Some may think that seeing Austin bands at Austin City Limits is similar to eating a McDonald’s burger in Italy. After all, bands from Austin are in theory available around the year, whereas big acts like Lorde and Outkast grace Austin with their presence only once every few years, if that.

Yet there is something to seeing a local band make their ACL debut. Even if it’s one of ACL’s smaller stages, for many of these artists, it is one of their biggest shows. And for a festival that risks overcrowding and too much going on at once, seeing a hometown hero play can make an ACL experience. So don’t cross these acts off your list. 

Saints of Valory 

Gavin Jasper, Stephen Buckle, Godfrey Thomson and Gerard Labou of Saints of Valory aren’t natives, but who is nowadays. When they started their band over 5 years ago, they actually still lived in three different countries: Brazil, France and Canada. But they’ve been calling Austin home since 2010. They wear the same henleys and belt out the same type of melodic rock as Young the Giant, but with more arena-rock ambitions. 

Fri, Oct. 10. | 1:15 – 2:15 p.m. RetailMeNot Stage

Sphynx

Sphynx is self-described on their artist website as “like queen, but with two Freddy Mercurys and also Phil Collins.” So you know, even before streaming their music or attending a show, you will be dancing and not in a way that anyone thinks is attractive but that will make everyone jealous. They are fun, they are weird and they are unafraid of wearing fur vests, utilizing disco balls or covering Haddaway. 

Friday, Oct. 3. | 12:00 – 12:40 p.m. Austin Ventures Stage

Wood & Wire

Wood & Wire is the type of bluegrass band that will make converts out of even the most sullen of banjo haters. Their nimble, fast-moving fingers and mastery of their instruments will make you rethink their old-timey genre, live music and every time you went to a rap concert to move your hand three to four inches for an hour while someone performed without an instrument. 

Sunday, Oct. 12 | 12:00 – 12:40 p.m. Austin Ventures Stage

Spanish Gold

The Spanish Gold trio is a made up of Patrick Hallahan, Adrian Quesada and Dante Schwebel. Their previous and concurrent projects include My Morning Jacket, Grupo Fantasma, Hacienda, and City and Colour. In other words, they are talented, experienced, and bring plenty of groove and soul into their newest rock project. 

Saturday, Oct. 4 & Oct. 11 | 12:30 – 1:30 p.m. Samsung Galaxy Stage

Spoon

Britt Daniels has had one of the most infectious voices on the alternative scene for over 20 years. Jim Eno is a producing authority for a great number of the best local bands in Austin. Their band, Spoon, is one of many Austin-made gifts to the world. After years of side projects and second-best albums, they are back and better than they have been in a long, long while. They are a must see. 

Sunday, Oct. 5 & 12 | 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. Honda Stage