Live, in Photos: Austin City Limits 2026 with Lorde, The xx, Turnstile, and More

Live, in Photos: Austin City Limits 2026 with Lorde, The xx, Turnstile, and More

Geese, Suki Waterhouse, Finn Wolfhard, underscores, Audrey Hobert, and more from a muddy Weekend One in Texas.

Photos: Daniel Cavazos

October 06, 2026

It took 13 long years for the return of Austin City Limits’ “Mud Fest,” and with it came cooler temperatures and a vibe that only rain and mud can supply. Due to heavy rain falling on the days leading up to the festival, the ground was soaked by Friday and the mud pits developed shortly after the gates opened. For the most part, festival attendees came prepared, be it in yellow rain boots or—God forbid—open-toe shoes. Friday and Sunday also saw the breakout of the rain poncho, while Saturday remained mostly dry. The real winner was the sub-80 temperatures at a time that’s known to produce upper-80s to mid-90s days. ACL veterans will remember the 2009 and 2013 mud fests, both similar to the experience had this past weekend.

In a year that saw a lineup geared towards pop and EDM, ACL once again stacked the undercard with artists like underscores, Finn Wolfhard, Emma Ogier, Cannons, and Audrey Hobert. Charli XCX and Lorde provided the pop flavoring to the headliner slots, but despite their collaboration on 2024’s “Girl, So Confusing,” the two artists did not make an appearance during each other’s sets. — @firstthreesongs

Here’s a look at the first weekend of the 2026 installment of the Austin City Limits festival, shot by Daniel Cavazos.