Music
March 15, 2024
Has SXSW Lost Its Cool?
Many bands are boycotting, more of the brands are square, and attitudes have soured toward big tech. Where is the festival going?
Music Festivals
Music
March 14, 2024
The New Billy Preston Documentary Will Take You to Church—When It Sticks to Music
The film on the Houston piano prodigy and so-called “fifth Beatle” honors Preston’s career but strays when it depicts his personal life.
Music
March 5, 2024
Besame Mucho Austin Was Not Quite the Festival Fans Deserved—and We Loved It Anyway
The music fest brought Grupo Frontera, Bobby Pulido, and El Tri onto one jaw-dropping bill. Despite organizational hiccups, the day was “historic.”
Style & Design
October 10, 2023
The Best of ACL Festival Fashion, in Photos
Three days on the field and not a single pair of Crocs cowboy boots? Are y’all okay?
Music
October 5, 2023
7 Texan Musical Acts to See at This Year’s ACL Fest
From Cigarettes After Sex to Tanya Tucker, there’s a Texan for every genre.
Music
October 5, 2023
ACL Fest Boasts 50-Plus Food and Drink Vendors. These Are the Ones We Don’t Want to Miss.
We’ve curated a lineup of fantastic local meals to perfectly complement your weekend of music and good vibes at Zilker Park.
One by Willie
July 28, 2023
The Story Behind Sinéad O’Connor’s Duet with Willie Nelson
It was October 1992 and the Irish singer, who died earlier this week, was being excoriated in the press following her appearance on ‘Saturday Night Live.’
Music
July 20, 2023
A New Music Festival in Mexia Aims to Save a Country Songwriting Legend’s House From Destruction
Cindy Walker Days pays tribute to one of the greatest country songwriters ever while raising funds to save her Mexia house—and all the treasures it holds.
Music
October 13, 2022
Kacey Musgraves Is Just Too Chill to Yell and Scream—Except at Ted Cruz
I went to ACL hoping to belt out songs about heartbreak with the Golden-born singer, but she kept things light and positive.
Music
October 10, 2022
The Chicks’ ACL Set Would Have Been More Fun Anywhere Else
The band’s first Texas performance in six years celebrated family, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and (almost) harked back to the last time I actually enjoyed this music festival.
Music
March 10, 2022
Live Music Is Back at SXSW. Don’t Miss These Texas Artists.
Four sibling punk rockers, Houston’s greatest soul band, and three more acts you need to catch at SXSW 2022.
Music
November 8, 2021
After the Astroworld Disaster, a Reckoning for Music Festivals
International crowd-safety experts say better planning could have prevented the eight deaths and dozens of injuries at last week’s Travis Scott concert.
Music
October 11, 2021
Tales From ACL Fest: Miley Cyrus’s Janis Joplin Cover and Charley Crockett’s Insane Whataburger Order
The first full-fledged ACL Fest since the start of the pandemic is a wrap. ‘Texas Monthly’ recalls Megan Thee Stallion’s twerk-team auditions and other highlights.
Music
October 6, 2021
Mushrooms, Moms, and “Manifesting” Greatness: Three Days at a Mid-Pandemic ACL Fest
Despite the specter of COVID, Texans and out-of-staters flocked to Zilker Park for a sweaty weekend of debauchery.
Music
September 27, 2021
TM Recommends: 2021 Austin City Limits Music Festival Edition
Two-step with Strait, twerk with Megan, and don’t miss these six other acts during the first two weekends in October.
Music
August 30, 2019
Remembering The Texas International Pop Festival, The Lone Star State’s Answer to Woodstock
The Lewisville music festival is celebrating its 50th anniversary this weekend.
Music
August 1, 2019
How McAllen’s New Festival Could Change the Valley’s Music Scene
McAllen’s new arts and music festival has potential to contribute to creative communities, if it’s thoughtful about how to best serve their needs.
Arts & Entertainment
April 1, 2019
C3 Cancels Its Plans for a Marfa Music Festival in 2020
After a community outcry, the company behind ACL Fest and Lollapalooza postpones its plans for an event next year, but the future is uncertain.
Music
January 17, 2019
With Kaaboo, Jerry Jones Just Launched the Least Hip Music Festival in the Country
Gen-X'ers rejoice: Here's a chance to see all of your favorite 1990s bands in one weekend.
Music
October 29, 2018
Fortress Festival Seems to Be Finding Its Identity
Entering its third year, the Fort Worth indie rock festival is full of Texas talent.
Music
May 1, 2018
When Will ACL Put Women Center Stage?
The festival has delivered on its commitment to genre diversity, but women and artists of color are still underrepresented.
Music
May 8, 2017
Takeaways From This Year’s JMBLYA Festival
In its fifth year, the hip hop/EDM festival scores big.
Music
February 27, 2017
C3’s Middlelands Festival Is Shaping Up To Be Texas’s Weirdest Music Fest
The promoter behind ACL is keeping it weird in Todd Mission, Texas.
Music
November 18, 2016
What Sound On Sound Can Teach Us About The Future Of Texas Music Festivals
The inaugural festival in McDade—and the successor to Austin’s Fun Fun Fun Fest—could suggest where music festivals are going.
Music
December 3, 2015
C3 Presents Hired A Lobbyist For The Right To Host Events At National Mall
The festival titan wants access to government-owned lands for its events.
Music
April 15, 2015
Police Officer Lets a Rock-Paper-Scissors Game Determine Whether an Underage Drinking Suspect Will Get in Trouble
Burleson County law enforcement apparently prefers officers use a different standard than rock-paper-scissors when determining infractions.
Music
October 5, 2014
Video: Stuart Murdoch Sings With Kid’s Choir at ACL
The Belle and Sebastian frontman joined festival stalwarts the Barton Hills Elementary School Choir for four of his own songs
Music
March 6, 2014
Who Needs SXSW? Dallas’ March Madness Festival Has a Great Lineup and It’s Free
There's more than one impressive music festival in Texas this month, and the one in Dallas is free.
Music
February 1, 2008
Charlie Jones
He didn’t invent the outdoor music festival—perhaps you’ve heard of Woodstock?—but he’s as responsible as anyone for its resurgence as a twenty-first- century form, and he’s just now getting started. As one of three principals at Capital Sports and Entertainment, the College Station native and onetime club booker was the
Music
August 31, 1988
Off the Road Again
Willie Nelson’s Fourth of July Picnic at Carl’s Corner was the picnic to end all picnics. It did just that.
Music
September 30, 1974
Growing Old at Willie Nelson’s Picnic
What is it like to miss the sexual revolution (and some others) by a mere handful of years?