Starting on Oct. 3, this year’s Austin City Limits Festival drew more than 450,000 people to the two-weekend event at Zilker Park. Among the crowds, many Greenhill Upper School students joined the musical excitement in Austin, Texas. 

Over the past several years, ACL has become a tradition for dedicated fans to make long drives to hear a collection of musical artists. Additionally, it’s a time for friends to bond over various performances, outfits and food. 

Why ACL  

While some attendees are intrigued by the lineup of artists, others go to join their families and friends.  

“When [my brother] went for the first year, my family decided to go as well,” sophomore Saira Mamdani said. “This year, me and my friend saw the lineup and really wanted to go, so we convinced our parents.”  

For students, ACL has become a trend within the Upper School.  

“The last few years, I knew a lot of people in grades above me that had gone, so my friends and I thought we should go senior year,” senior Soyam Kelifa said. 

For many students, ACL also serves as a break from busy schedules, homework and college prep. The festival, instead, provides a place to just unwind.  

“The long weekend I spent in Austin was a break from my stress,” sophomore Avery Mcgraw said. “I could get my mind off my assignments for a few days and enjoy time with my friends at a festival.” 

Inside the Festival  

Once attendees arrive at  Zilker Park, the weekend becomes a different experience than other music events, having a wide range of genres.  

“Normally I go to concerts, so when I went to ACL, it was very different because I was  going between stages which is something I have never done before,” sophomore Harley Silberman said. 

The 2025 lineup was filled with pop, country, rap and house music performers, including Sabrina Carpenter, Luke Combs and T-Pain. 

“I was really looking forward to Disco Lines, John Summit [and] The Killers,” Mcgraw said. “John Summit was by far my favorite, and he was really good.”  

Different people arrived each day at various times. Some groups arrived early in the morning to secure front-row spots, while others took a slower start to their day arriving in the evening to beat the heat and see the headliner shows.    

“I was really prioritizing being close,” Kelifa said. “Especially on Saturday, [we] got there at 6am and we sat in line for hours to see Sabrina Carpenter.” 

Levels of entry passes also shape people’s experiences.  

Some students had VIP passes which gave them access to shaded lounges, alternate concert seating areas and nicer bathrooms. Others had the general admission wristband which limited access to higher-level accommodations.  

“I don’t think the VIP pass was worth it at all,” Mamdani said. “We used the VIP lounge only once a day and I think the bathrooms were the only thing that were worth it in the VIP pass.”  

Throughout the day, crowd sizes increase, often becoming chaotic, huge and sweaty. This often made it hard to access better stage views. 

“I was able to push through [the crowds] but some people couldn’t,” Silberman said. “I stage-hopped but I went early when there was time between the artist I wanted to see and that definitely helped me get closer up.” 

With temperatures hitting the 90 degree range, staying cool played huge factor in people’s experiences. In response, Greenhill students brought water bottles, sunscreen and portable fans to stay cool.  

“The heat was unbearable,” Kelifa said. “[Security] handed out towels dipped in ice so that was really helpful.” 

Reflection 

By the end of the experience, students returned home to Dallas with so many memories that will last a lifetime, according to Silberman. 

Every student interviewed agreed that they would want to go to ACL again. 

“Hopefully I will go next year,” Mamdani said. “I don’t know who is headlining or who is performing but I probably will go either way.”  

The growing popularity of this festival for younger crowds in Texas means that Greenhill’s presence at ACL will continue into the coming years, said Kelifa.  

The 2026 lineup is expected to release in spring and there is already excitement brewing. 

“I definitely will attend next year since this year was so great,” Silberman said. “I would love to see Charli XCX and Dom Dolla perform.”