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6 must-see local artists make their debut at ACL Fest


6 must-see local artists make their debut at ACL Fest

The annual Austin City Limits Music Festival Double Shot is almost upon us! Whether your schedule is already busy or you're just planning on aimlessly strolling through Zilker Park, you'll want to take some time to get to know some of the amazing locals on the itinerary. Here's a selection that will make its festival debut. For the full schedule, visit aclfestival.com.

WEEKEND ONE

Midnight Navy
Francisco Jose Rosales is Midnight Navy, a singer-songwriter, saxophonist and producer whose sound ranges from Chicano indie soul to alternative R&B to psychedelic bedroom pop. You currently have an EP, De Melonwhich is out now, and their first performance at ACL will be on Friday October 4th at 1:15pm on the Tito's Stage.

“I am extremely excited and grateful to be able to play ACL this year! I attended the festival when I first moved to the city about eight years ago, and now things have come full circle at the other end of the stage. I’m looking forward to it.” Sharing my Chicano Soul sounds with the audience and debuting my deluxe EP “De Melón”! – Midnight Navy

Chief Cleopatra
Over the past few years, Chief Cleopatra, a standout soul-rock artist, has made a name for herself throughout Austin with a live show that always sets the right mood. With her notable 2024 single “Cold Dancer” under her belt, she will make her ACL debut on the IHG stage on Sunday, October 6th at 12:30 p.m.

“I haven't been to ACL for seven years, so performing for the first time is a dream come true. In addition to my favorite artists like Khruangbin and Tyler, the Creator, I also get to meet other Austin artists who have been making it for years. I'm also looking forward to seeing Leon Bridges and Orville Peck as well as some familiar and new faces coming to see my performance this Sunday. I can’t wait, it will be an unforgettable experience.” – Chief Cleopatra

West 22nd
West 22nd consists of five UT students who have been on a rapid upward trajectory since releasing their debut EP in 2023. The pop-rock act, which has already racked up millions of streams across multiple platforms, will play its first-ever ACL set Sunday, October 6, at 1:30 p.m. on the Tito Stage.

“As students at UT, one of our first goals when we got together in 2022 was to play at ACL Fest. That's why we're already in the line-up this year before we graduate and are very excited about what awaits us.” — West 22nd

WEEKEND TWO

Be dead
Versatile art rockers Being Dead have just released their second standout album in just over a year (2024). EELS suitable for 2023 As horses would run), and now they're bringing their infectious energy to Zilker Park. Don't miss their festival debut on Saturday, October 12th at 12:05pm on the IHG stage.

“We’re just so excited to be playing an Austin classic! We've never had the opportunity to be there before, so this is a truly delicious treat that we can't wait to devour.” — Be dead

DAIISTAR
If you're into psych-rock at all, be sure to catch DAIISTAR when they play ACL for the first time on Sunday, October 13th at 12:10pm on the Miller Lite Stage. By the way, before you go, be sure to dive into her album Good timeone of the best releases from Austin last year.

“ACL was the first festival I went to when I moved to Austin in 2008. I wouldn't have believed it back then if someone had told me I would play it in the future, but here we are. We are incredibly honored to be performing at the festival this year and I will be pinching myself all day on October 13th.” — Alex Capistran (from DAIISTAR)

Kalu and the electric joint
After years of being a staple in the Austin music scene, Kalu And The Electric Joint will finally make their ACL debut at Tito's Stage on Sunday, October 13th at 1:30 p.m. The band's mix of psych, soul, blues and more is sure to sound great throughout the park.

“Playing ACL feels like a recognition of the journey of immigrating to the United States from Nigeria at age 18 and moving to Austin at age 25 (in 2007) to pursue music and never give in. We bring to the stage the energy of everyone (the dreamers, the underdogs) who brought us here. It’s their victory too!” – Kalu

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