ACL Fest Showcases 2010s Indie Favorites
- The 2023 Austin City Limits (ACL) festival, held over two weekends, demonstrated a strong resurgence of interest in indie rock from the 2010s.
- The popularity of thes throwback acts created scheduling challenges for festival-goers.On Friday, October 6th, Empire of the Sun and Cage the Elephant performed together on opposite sides of...
- Cage the Elephant's performance on the American Express stage was visually striking,featuring fireballs and the energetic stage presence of frontman Matt Shultz,known for his acrobatic movements.Empire of the...
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Austin City Limits 2023: Indie Rock Nostalgia Takes Center Stage
Table of Contents
October 13, 2025, 17:57:45 CDT
The return of 2010s Indie Rock
The 2023 Austin City Limits (ACL) festival, held over two weekends, demonstrated a strong resurgence of interest in indie rock from the 2010s. The lineup featured prominent artists from that era, including empire of the Sun, Cage the Elephant, Passion pit, Phantogram, Dr. Dog, Rainbow Kitten Surprise, and MARIN, creating a distinctly nostalgic atmosphere for attendees. This trend reflects a broader cultural cycle of revisiting and re-evaluating music from the recent past.
Scheduling Conflicts and Standout Performances
The popularity of thes throwback acts created scheduling challenges for festival-goers.On Friday, October 6th, Empire of the Sun and Cage the Elephant performed together on opposite sides of Zilker Park. Some attendees attempted to experience portions of both sets, highlighting the demand for these artists.
Cage the Elephant’s performance on the American Express stage was visually striking,featuring fireballs and the energetic stage presence of frontman Matt Shultz,known for his acrobatic movements.Empire of the Sun,performing on the smaller Miller Light stage,drew a dense crowd captivated by their blend of electronic dance music (EDM) and psychedelic visuals. Austin Chronicle‘s recap of Day One details the energy of both performances.
Passion Pit’s set at the Tito’s tent faced audio challenges, partially obscured by the concurrent performance of T-Pain. This illustrates the logistical difficulties of managing sound bleed at a large, multi-stage festival.
The Broader Trend of Indie Rock Nostalgia
The prominence of 2010s indie rock at ACL isn’t an isolated incident. Several factors contribute to this trend. The generation that grew up with these bands is now in their 20s and 30s, possessing disposable income and a desire to relive formative musical experiences. Moreover, the music of the 2010s is reaching a point where it’s ripe for re-evaluation and appreciation by a new generation.
This nostalgia is evident in streaming data as well. According to Billboard, several albums released in the early 2010s have seen a resurgence in streams in 2023. This suggests a broader cultural shift towards revisiting and celebrating music from that era.
| Artist | Year Album Released | Peak Billboard 200 Position (Original Release) | Average Monthly Spotify Streams (October 2023) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Empire of the Sun | 2008 | #7 | 2,500,000 |
| Cage the Elephant | 2009 | #15 | 3,100,000 |
| Passion Pit | 2009 | #51 | 1,800,000 |