Austin’s beloved Zilker Park is gearing up for another musical transformation as ACL Festival drops its 2025 lineup — and yeah, there’s plenty to unpack here. Between established heavyweights, fresh faces, and a few choices that have music fans scratching their heads, this year’s festival promises to shake things up in classic Austin fashion.
Let’s talk about Doja Cat for a minute. Fresh off that jaw-dropping James Bond tribute at the Oscars (who knew she could belt like that?), she’s bringing her theatrical brand of pop mayhem to Texas. Her recent pivot to rock-influenced sounds has definitely raised some eyebrows, but there’s no denying she’s exactly the kind of boundary-pushing artist ACL needs right now.
The Strokes showing up on the bill feels like a perfectly-timed nod to the current indie sleaze renaissance sweeping through music. Sure, they’ve been around the block, but something about Julian Casablancas growling through “Last Nite” under those massive Texas skies just feels right.
Then there’s Hozier. Look — nobody’s questioning the man’s talent. His voice could probably make the tax code sound soulful. But his headlining spot has sparked some heated debates among festival veterans. After his 2023 ACL appearance, some folks are wondering if maybe, just maybe, it’s time for something a bit more adventurous in that slot.
The booking of Colombian reggaeton powerhouse Feid might be the festival’s smartest play. Get ready for Zilker to transform into a sea of neon green (his signature color’s basically become a movement at this point). And let’s be real — the whispers about girlfriend Karol G possibly showing up for a surprise duet are already sending social media into overdrive.
Speaking of powerful moves, Doechii’s presence feels especially significant. After making history as the first woman since Lauryn Hill to snag that Best Rap Album Grammy, she’s riding high on the success of “Alligator Bites Never Heal.” That album’s been everywhere lately, and her live shows? Pure electricity.
Dig a little deeper into the lineup and you’ll find some real gems. Japanese Breakfast’s Michelle Zauner continues to prove why she’s one of indie rock’s most captivating performers — that iconic gong during “Paprika” hits different live. Her chemistry with husband/bandmate Peter Bradley adds an extra layer of magic to their sets.
The mid-card offerings deserve some attention too. Wet Leg’s angry sonic evolution on “moisturizer” suggests their sets might be heavier than previous festival appearances. Meanwhile, The Dare’s ACL debut should be interesting — that suited-up aesthetic and those Charli XCX collabs have definitely got people talking.
Festival-goers can catch all the action October 3-5 and 10-12. The usual ticket tiers are available, from regular GA to that fancy Platinum experience (because sometimes you just need those air-conditioned lounges, right?). Kids 8 and under still get in free with a ticketed adult, keeping that family-friendly vibe alive.
Can’t make it to Austin? Hulu’s got you covered, at least for weekend one. They’ll be streaming select performances and behind-the-scenes content, though we won’t know exactly what’s making the cut until later this summer.
Whether this lineup fully satisfies ACL’s notoriously opinionated audience remains to be seen. But one thing’s certain — those October weekends in Zilker Park are shaping up to be anything but predictable. The festival’s balancing act between innovation and tradition continues, even if some of the choices might raise a few eyebrows along the way.
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