Tag Archives: Sips And Sounds

News

Sips & Sounds Music Festival Reveals 2026 Lineup: Christina Aguilera, Calvin Harris and More

Leave a comment
Photo by Dan Garcia/The Early Registration

Get ready Austin! Sips & Sounds Music Festival has officially announced its highly anticipated 2026 lineup, with the two-day event scheduled for March 13–14, 2026.

As part of Austin’s SXSW (although a separate ticketed event), Sips & Sounds once again offers a more traditional festival experience to complement the showcases and pop-up performances that define SXSW.

Blessing the state at this years Sips & Sounds, will be some major headliners like Christina Aguilera, Calvin Harris, Major Lazer and Foster the People. Also performing at the festival are names like Ravyn Lenae, Grouplove, Stephen Sanchez, Flipturn, The Runarounds, Jade Lemac, Between Friends and many more.

For years, Sips & Sounds has carved out a unique lane by blending big-name live and rising performances with curated experiences, food vendors, and an easygoing outdoor festival atmosphere with a beautiful view of the Austin skyline. While SXSW is known for intimate venues and discovery-focused showcases, Sips & Sounds delivers a full-scale festival environment, making it an ideal anchor event for fans who want both worlds in one trip.

Planning a SXSW + Sips & Sounds Weekend

Travel planning is key. Hotels and accommodations in Austin tend to fill up quickly during March, especially during festival season. Fans looking to lock in lodging early can find official hotel options and travel packages through Crewfare here.

Whether you’re traveling to Austin specifically for Sips & Sounds or adding it onto your SXSW itinerary, March 13–14, 2026 is shaping up to be a can’t-miss weekend for live music fans.

With the dates now locked in and the lineup announcement still ahead, Sips & Sounds 2026 is officially on the clock and Austin’s spring festival season just got even more exciting.

Check out some of our coverage from last year’s Sips & Sounds here and peep the full 2026 lineup below!

News

Sips & Sounds Music Festival Sets Its Return for March 13–14, 2026

Leave a comment
Benson Boone performing at Sips & Sounds 2025 in Austin, TX (Photo by Dan Garcia/The Early Registration).

Austin’s festival season just got a little louder and tastier. Sips & Sounds Music Festival has officially announced that it will return in 2026, with the two-day event scheduled for March 13–14, 2026.

As the biggest music draw for Austin’s SXSW (although a separate ticketed event), Sips & Sounds once again offers a more traditional festival experience to complement the city-wide showcases and pop-up performances that define SXSW week.

Since its debut, Sips & Sounds has carved out a unique lane by blending big-name live performances with curated beverage experiences, food vendors, and an easygoing outdoor festival atmosphere. While SXSW is known for intimate venues and discovery-focused showcases, Sips & Sounds delivers a full-scale festival environment, making it an ideal anchor event for fans who want both worlds in one trip.

Lineup Still to Come

The 2026 artist lineup has not yet been announced, but past editions of Sips & Sounds have featured a mix of major pop, indie, and alternative artists alongside emerging talent, a formula that fits perfectly with SXSW’s music-first energy. Festival organizers are encouraging fans to sign up for updates now to be among the first to receive lineup announcements, ticket details, and festival news.

Fans can sign up for email updates and announcements here.

Planning a SXSW + Sips & Sounds Weekend

Travel planning is key. Hotels and accommodations in Austin tend to fill up quickly during March, especially during festival season. Fans looking to lock in lodging early can find official hotel options and travel packages through Crewfare here.

Whether you’re traveling to Austin specifically for Sips & Sounds or adding it onto your SXSW itinerary, March 13–14, 2026 is shaping up to be a can’t-miss weekend for live music fans.

With the dates now locked in and the lineup announcement still ahead, Sips & Sounds 2026 is officially on the clock and Austin’s spring festival season just got even more exciting.

Check out some of our coverage from last year’s Sips & Sounds here.

Concert Photos, Features, News

Photos: Sips & Sounds Music Festival Closes Out with Benson Boone, AJR & More

Leave a comment

Austin’s newest festival, Sips & Sounds, kept the energy high for its second and final day, bringing an electric mix of pop, indie, and alternative acts with a passionate crowd eager for live music.

From Benson Boone’s soaring vocals to AJR’s high-energy, theatrical performance, Day 2 was packed with unforgettable moments. Rising stars like Chelsea Cutler & Jeremy Zucker, Nessa Barrett, and Paul Russell brought their own unique flavors to the festival, 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.

Rising alt-pop star Nessa Barrett captivated the crowd with her moody, emotionally charged set. Songs like i hope ur miserable until ur dead and la di die hit hard, proving why she’s built such a dedicated following. With haunting visuals and raw lyrics, her set was one of the most intense and immersive of the festival.

The dream team of Chelsea Cutler and Jeremy Zucker took the stage together, offering fans a heartfelt and intimate set that felt like a shared emotional journey. The duo performed their signature collabs, including you were good to me and this is how you fall in love, leaving the audience in their feelings with every note.

Indie-pop trio AJR (although without guitarist Adam Met) delivered a set that was as much a spectacle as it was a concert, blending their quirky, anthemic sound with playful visuals and crowd interaction. Songs like Bang! and Weak had the crowd jumping, while the brothers’ signature storytelling made for an engaging and unforgettable performance.

Benson Boone proved why he’s one of pop’s fastest-rising stars with a performance that was both heartfelt and explosive. His powerful vocals soared across the festival grounds as he performed hits like Beautiful Things and In the Stars, capturing the raw emotion that has made him a standout in today’s music scene.

Check out our favorite photos from the second day of Sips & Sounds Music Festival:

Benson Boone

AJR

Chelsea Cutler and Jeremy Zucker

Nessa Barrett

Paul Russell

A Perfect End to Sips & Sounds 2025

Beyond the music, Day 2 of Sips & Sounds wrapped up an incredible weekend of performances, atmosphere, and unforgettable moments. From major headliners to exciting new talent, the festival’s debut year set a high bar for what could become an annual tradition in Austin.

As the final notes rang out and festivalgoers made their way home, one thing was clear—Sips & Sounds Music Festival made its mark, and we can’t wait to see what’s next.

Concert Photos, Features, News

Photos: Sips & Sounds Music Festival Kicks Off with Khalid, Suki Waterhouse & More

Leave a comment

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!