coming just a week before he makes his debut on NBC's Saturday Night Live, performing next weekend on the second episode of the new season hosted by Amy Poehler.
One particularly buzzed-about moment from his set: Hilary Duff joined Role Model on stage as his current “Sally” during the live performance of his hit song "Sally, When the Wine Runs Out." The surprise guest spot sparked a wave of cheers, capturing how pop culture and performative intimacy collided in a festival setting.
See photos from day 1 of ACL 2025 below, by Dan DeSlover.
