Austin City Limits Music Festival 2025 came to a close this weekend, and if there’s one thing the festival reminded us of once again, it’s that nobody throws a musical party quite like Austin.

Over two weekends, Zilker Park was filled with guitars, beats, and thousands of fans soaking up the Texas sun (and a little dust) while celebrating the best mix of music this city could offer.

Luke Combs Brings the Heart of Country to Austin

When Luke Combs took the stage, it felt like half of Texas had shown up to sing along, which began before Combs took the stage as the crowd sang along to Neil Diamond’s “Sweet Caroline.” From “Back in the Saddle” to “Fast Car,” the crowd turned into one massive choir. Combs’ authenticity and powerhouse vocals were the kind of one-two punch that made his headlining set feel personal, even among tens of thousands of fans. 

The Strokes Close Out With Vintage Cool 

On the other side of the musical spectrum, The Strokes brought their signature indie swagger to the ACL stage and reminded everyone why they still hold such a loyal following. Julian Casablancas, leaning into his usual detached charisma, rolled through hits like “Last Nite,” “Reptilia,” and “Someday.” The band sounded tight, energized, and surprisingly playful, proving that two decades in, they can still own any festival stage they step on.

Pierce the Veil Lights Up the Rock Crowd

On Saturday, Pierce the Veil delivered one of the most high-energy sets of the festival. Their mix of post-hardcore grit and emotional intensity had fans crowd-surfing and singing every lyric at the top of their lungs. Songs like “King for a Day” and “Hold On Till May” turned the T-Mobile stage into a full-on rock revival. It was sweaty, loud, and absolutely perfect.

Joey Valence & Brae Bring the Chaos (In the Best Way)

If you don’t know who Joey Valence & Brae are, you definitely will after these weekends. For those who missed them the first time, the alternative hip-hop duo returned to light up the Beatbox Stage with fiery energy and attention-grabbing lyrics. Their fast-growing fanbase showed up in full force, dancing nonstop and chanting “JVB!” between songs. Known for blending old-school hip-hop influences with hardcore punk and dance-electronica, their sound is as unique as it is addictive. The crowd went wild for high-energy anthems like “PUNK TACTICS” and “THE BADDEST,” making their set one of the most memorable of the weekend.

A Nostalgic Return from Rilo Kiley

For longtime indie fans, the reunion of Rilo Kiley was one of ACL’s most talked-about moments. Jenny Lewis still radiates that cool confidence, her voice carrying a familiar warmth that instantly brought fans back to the early 2000s. The band leaned into nostalgia with “Portions for Foxes” and “Silver Lining,” but they also sounded refreshed, like a group genuinely happy to be back together on a big stage.

DJO Blends Psychedelia and Pop

Joe Keery, better known to some as Steve from Stranger Things, proved once again that DJO is no side project. His ACL set was a swirling mix of synth-pop and psychedelic grooves that had the crowd dancing under the mid-afternoon sun. “End of Beginning” hit especially hard, with fans singing every word. Between his layered sound and easy charisma, DJO felt like one of the festival’s breakout performances.

Sabrina Carpenter Stuns the Crowd With The Chicks and a Surprise “Arrest”

All eyes were on Sabrina Carpenter during Weekend Two when she surprised the crowd by bringing out none other than Texas country legends The Chicks (formerly The Dixie Chicks) to perform “Wide Open Spaces.” Fans went wild, singing every word of the iconic track. The Chicks stuck around to join Carpenter on her own hit, “Please Please Please,” making for a truly unforgettable moment. Keeping up with her now-signature bit of “arresting” someone for being “too hot” – which she did last weekend with Joe Keery – Sabrina playfully arrested British singer Olivia Dean, who had performed earlier that day on the American Express Stage. It was another bold, playful, and buzzworthy performance from Carpenter, who continues to dominate the festival circuit with charm and surprise.

Empire of the Sun Turns Zilker Into a Dream

Empire of the Sun closed out their set with a visual spectacle that felt like stepping into another world. From elaborate costumes to glowing stage visuals, it was the kind of otherworldly experience that ACL is known for. “Walking on a Dream” and “Alive” had the entire crowd moving as the night sky filled with lights and the last bit of festival magic hung in the air.

John Summit Throws the Final Dance Party

John Summit closed out the festival with an electrifying dance-electronic set packed with techno, dubstep, drum and bass – everything designed to keep the crowd moving. Amid strobing white lights, bursts of fire, and hypnotic visuals, Summit drew a massive audience that danced nonstop to every beat. The energy hit another level when he surprised fans by bringing out singer HAYLA to perform their hits “Where You Are” and “Shiver.” Feeding off the crowd’s insane energy, Summit ripped off his tank top and leapt onto the stage riser before dropping “Go Back” – a moment that had the entire crowd losing it. I was right there, jumping up and down with everyone else, belting every word alongside thousands of voices. Once again, Summit proved why he’s the hottest name in dance music right now.

Another Year, Another Unforgettable ACL

By the time the final chord echoed through Zilker Park, fans were already swapping stories about their favorite sets, food finds, and unexpected surprises. Between the stacked lineup, perfect weather, and the unbeatable Austin vibe, ACL 2025 delivered exactly what fans hoped for, a mix of nostalgia, discovery, and pure musical joy.

Whether you came for the country, the indie rock, or the electro-pop, one thing’s for sure: Austin City Limits continues to prove why it’s one of the best festivals in the world.

Have a case of FOMO? Here are some photos from the festival. 

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 Cover Photo Pooneh Ghana

Brian Maass, a lifelong Austinite, is passionate about music, travel, and capturing life’s moments through his camera lens. He resides in Round Rock, Texas, with his wife, Dana Kent Maass, and their loyal dog, Chester. Instagram @brian_maass_adventures

Leean Vargas is the Highlight Reel newsletter editor at Texas Lifestyle Magazine and an honors graduate of Texas State University with a bachelor’s degree in Public Relations. She is a concert enthusiast who loves traveling, photography, good food, and discovering new hangout spots in her beloved city, Austin, Texas.