Tag Archives: Kelsea Ballerini

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Austin City Limits Reveals Star-Packed Season 51 Lineup

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Photo by Scott Newton (Courtesy of Austin City Limits)

Austin City Limits, the longest-running music television series in history, is back with another season of must-watch performances. Season 51 premieres October 4 on PBS with none other than FINNEAS, kicking off a run of episodes featuring some of the most exciting artists in music today.

A Fresh Chapter for a Music Institution

Celebrating over 50 years on the air, ACL continues to prove why it’s a cultural cornerstone. This new season brings together Grammy winners, genre-bending favorites, and rising stars, from the smooth jazz-inflected pop of The Marías to the powerhouse storytelling of Charley Crockett and Waxahatchee. And, in true ACL tradition, the show will also shine a spotlight on the roots of American music with a special hour dedicated to the 50th anniversary of Antone’s, Austin’s legendary blues club.

Season Highlights

The season begins with FINNEAS making his solo headlining debut, performing tracks from his sophomore album For Cryin’ Out Loud! It’s a full-circle moment for the hitmaker, who first graced the ACL stage in 2019 alongside his sister Billie Eilish.

From there, the lineup only gets stronger:

  • The Marías (Oct. 11) – Dreamy bilingual indie-pop with festival pedigree.
  • My Morning Jacket (Oct. 18) – A rare TV performance timed with their ACL Hall of Fame induction, honored by filmmaker Cameron Crowe.
  • Charley Crockett & Waxahatchee (Oct. 25) – Two acclaimed voices in Americana share the stage.
  • Samara Joy (Nov. 1) – The jazz vocalist brings her golden voice to ACL for the first time.
  • Antone’s & the Blues (Nov. 8) – A blues all-star showcase featuring Jimmie Vaughan, Kingfish, Grace Bowers, and more.
  • Kelsea Ballerini & Cam (Nov. 15) – Country stars spotlight new eras of their artistry.
  • Jon Batiste (Nov. 22) – The seven-time Grammy and Oscar winner returns with music from Big Money.

More Than Just Music

Season 51 arrives amid looming PBS funding cuts, a reality that makes ACL’s role in documenting live music all the more essential. Willie Nelson, who taped the show’s very first pilot back in 1974, put it best in a recent interview:

“Austin City Limits and PBS were and are an essential part of education, understanding, curiosity and empathy, which are the essentials and building blocks of humanity.”

How to Watch

New episodes air weekly on PBS stations nationwide (check local listings) and are available to stream after broadcast at pbs.org/austincitylimits. Fans can also dive deeper with exclusive content on ACL’s YouTube channel and social media.

Austin City Limits has long been a monument to music, and with Season 51, it continues to celebrate legends while amplifying the next generation of stars.

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Photos: Kelsea Ballerini Shines in Stylish ACL Debut

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Photo by Scott Newton (Courtesy of Austin City Limits)

Thursday night, country-pop powerhouse Kelsea Ballerini made her long-awaited debut on Austin City Limits Season 51 at the iconic Moody Theater, and it was an unforgettable evening. The stage was her canvas, and she painted it with raw emotion, heartfelt storytelling, and sheer musical prowess.

The performance came hot on the heels of her fifth studio album, Patterns, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Country Albums chart and No. 4 on the Billboard 200, marking her highest-charting release yet. With a producer’s touch alongside Alysa Vanderheym, Ballerini delivered a collection of songs praised for their vulnerability and resilience, highlighted by the soaring single “Cowboys Cry Too”. Her ACL performance served as a live showcase of this artistic chapter.

From the jubilant first single that put her on the map, “Love Me Like You Mean It”, to the deeply personal “To The Men That Love Women After Heartbreak” and the compelling new anthem “Patterns,” her set sketched a narrative arc that was both familiar and forward-looking.

Kelsea Ballerini’s first appearance on Austin City Limits was more than a milestone, it was a musical statement. With masterful pacing, emotional honesty, and an undeniably magnetic presence, she transformed the ACL stage into a space where country meets pop, personal storytelling meets universal resonance.

From chart-topping singles to intimate ballads, Ballerini wove together a setlist that honored her roots while embracing her evolution. If this performance is any indication, this chapter of her career is poised to be her most compelling yet.

Check out photos from Ballerini’s highly anticipated debut and the evening’s set list below! The broadcast episode will air this fall on PBS as part of Austin City Limit‘s upcoming Season 51.

Photos by Scott Newton, courtesy Austin City Limits

  • Photo by Scott Newton (Courtesy of Austin City Limits)
  • Photo by Scott Newton (Courtesy of Austin City Limits)
  • Photo by Scott Newton (Courtesy of Austin City Limits)
  • Photo by Scott Newton (Courtesy of Austin City Limits)
  • Photo by Scott Newton (Courtesy of Austin City Limits)
  • Photo by Scott Newton (Courtesy of Austin City Limits)
  • Photo by Scott Newton (Courtesy of Austin City Limits)
  • Photo by Scott Newton (Courtesy of Austin City Limits)
  • Photo by Scott Newton (Courtesy of Austin City Limits)
  • Photo by Scott Newton (Courtesy of Austin City Limits)
  • Photo by Scott Newton (Courtesy of Austin City Limits)
  • Photo by Scott Newton (Courtesy of Austin City Limits)
  • Photo by Scott Newton (Courtesy of Austin City Limits)

ACL SET LIST

  1. Love Me Like You Mean It
  2. Baggage
  3. IF YOU GO DOWN (I’M GOIN’ DOWN TOO)
  4. Sorry Mom
  5. Patterns
  6. Blindsided (Yeah, Sure, Okay)
  7. We Broke Up
  8. Mountain With a View / Interlude
  9. To The Men That Love Women After Heartbreak
  10. hole in the bottle
  11. Cowboys Cry Too
  12. Beg For Your Love / Peter Pan
  13. MUSCLE MEMORY
  14. I Would, Would You / Lean on Me
  15. Penthouse
Features, News

Kelsea Ballerini & The Marías Set to Bring Star Power to Austin City Limits Season 51

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Photo by Dan Garcia/The Early Registration

Austin City Limits continues its landmark 51st season with a pair of highly anticipated tapings in July. The genre-spanning artistry of indie outfit The Marías and the chart-topping country-pop flair of Kelsea Ballerini will light up the iconic Moody Theater on July 8 and 10, respectively.

The Marías: Psychedelic Soul Comes to ACL (July 8)

Bursting onto the scene with their cinematic debut Cinema in 2021, The Marías have since gained acclaim for their hypnotic fusion of jazz, psychedelia, funk, and lounge. The duo, fronted by Puerto-Rican-born, Atlanta-raised María Zardoya and LA-based Josh Conway, alongside Jesse Perlman (guitar) and Edward James (keys) weaves a musical tapestry rich in smoke-velvet vocals, nostalgic horns, and jazz-fueled percussion.

Their ACL debut comes on the heels of Submarine, their sophomore album and a reflective return to the hazy indie rock roots first hinted at in their 2017 EP Superclean. Described by Josh as the “bookend to their trilogy”, Submarine explores solitude’s lonely beauty and evokes a vivid, almost filmic exploration of human emotion. Fans caught them this spring, lighting up Coachella and ACL Fest; now ACL fans get the full immersive live experience.

Kelsea Ballerini: Country Pop Trailblazer Takes on ACL (July 10)

Country music’s shining star, Kelsea Ballerini, makes her ACL debut on July 10, showcasing songs from her fifth studio album, Patterns. A decade after her breakthrough with The First Time, which spawned three consecutive No. 1 singles by a debut female artist, Ballerini has built an impressive résumé: seven chart-toppers, 36 RIAA certifications, multiple Grammy nods, and induction into the Grand Ole Opry at just 25.

Her 2024 album Patterns debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Albums chart and hit No. 4 on the Billboard 200. Produced with Alysa Vanderheym and featuring stars like Noah Kahan, Patterns earned critical praise and award nominations for tracks like “Cowboys Cry Too,” which snagged Globe Music Event nominations.

Fresh off her headlining arena tour, Ballerini is poised to deliver one of the most compelling country performances ACL has staged.

How to Attend

Tapings for both artists will take place at ACL Live at The Moody Theater, 310 W. 2nd St., Austin. Free taping-pass announcements will go live approximately one week ahead via ACLTV’s Instagram, Facebook, and X channels. Episodes are slated for broadcast this fall as part of Season 51 on PBS.

Stay tuned to ACLTV’s socials for taping pass giveaways and more.

Features, Lists, News

Kelsea Ballerini Shines at The Rave in Milwaukee: A Sparkling Performance Filled with Energy and Authenticity

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BY TER STAFF

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Photo by Dan Garcia/The Early Registration

Country music star, Kelsea Ballerini, graced the stage at The Rave in Milwaukee with a dynamic performance that showcased her impressive range and undeniable stage presence. Following a string of high-profile appearances, including a stint on Saturday Night Live and the season premiere of NBC’s “That’s My Jam,” Ballerini arrived in Milwaukee on Saturday to headline her biggest headlining show in Wisconsin to date. Her loyal Milwaukee fans eagerly awaited her arrival, and she certainly did not disappoint.

Ballerini brought her A-game to the stage, exuding confidence and charisma with every step. Her setlist featured a mix of hits and B-sides, as well as cuts from her latest LP, that kept the energy high and the audience engaged. She effortlessly owned the stage, delivering each song with a sense of urgency and authenticity that left the crowd wanting more.

The hour and a half performance was a testament to Ballerini’s growth as a performer and songwriter. The Knoxville native has been a regular visitor to Milwaukee during her career, from her memorable performance at the beautiful Riverside Theater to her most recent visit, warming the stage for the Jonas Brothers at Summerfest.

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Photo by Dan Garcia/The Early Registration

Ballerini’s Heartfirst Tour promotes last fall’s “Subject To Change” album, which arrived a few weeks before her divorce from fellow country singer Morgan Evans. The “Miss Me More” singer’s setlist included deep emotions and empowering messages that resonated with the audience. Her top performances of the night included “hole in a bottle,” “Peter Pan,” and the title track from latest album, “Subject To Change.”

During “Homecoming Queen?,” Ballerini invited opening act Georgia Webster to join her on stage for an acoustic guitar duet. Webster’s voice, while very different than Ballerini’s, complemented her in a memorable way.

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Photo by Dan Garcia/The Early Registration

Ballerini’s relationship with her fans was a highlight of the night. She made her way to the edge of the stage’s runway throughout the concert, traveling from stage left to stage right, taking selfies, signing autographs, and overall just connecting with her fans.

The concert was only the fifth stop on the recent North American leg of Ballerini’s tour, and the set has already found it’s rythm. With a performance as great and energetic as the one she delivered in Milwaukee, it’s hard to imagine what she could improve. Ballerini is a gem in country music, and her Heartfirst Tour is a testament to her talent and dedication to her craft.

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SET LIST

Subject To Change

The Little Things

Heartfirst

Love Me Like You Mean It / Dibs / Yeah Boy

Love Is A Cowboy / Cowboy Take Me Away

half of my hometown

If You Go Down

hole in a bottle

You’re Drunk, Go Home

Homecoming Queen (w/ Georgia Webster)

Mountain With a View

Weather

Penthouse

Blindsided

Peter Pan

I Guess They Call It Fallin’

Leave Me Again

Muscle Memory

Miss Me More

Doin’ My Best

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Preview: Kelsea Ballerini’s Heartfirst Tour Set to Take Over The Rave in Milwaukee

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BY TER STAFF

Kelsea Ballerini

Get ready, Milwaukee! Kelsea Ballerini is coming to The Rave on March 11th, as part of her “Heartfirst Tour”. This highly anticipated show will feature Ballerini’s incredible live performances of her biggest hits as well as her 2022 LP, “Subject to Change”, accompanied by singer Georgia Webster as her opening act.

The most recent leg of the Heartfirst Tour began on March 6 in Toronto, ON, and it’s already off to a great start . Fans who missed Ballerini’s HeartfirstTour last fall will have another chance to see her in action, as she picks up where she left off with this leg of the tour.

Ballerini has been captivating audiences night after night, thanks in part to the release of her critically acclaimed new album, “Subject to Change” and fans can expect to hear some of her new hits, as well as some of her most popular songs from her previous albums.

Tickets are limited, so make sure to grab yours now at The Rave’s website. This is an all ages general admission show and starts 8:00pm, so be sure to arrive early to secure your spot up close to the stage.

Milwaukee, get ready for an unforgettable night of music with Kelsea Ballerini and Georgia Webster at The Rave on March 11, 2023.

Concert Photos, Features, News

Kelsea Ballerini ‘Unapologetically’ Shines at Milwaukee’s Riverside Theater

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BY TER STAFF

Photo by Dan Garcia/The Early Registration

Country music’s rising star, Kelsea Ballerini, gave a very special visit to the Riverside Theater tonight for her headlining Unapologetically Tour, named after her 2017 sophomore album of the same name. Marking the 24-year-old singer’s first performance in Milwaukee, Ballerini gave fans plenty of reasons to fill up the beautiful venue for a rare general admission show, which allowed for an especially intimate performance.

If you’re not familiar with Kelsea Ballerini, you either don’t follow country music or you recently woke up from a 4-year coma. One of the Grammy’s 2017 Best New Artist nominees, Kelsea Ballerini has hit the ground running ever since the release of her single ‘Love Me Like You Mean It’, and rightfully so, fans across the country have loved her sound ever since.

Similar to her fellow Best New Artist nominee, Maren Morris, Ballerini delivers an infectious sound and style that casts a huge net, winning over country music fans and pop fans alike. And as a result, Ballerini is drawing early comparisons to Taylor Swift, praise which is both fitting and deserving.

But Kelsea Ballerini isn’t anyone else but Kelsea Ballerini, and she is unapologetic about that on her new album. Performing the 2017 LP from start to finish, track one to track twelve, ‘Graveyard’ to ‘Legends’, Ballerini takes a risk on her new tour by performing her Unapologetically album in it’s entirety.

For the first hour of the performance, fans from the floor to the balcony sang along throughout the entire album. But if you also came out to hear some of Ballerini’s biggest tracks from her earlier work, records like ‘Peter Pan’ and ‘Dibs’, you left the night happy because Kelsea put the cherry on top of a great night with a memorable 4-song encore.

And what better way to complete the performance, than with her mega-hit single, ‘Love Me Like You Mean It’? Tonight may have been Kelsea Ballerini’s first performance in Milwaukee, but with the way her performance and energy was received tonight by the Wisconsin crowd, she will surely return.

Check out our photos from tonight’s performance below and get your tickets for the remaining dates of the tour here.

Continue reading Kelsea Ballerini ‘Unapologetically’ Shines at Milwaukee’s Riverside Theater →

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iHeartRadio Music Festival Announces Initial Daytime Village Lineup: All Time Low, Hey Violet, Flume & More

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BY TER STAFF

Photo by Dan Garcia/The Early Registration

With several artists to still be announced, the iHeartRadio Music Festival has announced its initial performers for the festival’s Daytime Village, presented by Capital One. Warming up fans for the main event, the Daytime Village will feature live performances from popular and emerging artists across many different genres, until the main stage performers are ready to hit the stage at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena on September 22nd and 23rd.

Of the initial round of artists announced for the Daytime Village are All Time Low, Kelsea Ballerini, French Montana, Flume, Noah Cyrus, Hey Violet and Judah & The Lion. Tickets for the Daytime Village are on sale now, and start at $39 plus taxes and fees. Fans can visit the Daytime Village’s official website for tickets and more information.

And be sure to stay tuned, as iHeartRadio has still yet to announce its iHeartRadio Music Festival lineup.