Top 10 Artists to Listen to Before Austin City Limits 2025

Austin City Limits (ACL) is more than just a music festival, it’s a cultural landmark that brings together established icons, rising stars, and genre-bending innovators in one of the most dynamic lineups of the year. Every October, Zilker Park becomes a temporary home for tens of thousands of fans who come not only for the big-name headliners but also for the thrill of discovering new favorites. What sets ACL apart is its ability to spotlight artists who are just on the edge of breaking through, often turning a casual listen into a life-long fandom.

But with so many performers on the bill, it can feel overwhelming to know who to check out ahead of time. That’s why curating a pre-ACL listening list is essential. It ensures you don’t just show up for the main stage acts, but also get swept into the moments that ACL does best: intimate sets that surprise you, lyrics that catch you off guard, and live energy that doesn’t translate until you’ve seen it in person.

This year’s lineup features a compelling mix of viral sensations, emotional storytellers, and boundary-pushing musicians who are shaping the future of pop, indie, and alternative sounds. Below, we’ve rounded up the top 10 artists to listen to before Austin City Limits so you’ll be ready to sing along, cry along, and maybe even dance your way into the next big thing.

1. Gigi Perez

Few artists have captured the raw edge of vulnerability like Gigi Perez. Rising from TikTok fame in 2021 with viral tracks like Celene and Sometimes (Backwood), Perez transformed online buzz into a full-fledged career, culminating in the global sensation Sailor Song in 2024. The track’s unexpected rise cemented her as more than a viral one-hit wonder.

Perez’s artistry shines in her willingness to confront personal struggles openly. She weaves grief, depression, and religious trauma into songs that feel both cathartic and universally relatable. As a queer artist, her WLW-focused storytelling also brings vital representation to the alt-pop space, connecting deeply with fans who see themselves in her lyrics.

Songs like Please Be Rude, Sleeping, and Fable highlight her ability to shift between playful defiance and haunting tenderness. Her projects, At the Beach in Every Life and How to Catch a Falling Knife, showcase Perez as a storyteller for a generation navigating pain with honesty and humor. Expect her ACL set to be emotional, electric, and unforgettable.

2. Olivia Dean

London-born Olivia Dean has carved out a space for herself as one of the most refreshing voices in modern pop. With her effortless blend of pop, soul, and R&B, Dean delivers tracks that balance vulnerability with groove. She has songs that invite you to feel while also pulling you to dance. Her breakout single Man I Need gained traction on social media, drawing in fans with its confessional lyricism and smooth, magnetic vocal delivery.

Dean’s music resonates because it feels deeply lived-in. Songs like Ok Love You Bye, Nice to Each Other, Dive, and Lady Lady tackle themes of love, communication, and resilience in a way that feels approachable and real. She isn’t afraid to celebrate tenderness, making her a standout in a pop landscape that often leans toward the cynical.

Her upcoming sophomore album, The Art of Loving (dropping September 26), is perfectly timed to set the stage for her ACL performance. Listening beforehand means you’ll be ready to fall into the warmth of her set, which promises to be one of the festival’s most soulful highlights.

3. Yoke Lore

The magic of Yoke Lore lies in Adrian Galvin’s ability to turn the banjo into something transcendent. His work blends folk with indie-pop and electronic textures, creating songs that feel expansive yet intimate. Known for his artistic versatility, Galvin is also a dancer and visual artist, his performances often feel like an all-encompassing creative experience.

Tracks like Beige, Good Pain, and Safe and Sound exemplify his knack for writing lyrics that balance personal introspection with universal resonance. His music speaks to spirituality, connection, and the messy beauty of being human, making it particularly powerful in a live festival setting where collective emotion is amplified.

With his latest album, Toward a Never Ending New Beginning, Yoke Lore continues to evolve his sound while staying rooted in the vulnerability that first drew listeners in. At ACL, expect not just a concert, but a multisensory experience that will leave you reflecting long after the music fades.

4. Willow Avalon

Rising country-Americana star Willow Avalon has taken traditional storytelling and given it a modern twist. Her songs, infused with grit and heart, have struck a chord on social media and beyond particularly her viral track Homewrecker, which introduced her to a much wider audience.

Avalon’s debut album, Southern Belle Raising Hell, demonstrates her ability to balance classic country charm with bold, unapologetic lyrics that reflect her personal experiences. Tracks like Smoke and Embers and Tequila or Whiskey showcase her dynamic songwriting, rooted in tradition but pushing toward contemporary appeal.

Her authenticity is one of her greatest strengths. Avalon sings about heartbreak, resilience, and the contradictions of modern womanhood with a sharp wit and unflinching honesty. Her ACL set will likely combine intimate acoustic moments with rollicking anthems, making her a can’t-miss artist for fans of country, Americana, and strong storytelling.

5. Jensen McRae

Singer-songwriter Jensen McRae is one of the most emotionally articulate artists in today’s indie-folk scene. She first captured widespread attention with her sharp lyrical storytelling and hauntingly restrained vocals, which she uses to craft songs that feel like diary entries set to melody.

Tracks such as Massachusetts, Wolves, and Savannah highlight her gift for turning personal experiences, navigating identity, chronic illness, and microaggressions into universally resonant art. McRae’s music has often been described as “main character” anthems, perfectly suited for moments of reflection or catharsis.

Her debut album, I Don’t Know How But They Found Me, further showcases her evocative, poetic songwriting. On stage, McRae delivers her songs with an intimacy that makes even a festival crowd feel like a living room performance. At ACL, expect a powerful balance of vulnerability and strength, the kind of performance that lingers long after the last chord.

6. King Princess

King Princess has long been a force in indie pop, unapologetically queering the genre with lyrics that reflect LGBTQ+ love and identity. Her breakout hit 1950 became an anthem for queer listeners worldwide, while tracks like Cry Cry Cry and Girls showcase her ability to blend playful melodies with raw honesty.

As a multi-instrumentalist and producer, King Princess crafts a sound that channels both classic rock influences and contemporary pop sensibilities. Albums like Cheap Queen and Girl Violence highlight her evolution as an artist—balancing vulnerable storytelling with bold, confident declarations.

Her recent resurgence through the Netflix series Arcane, where her track Fantastic gained renewed attention, proves her staying power across mediums. At ACL, King Princess will likely deliver a set full of swagger, emotion, and celebration—a space where her community can feel seen and heard. Expect a mix of intimate moments and full-throttle anthems.

7. The Dare

If you’re looking for pure energy, The Dare is your ACL artist. The project, spearheaded by Harrison Patrick Smith, thrives on reviving the chaotic, sweaty fun of early 2000s indie sleaze and electroclash. His tracks are bold, brash, and unashamedly hedonistic—exactly the kind of sound that thrives in a festival environment.

Songs like Perfume, Girls, and Goodtime encapsulate his ethos: music designed to make you lose yourself in the moment. With his album What’s Wrong with New York, The Dare leans into cultural critique while still delivering infectious dance beats.

Live, The Dare is known for high-energy performances that blur the line between concert and party. His ACL set will undoubtedly bring that late-night, downtown energy to Zilker Park, making it a must-see for anyone craving a little chaos with their weekend soundtrack.

8. Phantogram

Veteran duo Phantogram has built a career blending trip-hop, electro-pop, and psych-rock into a sound that feels cinematic and immersive. Sarah Barthel’s ethereal vocals paired with Josh Carter’s guitar textures create a sonic push-and-pull that has captivated fans for over a decade.

Tracks like Fall in Love, You Don’t Get Me High Anymore, and Mouthful of Diamonds showcase their knack for dark, atmospheric songwriting. Their breakout hit Black Out Days found new life on TikTok in 2020, proving the timelessness of their sound.

Albums like Voices and The Day You Died (as well as collaborations with Big Boi) demonstrate their versatility and cross-genre appeal. On stage, Phantogram’s visual-heavy performances heighten the experience, turning their sets into an otherworldly escape. At ACL, their moody yet electrifying vibe will offer a perfect counterbalance to some of the festival’s more upbeat acts.

9. Aidan Bissett

Indie-pop artist Aidan Bissett has quickly become a Gen Z favorite thanks to his knack for turning heartbreak and self-discovery into infectious anthems. His songs are confessional yet carefree, balancing emotional honesty with irresistibly catchy hooks.

Tracks like More Than Friends, Tripping Over Air, and All That I’m Craving resonate because they capture the highs and lows of young adulthood, falling in love, messing up, and figuring yourself out along the way. His albums Shut Up and Love Me and Supernova further cement his place as a voice for a generation navigating chaos with a wink and a melody.

Bissett’s live shows carry the same youthful energy, often turning into singalongs that feel like shared therapy sessions. At ACL, his set will likely be a celebration of growth, heartbreak, and joy. It’s perfect for anyone ready to dance through their feelings.

10. Sydney Rose

Sydney Rose brings a quiet intensity to ACL’s lineup, offering intimate, bedroom-pop tracks that capture the tender aches of growing up. Her viral cover of Turning Page first introduced her delicate, raw vocals to a wide audience, and her breakout single We Hug Now solidified her as a rising star.

Rose’s I Know What I Want EP reflects her gift for blending vulnerability with relatability. Songs like Five More Minutes showcase her ability to slow everything down, inviting listeners into deeply personal emotional landscapes. Her music feels like a late-night conversation with a close friend, honest and unpolished in the best way.

After being dropped by her previous label, Rose returned to her roots with even more authenticity, which has only strengthened her bond with fans. At ACL, her set will provide a much-needed moment of softness and reflection in the festival chaos.

Final Thoughts

ACL is all about discovery. It’s about the joy of stumbling onto a set that catches you off guard and stays with you long after the festival ends. While the big-name headliners always bring the crowds, the heart of ACL lies in artists like the ten featured here: musicians who are on the rise, shaping their genres in fresh and exciting ways, and ready to transform casual listeners into devoted fans.

By diving into their discographies before ACL, you’ll arrive prepared not just to hear the music, but to experience it. Understand the stories, feel the emotions, and join in on the energy. In a festival as eclectic and vibrant as ACL, being ready to meet these moments halfway ensures you’ll walk away with not only memories of the headliners but also a deeper appreciation for the future of music.