For the final day of Weekend One, pink cowboy hats and sparkly outfits filled the festival grounds as patrons prepared themselves for artists like Cannons, Chappell Roan and more.
It was the calm before the storm – fans slowly entered the Zilker Park, and everyone headed to claim their spot for queen Chappell Roan, set to perform at 6:45pm at the American Express stage. While everyone waited in the heat, this was the perfect time to check out some of the festival’s popular activations and non-music activities.
American Express had their own lounge near the main stage, where American Express holders could enter and enjoy the free amenities. The activation included a refresh station, a night-themed market featuring three local Austin vendors, and a cash bar that offered free popsicles to cool off in the heat. Another fun activation was the IHG Hotels & Resorts Hospitality Lounge, which was an invite-only lounge next to the IHG stage (formerly known as the Barton Springs stage). The lounge also featured a cool-off station with a cash bar and free snacks to take around the festival, and also offered exclusive side-stage access to one artist of your choice.
Back to the music – Honduran singer Empress Of started off the day at the American Express stage. Her set was captivating and she often interacted with the crowd with genuine conversation. Currently on her ‘For Your Consideration’ tour, she hyped up the crowd with songs from her latest album like “Feminine,” “Preciosa” and “Lorelei.” The singer reminisced on being in Austin last year, where she opened for Rina Sawayama at her Fest Night show that occurred at Stubb’s Amphitheater. She continued to play songs from her discography, including “4eva” and “Turn the Table.”
Over at the Tito’s Handmade Vodka stage, UT Austin band West 22nd made their first ACL appearance. West 22nd also serves as the first University of Texas band to take the stage, making their set a must-see. The band shaked off the nerves and performed a few unreleased songs to a dynamic crowd. The quintet continued to interact with the crowd through a few chants and cheers, and continued to perform songs like “Sunburns,” “Sunny Jones,” “Hangman” and “Sweet!” They also performed energetic covers of Florence and the Machine’s “Dog Days” and Declan McKenna’s “Brazil.” Fans continuously sang along and jumped up, proving their Austin success status.
Back at American Express stage, Cannons took over the stage – a perfectly timed slot as the trio is known for their chillwave pop sound. The band, consisting of members Michelle Joy, Paul Davis and Ryan Clapham, arrived on stage with a stage set that resembled mirrors. They opened their set with their hit “Hurricane,” followed by “Heartbeat Highway,” “Bright Lights,” “Purple Sun” and “Cry Baby.” Michelle Joy continuously walked through the cat walk to greet fans in the crowd, and (almost) everyone was vibing to their dream pop tunes. They ended with the track “Fire for You,” in which Joy thanked the festival for hosting them.
‘Twas time for the most anticipated act of the weekend – Chappell Roan. “Welcome to Chappell Land” appeared on the main screen as the band walked out to the set intro. Singer Chappell Roan appeared wearing a white western fit, featuring chaps and a white and red embroidered vest, signifying her love for Texas culture. The singer began her set with “Femininomenon,” “Naked in Manhattan” and “Super Graphic Ultra Modern Girl.” Fans sang along and jumped all over the place. The crowd appeared on the screens behind the singer, as the crowd stretched all the way to the T-Mobile stage, resembling Lizzo’s crowd back in 2019. “If you have something pink, wave it in the air,” exclaimed Chappell Roan, who is known for announcing themes for each of her shows. She continued to perform songs from her debut album The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess like “After Midnight,” “My Kink is My Karma” and “Red Wine Supernova.” The crowd immediately prepped themselves as Chappell mentioned she would teach the crowd a simple dance, which led to the invigorating performance of “HOT TO GO!.” A highlight of Chappell Roan’s set was her fun cover of Heart’s “Barracuda,” a track that doesn’t make an appearance in her known festival setlist, making it a nice treat for the huge Austin crowd. The singer ended her set with “Pink Pony Club,” where the singer showcases her powerful vocals. Chappell’s stage presence is BEYOND impeccable – from her hip dance moves, fun yet relatable commentary and constant crowd interactions, Chappell has further proven to be the next big thing.
Finishing the weekend at the IHG stage across the street, fans found their way to QVEEN HERBY’s set. True Qveen fans know the singer/rapper for her past life in duo Karmin, which went on an indefinite hiatus in 2017. Amy Heidemann rebranded herself as Qveen Herby, a solo project that focused on a more R&B and hip-hop sound. The singer reached newfound success as Qveen Herby with her self-released EPs, and released her debut album in 2021. She continuously releases singles, and began her ‘Alchemist’ tour earlier this year. After performing in Dallas and Houston earlier this year, it was no surprise to see the singer finally taking over an ACL stage. She showed up wearing a majestic purple cloak, soon removing it to showcase her signature bob and witchy appearance. She performed tracks like “BALENCIAGA DREAMS,” “THANK GODDESS” and “Housewife.” The Qveen noted all the fans singing along to her lyrics word for word, and did an amazing job at keeping the theatrical scenes going. From throwing wigs into the crowd to calling the spirit guides to bring good vibes, Qveen Herby stayed true to her kitschy performance. She continued to play more well-known tracks such as “Rabbit Hole” and “F Myself,” followed by the cover that started her career back in 2011: “Look at Me Now” by Chris Brown, Lil Wayne and Busta Rhymes. The set ended with “Sugar Daddy,” as the Qveen showed her love to everyone who came to see her set.
Overall, Austin City Limits 2024 was a memorable weekend full of notable acts and enjoyable performances. The crowd was looking out for each other, the festival felt more accessible in terms of activities and exclusive opportunities, and every moment was full of fun. We’re stoked to see what’s next for the best Texas music festival.
ATMOSPHERE AND EXPERIENCE
Courtesy of C3 Presents
TYLER, THE CREATOR
Courtesy of C3 Presents
CHAPPELL ROAN
Courtesy of C3 Presents
SAN HOLO
Courtesy of C3 Presents
ORVILLE PECK
Courtesy of C3 Presents
THAT MEXICAN OT
Courtesy of C3 Presents
CANNONS
Courtesy of C3 Presents
EMPRESS OF
Courtesy of C3 Presents
Words by Keylee Paz | Photos by Keylee Paz and C3 Photographers