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.