One of Austin’s newest music festivals, Sips & Sounds, made a grand return on Friday, bringing an electrifying lineup and immersive experiences to downtown Austin. The first day of the festival set the tone for what could become a staple event during SXSW, blending top-tier pop, indie, and alternative acts with a passionate crowd eager for live music.
From Halsey’s powerful headlining set to Khalid’s smooth R&B vibes, Day 1 was packed with unforgettable performances. Rising stars like Suki Waterhouse and Ashe added a dreamy touch to the evening, while festivalgoers soaked in the good vibes, sipped on curated cocktails and ice cold Coca-Colas, and embraced the one-of-a-kind festival atmosphere.
Indie-pop favorite Ashe charmed the audience with her signature blend of introspective lyrics and sun-soaked melodies. Songs like Moral of the Story and Till Forever Falls Apart turned the festival grounds into a singalong, proving that Ashe’s storytelling is just as captivating live as it is on record.
Fresh off a breakout year, Suki Waterhouse transported fans into her ethereal world with a stunning performance filled with hazy indie-rock vibes. Tracks like Good Looking and Moves mesmerized the crowd, solidifying her place as a rising star in the festival circuit.
R&B sensation and Texas native, Khalid, delivered an effortlessly cool performance, setting the perfect tone for a warm Austin night. His mix of laid-back anthems like Better and Talk had the crowd swaying, while his heartfelt connection with fans made his set one of the most memorable moments of the day.
Check out our favorite photos from the first day of Sips & Sounds Music Festival:
Khalid
Ashe
Suki Waterhouse
A Perfect Start to Sips & Sounds
Beyond the music, Day 1 of Sips & Sounds delivered on all fronts—from its beautifully curated setting to the unique blend of rising stars and established headliners. Festivalgoers embraced the experience, making the inaugural event feel like a well-established tradition from the start.
With Benson Boone, AJR, Chelsea Cutler & Jeremy Zucker, and more set to take over on Day 2, the excitement is just getting started. Stay tuned for more photos and full coverage from Sips & Sounds Music Festival!
Benson Boone performs a backflip while performing at the Austin City Limits Music Festival (Photo by Dan Garcia/The Early Registration).
Austin is already known for its legendary music scene, and this weekend, Coca Cola’s Sips & Sounds Music Festival is bringing even more energy to the city during SXSW. Taking place at Auditorium Shores, just south of Downtown Austin, from March 7-8, 2025, the two-day festival blends an incredible lineup of pop, indie, and alternative acts with a focus on immersive experiences. With some of the biggest names in music sharing the stage with rising stars, there’s plenty to be excited about.
Here are eight artists we can’t wait to see at this year’s Sips & Sounds Music Festival.
1. Halsey
A true genre-bending powerhouse, Halsey is set to headline Friday night with a performance that’s bound to be an emotional rollercoaster. Whether she’s delivering gut-wrenching alternative ballads or electrifying pop anthems, her ability to connect with fans is undeniable. With five albums under her belt, including the critically acclaimed If I Can’t Have Love, I Want Power, Halsey’s live shows are known for their stunning visuals and raw energy.
Her set at Sips & Sounds could bring a mix of fan favorites like Without Me and Bad at Love, along with deeper cuts that showcase her artistic evolution. And if past performances are any indication, she might even throw in an unexpected cover or a stripped-down acoustic moment that leaves the audience hanging on every word.
2. Khalid
Khalid burst onto the scene with Location and has since become one of R&B’s most captivating voices. Known for his smooth vocals and effortless cool, he’s crafted a signature sound that blends soul, pop, and electronic elements into something uniquely his own. His debut album American Teen solidified his place in the industry, and he’s only grown from there, collaborating with the likes of Billie Eilish, Normani, and Disclosure.
His set at Sips & Sounds will be the perfect vibe for a Friday night, filled with laid-back bops and heartfelt anthems like Talk and Better. Expect a crowd full of fans swaying along to his infectious melodies as he effortlessly moves between R&B slow jams and upbeat, danceable tracks.
3. Ashe
If you’re looking for an artist who blends vintage charm with modern indie-pop sensibilities, Ashe is your must-see act on Friday. Her breakout single Moral of the Story became an instant classic, blending introspective storytelling with lush, cinematic production. Drawing inspiration from classic songwriters like Carole King and The Beach Boys, Ashe’s music has a timeless quality that sets her apart in today’s pop landscape.
Her live performances feel like a warm hug, inviting audiences into her world with stunning vocals and intimate storytelling. Whether she’s performing hits like Till Forever Falls Apart or new material, Ashe’s set promises to be one of the most heartfelt performances of the festival.
4. Suki Waterhouse
Suki Waterhouse might have started her career in the fashion and acting worlds, but she’s proven that she’s an artist to be reckoned with in music as well. Her dreamy, hazy brand of indie rock has drawn comparisons to Lana Del Rey and Mazzy Star, blending nostalgic melodies with poetic lyricism. Her debut album I Can’t Let Go showcased her ability to craft deeply emotional tracks that feel both ethereal and deeply personal.
Her live shows bring an atmospheric, moody energy that’s perfect for the festival setting. Fans can expect to hear standouts like Good Looking and Moves, with Waterhouse’s smoky vocals washing over the crowd like a mesmerizing daydream.
5. Benson Boone
Saturday’s lineup is stacked, but one of the biggest rising stars is Benson Boone. A singer-songwriter who first gained attention on American Idol, he quickly carved out his own lane with viral hits like Beautiful Things and In the Stars. His music is full of soaring choruses and deeply personal lyrics, making him one of pop’s most promising new voices.
With his recent success on social media platforms like TikTok and a standout performance at the Grammys, Benson’s fanbase has exploded. Expect an emotionally charged set with powerful vocals, heartfelt ballads, and a few surprises along the way.
6. AJR
If there’s one band that knows how to put on an unforgettable live show, it’s AJR. The trio of brothers—Adam, Jack, and Ryan Met—have built a career on theatrical, high-energy performances that blend pop, alternative, and electronic elements. With hits like Bang! and Weak, their music is quirky, anthemic, and undeniably fun.
Their performances often include elaborate visuals, live sampling, and interactive moments with the crowd. Whether they’re pulling off an unexpected mashup or leading the audience in a massive singalong, AJR’s set is guaranteed to be one of the highlights of the festival.
7. Chelsea Cutler & Jeremy Zucker
Few musical pairings have as much natural chemistry as Chelsea Cutler and Jeremy Zucker. Both known for their introspective, melancholic indie-pop sound, the duo has collaborated on numerous tracks, most notably you were good to me and this is how you fall in love. Their music captures the highs and lows of young adulthood with raw honesty and dreamy production.
Seeing them perform together at Sips & Sounds will be a special treat, as their voices blend seamlessly in live settings. Whether they’re playing their signature duets or performing solo material, this will be an emotionally charged set you won’t want to miss.
8. Nessa Barrett
A social media sensation turned alt-pop star, Nessa Barrett has built a dedicated following with her dark, brooding sound. Drawing inspiration from artists like Billie Eilish and Halsey, she crafts music that’s equal parts emotional and hauntingly beautiful. Tracks like i hope ur miserable until ur dead and la di die have solidified her status as one of Gen Z’s most compelling voices.
Her set at Sips & Sounds will likely be filled with raw energy, moody visuals, and a strong connection with her fans. If you’re into emotional, atmospheric performances, this is one set you don’t want to skip.
Honorable Mentions: Paul Russell & Claire Rosinkranz
With his viral hit Lil Boo Thang, Paul Russell brings a funky, feel-good energy that will be a perfect vibe for Saturday’s crowd. Expect an infectious performance packed with groove and personality. Meanwhile, Claire Rosinkranz has mastered the art of effortless indie-pop, with tracks like Backyard Boy and Frankenstein showcasing her laid-back, youthful sound.
Both of these rising stars are bringing something fresh to the festival lineup, and their sets are definitely worth checking out.
It was was Christmas in Texas last night at iHeartRadio’s massive annual Jingle Ball Tour returned to the Dallas-Fort Worth area for an unforgettable night of live music at the Dickies Arena. As the crowd got to unwrap gifts from major music artists, new and old across all different genres, including Jack Harlow, the Black Eyed Peas, Lauv, Khalid and many more, the Jingle Ball is as amazing and festive as ever.
Jack Harlow Keeps Us Laughing
“First Class” rapper Jack Harlow had his hits and personality on full display Monday night. Between Harlow’s performances from his first two albums, as well as his massive Lil Nas X collab “Industry Baby”, the Louisville native kept us laughing with his between song banter. “Two white rappers in a row, that’s a bold move,” Harlow joked after following Macklemore. Harlow is impossible to not root for.
Pitbull Closes Out with the Hits
Monday night’s stacked lineup ended with the most seasoned veteran on the whole bill, Mr. Worldwide himself, Pitbull. Delivering a 7-track set to put the cherry on top of a memorable night, Pitbull only brought the hits to the Allstate Arena. Starting with “Don’t Stop the Party” and finishing with “Give Me Everything”, Mr. 305 was easily a highlight in the 847.
Jax Finds a New Job
Jax is just a few performances into her career but its evident that she will be around for quite sometime as a performer. However she decided to pick up a second job as an arena security guard, as the “Victoria’s Secret” artist sported an arena staff members jacket during her performance. She blamed the wardrobe choice on a malfunction, but we are convinced that she just couldn’t resist making the joke during her opening set on Monday.
Khalid Spreads Positive Vibes
Khalid was nothing but smiles during his Allstate Arena performance for the Jingle Ball crowd. Khalid and his dancers kept us entertained throughout his 5-song set, with standout tracks like “Location”, “Talk”, “Better”, “lovely” and his Halsey collab, “Eastside”.
Macklemore Shines
Amongst an unbeatable lineup of musicians, one performer stood out the most, that being “Thrift Shop” rapper Macklemore. The Washington native was unstoppable on Monday and delivered an unmatched among of energy the reminded us of how great his live performances are. Macklemore challenged the sold-out arena to make sure that when he talked to his daughter following the Jingle Ball tour, Chicago would be the city that he told her was the most live. Chicago called Macklemore’s bluff and matched his energy from start to finish.
It was was Christmas in Texas last night at iHeartRadio’s massive annual Jingle Ball Tour returned to the Dallas-Fort Worth area for an unforgettable night of live music at the Dickies Arena. As the crowd got to unwrap gifts from major music artists, new and old across all different genres, including Jack Harlow, the Black Eyed Peas, Lauv, Khalid and many more, the Jingle Ball is as amazing and festive as ever.
Photo by Dan Garcia/The Early Registration
First up for the night was Atlantic Records recording artist, Jax. One of the many talented artists to emerge into stardom during the quarantine, Jax already has a successful pop record on her résumé but is still a stranger to the big stage. “Oh my god, I’m in an arena,” Jax told fans before kicking off her set. Opening with her nostalgic track “90s Kids”, Jax kept fans singing and laughing with her buff Santa costume throughout her 3-song performance. The New York native closed her set with her biggest record to date, “Victoria’s Secret”, before saying goodbye to her fans and incriminating herself, sharing her plans to sneak into the dressing rooms of some of her favorite musicians who would hit the stage moments later.
Next up was Lauren Spencer-Smith, an American Idol alum who has already surpassed her 18th season peers. The Canadian singer-songwriter performed a few tracks from her growing career, including her single “Narcissist”, which Spencer-Smith foreshadowed in the set by pointing out a fan in the crowd wearing the singles’ merch. Last but not least she ended her set with her breakout single, “Fingers Crossed”, the song that changed her life, which Spencer-Smith credits to its success on iHeartRadio.
Photo by Dan Garcia/The Early Registration
Following the two newcomers that rewarded fans for finding their seats on time, it was time for a Jingle Ball alum to return to the stage. Opening with her 2020 hit single, “King & Queens” the artistic and talented Ava Max hit the stage. Max was a woman of few words on Tuesday night, making time for her growing catalog of hits like “Sweet But Psycho”, “Weapons” and of course her Tiesto-assisted track, “The Motto”. The 6-song performance wasn’t without issue, as Max was noticeably adjusting her monitor during the set, but she handled it like a pro and sounded perfect dispute any sound issues that she was experiencing behind the mic.
After Ava Max crushed it, it was time for another newcomer, 23-year-old Nicky Youre who gave fans a little bit of everything. Not only did he close things out with his breakout single “Sunroof”, which has been heard by everyone with a TikTok account, but Youre also performed a lesser known single, a Neon Trees cover and even an unreleased track, “Weatherman”, which he told fans they’ll be able to hear soon if Tuesday night’s crowd liked it enough.
Photo by Dan Garcia/The Early Registration
The arena heard the loudest screams of the night perhaps when it was announced that Lewis Capaldi was up next. Making the journey from Scotland to Texas, Capaldi reminded us of his pipes and vocals throughout his set. When he wasn’t making us tear up with love songs like “Before You Go” and “Someone You Loved” he did a 180 making us crack up (no pun intended), talking about the big sh*ts (his words) that he has had to take due to the Texas BBQ that he has consumed since touching down in Dallas. Although he had a comedy bit about his chaffed buttcheeks practically as long as Jax’s set, he still delivered a number of our favorite songs.
Photo by Dan Garcia/The Early Registration
Moments later, another man who is no stranger to the Jingle Ball, Khalid, hit the stage to perform a collection of his biggest hits. Opening his set with his 2017 single “Young Dumb & Broke”, the RCA singer then followed things up with his Grammy nominated “Talk” and his Marshmello produced “Numb”, although the crowd could certainly feel every word. Although he performed 7 tracks, everyone was a hit, a trend that would continue throughout the night with the headlining acts.
Photo by Dan Garcia/The Early Registration
Delivering a dose of rap to the Jingle lineup on opening night was Jack Harlow. Harlow had just landed in Dallas from his homestate of Kentucky an hour before his set and he certainly hit the ground running with tracks like “Tyler Herro”, “I Wanna See Some Ass”, “Already Best Friends” and his massive Lil Nas X collab, “Industry Baby”. Next Harlow had the crowd rapping along with his breakout hit “What’s Poppin”, one of the highlights of the night. Despite the all ages crowd, Jack Harlow was unapologetically himself, but then again he wasn’t talking about his bowel movement like Lewis Capaldi so who would even complain about him wanting to see some ass? Harlow’s performance was evidence of why the Jingle Ball’s diversity across genres makes its such a “First Class” event.
Photo by Dan Garcia/The Early Registration
Although Jack Harlow is a tough act to follow, singer Lauv was up for the challenge for the second to last performance of the night. Opening with his 2021 single “All 4 Nothing”, Lauv instantly had the crowd dancing to his top songs. With a setlist that included tracks like his Troye Sivan-assisted “i’m so tired…”, “Modern loneliness” and “f*ck, I’m lonely”, Lauv may be tired and lonely in his music but he had a packed arena of screaming fans on Tuesday night. Putting a cherry on top of his set, the San Francisco native said goodbye to Fort Worth with his breakout 2018 single “I Like Me Better”.
Photo by Dan Garcia/The Early Registration
Last but certainly not least, the Black Eyed Peas performed a huge career spanning set that touched everything in their couple decades of hits but also left the crowd wanting more. The remaining energy Dallas had left was spent dancing and singer to huge hits like “Boom Boom Pow”, “Let’s Get It Started” and “Pump It Louder” to name a few. Jack Harlow wasn’t the only artist on the bill with ties to Fergie, but even without their legendary female vocalist, the will.i.am-led Black Eyes Peas are still a must see act. iHeartRadio couldn’t have picked a better group to end the night with for the first date of 2022’s Jingle Ball Tour.
Christmas comes early whenever iHeartRadio’s Jingle Ball Tour comes to town. Making it’s first stop at the Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, TX, everyone’s favorite holiday concert is again bringing the biggest names in music to a city near you. Kicking things off for the Dallas Jingle Ball this year are names like Jack Harlow, the Black Eyed Peas, Khalid, Ava Max, Lauv and more!
So with so many talented performs sharing the stage, there are of course several songs that we need to hear before the night is over. From Jack Harlow’s big hits from the past two years to the Black Eyed Peas catalog of bangers from the last two decades, check out our set-list wish-list for Tuesday night’s concert.
Here’s our list of the 7 songs that we need to hear at Dallas’ iHeartRadio Jingle Ball this week:
Chicago’s Lollapalooza delivers year after year, and continuing it’s new tradition of kicking off on Thursday, day one of Lolla 2018 went off with a bang, with performances from Travis Scott, Camila Cabello, Jaden Smith, Khalid and many more.
Ahead of the release of his brand new LP, Astroworld, GOOD Music’s Travis Scott put on a wild and energetic headlining set, just a couple years after La Flame was arrested at the festival. Delivering some pop spice to Grant Park, Camila Cabello also put on one of the days best sets. From top to bottom, day one of Lollapalooza had a lotta something for everyone.
Check out our photos from Lollapalooza Day 1 below.
Last night was one to remember, as Chicago’s B96 brought their annual Pepsi Jingle Bash to the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, for another sold-out concert with some of the biggest names in music.
With perhaps their best lineup yet, boasting performances from Taylor Swift, Khalid, Fifth Harmony, Logic, Sabrina Carpenter and pop royalty, the Backstreet Boys; last night fans got back their price of admission early into the night.
From Khalid’s opening set, complete with a surprise appearance from EDM artist Marshmello, to Taylor Swift’s closing and headlining performance, where fans saw the first ever live performance of ‘Gorgeous’, the B96 Pepsi Jingle Bash was a hit from start to finish!
Check out our photos from this year’s amazing Jingle Bash below.
B96‘s Pepsi Jingle Bash is less than a couple weeks away and we can’t wait! With highly anticipated performances from Taylor Swift, the Backstreet Boys, Khalid, Logic, Fifth Harmony and Sabrina Carpenter, Chicago’s Allstate Arena in Rosement is the place to be in December. The monumental night will take place on Thursday, December 7th and it couldn’t come sooner.
Hit the jump and check out our list of the 10 songs that we need to hear at this year’s Jingle Bash, and while only single seats remain, you can get your tickets now at Ticketmaster!
Chicago B96 delivered in a huge way this afternoon, as the popular radio station revealed its monumental lineup for his annual B96 Pepsi Jingle Bash. Christmas is coming early for Rosemont’s Allstate Arena, as the Backstreet Boys, Khalid, Logic, Fifth Harmony and Sabrina Carpenter will all hit the stage before the night’s huge headlining star, Taylor Swift.
If the rest of the lineup wasn’t enough reason to make your way to Rosemont on December 7th, Taylor Swift has enough star power to sell out a week’s worth of shows at the Allstate Arena, none the less one with some of the biggest names in music by her side. This will be one of the first, if not the first, opportunities for fans to catch Taylor live before her next big stadium tour, so you can’t miss out.
Get your tickets the moment they go on sale, at Ticketmaster.com on October 7th at 10AM. There is no doubt that this one will sell out in record time. And as always, be sure to listen to B96for more Jingle Bash updates.
Tonight’s location on the American Teen Tour was The Rave in Milwaukee, WI, where Khalid returned to the historic venue for his own headlining show. After winning fans over in the same building, just weeks ago in support of Travis Scott’s Birds Eye ViewTour, Khalid was the star of the night from start to finish for the sold-out concert.
While tonight’s performance wasn’t the longest of sets, as the 19-year-old singer has just one album under his belt, it didn’t matter. Khalid took full control of the stage and made sure that no fan would leave the venue underwhelmed.
And if you were expecting a mellow and low key performance, since Khalid’s double-platinum debut single ‘Location’ isn’t the most up-tempo record of 2017, you were wrong. After all, you learn a thing or two from touring with Travis Scott. He’s young, but Khalid proved that he already knows how to make the stage his own and keep energy levels high throughout his entire performance.
Performing the majority of tracks from his debut LP, American Teen (where the tour gets its name), highlights of the El Paso-native’s set included his performances of ‘Let’s Go’, ‘8TEEN’ and closing the night with his hit singles ‘Location’ and ‘Young Dumb & Broke’. Tonight already marked the emerging star’s third performance at The Rave in the past year alone, one which he was still able to sell out on his own, so don’t be surprised if a Khalid show in Milwaukee because a regular occurrence for many years to come.
Check out our photos from tonight’s performance below and peep Khalid’s remaining tour dates here.
The Early Registration 