Underrated Performers Attending ACL 2021

By Cassidy Segovia
Music Journalist

With the beloved Austin City Limits Music Festival just around the corner, it is normal to start preparing by listening to headliners weeks in advance. Popular artists such as Tyler, The Creator, Miley Cyrus, and Billie Eilish are set to perform at the festival, but a lot of other underrated artists are performing throughout the weekend as well.

If you are looking for some fresh and new artists to explore while attending ACL, look no further; below is a list of artists and bands that you may or may not have heard of, who are planning to perform at ACL this year. 

Chet Faker 

Chet Faker is a singer-songwriter who is known for his blend of soulful vocals along with electronic instrumentals. Four years after changing his performance name to his birth name, Nick Murphy, he returned to his original project and is ready to perform as Chet Faker yet again. He just released his recent album, Hotel Surrender, this past July. 

Faker is set to perform on Friday, Oct. 1st.

Black Pumas 

Black Pumas is a psychedelic/soul band that hails from Austin, TX. In recent years, they have received loads of recognition such as features in various TV commercials and reaching over 100 million views on YouTube. Although they are starting to reach mainstream audiences, they deserve much more recognition and appreciation for the art they create.

Black Pumas is set to perform on Friday, Oct. 1st & 8th.

Claud 

Claud is an indie/bedroom pop artist that is known for their association with the well-known bedroom pop singer Clairo, and for being an active member of the LGBTQ+ community. They just released an album titled Super Monster out of fellow ACL performer Phoebe Bridgers’ record label, Saddest Factory.

Claud is set to perform on Friday, Oct. 1st & 8th.

Sir Woman

Sir Woman is an R&B/pop solo project from Kelsey Wilson, who was previously in bands such as Wild Child and Glorietta. Wilson also hails from Austin, TX, but this will be her first time performing as a solo artist at the festival this year.

Sir Woman is set to perform on Saturday, Oct. 2nd.

White Reaper

White Reaper is a garage/punk rock band from Louisville, KY. Their latest album, You Deserve Love was released in 2019 and received amazing reviews online, but they just put out a new single titled “Sad But True” this past month.

White Reaper is set to perform on Saturday, Oct. 2nd & 9th.

Remi Wolf

Remi Wolf is a pop artist who incorporates funky instrumentals along with powerhouse vocals into her music. She is also known for her colorful and wacky persona, and is always creating bright eye-catching visuals on her social media and music videos.

Remi Wolf is set to perform on Saturday, Oct. 2nd & 9th.

Goth Babe

Goth Babe is an indie-pop solo project from Griff Washburn. Although he has never made a full-length album, Washburn has a discography full of singles as well as two EPs that he has made from 2015 to the present day. He just released a new single, “Casita,” this past week on all music platforms.

Goth Babe is set to perform on Saturday, Oct. 2nd & 9th.

Channel Tres

Channel Tres is a solo electronic/hip-hop project from Sheldon Young, most known for his song “Topdown” that went viral on TikTok earlier this year. Not only does he make great music on his own, but he recently featured artists such as Tyler, The Creator and Tinashe on his newest album, i can’t go outside.

Channel Tres is set to perform on Sunday, Oct. 3rd & 10th.

Omar Apollo 

Omar Apollo is a bilingual pop artist. He is often compared to artists like Cuco and Victor Internet for his Chicano influences intertwined with bedroom pop that redefined the indie genre of the 2010s. Apollo has released three full-length albums that are all loved and discussed online, particularly on Instagram and Twitter.

Omar Apollo is set to perform on Sunday, Oct. 3rd & 10th. 

Unusual Demont 

Unusual Demont is an R&B artist that is fairly new to the R&B music scene. He started making music around 2020, and so far he has only released four singles on Apple Music and Spotify. Do not let his discography fool you; he has captivated listeners worldwide and has over 100 thousand views on his single “Amber” on YouTube.

Unusual Demont is set to perform on Sunday, Oct. 3rd.

If you are attending Austin City Limits this year, make sure to take COVID-19 health precautions to ensure a safe and fun experience. Also, do not forget to get tested beforehand or have your vaccination card on hand so you can get on the festival grounds. Other than that, have a great time at this year’s Austin City Limits Music Festival!

Featured Image by ACL Festival and Austin Parks Foundation