Austin City Limits (ACL) attracts over 450,000 people, surpassing Coachella in number of attendees and establishing itself as the Live Music Capital of the World. The ACL lineup is something that music-lovers and festival-goers alike look forward to more than the festival itself. A name on the lineup list can mean the discovery of an upcoming artist and their grand entrance into the music industry. The lineup officially releases around early May and fans eagerly deliberate who will appear at ACL this year.
The internet personality turned singer-songwriter Alex Warren began to see his success when his song “Ordinary” became the “BookTok” anthem due to its fantastical illustration of love and how the right person can make you feel “out of the ordinary.” As of April, the song has been on the Billboard Hot 100 for 58 weeks and won Song of the Year at the iHeart Radio Music Awards. Warren announced his “Little Orphan Alex Live” tour in November of 2025 and will perform at the Moody Center in May. Whether he appears at ACL or not, his performance is sure to be nothing but “Ordinary.”
Rising artist Sombr is currently on his “The Late Nights & Young Romance Tour” for his debut album, “I Barely Know Her” after his 2024 single “Back to Friends” saw its TikTok virality as listeners proclaimed it a “sad girl anthem.” The single peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 in January and he won the iHeart Radio award for Best New Artist. He performed at this year’s Grammys and is also on the lineup for both Coachella and Lollapalooza. Sombr deeply resonates with his teenage audience because of the angsty, young love narrative he portrays through his music, and his quick rise to fame makes him an easy pick for an ACL headliner.
Mumford and Sons have become seasoned veterans of ACL, for they are one of the most anticipated performances after headlining the festival three different times. The folk-rock group has appeared at the 2016, 2019 and 2023 festivals with an average of three to four years in between their performances making the probability of their name appearing on this year’s lineup very high. Mumford and Sons are set to perform at The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in The Woodlands, TX the night before the opening of the festival. The chances of the band’s return to the stage are not unlikely and festival goers eagerly await their return to the green of Zilker Park.
Country-artist Ella Langley is cementing her name into country music history with her 2025 single “Choosin’ Texas.” Langley made her debut with her 2024 studio album “Hungover” and garnered much attention on TikTok after her first single “you look like you love me” ft. Riley Green. Langley has been making music since 2017 and achieved any artist’s dream of performing at the Grand Ole Opry in 2023, which would be the first of many. The Alabama-born artist is currently touring the South and recently appeared at a Morgan Wallen show for a surprise performance of “Sand In My Boots.” Choosin’ Langley as a headliner for this year’s festival is the perfect way for the rising country star to make her ACL debut.
“Victorious” star Leon Thomas is making his mark in the music industry with his song “MUTT”, which is having its viral moment on TikTok. Thomas began his career from a very early age, making his broadway debut in 2003 as young Simba in “The Lion King,” and also providing the voice for Tyrone in the animated television series “The Backyardigans.” Thomas is a three-time Grammy winner, his 2024 album “MUTT” winning Best R&B Album. He is also credited for his work on “Snooze” by SZA, “Something New” by Zendaya ft. Chris Brown and numerous Ariana Grande songs. The R&B artist announced his “Mutts Don’t Heel World Tour” in June of 2025 and is set to perform at Emo’s, a music venue in Austin, on Nov. 2. While Thomas has never performed on one of Zilker’s many stages, his debut could fill the void that the lack of R&B has left at ACL.
ACL has cemented its reputation as an opening for new artists and a welcome home to returnees. Many artists return to Zilker for the nostalgia of their debut while others get an introduction to the performance life. ACL has kept fans and artists returning because of its symbolism of the true nature of Austin and how it differs from other cities in Texas where everyone is welcome, and uniqueness is encouraged.