Introduction
Austin City Limits has been a cornerstone of fall music celebrations since 2002, drawing nearly half a million attendees across two weekends to Zilker Park’s multiple stages. By the time Strait strummed the opening tape of “Deep in the Heart of Texas,” the sky was clear save for a few raindrops—proof that nothing, not even the elements, could dampen a Texas legend’s night.
At precisely 8:00 PM, Strait kicked off with the state anthem, immediately earning cheers that echoed across the park. Over the next two hours, he wove through crowd-pleasers like “Check Yes or No” and “I Can Still Make Cheyenne,” pausing only to tip his hat, flash a grin, and let his band breathe life into each riff.
The Setlist Highlights
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Classic Favorites: “Here for a Good Time,” “The Chair,” and “Troubadour” showcased his uncanny ability to make every lyric feel lived-in.
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Deep Cuts & Covers: A soulful take on Townes Van Zandt’s “Pancho & Lefty,” Waylon Jennings’s “Waymore’s Blues,” and Tom Petty’s “You Wreck Me” reminded fans why Strait’s touch extends beyond his own catalog .
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Encore Magic: With “All My Ex’s Live in Texas” and the poignant farewell “The Cowboy Rides Away,” he closed the night as only the King of Country can—leaving hearts full and feet still tapping long after the stage lights faded.
Reviewers called the set “humbling” and “like a lullaby from Texas’s father figure,” noting how Strait’s vintage style offered a calm counterpoint to the festival’s frenetic energy. More than a performance, it was a masterclass in connection—every note, every pause, a reminder that great country music is about shared memories and the simple joy of singing along under the stars