Austin City Limits 2024: Weekend One, Day One Recap
Written by Audrey Marston, Martina Mondini on October 5, 2024
On Friday, October 4th Zilker Park was electric as the 2024 Austin City Limits Music Festival kicked off its first day. With the sun shining and the Austin skyline in the back, there were many unforgettable performances across all genres. From indie-rock to jazz to electronic, we saw it all on Friday. Join us as we recap the highlights and standout moments from the first day of Austin City Limits 2024!
Chance Peña
Rising singer/songwriter and Texas native Chance Peña took to the T Mobile stage on day one of ACL, and he did not disappoint. Chance just released his debut album, Ever-Shifting, Continual Blossoming. His musical style was a sonic ride of Americana, blues, indie folk, and country, all coming together to create one amazing set. There was a mellow sway from the crowd, everyone taking in the show. Some standout songs were “It Is What It Is” and “Muscle Memory.” Chance ran into technical difficulties during the set, but he powered through them like a true performer. It was a great set to ease into the afternoon.
Norah Jones
Norah Jones’ set was amazing! The jazz singer leaned into a funk sound when performing songs from her new album Visions, before bringing it back to her early 2000’s roots with classics like ‘Don’t Know Why’. Throughout her set, Jones’ gravelly voice sounded like a warm cup of hot cocoa on a winter’s day. She also drew a huge crowd, especially for an earlier set. Standing far back in the audience, I could hear the cheers from up front resonate through the entire festival. Overall, seeing Jones’ set was a treat. Although she was performing at a music festival for such a large crowd, Jones gave the set an intimate feel. Her chemistry with her band, including when she verbally counted them in for a song, made it feel like as though we were in a small jazz club watching a finely-tuned jazz combo set.
Stephen Sanchez
Live from the Connie Co show, Stephen Sanchez brought the troubadour along with him for an unforgettable performance. As the boys were introduced, the show was kicked off with the song “Evangeline.” All his songs had a 50s and 60s influence that had the crowd twisting and shouting. He even covered “Pretty Woman” and “Put Your Head On My Shoulder.” It was an evening of nonstop dancing for the crowd. He thanked the crowd for braving the Texas heat and mentioned that he was braving it just as much with him wearing a suit. The heat didn’t stop the crooner from giving it his all though, he danced and danced like a modern-day Elvis. “This is too much power for one man!” He shouted as he asked for the crowd to sing back to him. When he sang his most famous song “Until I Found You” the fans went wild. The final song was “Shake”, and as he danced one final time, the sun began to set on an evening full of 50s musical fun.
Foster the People
Foster the People had an absolutely electric set. Their blend of electronic and indie pop had a contagiously fun effect on the (very large) crowd. Performing hits like “Pumped Up Kicks” and “Sit Next to Me”, alongside newer songs like “Lost in Space”, Foster the People showed that they know how to blend both newer and older hits to deliver a great show. The use of visual effects throughout the performance contributed to the overall great vibe of their set, of which everyone in the audience was enjoying. The energy coming from each band member contributed to an overall amazing stage presence, making this an unforgettable set from Day 1 of Austin City Limits Music Festival.
The Marias
Alternative indie group The Marias graced Zilker Park today with an alluring performance. They performed songs from their latest album Submarine. The stage set up and blue lights set the scene for the world of Submarine. There was a jazzy trumpet solo, fun guitar riffs, and a fun musical journey all around. Maria explained to the crowd that this album was a hard one to make and that the group wasn’t even sure if they could do it. She mentioned how happy she was that they were able to make the album come to fruition. The songs took the fans on the band’s journey and relationships. They performed a fun cover of “Lovefool” and fan favorite “Otro Atardecer,” a collaboration they made with Bad Bunny. Before performing “No One Noticed,” Maria explained that she wrote the song during a time where she felt quite lonely, but having the fans sing this back to her now made things different. They of course couldn’t forget to throw it back to their first album Cinema, performing “Cariño” as the closer of the set.
Chris Stapleton
Chris Stapleton’s set made everyone want to dance! His heartfelt lyrics along with his soulful vocals gave way to an amazing performance. Consistently throughout the set, I witnessed people in the audience make room to two-step and slow dance with each other, particularly during hits like “Tennessee Whiskey”. Stapleton’s unique blend of Country, Blues, and Rock was highly appreciated by the Austin City Limits Music Festival-goers. As Stapleton is a nine-year veteran of Country music, and an American household name, it was long overdue for Stapleton to receive his flowers at ACL.
Conclusion
The first day of ACL set the tone for an incredible festival, with a perfect blend of new talent and familiar faces gracing the stages. From emerging artists to well-known acts, the variety of genres kept the energy high and the crowd engaged throughout the day. Whether you were there for the indie bands, pop sensations, or electrifying electronic beats, Day 1 proved to be a fantastic start to a weekend filled with unforgettable music. It’s clear that ACL is delivering on its promise of diverse soundscapes and incredible performances.
