Music festival season is approaching, and artists old and emerging are preparing to take the stage. The spring and summer of 2025 have many festivals to offer, like Coachella, the Governor’s Ball and Lollapalooza, but many Texans look forward to one particular festival. First held in 2002, Austin City Limits brings thousands of people from all over the country to experience the diverse music and performances. With more than double the number of attendees than Coachella, ACL attracts around 450,000 over both weekends with nine stages and over 130 artists. After ACL and Lollapalooza’s parent company, C3 Presents, released a compelling Lollapalooza lineup with artists like Olivia Rodrigo, Sabrina Carpenter and Tyler, The Creator, many fans are eager to see who will headline this year. With the ACL lineup coming out in early May, fans and festival-goers are buzzing with excitement for this year’s headliners.
Olivia Rodrigo, the child actor turned artist, recently appeared at Lollapalooza Brazil and Argentina, and is set to perform at The Governor’s Ball in June. Rodrigo performed at ACL in 2021 after releasing her debut album “Sour.” Currently on her “GUTS World Tour,” many fans speculate she’ll make a stop in Austin for her second ACL appearance.
With his new album releasing in April, fans believe that the indie rock artist Djo has a very possible chance of showing up in the lineup this year. After dropping out of the lineup in 2022 due to scheduling conflicts, fans are eager to know if he will make his first ACL appearance, even more so after he was announced for the Coachella and Lollapalooza lineups. Fans also speculate that the “Stranger Things” star will make a stop in Austin after he released Southern dates on his tour.
After the “Swamp Princess” appeared on the Lollapalooza lineup, Doechii may very well make her debut ACL appearance at this year’s festival. After releasing her Grammy-winning album, “Alligator Bites Never Heal,” she would be an easy pick for an ACL headliner.
Currently on her “Short n’ Sweet Tour,” pop-princess Sabrina Carpenter is one of the most anticipated ACL headliners this year. This wouldn’t be her first ACL appearance, and it wouldn’t be the first on her tour either. Carpenter performed her hit song “Feather” at ACL Live from her album “emails i can’t send fwd” in 2023. Carpenter was on the original lineup for 2024’s festival, but dropped out after announcing three Texas dates on her tour instead.
Headlining the Lollapalooza lineup, Tyler, The Creator could make his third ACL headline after his 2021 and 2024 appearances. After his performance at the Moody Center on March 15, his next step might be on a stage in Zilker Park. All of his ACL performances drew much success, drawing large crowds, some larger than prior headline performances. With all of his success and popularity, picking Tyler should be a no-brainer.
Whether these artists show or not, fans never cease to be amazed by the festival’s lineups. Every year, ACL introduces fans to emerging artists and it’s a great opportunity for local artists to make their debut. From a TV show to one of the biggest music festivals in the state, Austin City Limits is a decade-long tradition for Texans and music fans alike. The festival has continued to be one of Austin’s main attractions due to its ability to maintain the city’s uniqueness and diversity by consistently bringing new and eccentric art to its stages.
