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The 22nd annual Austin City Limits festival lineup is here, and it's got some gems that could make the trip to Austin worth it.

Headlining this year's festival are Kendrick Lamar, Foo Fighters, Mumford & Sons, The Lumineers, Shania Twain (Weekend One only), Odesza, Alanis Morissette, and Hozier. Also performing are The 1975 (Weekend Two only), Kali Uchis, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Maggie Rogers, Labrinth, Cigarettes After Sex, Niall Horan, Tove Lo, Thirty Seconds to Mars, and many, many more.

The two weekends of reverie will take place October 6-8 and October 13-15, 2023, at Zilker Park. Three-day tickets go on sale Tuesday, May 9, at noon via aclfestival.com. There are even layaway plans available, starting at $25 down. Plus as a new feature for 2023, all fees and shipping costs are included upfront, so there are no surprises when you go to the checkout.

The nine-stage event will also feature several Texas artists, including the aforementioned Cigarettes After Sex, Tanya Tucker, d4dv, and Randall King, and more. Some of the Austin-area artists include Asleep At The Wheel (one of the only constants at Austin City Limits from year to year), Ben Kweller, and Die Spitz, a gritty femme punk band making their ACL debut. A few more Texas artists play just one weekend: The Mars Volta and Jane Leo will play only for Weekend One, while Jimmy Vaughn and Tilt-A-Whirl Band and Penny & Sparrow play for Weekend Two only.

Also expected during the 2023 festival is its Bonus Tracks programming, with past appearances including Austin favorite Kate Waitzkin, so stay tuned for that announcement later this summer. Beloved event Austin Kiddie Limits will return for music fans ages 8 and under, with a full lineup and programming to be announced soon.

In addition to general admission tickets, 3-Day GA+ Tickets, 3-Day VIP and Platinum Tickets, and hotel packages are also available. VIP ticket holders will enjoy two private lounges with viewing decks for the two main stages, while Platinum guests have the best seats in the house with exclusive viewing at six stages.

GA ticket holders are also getting a new amenity for 2023. Instead of finding premium cocktails on the menu in select areas only, you'll now be able to order them on bar menus all throughout the festival.

Tickets for the 2023 ACL Festival can be found at www.aclfestival.com.

Photo by Olivia Wolf

11 must-see artists at ACL Fest 2022 — from Texas and beyond

Music Notes

It’s game time for two weekends of good times by way of Austin City Limits Music Festival. Since you certainly already have a must-see list comprised of the bigger artists on the lineup, here’s some choice acts — from Austin and beyond.

Must-see acts from Austin

Spoon
No one really needs to be told to see one of Austin's best bands of all-time. However, just in case you were thinking about skipping them, be sure to note that their 2022 release, Lucifer on the Sofa, plays great in a live setting. You can see them both weekends of the fest on Saturday at 4pm on the Honda stage.

Adrian Quesada’s Boleros Psicodélicos
Adrian Quesada (of Black Pumas) recently put out a solo album, Boleros Psicodélicos, and you’ll be able to check out all of its Latin America-inspired psych ballads during weekend one of ACL. Catch his set on Saturday, October 8, at 2:15 pm on the Honda stage.

Darkbird
Vet rockers Darkbird were supposed to play ACL in 2021, but a weather delay nixed their set. Expect the band, which is fronted by the always-spirted Kelly Barnes, to take full advantage of the do-over. Their only appearance at the fest will be Sunday, October 9 at 1:15 pm on the BMI stage.

Eric Tessmer
After a couple decades of dutiful shredding around Austin, guitar great Eric Tessmer has finally found his way onto an ACL lineup. His sure-to-be explosive turn at the fest is a weekend one only experience – see it on Sunday, October 9, at 5 pm on the BMI stage.

Good Looks
Indie rock act Good Looks are responsible for Bummer Year, one of the better albums to come out of Austin in 2022, so of course you should have them on your ACL radar. Catch this weekend two-only band on Saturday, October 15, at 1pm on the Tito’s stage.

Urban Heat
Get your new wave/post punk fix via Urban Heat during weekend two of ACL. The buzzy act, who recently put out an EP titled Wellness, will perform on Sunday, October 16 at 3 pm on the BMI stage.

Other must-see acts

Muna
LA’s own Muna, who are signed to Phoebe Bridgers' Saddest Factory imprint, head into ACL on a wave of acclaim for their 2022 self-titled album. The pop act has just a weekend one set on Sunday, October 9, at 3 pm on the Barton Springs stage.

Dehd
Dehd’s Blue Skies is loaded with some of the catchiest indie rock tracks you’ll find on any album in 2022, and that’s reason enough to catch them at ACL. The Chicagoans play both weekends – look for them each Sunday at 1:15 pm on the T-Mobile stage.

Magdalena Bay
Synthpop act Magdalena Bay recently dropped a deluxe edition of their hit 2021 album, Mercurial World, and now they’ll put it on display at ACL. Catch the LA-based act both weekends of the fest on Sunday at 4 pm on the Tito’s stage.

Wet Leg
Wet Leg had quite a bit of buzz heading into this year’s SXSW and the fervor surrounding the British indie rockers has only increased with the release of their self-titled debut album, which includes the infectious single “Chaise Longue.” The band is a weekend two-only play, and their set is Friday, October 14 at 2:30 pm on the Honda stage.

Faye Webster
The dreamy, gentle sounds of singer/songwriter Faye Webster will be a treat in the middle of the afternoon at Zilker Park. Be sure to catch the Atlanta-based artist during her weekend two-only appearance on Sunday, October 16 at 3 pm on the Barton Springs stage. By the way, don’t be surprised if Webster and her bandmates engage in some sweet yo-yo action.

Photo courtesy of Origin Hotel Austin

The 10 best Austin hotels to book for a full ACL Fest experience this fall

Night Moves

Ready or not, Austin City Limits Festival is right around the corner, and hotels in Austin are booking up fast. The October event brings approximately 400,000 people to the city's Zilker Park over two weekends, many of whom have to make their way en masse to hotels, perhaps not knowing that P. Terry’s is a great move for a late-night snack well below festival prices.

As one might imagine, hotels around Austin offer ACL deals, but they’re not very well publicized. Frankly, they don’t need to be, because people will find them. And fast. There are two long, official lists of hotels with vacancy on the festival website, for plucky travelers who love to scroll.

For everyone else, here are 10 great hotels and deals to springboard the search, from budget finds to music industry favorites. Since rates are slippery with all the different room sizes and dates available, CultureMap compared the lowest prices from each hotel on the same four nights, and assigned a dollar-sign rating:

$ — $250 or less
$$ — up to $500
$$$ — up to $1,000
$$$$ — above $1,000

At the end of the day (literally), as long as a hotel is safe and comfortable, it’s auxiliary to the ACL experience. But why not have a little extra fun?

Hampton Inn — $
The lowest priced of the entire ACL-sanctioned list, the Hampton Inn at 4141 Governors Row in South Austin will likely still require a paid ride to Zilker Park, about seven miles away. But it’ll be worth it to save hundreds with a few exclusive rate offers remaining. Even if those run out, it’s a reasonable option that’s very close to South Congress. It’s a mile-and-a-half from Cosmic Coffee, an excellent place to wake up before a busy day.

Origin Hotel — $
Origin Hotel, a four-city boutique hotel that just opened in Austin's Mueller neighborhood in June of 2022, is offering a special ACL rate. This deal gives a great opportunity to stay somewhere buzzworthy and unique for roughly the same price as a status-quo national chain. Origin also contains an all-day diner called Blue Lacy, something a little hard to find in Austin. Almost six miles from Zilker, it’ll require a drive, but the more residential area will be a great escape near locally loved restaurants.

Colton House Hotel — $$
Colton House Hotel on South Congress, a new boutique hotel as of January 2021, makes a special offer for ACL guests of four nights, with one night at half off and free parking for anyone with tickets. In addition to its stylish, neutral rooms, the hotel maintains a private yoga studio, great for working on those hamstrings after lots of walking; Zilker Park is about a mile from end to end. Use promo code ACL2022 when booking online.

Hyatt Regency — $$
The closest of the official ACL partnerships is the Hyatt Regency at 208 Barton Springs Road. This is a straight shot to Zilker, with only about a mile-and-a-half of walking. With great views and accessibility to Auditorium Shores and all of downtown, this is a great option for guardians, partners, or friends coming along for the ride who haven’t bought a wristband or tickets every day.

Moxy Hotel — $$
Moxy Hotels have a fun, young vibe in their many locations, with smart, space-saving room designs that help keep prices relatively low for their downtown locations. This one at 2552 Guadalupe St. is just over three miles from Zilker, but because of its West Campus location, it’s very accessible to buses. Moxy doesn’t appear to offer any ACL discounts, but check-in comes with a free cocktail (and sometimes other perks).

Hotel Indigo — $$
Airbnb is not the only option for festival-going pet owners. ACL partner Hotel Indigo accepts pets of up to 50 pounds ($75) and is located on one of Austin’s busiest streets for nightlife Red River. This area is full of live music venues (great for a musical nightcap, which are sure to be raging during the festival), and the hotel is right next to one of Austin’s quintessential bars, Cheer Up Charlies. Intrepid festival-goers could technically walk the two-and-a-half miles to Zilker.

Kimpton Hotel Van Zandt — $$$
A special deal (weekends one and two) from the Kimpton Hotel Van Zandt combines a three-night stay with merch and two festival wristbands, for those who haven’t splurged on them yet ($2,850). Even if you have, the Rainey Street hotel is a unique place to extend the musical experience to the point of breaking sanity. Geraldine’s, the excellent rooftop restaurant and bar, has jazz brunches, a “record society,” daily guest artists, and monthly artists in residence.

Soho House — $$$
Don’t count this South Congress members-only option out yet — a Soho Friends membership ($14 per month or $130 per year) is much more affordable than the whole shebang, and allows visitors to book hotel rooms, bring guests, and save on dining and spa packages. Soho House’s ACL special includes welcome cocktails at the very cool Dante’s HiFi vinyl bar, plus a luxurious Sunday brunch for two. And just imagine the rainforest showers after a long day.

Hotel Zaza — $$$
This boutique hotel can offer something priceless during such a crowded time: mobility. Hotel Zaza’s free three-mile shuttle brings guests wherever they ask to go within its downtown radius. Between the ACL shuttle that stops on the same block as the hotel, and the hotel’s shuttle starting at 3 pm, guests may not have to pay for a rideshare throughout their entire trip. Visitors for three nights or more receive a percentage discount.

Hotel Saint Cecilia — $$$$
It doesn’t offer any ACL-specific deals, but it would be a crime not to mention this musical hotel for visitors who really want to commit to the bit. The famous Hotel Saint Cecilia, tucked behind South Congress, played host to the Foo Fighters during their 2015 headlining ACL run, who then recorded a five-track EP there. The rooms are music-themed and have Gibson guitars on loan. Even though there is no ACL discount, there are four-night and pre-booking deals.

Photo by Daniel Cavazos

ACL Fest finally drops anticipated 2022 music lineup and 3-day tickets

ACL News

The day Texas music fans have been waiting for since last October is finally here: Headliners for the 2022 Austin City Limits Music Festival have been announced.

At the top of the ticket are Red Hot Chili Peppers, P!nk, The Chicks, Kacey Musgraves, SZA, Flume, Paramore, and Lil Nas X. Also performing are Phoenix (Weekend Two only), Diplo, ZHU, Lil Durk (Weekend One only), Nathaniel Rateliff and the Night Sweats, Billy Strings, James Blake (Weekend One only), Wallows, Jazmine Sullivan, Tobe Nwigwe, The War on Drugs, Spoon, and many more.

The two-weekends of reverie will take place October 7-9 and October 14-16, 2022, at Zilker Park. Three-day tickets go on sale Tuesday, May 10, at noon via aclfestival.com. There are even layaway plans available, starting at $25 down.

Known for mixing music legends and established icons with rising stars and hot new acts, the nine-stage event will once again feature a wide range of artists over the two weekends. Asleep at the Wheel, Joshua Ray Walker, Zach Bryan, and Charlotte Chardin will each play Weekend One only, while Wet Leg and Teezo Touchdown will only play Weekend Two. Several artists such as Sabrina Claudio, PinkPanthress, Spoon, and Tobe Nwigwe are set to play both weekends.

The festival is becoming as known for its extracurricular events as for the main headliners, and the 2022 programming for culture and connection will be no exception. Past appearances at Bonus Tracks have included Billie Eilish and Brené Brown, so stay tuned for that announcement later this summer. Beloved event Austin Kiddie Limits will return for music fans ages 8 and under, with a full lineup and programming to be announced soon.

In addition to general admission tickets, 3-Day GA+ Tickets, 3-Day VIP and Platinum Tickets, and hotel packages are also available. VIP ticketholders will enjoy two private lounges with viewing decks for the two main stages, while Platinum guests have the best seats in the house with exclusive viewing at six stages. One-day tickets will be available later this spring.

Doja Cat/Instagram

ACL Music Fest sets the stage for epic return with must-see performances for weekend one

Music for the masses

Calling all music fans. Austin City Limits Music Festival is here! Double-check the festival’s COVID-19 safety protocols and then jump below for 10 non-headlining acts (and our daily headliner picks) that you don’t want to miss during the fest’s first weekend, October 1-3.

By the way, check back with CultureMap next week for our weekend two music picks.

Friday, October 1

Nané, 1 pm, Lady Bird Stage
Nané will kick off ACL Fest this Friday afternoon on the Lady Bird Stage. Part soul, part indie rock, and thoroughly fun, this Austin band is poised to be one of the breakout acts at this year’s festival.

Claud, 1:45 pm, VRBO Stage
Phoebe Bridgers has more than just her own music at ACL Fest. She also has Claud, the first signee to her record label, Saddest Factory. Fans of hooky indie pop would be wise to catch Claud’s set this Friday on the VRBO Stage.

Tkay Maidza, 5 pm, T-Mobile Stage
Coming in hot from Australia, it’s singer/rapper Tkay Maidza. With a slew of high-concept songs that showcase a versatile sound, she’s sure to have one of the more interesting and engaging sets at the festival.

Black Pumas, 6 pm, Lady Bird Stage
If you weren’t able to attend the band’s multi-night run at Stubb’s in Austin recently, then this weekend is your chance to finally indulge in the soulful sounds of Black Pumas. The oft-championed Austin act will play this Friday evening on the Lady Bird Stage. They’re opposite Megan Thee Stallion, but you should still expect a big crowd.

Headliner pick:George Strait, 8 pm, Lady Bird Stage

Saturday, October 2

Phoebe Bridgers, 4:20 pm, Lady Bird Stage
Considering just how popular Phoebe Bridgers has gotten in the last year or so, it’s hard to believe she’s playing in the afternoon and not at night at the fest. In any case, the singer-songwriter will perform this Saturday on the Lady Bird Stage. Expect the crowd to know every single word from her acclaimed 2020 album, Punisher.

Doja Cat, 6:20 pm, Lady Bird Stage
Fresh off hosting the 2021 MTV VMAs, it’s the always entertaining Doja Cat. If you’re on the hunt for what’s sure to be a colorful performance, don’t miss this singer/rapper, who has skyrocketed from viral sensation to superstar in the last year. Watch her perform this Saturday on the Lady Bird Stage.

Dayglow, 7:20 pm, VRBO Stage
Dayglow (aka Sloan Struble) is an Austin-based indie pop artist, and his ACL Fest performance is happening this Saturday evening on the VRBO Stage. With one of the year’s best singles, “Close to You,” in his repertoire, his set will definitely be a dance-worthy good time.

Headliner pick:Billie Eilish, 8:30 pm, Lady Bird Stage

Sunday, October 3

TC Superstar, 2:15 pm, Tito’s Stage
Electronic act TC Superstar recently released a very good album titled As Seen On TV, and now they’re following it up with a weekend-one-only appearance at ACL Fest. If you want to dance or would at least like to just observe the band’s plethora of dancers, don’t miss their set this Sunday afternoon on the Tito’s Stage.

Tierra Whack, 7:30 pm, VRBO Stage
Tierra Whack, the rapper and R&B star behind the acclaimed album Whack World, will play the fest this Sunday evening on the VRBO Stage. This will surely be an inspired, creative set.

St. Vincent, 7:30 pm, T-Mobile Stage
The goal was to avoid schedule conflicts in these recommendations, but with St. Vincent (aka Annie Clark) only playing weekend one of ACL, she warrants a mention here. She takes the stage this Sunday evening. She’s got a ton of material to choose from, but the songs off her 1970s-inspired new album, Daddy’s Home, should sound particularly great at Zilker Park.

Headliner pick: Duran Duran, 8:30 pm, Honda Stage

Doja Cat takes the Lady Bird Stage Saturday evening.

Doja Cat
Doja Cat/Instagram
Doja Cat takes the Lady Bird Stage Saturday evening.
Photo by Shelley Neuman

ACL Music Festival releases anticipated 2021 lineup and 3-day tickets

MUSIC TO OUR EARS

Live music takes to the stage at Austin’s Zilker Park this fall as the Austin City Limits Music Festival returns to full capacity with its 20th anniversary music celebration, featuring a spectacular lineup of diverse artists ranging from George Strait to Stevie Nicks, Billie Eilish, and Megan Thee Stallion.

On Thursday, May 20, ACL Fest announced the lineup for the fall festival, which will take place in person across eight live music stages over two weekends: October 1-3 and October 8-10. Three-day tickets go on sale May 20 at noon. Three-day GA+ tickets, three-day VIP and platinum tickets, as well as hotel packages are also available. One-day general admission tickets, one-day GA+ tickets, one-day VIP tickets, and one-day platinum tickets will be available in the coming months.

This year’s festival, headlined by legendary artists George Strait, Billie Eilish, Stevie Nicks, Miley Cyrus, Rufus Du Sol, DaBaby, and Erykah Badu, will also include standout talent like Modest Mouse, Phoebe Bridgers, Jack Harlow, Jon Pardi, Finneas, Chet Faker, Dermot Kennedy, Tierra Whack, Tanya Tucker, Omar Apollo, Trixie Mattel, and many more.

As one of Texas’ premiere music events, ACL Fest will also feature a wealth of Texas artists, including Black Pumas, St. Vincent, Marc Rebillet, Surfaces, Dayglow, Missio, Charley Crockett, Heartless Bastards, Asleep at the Wheel, Nané, Riders Against the Storm, Mike Melinoe, Deezie Brown, and more.

ACL Fest plans to announce additional acts soon. And not all artists will play both weekends, so it’s best to check the full lineup and performance dates on the festival website.

New this year to ACL Fest: VIP ticket holders can access two private lounges with viewing decks offering sight lines of the two main stages. Platinum ticket holders can snag seats with exclusive viewing at six stages. A full list of tickets amenities is available here. Kids 10 and younger get free admission when accompanied by a ticketed adult.

The return of the live festival, which was canceled last year in favor of an all-virtual event because of the coronavirus pandemic, is being approached with caution and much safety prep by city and health officials and ACL Fest organizers.

“Music is coming back strong to the Live Music Capital of the World,” Austin Mayor Steve Adler says about the festival in a release. “The return of Austin City Limits as an in-person festival celebrates that our efforts as a community to become vaccinated are working. Health and safety remain our top priority, and we will work closely with the organizers and Austin Public Health to ensure ACL Fest is in line with our health standards. We must continue to get everyone vaccinated and keep up our success.”

As the festival weekends approach, ACL Fest patrons will get regular updates with info about the event’s safety policies and procedures, which will also be shared at aclfestival.com and on social media. ACL Fest will partner with the City of Austin and Austin Public Health to encourage COVID-19 vaccinations in the months prior to the festival.

“Austin City Limits 2021 is a result of successful vaccine efforts and more than a year’s worth of protection measures,” says Dr. Mark Escott, Austin-Travis County interim health authority. “Taking the shot is our shot at getting things back to normal and we envision this happening before October if we stay the course as a community. Thank you to all those who have done their part and took the vaccine and to ACL, who will utilize their broad voice to encourage vaccination in the months leading to their monumental event.”

Zilker Park has been the home of the Austin City Limits Music Festival for two decades. Since 2006, ACL Festival, in partnership with Austin Parks Foundation, has generated more than $41 million for improvements to Zilker Park and parks throughout Austin. In 2019, ticket sales helped contribute $6 million to improving Austin’s public parks, trails, and green spaces. And even in 2020, the Austin Parks Foundation was able to employ ACL Fest funds to help complete 13 park-improvement projects. The festival draws music-loving crowds from around the world for every annual event.

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Official Texas Fashion Week sashays into San Antonio with top emerging designers

BURSTING AT THE SEAMS

Few among us have the clout to sidle up to Anna Wintour on Loewe’s front row, but one doesn’t need the ear of the legendary editor-in-chief to gain fashion inspiration. As Paris Fashion Week winds down in October, the locally hosted Texas Fashion Week is just kicking off.

The annual affair — the official fashion week of the state’s emerging fashion industry — strutted into San Antonio on October 1 and will inspire through October 7 with a full slate of runway shows, educational programs, and glamorous celebrations. A collaboration between the state nonprofit Texas Fashion Industry Initiative and the Council of Fashion Designers of America, the event aims to give promising designers a chance to showcase their ideas.

KLRN’s TV studios at 501 Broadway will be the epicenter of four days of presentations highlighting inspiring new collections. The shows kicked off with a college night featuring Lillian Jenae Designs, Brøc, and Aubrey Frey Apparel, labels created by Texas university students.

“Texas Fashion Week aims to provide a platform for emerging designers to showcase their innovative designs, including students,” said Texas Fashion Industry Initiative Vice President Saige Thomas in a release. “Fashion students deserve a chance to stage their work as well, without the standard financial limitations holding them back.”

In addition to soaking in wardrobe inspiration, local fashionistas can enjoy fashion and beauty panels, a high school sustainability competition, exhibitions, and networking opportunities. An educational program on October 2 covers topics such as branding and drag.

The jam-packed days lead up to the Texas Fashion Industry Awards at the Tobin Center on October 6. A curated brunch at Kiki’s Coffee on October 7 gives gala guests one last chance to congratulate the winners.

The full schedule of events can be found at texasfashionindustry.org. A limited number of all-access and single-day passes are still available.

Comedian Chris Tucker returns to road after a decade with a stop in San Antonio

Comedy Comeback News

Comedian Chris Tucker will make San Antonio's Majestic Theatre one of the stops on his first major tour in North America since 2011, performing at the venue on Thursday, November 2.

The 33-city" Legend" Tour 2023 will kick off in Charleston, South Carolina on September 8, continuing through January 12.

This new date in San Antonio was added due to high demand, as well as a second date in Houston (November 4-5). Tucker will also perform in Irving on November 1.

"I started my career doing stand-up in comedy clubs and it's stand-up comedy that prepared me for all of my movie roles," said Tucker in a statement. "I'm looking forward to getting back to my roots. I love performing live, there's nothing like the energy of a live crowd and making people laugh."

Tucker’s career began in the early 1990s when he became a favorite on Russell Simmons’ HBO Def Comedy Jam. He is best known for his role in the Rush Hour action-comedy film franchise, as well as Friday and The Fifth Element.

He's been in only a few films since the Rush Hour series ended, but recently had a prominent role opposite Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, and Viola Davis in Air.

Tickets will be available on Tuesday, October 3, at 10 am on Ticketmaster.

THE LEGEND TOUR DATES (*new show):

  • Fri Sep 08 – North Charleston, SC – North Charleston Performing Arts Center
  • Sun Sep 10 – Norfolk, VA – Chrysler Hall
  • Wed Sep 20 – Louisville, KY – The Louisville Palace
  • Fri Sep 22 – Memphis, TN – The Orpheum Theatre Memphis
  • Sun Sep 24 – Durham, NC – DPAC
  • Sat Sep 30 – Oakland, CA – Paramount Theatre-Oakland
  • Tue Oct 03 – Denver, CO – Paramount Theatre
  • Wed Oct 04 – Inglewood, CA – YouTube Theater
  • Thu Oct 05 – Phoenix, AZ – Arizona Financial Theatre
  • Sat Oct 07 – Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Pantages Theatre
  • Tue Oct 10 – Columbus, OH – Palace Theatre Columbus
  • Wed Oct 11 – Cincinnati, OH – Aronoff Center
  • Thu Oct 12 – Cleveland, OH – State Theatre at Playhouse Square
  • Wed Oct 18 – Philadelphia, PA – The Met Philadelphia
  • Thu Oct 19 – Pittsburgh, PA – Benedum Center
  • Sun Oct 22 – Baltimore, MD – Hippodrome at France-Merrick Performing Arts
  • Thu Oct 26 – Nashville, TN – Ryman Auditorium
  • Wed Nov 01 – Irving, TX – The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory
  • Thur Nov 02 — San Antonio, TX — Majestic Theatre*
  • Sat Nov 04 – Houston, TX – Bayou Music Center
  • Sat Nov 05 – Houston, TX – Bayou Music Center*
  • Tue Nov 07 – Oklahoma City, OK – Criterion Theater
  • Wed Nov 08 – Kansas City, MO – Music Hall Kansas City
  • Tue Nov 14 – Jacksonville, FL – Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts - Moran Theater
  • Wed Nov 15 – Orlando, FL – Dr Phillips Center for the Performing Arts
  • Fri Nov 17 – New York, NY – Beacon Theatre
  • Sat Nov 18 — New York, NY — Beacon Theatre*
  • Wed Nov 29 – Chicago, IL – The Chicago Theatre
  • Sat Dec 02 – Indianapolis, IN – Murat Theatre at Old National Centre
  • Mon Dec 04 – St. Louis, MO – Stifel Theatre
  • Thu Dec 07 – Washington, DC – The Anthem
  • Tue Jan 09 – Toronto, ON – Meridian Hall
  • Fri Jan 12 – Detroit, MI – Fox Theatre

Hopdoddy mooves toward regenerative meats, nixing plant-based substitutes

86 the Beyond Patties

Hearty Central Texas-based chain Hopdoddy Burger Bar has unveiled a new lineup of regenerative burgers that are supposed to be better for the planet and the consumer.

The term ‘regenerative burger’ could cause a few head-scratches: Some may think of lab-grown or 3D-printed meat, while others think of plant-based alternatives but it’s neither. It is grass-fed meat, sourced a bit differently. "Regenerative farming" is a term used to describe farming and grazing practices that claim to restore and rebuild degraded soil, resulting in better-quality air and water.

Hopdoddy’s vice president of culinary Matt Schweitzer explained that it all began with with a sense of obligation to do better as a brand for the consumers and the ecosystem.

“We felt like we could really take a stand and look to move our entire supply chain in a regenerative fashion, so we could really be proud of the work we’ve done and we could hopefully leave the animals, the farmers, the ranchers, the native grasslands, and our planet a better place than before we started,” says Schweitzer.

The new menu items include the "Roosevelt Burger" with grass-fed regenerative bison; the "Nashville Hot Sandwich" with regenerative raised chicken; the "Regenerative Royale," which is a play on a classic double quarter-pounder with cheese; the "Mother Nature" with grass-fed regenerative beef; and the "Buffalo Bill" also uses regenerative bison, but appears not to be grass-fed.

The five burgers are available at all Hopdoddy locations nationwide. The beef and bison are sourced from Texas-based regenerative company Force of Nature, while the chicken is from Cooks Venture.

With this launch, Hopdoddy removes all plant-based meat substitutes from its menu, significantly reducing the options for vegans and vegetarians. The company felt the ingredients and ethos of the alternative meats — describing some such as Beyond Meats as "falsely advertised" regarding nutrition in a press release — no longer aligned with its values and mission. However, the house-made veggie patty remains on the signature "El Bandito" burger.

Schweitzer says the regenerative burgers have received positive feedback, as people are excited to know where their food comes from, how it gets to their table, and what type of impact it causes. Regarding the future of regenerative meat, he says there is no doubt it could become mainstream soon.

“I think the flavor profile, the eating experience, the story, the mission, the purpose, really speaks for itself," says Schweitzer. "So, I really think it’s a matter of time until 'regenerative' is talked about in the same way that 'organic,' or 'sustainable,' or those type of buzzwords are talked about."

To further show its commitment to regenerative agriculture, Hopdoddy is also one of the sponsors of Common Ground, a documentary about the pioneers of the regenerative movement, premiering October 4 in Austin. The "uplifting" film, according to a release, features well-known actors Laura Dern, Rosario Dawson, Jason Momoa, Woody Harrelson, Ian Somerhalder, and Donald Glover, emphasizing that this motley crew does share one thing in common: a strong belief in regenerative agriculture.

For more information about the new regenerative burgers, visit hopdoddy.com.