Live music preview: Six must see bands at Austin City Limits Music Festival 2025
Austin City Limits Music Festival is an annual music extravaganza that takes place in the heart of Austin every Fall, and the curated talent ranges from worthy up-and-coming artists and legacy acts to round out its eclectic, genre-spanning array of music. For this year’s installment, The Cosmic Clash has put together a list of six must-sees you need to put on your list for the first weekend at Zilker Park which begins October 3. Tickets and set times can be found via the ACL website or through recommended resellers.
Friday – Beatbox Stage – Panda Bear
A visit from any member of legendary indie trendsetters Animal Collective is a welcome one in Austin. Noah Lennox has been a primary contributor to Baltimore’s Animal Collective since its inception, a creative force that has spawned 12 full-length records for his primary creative vehicle. Separate from his main outlet and key songwriting partner, Avey Tare, Lennox has continued to release solo material under his Panda Bear moniker through periods of Animal Collective inactivity. On his 2025 full-length effort, Sinister Grift, the multi-instrumentalist demonstrates musical craftsmanship and relentless creative control that make his titular material stand out in a remarkable fashion. With sounds that will be familiar to existing fans, Panda Bear delivers a more accessible form of psych pop meshed with focused experimentation. With ACL Fest being his second Austin appearance in 2025, this set will be an anticipated feat for the indie rock fanatics.
Friday – Beatbox Stage – MJ Lenderman
Initially known for being half of the songwriting team for Asheville rising indie act Wednesday, MJ Lenderman has been making waves as one of the genre’s most promising prospects. With an honest yet whimsical approach to his songwriting, the mountain town singer-songwriter has been crafting a loyal following of his own, which has garnered him critical acclaim for both his live shows and recorded material. Lenderman’s style can drift between Pacific Northwest indie and alt-country, with a level of personability that’s too genuine to ignore as simply another male rocker with his guitar. He also released his most critically acclaimed project Manning Fireworks in 2024 and has continued as a fierce, touring road warrior with backing band “The Wind” ever since. MJ Lenderman will also perform at Stubb’s for an ACL Fest Nights showcase on October 9.
Friday – Dr. Dog – Ladybird Stage
Despite a pause in full-time touring, Dr. Dog has fulfilled its promise to stay active in the music community. With a delivery that touches the realms of psychedelic rock, folk, and soul, the Philly-bred quintet is known for producing tracks whose influences stretch across the decades. The Pennsylvania band is known for an eclectic discography that stays relevant in the current musical trends, with tasteful emulations that dive into pools of psychedelia with Beatles-esque harmonies. Led by songwriting team Toby Leaman and Scott McMicken, the duo each brings a distinct vibe to the table, featuring retro callbacks and tunes that bring a warm spectacle to the mix. Since their return to full-length studio projects with a self-titled record and sporadic show appearances at venues like The Mann, Red Rocks, and Forest Hills, Dr. Dog is making a coveted Austin appearance at both the main festival and an ACL Fest Nights showcase on October 2.
Saturday – Magdalena Bay – Ladybird Stage
Los Angeles by way of Miami duo Magdalena Bay have been making their voices heard in the internet music sphere since their formation in 2016. The pair crafts a distinctive brand of synth pop that demonstrates cutting-edge production, a playful yet maximalist approach to their recorded pieces, and early 2000s pop nostalgia, while still injecting the current state of electronic music with a pristine aesthetic. Led by songwriters and producers Mica Tenanbaum and Matt Lewin, the Bay has a healthy obsession with a variety of meticulously crafted song layers. These creative sparks are showcased in their highest form on their recent sophomore LP, Imaginal Disk, a studio offering that earned them widespread critical acclaim with their engaging form of art pop. Magdalena Bay will also appear for an ACL Fest Nights showcase at Emo’s on October 10 during the second weekend of ACL programming.
Sunday – Lucius – Beatbox Stage
A masterclass in vocal harmony and bliss-filled soundscapes, Brooklyn’s Lucius is led by vocal duo Jess Wolfe and Holly Laessig. While Lucius can be classified as indie pop, that would be selling them short. With records that touch the sensibilities of synth pop, folk, and some hints of disco, the New York to Los Angeles outfit has an ethereal edge that is an all-around feel-good vibe. Their latest self-titled LP Lucius is their most raw and honest to date, with the songwriting pair providing a chilling atmosphere and letting their audiences open their minds to the complex, yet still accessible messaging that makes their music stand out in an ever-changing landscape.
Sunday – Geto Gala – Beatbox Stage
Anyone who says Austin doesn’t have a hip hop scene hasn’t seen a Geto Gala gig. The rap collective is fronted by local emcees Deezie Brown and Jake Lloyd, with supporting instrumentalists that feature musicians from the best of the Austin music scene. With homages to the Geto Boys, Outkast, and other nods to the genre’s never-ending eras, the Geto Gala duo has textures that combine their rap roots with soul and R&B with an experimental production approach that layers their music into a tight-knit concoction that requires an all-star backing cast. Their debut album Major League released in 2024 is packed with old school vibes while incorporating the tendencies of the current state of the genre, making this one a must-see for longtime rap fans that go all-in for socially conscious rhymes.
Featured photo by Taylor Regulski courtesy of ACL Festival
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