Austin City Limits Music Festival has revealed the lineup and schedule for ACL Fest 2020, a free three-night broadcast event taking place October 9-11 beginning at 7pm CT each night, exclusively live on YouTube. In celebration of the iconic annual two-weekend festival, ACL Fest fans will relive memorable past sets captured in Zilker Park and unique original programming and contributions from the entire Austin City Limits family. ACL Fest 2020 is proud to partner and raise awareness for Austin Parks Foundation, All Together ATX, Equal Justice Initiative, and When We All Vote. Tune in at ACLFestival.com and YouTube.com/ACLFestival.
ACL Fest 2020 will transport fans back to Zilker Park to relive memorable performances from Paul McCartney, Radiohead, Billie Eilish, Willie Nelson, St. Vincent, Spoon, LCD Soundsystem, My Morning Jacket, The xx, ZHU, Gary Clark Jr., Sylvan Esso, Alabama Shakes, Juanes, Phoenix, Phish and more during the weekend-long broadcast. Fans can also look forward to special appearances by Austin Mayor Steve Adler, Austin Council Member Paige Ellis, Matthew McConaughey, Andy Roddick, Bryan Stevenson, Shakey Graves, Donn Adelman, Vince Young, and Ricky Williams.
In addition, the entire ACL family will provide entertainment during ACL Fest 2020, including classic tapings from Austin City Limits TV, a behind-the-scenes tour of ACL Live, and backstage artist interviews from ACL Radio.
In true ACL Fest tradition, the broadcast will shine a spotlight on the best of the region, including tips from Texas BBQ greats Valentina’s Tex Mex BBQ, LeRoy & Lewis and SLAB BBQ, an extraordinary appearance by Austin’s own Louisianna Purchase, and a special performance from the Barton Hills Choir. Tito’s Handmade Vodka, ACL Fest sponsor since 2002, will host brand new performances featuring incredible artists including Black Pumas, Paul Cauthen and Mobley, filmed at Tito’s farm in Austin, Texas. Tito’s will match donations to Austin Parks Foundation, up to $10,000, made during ACL Fest 2020.
Since 2006, Austin City Limits Music Festival has proudly partnered with Austin Parks Foundation, providing more than $41 million to improve parks, trails and green spaces all over Austin, including recently completed projects at Georgian Acres and Brentwood Neighborhood Park, as well as a long-term investment in the Eastlink Trail. As part of ACL Fest 2020, Austin Parks Foundation will showcase Austin-based artists filmed in unique park locations across the city, including Mélat from the Zilker Botanical Gardens, Jackie Venson from Pan Am Neighborhood Park, Los Coast from the Zilker Clubhouse and Otis the Destroyer performing at Heath Eiland and Morgan Moss BMX Skatepark.
Salesforce is proud to support ACL Fest 2020 with its Make Change initiative hosted by Matthew McConaughey, featuring two sessions. The first session, “Commitment to Community,” will be a conversation with tennis legend Andy Roddick, Olympic athlete Raasin McIntosh, and local entrepreneurs, Thurman and Torrence Thomas. McIntosh will talk about her non-profit organization Raasin in the Sun, which serves the community through urban beautification. There will also be a discussion with the Thomas brothers, who founded Tankproof, an organization focused on giving local youth the gift of swimming. The second session, “Education,” will be moderated by Victor B. Sáenz, Ph.D., Chair of the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy at the University of Texas at Austin and feature a conversation about College Forward, an organization assisting underserved high school students in reaching their college dreams. This series inspires others to join the conversation, shift their perspective, and understand how their approach can make change in the world.
The weekend broadcast will also premiere Texas Monthly’s animated video of Willie Nelson’s 2016 Austin City Limits Music Festival performance of “On the Road Again,” animated by Arts + Labor. The magazine will debut its new Willie Nelson podcast, “One by Willie,” on October 9, and will be publishing its recent special issue dedicated to the life and career of the legendary singer songwriter online that same day.
ACL Fest 2020 is pleased to bring awareness to and partner with Michelle Obama’s When We All Vote, a non-profit, nonpartisan organization launched by Co-Chair Michelle Obama in 2018 to increase participation in every election, with a mission to change the culture around voting and close the race and age voting gap to ensure every eligible voter is registered and ready to vote, the Equal Justice Initiative, which is committed to ending mass incarceration and excessive punishment in the U.S., challenging racial and economic injustice, and protecting basic human rights for the most vulnerable, and All Together ATX Relief Fund, a community-led philanthropic fund created by partners Austin Community Foundation and United Way for Greater Austin to provide flexible resources to nonprofit organizations working with community who are disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 and the economic consequences of the outbreak. In addition, ACL Fest is proud to broadcast the full-length video of “Walk With Me,” a new song produced by 45 native and resident musicians from Austin, Texas. Benefitting HAAM, the song brings hope to the community while addressing matters of social and racial injustice, civil unrest, equality and the global coronavirus pandemic. Fans can learn more about each of these organizations and donate to support their efforts during the broadcast at aclfestival.com/donate.
ACL Fest 2020 merchandise is available now and includes a brand-new selection of graphic tees, a mask, blanket, and more. The collection includes a custom hoodie that will raise money for the Austin Parks Foundation, plus a limited-edition collaboration with Austin-based Zilker Belts featuring a custom belt and dog collar. To view the full collection and to purchase, visit the ACL Festival online store.
ACL Fest 2020 is generously sponsored by Austin Parks Foundation, Salesforce, Miller Lite, Honda, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Red Bull and Karbach Brewing Co.