Article Contributed by Nick Gumas
Published on 2026-11-03
Continuing to provide new experiences each time gates open at Zilker Park, Austin City Limits’ 25th anniversary spectacular proved an unforgettable milestone in the festival’s legacy. Heavy rain passing through the Austin area did little to deter fans as a sea of poncho-wearing devotees spent their Friday morning lining up down the block to scan their wristbands into the grounds in time to see the first artists of the day.
Opening the weekend on the Miller Lite stage, Moroccan-Canadian vocalist Faouzia gave an electric showcase of her resonant stylistic flourish and theatrical aesthetic. The downpour of rain did not hinder the enthusiasm of fans, as thousands arrived to see the early afternoon performance, standing in the inclement weather despite the elements. Starting her set with her 2025 single “LOST MY MIND IN PARIS”, the natural vibrato and emotionally poignant delivery of her work served as a statement for the grandeur of the weekend. Symbolically, the clouds progressively began to part over the park throughout the performance, and the energy of the day only grew from there.
Continuing the trend of powerhouse soprano voices that peppered the day’s lineup, New York-born Singer-Songwriter LP gave an assertive, yet inviting demonstration of their work popularized over the last decade shortly after. Making a statement with a nostalgic, rock and roll inspired black leather choice of outfit, the artist left no avenue unexplored to set the scene for their energetic performance. Leaving little to be desired, the artist gave a full rundown of their work since booming onto the scene a decade ago, playing hits including “Lost on You,” “Girls Go Wild,” and “Other People.”
An undeniable highlight of the weekend, London-born multidisciplinary artist Labrinth performed to a full audience on the headlining American Express stage. Earning the crowd’s full attention from the moment he walked onstage, he wasted no time getting to his biggest hits, beginning the show with his single “Still Don’t Know My Name” from his contributions to the Euphoria soundtrack. Showcasing his abilities as a multi-instrumentalist, his creativity with guitar, percussion, and console lent a sense of variety to the performance at every turn. Unrestricted to just his solo work, the artist took a moment to perform “Genius” and “Thunderclouds”, an homage to his time with Supergroup LSD.
Ending the evening on the Snapchat stage, famed electronic duo The Chainsmokers closed out the evening with a stimulating clinic that reminded the audience of just how many hits these artists have created that have been so integrated into our culture over the last decade and a half. Largely defined by their attention to theatrics and production values, fireworks burst onstage from the early moments of the set, a repetitive theme throughout the performance. Vocalist Drew Taggart wasted no time leaping to the top of the DJ booth to engage with the audience as the group began their set with their 2015 single “Roses.” A high intensity and customly detailed hour, the duo’s set blended samples from their more recognizable studio works throughout their set, featuring snippets of their immortal work including “Something Just Like This”, “Don’t Let Me Down,” and “Closer,” in fragmented bits that complemented their overarching mix, rather than playing the singles in full.
