The second weekend of Austin City Limits Music Festival kicked off with a vibrant mix of genres, from synth-pop to country and rap, all set against the scenic backdrop of Zilker Park in Austin, TX. Day 1 brought fans unforgettable performances from a diverse lineup that spanned multiple stages, leaving festival-goers buzzing with excitement.

Here’s a look at some of the highlights from the day.

St. Lucia ACL fans enjoyed the electrifying sounds of St. Lucia, whose synth-pop anthems brought a nostalgic ’80s vibe to the stage. Their lively performance, complete with shimmering synths and vibrant energy, set a joyous tone for the day. Fans swayed to the beat of their hits like “Elevate,” with the Austin sun setting the perfect scene.

Whookilledkenny Rising Texas hip-hop artist Whookilledkenny kept things fresh with a high-energy performance at the BMI stage that resonated with the crowd. The energetic rapper delivered rapid-fire bars and bass-heavy beats that had fans jumping along throughout the set, a perfect representation of the homegrown talent featured at ACL this year.

Leon Bridges Singer-songwriter Leon Bridges took the crowd on a soulful journey. His smooth vocals and heartfelt lyrics, especially on hits like “River” and “Texas Sun,” had the audience mesmerized. Bridges, a Texas native, gave a nod to his roots and had everyone swaying to his throwback sound that blends classic soul with a modern twist.

Dasha In a full circle moment, Dasha brought her unique blend of pop and country to the festival, captivating attendees with tracks like “Nervous” and “Talk” and of course her massive single “Austin (Boots Stop Workin’)”. Her emotive performance stood out, showcasing her talent as one of the many emerging artists at ACL 2024.

Carin Leon For fans of Latin music, Carin Leon provided a dynamic performance. His fusion of regional Mexican sounds with modern influences had the crowd dancing and singing along, particularly during his popular track “Me La Avente.” It was a standout set that celebrated the diverse musical cultures represented at ACL.

Jeezy Rap icon Jeezy brought the heat with a hard-hitting performance that included fan-favorites like “Put On” and “Soul Survivor.” His presence on stage was commanding, delivering hit after hit to an energized crowd that rapped along to every word. ACL 2024 proved once again that hip-hop continues to have a strong presence at the festival.

Chris Stapleton with Special Guest Willie Nelson The headlining act of the night, Chris Stapleton, gave a show-stopping performance that was the perfect cap to Day 1. With his signature gravelly voice and expert guitar work, Stapleton belted out hits like “Tennessee Whiskey” and “White Horse.” The highlight of the night, though, came when country legend Willie Nelson made a surprise appearance to kick off the set. It was a magical moment that left fans in awe and exemplified the kind of surprises ACL is known for.

Day 1 of Weekend 2 was just the beginning of another thrilling Austin City Limits weekend, promising more unforgettable performances to come. Stay tuned for more highlights as the festival continues to rock Zilker Park and check out our favorite photos from yesterday’s performances below.

Photos by Dan Garcia/The Early Registration