Weekend two of Austin’s ACL Fest is happening now, and Chris Stapleton had a surprise guest for his Friday night (10/11) headlining set. He brought out hometown legend Willie Nelson for “Whiskey River” — a song that they previously performed together at Nelson’s 2023 induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame — and “Bloody Mary Morning.” Watch attendee-taken video below.
That wasn’t Willie’s only surprise collaboration at ACL. On Sunday (10/13), Orville Peck brought him on stage to perform their rendition of the gay country anthem “Cowboys Are Frequently, Secretly Fond of Each Other” from Orville’s recently-released duets album Stampede. It was their first time performing the song live together, Orville told the crowd. Watch some clips below.
Willie will appear again in Austin this week for Austin City Limits’ 50th Birthday Bash, happening on Thursday (10/17) at the Long Center Lawn on the anniversary of the taping of the pilot episode, with Asleep at the Wheel. Registration to attend is now closed, but it’ll also stream live beginning at 7 PM CT, with highlights to air on ACL in 2025.
Willie’s own new album Last Leaf on The Tree, featuring his recent cover of The Flaming Lips’ “Do You Realize??,” is out on November 1. Chris Stapleton’s tour takes him to the UK next, with shows in Australia and New Zealand in 2025. Orville Peck has more dates coming up too, including NYC shows at Brooklyn Paramount (10/19 & 10/20) this weekend with Nikki Lane and Vincent Neil Emerson. All dates for both Stapleton and Peck are listed below.
.@OrvillePeck brings out @WillieNelson at #ACLFest for a beautiful collaboration! pic.twitter.com/Ilupi36yF4
— KGSR (@KGSRatx) October 13, 2024
And … a snippet of the performance!!
Orville Peck 🤝Willie Nelson @ ACL Festival. pic.twitter.com/CNcoEqY07f— Taylor Kamnetz (@Taylor_Kamn) October 14, 2024
CHRIS STAPLETON: 2024-2025 TOUR DATES
10•16•2024 AO Arena Manchester, UK *
10•17•2024 OVO Hydro Glasgow, UK *
10•20•2024 3Arena Dublin, IE *
10•22•2024 Utilita Arena Birmingham, UK *
10•23•2024 The O2 London, UK *
10•24•2024 The O2 London, UK *
12•07•2024 Allegiant Stadium Las Vegas, NV #
02•25•2025 Rod Laver Arena Melbourne, AUS ^
02•26•2025 Rod Laver Arena Melbourne, AUS ^
02•28•2025 Entertainment Centre Brisbane, AUS ^
03•01•2025 Entertainment Centre Brisbane, AUS ^
03•04•2025 Qudos Bank Arena Sydney, AUS ^
03•05•2025 Qudos Bank Arena Sydney, AUS ^
03•07•2025 Spark Arena Auckland, NZ ^
03•08•2025 Spark Arena Auckland, NZ ^
* with Marty Stuart & His Fabulous Superlatives
# with George Strait & Little Big Town
^ with Marcus King
—
Orville Peck — 2024 Tour Dates
10/16 — Boston, MA — MGM Music Hall @&
10/18 — Philadelphia, PA — MET Opera House @&
10/19 — Brooklyn, NY — Brooklyn Paramount @&
10/20 — Brooklyn, NY — Brooklyn Paramount @&
10/26 – San Diego, CA – Cal Coast Credit Open Air Theatre @*
10/27 – Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Palladium @*
10/28 – Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Palladium @*
@ – w/ Nikki Lane
& – w/ Vincent Neil Emerson
* – w/ Emily Nenni