Austin City Limits - Season 35 (2009)

Rock superstars the Dave Matthews Band kick off ACL's 35th season with hits and songs from their latest album Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King.

Ben Harper debuts his new band, Relentless7, with a rocking set drawn from his album White Lies for Dark Times.

Country music superstar Kenny Chesney hits the ACL stage for a tour through his greatest hits.

Multi-instrumentalist and singer/song­writer, Andrew Bird has captured au­diences around the world with his unique style. Through amazing vocals, whistling, violin, guitar and glockenspiel, this Chica­go-born musician seems to have brought about a new phase of folk and indie rock.

M. Ward graduates from guest spots to his own headline ACL performance, highlighting his latest LP Hold Time. Austin indie rock favorite Okkervil River follows.

It’s been five years since Elvis Costello was last on the Austin City Limits stage. Tonight he returns as part of our 35th anniversary with new music that takes the music legend back-to-basics, combining his witty lyrics and country sounds “with a fitting old-timey feel” (Los Angeles Times).

Singer-songwriter author, poet and actor, Willie Nelson rose to national stardom during the outlaw country movement of the 1970s, but has remained both a musical and cultural icon through the decades. Since their inception in 1970, Asleep at the Wheel has won nine Grammy Awards, released more than 20 studio albums and have charted more than 20 singles on Billboard’s country charts. Tonight these country legends grace the Austin City Limits stage performing songs from their newest release, Willie and the Wheel.

One of the most popular and influential rock bands of the past two decades, Pearl Jam makes their Austin City Limits debut in celebration of their self-released new CD, Backspacer.

Legendary New Orleans songwriter Allen Toussaint hits the ACL stage with songs from his latest LP, The Bright Mississippi, and classic hits like “Southern Nights.”

Hip hop conquers the ACL stage with sets from alternative rapper/actor Mos Def, supporting his latest record, The Ecstatic, and Somalian native K’naan, performing songs from his acclaimed LP, Troubadour.

Rising roots rock kings the Avett Brothers perform songs from their latest album, I and Love and You. Ohio-to-Austin transplants Heartless Bastards follow with their classic rock 'n roll.

Steve Earle pays tribute to his mentor, legendary Texas troubadour Townes Van Zandt. Kris Kristofferson follows with tunes from his latest album.

Singer/composer/bass prodigy Esperanza Spalding debuts on ACL with a mix of jazz, soul and Brazilian pop. Contemporary torch singer Madeleine Peyroux follows in support of her album Bare Bones.

Josh Homme from Queens of the Stone Age, Dave Grohl from the Foo Fighters and John Paul Jones from Led Zeppelin combine for high volume rock ‘n’ roll.