The 10 Best Moments from Austin City Limits Music Festival 2023

Austin, Texas has become one of the biggest live music capitals of the world, with more than 250 clubs, theaters, and arenas—and some of the biggest music festivals in the United States. The Austin City Limits Music Festival in particular serves up a wide array of performances from some of today’s hottest artists across two back-to-back weekends. From 30 Seconds to Mars’s out-of-this-world set to Noah Kahan’s Stick Season birthday celebration, we’ve compiled our favorite moments from weekend two of ACL 2023.

30 Seconds to Mars

Jared Leto’s 30 Seconds to Mars delivered a performance that stole the show on Saturday. The actor-singer’s grand entrance, which saw him leaping from the very top of the stage, set the standard for the weekend. Leto even invited photographers on stage to capture the sea of fans before stepping into the crowd himself, standing on the barricade as the audience lifted him into the air.

The 1975

Saturday night belonged to the 1975, one of two headliners for the second day of the weekend. The band took the place of Shania Twain, who headlined the timeslot a week prior and competing with the Foo Fighters on the other end of the festival, as their fans filled the festival grounds.

Noah Kahan

As the sun began to dip below the horizon on Saturday evening, Noah Kahan took to the T-Mobile stage for a performance that felt like a serenade to the heart. The moment coincided with the birthday of Stick Season, his third studio album, which was released exactly one year prior to his ACL set. Kahan’s songs, marked by introspective lyrics and emotionally charged melodies, resonated deeply with the Austin crowd. His performance was a testament to his growth as an artist, and it left us eagerly anticipating what the next year would bring for the rising star.

Ben Kweller

Ben Kweller’s set took an unexpected twist for some fans when actor Christopher Mintz-Plasse, best known as McLovin from Superbad, joined him on bass for the entire performance. Who would have thought that fans at ACL would see an Irish R&B singer from Hawaii on a Saturday afternoon?

Lil Yachty

Known for his high-energy verses, rapper Lil Yachty surprised the audience in Austin by opening his set with his 2023 track “Drive Me Crazy!,” which showcases his surprising singing abilities. Perhaps he’s been taking some notes from his pal Drake.

The Lumineers

The Lumineers delivered an unforgettable headlining set on Friday night for one of the biggest audiences of the entire festival. They kicked off their performance surrounded by a packed crowd at the end of a long catwalk. With songs like “Cleopatra,” “Flowers in Your Hair,” and “Ho Hey,” the band set the tone for a magical evening and weekend ahead.

Rina Sawayama

After a public feud with the 1975’s Matty Healy earlier this year, Rina Sawayama took the stage in front of a sea of the band’s fans, who had arrived early for their set. Despite previous tensions, where she called out Healy at the Glastonbury Music Fest over his controversial comments and ownership of her masters, Sawayama’s performance won over the crowd, proving that music really does bring people together.

Coi Leray

Coi Leray started her Saturday set on a bed wrapped in a white comforter, but there was nothing sleepy about her performance. Among the rising female stars in rap on the ACL lineup, Leray’s set was a must-see, with energy that left the crowd buzzing.

Niall Horan

For One Direction fans, Sunday afternoon brought a captivating performance from Niall Horan. The singer showed why he’s a beloved figure among pop aficiondos.

Mumford & Sons

Marcus Mumford, whether as a solo artist or as the frontman of Mumford & Sons, always knows how to deliver a memorable ACL performance. The band’s headlining set to close out this year’s festival was no exception, as they delivered a career-spanning set to put an exclamation mark on the weekend’s festivities.