May 8, 2024

Today’s Forecast

🎸 ACL sets the stage

ATX_ACLAerial by Roger Ho for ACL Fest 2022 W1_205037.jpg

Each year, thousands of people gather together in Zilker Park for all-day live music across two weekends. | Photo by Roger Ho for ACL Fest

The wait is over — the 2024 Austin City Limits Festival lineup is here.

After teasing artists from the roster with a phone line over the weekend, some speculation was confirmed, including some correct guesses from ATXtoday readers. The 2024 headliners are Dua Lipa, blink-182, Khruangbin, Chris Stapleton, Leon Bridges, and Tyler, the Creator.

You might recognize some of the undercard performers like Foster the People, Chappell Roan, Reneé Rapp, Fletcher, Still Woozy, and Orville Peck.

Certainly not least of all, there are plenty of Austin-based artists coming to the stage, like Chief Cleopatra, Kalu & The Electric Joint, and The Tiarras. Of course, Asleep at the Wheel will be there. Psst — stay tuned for our annual guide to all the Austin-based artists performing at ACL.

This year’s lineup includes both newcomers and returning pros. Artists like Dua Lipa, blink-182, and Reneé Rapp will make their ACL debut this year.

However, the return has been a long time in the making for some artists: Leon Bridges will perform at the fest for the first time since 2015, Pretty Lights first performed in 2011, Khruangbin and Chris Stapleton first appeared in 2016, and Tyler, the Creator stopped by the festival as recently as 2021.

The festival is coming back to Zilker Park for two weekends: Friday, Oct. 4-Sunday, Oct. 6 and Friday, Oct. 11-Sunday, Oct. 13. Ready to grab tickets? Weekend wristbands start at $360.

Asked

Which ACL act are you most excited about?

A. Dua Lipa
B. Tyler, the Creator
C. Chris Stapleton
D. Other

Sound off

Events

Wednesday, May 8

Round Rock Express vs. Las Vegas Aviators | Now-Sunday, May 12 | Times vary | Dell Diamond, 3400 E. Palm Valley Blvd., Round Rock | $13+ | The minor league baseball team takes a swing at their foes from Nevada during this series.
“Ellen DeGenderless” | Wednesday, May 8 | 7:30 p.m. | Mr Nice Guys: The Green Room, 13201 Pond Springs Rd., Ste. #105A, Austin | $20 | Arielle Isaac Norman will screen her new comedy show focused on gender and LGBTQ+ issues before performing live standup.
The Fultones | Wednesday, May 8 | 7:30 p.m. | Meanwhile Brewing Co., 3901 Promontory Point Dr., Austin | Free | Grab drinks and watch the local cover band perform.

Thursday, May 9

Stories on the Lawn: Monsters | Thursday, May 9 | 7:30-9 p.m. | Neill-Cochran House Museum, 2310 San Gabriel St., Austin | $15 | This show features local comedians and storytellers telling tales about monsters, inspired by the lore of the Loch Ness Monster.
Shwayze | Thursday, May 9 | 8:30 p.m. | Empire Control Room & Garage, 606 E. 7th St., Austin | $18 | The “Buzzin” rapper takes the stage with guests Audic Empire + David Shabani.

Friday, May 10

Potter’s Wheel Throw & Glaze Night | Friday, May 10 | 6-8:30 p.m. | Inspired Minds Art Center, 121 Main St., Buda | $60 | Learn to throw small pots on the potter’s wheel and create a piece to take home.
Damage Cases | Friday, May 10 | 8 p.m. | The Velveeta Room, 521 E. 6th St., Austin | $20 | This comedy show features headbanging humor for punk and metal fans.

Saturday, May 11

“Psycho” Brunch | Saturday, May 11 | 12 p.m. | Alamo Drafthouse Cinema: Lakeline, 14028 N. US Hwy. 183, Bldg. F, Austin | $10 | Chow down and watch this 1960 Hitchcock horror classic.

Events calendar here

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News Notes

Civic

Efforts to bring advanced passenger rail service to Central Texas are chugging along thanks to the formation of the Texas Passenger Rail Advisory Committee. The group will explore railway options between Austin + San Antonio and includes representatives from Travis and Bexar counties, CapMetro, TxDOT, and Amtrak. (KVUE)

Edu

Former UT Austin defensive end — and nine-season NFL veteran — Alex Okafor is a member of a new team: the Pflugerville school board. The Pflugerville High grad ran unopposed for the Place 1 seat in the Travis County election and hopes to build opportunities for students and the community. (Austin American-Statesman)

Number

$21,256. That’s the median student loan balance for an Austinite with a bachelor’s degree. However, degree holders in Austin earn an annual median salary of $69,184, meaning the city’s debt-to-earnings ratio is below the national average.

Ranked

Liberal Arts and Science Academy has received high marks from a recent U.S. News & World Report study. The local school ranked as the No. 6 public school in Texas — and No. 38 in the US. This also makes it the best-ranked school in the Austin area.

Outdoors

We’ve heard buzzings that mosquito breeding season will arrive early this year. Austin Public Health believes the city’s wet start in 2024, followed by warmer weather, creates the perfect conditions for an influx of the insect. The agency provided tips to repel mosquitoes and their bites. (KVUE)

State

Seismic activity in Texas is on the move. Researchers from the University of Texas at Austin studied 1,305 quakes since 2017, and they determined activity has migrated northeast, closer to Big Springs. Previously, most quakes happened closer to Odessa and Midland.

Watch

Four Austinites will be looking for love on Peacock’s new show “Love Under Cover.” The series follows Premier League athletes as they hang up their jerseys and search for romance without their celebrity status. Their potential matches include locals Ariana Welch, Abby Kowal, Sofia Cajamarca, and Courtny Svendsen.

Sports

Shortstop Corey Seager helped the Rangers get another victory, but can the winning streak continue? Get the biggest stories every day from the local experts of the Texas Rangers with Locked On’s daily podcasts.

Wellness

Purple Carrot delivers plant-based meals right to your door. This month’s chef-prepared meal kits are spring-themed + filled with seasonal ingredients (think: Super Greens Fried Rice with Peanut Drizzle).*

Environment

💧 A plan to drop water usage

An aerial view of Lake Travis in Austin with receding water levels.

Lake Travis is impacted by Austin’s drought conditions. | Photo via City of Austin

Expect new water usage initiatives to flow into Austin. City Council approved amendments to Austin Water’s Water Conservation and Drought Contingency plans last week.

Currently, Austinites consume an average of 127 daily gallons of water per capita. Austin Water hopes to reduce daily usage to 123 gallons by 2029 — and 116 gallons by 2034 — by incorporating efforts that:

Refine customer water-saving initiatives.
Continue to alert customers of water usage and potential leaks.
Integrate water-saving designs into new developments and expand water reuse programs.

This plan received some criticism for not being ambitious enough, but Austin Water believes these are realistic objectives after failing to hit goals set in prior years.

The city also approved the revised Drought Contingency plan which they must revisit every five years. The amendment introduced a new, fifth drought stage to the system that mostly pertains to athletic field irrigation. Locals can find the current drought level and recommended water usage restrictions on Austin Water’s website.

The Buy

Sunglasses under $100, because we’re heading into the brightest months of the year (yay). We like these tortoiseshell Ray-Bans or this cat-eye Jimmy Choo pair.

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Michael

From the editor

Wow — I’m so impressed with ACL’s lineup this year. There are so many major acts on the roster, but I think I’m most excited for Dua Lipa after listening to her new album “Radical Optimism.” I’ve also seen blink-182 in the past, and I know they always put on a rockin’ show, so that’s another reason to be amped.

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