Amid a performance that had everyone from fervent fans to casual festival-goers buzzing, international pop star Dua Lipa gave Austin a nod that went beyond the music during her Austin City Limits Music Festival (ACL) headliner set this past weekend. Draped in a custom Longhorns jersey complete with a Donn’s Depot patch, Lipa paid homage to the vibrant local scene — from the iconic Texas Longhorns to the cherished dive bars frequented by Austinites. "The drinks are good and the food is good and the vibes are amazing, and I love it here," she proclaimed, according to Austin Eater.
It wasn't just a shout-out for Lipa, who seemed to genuinely enjoy the city's offerings, dining at spots like Ski Shores and addressing Kemuri Tatsu-ya, alongside taking a Colorado River boating trip. Her engagement with local culture extended into the crowd. Jonathan Ferrell and Kyra Kaltenbacher, part of the dedicated fans holding the barricade at the festival, found themselves momentarily speechless after receiving pieces of memorabilia from the stage. "It was amazing. I don't believe that happened," Ferrell said, in a statement obtained by Austin American Statesman.
An apparent Austin enthusiast, Lipa’s ACL visit was incorporated into her performance with clear intent. Seizing the chance to share not just her music but also an experience representative of the city, she had fans, such as Maddie Dukes, expressing sheer adulation. "I've been talking about seeing Dua Lipa for literal weeks and months," Dukes enthused, showing the impact of Lipa's authenticity and relatability on audience members of all ages, as per Austin American Statesman.
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