The WORST episodes of Austin City Limits
Every episode of Austin City Limits ever, ranked from worst to best by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The worst episodes of Austin City Limits!
Established singer-songwriters and acclaimed newcomers perform country, blues, rock, folk, bluegrass, and related styles of music.
#1 - The Shins / Dr. Dog
Season 38 - Episode 4 - Aired 10/27/2012
ACL presents alternative rock with the Shins and Dr. Dog. The Shins play songs from their latest record Port of Morrow, while Dr. Dog highlights Be the Void.
#2 - Lisa Loeb / Jimmy LaFave
Season 21 - Episode 9 - Aired 3/16/1996
#3 - Lee Roy Parnell / A.J. Croce
Season 21 - Episode 6 - Aired 2/17/1996
#4 - Pam Tillis / Guitar Pull with Willie Nelson and Others
Season 21 - Episode 5 - Aired 2/10/1996
With Willie Nelson. Merle Haggard, Iris DeMent, Freddy Powers
#5 - B.B. King
Season 21 - Episode 4 - Aired 2/3/1996
#6 - Asleep at the Wheel's 25th Anniversary Celebration
Season 21 - Episode 3 - Aired 1/27/1996
With Willie Nelson, Tracy Byrd, Wade Hayes, Delbert McClinton, Charlie Daniels
#7 - Alison Krauss & Union Station / Merle Haggard
Season 21 - Episode 1 - Aired 1/13/1996
#8 - The Allman Brothers Band
Season 21 - Episode 7 - Aired 2/24/1996
#9 - Esperanza Spalding
Season 38 - Episode 13 - Aired 2/23/2013
ACL presents an hour with jazz/soul singer/bassist Esperanza Spalding in support of her LP Radio Music Society. Esperanza Spalding dedicates this program to the guitarist Jef Lee Johnson who passed away January 28, 2013. This Austin City Limits episode was their last performance together.
#10 - Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeroes / tUnE-yArDs
Season 38 - Episode 11 - Aired 2/9/2013
Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeroes and tUnE-yArDs bring experimental alt.pop to the ACL stage. The Zeroes support their LP Here, while tUnE-yArDs performs material from w h o k i l l.
#11 - Tim McGraw
Season 38 - Episode 10 - Aired 2/2/2013
Country superstar Tim McGraw takes the ACL stage with his greatest hits and brand new material.
#12 - Bob Mould / Delta Spirit
Season 38 - Episode 9 - Aired 1/26/2013
ACL showcases alternative rock with Bob Mould and Delta Spirit. Punk veteran Mould showcases cuts from across his career, while young bucks Delta Spirit highlight their self-titled LP.
#13 - Rodrigo y Gabriela
Season 38 - Episode 7 - Aired 1/12/2013
With their thrilling and dynamic hybrid of metal, Latin and jazz, guitar duo Rodrigo y Gabriela have become an international sensation with their flawless live performances. For their debut Austin City Limits performance, they are backed by C.U.B.A., a 6-piece Cuban orchestra with whom they recorded their latest record Area 52.
#14 - The Civil Wars / Punch Brothers
Season 38 - Episode 5 - Aired 11/3/2012
The Civil Wars play tunes from their Grammy-winning album Barton Hollow. Punch Brothers showcase their latest Who’s Feeling Young Now?
#15 - Los Lobos / Joe Ely
Season 21 - Episode 10 - Aired 3/23/1996
#16 - Bonnie Raitt / Mavis Staples
Season 38 - Episode 3 - Aired 10/20/2012
Bonnie Raitt and Mavis Staples showcase classic R&B, blues and pop. Raitt presents songs from her latest album Slipstream, while Staples performs songs from You Are Not Alone and Staple Singers classics.
#17 - Bon Iver
Season 38 - Episode 2 - Aired 10/13/2012
The Grammy-winning Bon Iver performs material from its self-titled second album.
#18 - David Byrne
Season 27 - Episode 12 - Aired 1/19/2002
#19 - Wilco
Season 37 - Episode 12 - Aired 2/4/2012
American alternative rock band Wilco performs a number of songs from their most recent album, "The Whole Love," including "Art of Almost," "Bull Black Nova," "War on War," "Dawned on Me," and "Cruel to be Kind" with singer and songwriter Nick Lowe.
#20 - Florence + The Machine / Lykke Li
Season 37 - Episode 11 - Aired 1/28/2012
Experimental modern rock rules with Florence + the Machine and Lykke Li. Bluesy singer Florence showcases her LP Lungs, while Swedish chanteuse Li highlights her LP Wounded Rhymes.
#21 - Fleet Foxes / Joanna Newsom
Season 37 - Episode 10 - Aired 1/21/2012
Folk meets indie rock with Fleet Foxes and Joanna Newsom. Fleet Foxes draw from their latest LP Helplessness Blues. Joanna Newsom follows with her ethereal sound featuring harp and unique vocals.
#22 - Arcade Fire
Season 37 - Episode 9 - Aired 1/14/2012
The indie-rock band Arcade Fire perform songs from its Grammy-winning 2010 album "The Suburbs."
#23 - The Head and the Heart / Gomez
Season 37 - Episode 8 - Aired 1/7/2012
Fresh and seasoned indie rock hits the ACL stage with the Head and the Heart and Gomez. Seattle's the Head and the Heart performs tunes from its self-titled debut LP. British veterans Gomez follow with their eclectic modern rock.
#24 - Miranda Lambert / Jeff Bridges
Season 37 - Episode 6 - Aired 11/5/2011
#25 - The Decemberists / Gillian Welch & David Rawlings
Season 37 - Episode 4 - Aired 10/22/2011
With the ability to create a sound that blends American folk with a hint of southern gothic inspiration, The Decemberists have garnered a fan base that is loyal to their eclectic style. Tonight, the band makes their second appearance on Austin City Limits with their enchanting and melodic folk tale ballads. American singer-songwriter Gillian Welch has allured audiences with her deep country lyrics and Americana sound for decades. Tonight she makes her third appearance on Austin City Limits and is joined by David Rawlings.