Editors’ Picks for the Best Sets at ACL 2026
ACL 2026 offered a range of genres and decades of music. Here are Afterglow editors’ picks for the best sets from both weekends of the festival.
Written by Afterglow Editors
Image by Giselle Barrera
WEEKEND ONE
YOUNG MIKO
Photo by Makenna Morgan
After delayed sets during Weekend One of ACL due to downpours and muddy grounds, Puerto Rican rapper and singer-songwriter Young Miko emerged from a platform on the American Express Stage Saturday at 4:40 p.m. Miko’s upbeat songs, though primarily in Spanish, attracted fans of all kinds to her performance and set the tone for the weekend. Miko smiled at the screaming audience of adoring fans as she began with “El intro,” then transitioned into “What’s Ur Vibe?” Despite the day’s cloudy weather, the mood was energetic as Miko performed hit songs from her latest album Do Not Disturb: Late Checkout. Highlights of the performance included Miko’s signature dance moves and audience interaction during songs like “En el Ritz,” “Likey Likey,” and “BIAF <3.” Miko’s combined charismatic energy and stacked setlist pleased loving fans and invited new ones, with the crowd growing larger as her set went on. — Makenna Morgan
Bleachers
Photo courtesy of Pooneh Ghana
When thinking about the music industry, Jack Antonoff is a sonic common denominator with his hands on some of the world’s most popular songs. Among his collaborators, he shares chords and trademarked words, all backed by a signature Antonoff stamp in messy cursive. But for his band, Bleachers, the sound stands as entirely unique, complete with a six-piece band and goofy enthusiasm. Their set at ACL Weekend One was no exception; the energy was carefree and intense, joyful and sincere. The band played their biggest hits with a twist, giving the audience both acoustic and full production versions of some of the songs they know best. A highlight was Antonoff’s stripped-down version of “I Wanna Get Better,” leaving the crowd with something that felt bigger than just another ACL set. — Caroline McConnico
Weekend two
TURNSTILE
Photo by Mckenna Sefcik
Turnstile’s set kicked off with a cocktail of sound as the iconic synth of “BIRDS” blared through the air. Drummer Daniel Fang began drumming along to the quick beats of the track as lead vocalist Brendan Yates jumped off the drum kit into a star formation. Following an energetic first song, Yates hopped onto the barricade during “ENDLESS,” getting face-to-face with fans. Turnstile then surprised fans with a performance of “I CARE” featuring singer-songwriter Faye Webster. As fans moshed and the sun kept shining, Turnstile continued its high-energy set with fan favorites such as “MYSTERY,” and “SOLE,” ending with the explosive “T.L.C.” Turnstile brought hardcore punk and community through moshing to Austin City Limits Weekend Two, and Austinites can’t wait for that next push. — Mckenna Sefcik
GEESE
Photo by Mckenna Sefcik
Alt-rock band Geese has had a meteoric rise since the release of their third album, Getting Killed, last September, and its Sunday set at ACL justified every bit of hype the New York band has accumulated. Barreling through the album’s biggest hits as well as cuts from their sophomore album, 3D Country, the straight-faced quartet elevated their songs with improvised guitar riffs and intricate drum fills, underscored by singer Cameron Winter’s now-iconic whiny vocals and unpredictable lyric delivery. The last three songs of the hour-long performance — “Au Pays du Cocaine,” “Taxes,” and “Trinidad” — progressed the instrumentation’s rocking intensity, culminating in an explosive ending fit for the alleged bomb in Winter’s car. — Valeria Mota