Austin City Limits Festival (ACL) is one of the biggest music festivals in the U.S.—but what is it actually like to experience ACL?

The fourth episode of the Educate Your Earbuds Festival Series dives into the history, music, and overall experience of Austin City Limits, from its Austin roots and essential festival facts to what it’s really like navigating the festival grounds, crowds, stages, and lineup. Get the inside scoop on the different ways to experience ACL, whether you’re there in person or tuning in from home.

Plus: practical ACL tips and tricks for making the most of your festival weekend, along with recommendations on which artists are worth adding to your must-see list if you’re heading to Austin this year.

Whether ACL is already on the calendar or you’re considering it for a future festival trip, this episode is packed with everything to know before heading to Austin City Limits.

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Links:

• https://www.aclfestival.com/25years

• https://www.aclfestival.com/tickets

• https://thedailytexan.com/2024/09/30/history-of-austin-city-limits-music-festival/

• https://www.aclfestival.com/community-impact

• https://www.aclfestival.com/livestream

• https://www.aclfestival.com/lineup

• https://www.aclfestival.com/schedule

The 2026 MTV VMAs had Madonna, Taylor Swift, huge performances, major wins—and somehow still left people asking: where’s the chaos?

This week on Educate Your Earbuds, it’s a deep dive into the 2026 VMAs recap, from Madonna opening the show with a star-studded performance to Taylor Swift making VMA history, the biggest on-air winners, and the awards handed out off-air. But beyond the winners and performances, there’s a bigger question: can the VMAs ever feel as unpredictable, outrageous, and genuinely unmissable as they did in the ’90s and early 2000s?

The VMAs have always been about more than Moon Persons and music videos—they were pop culture events where anything could happen. So what changed? And does the 2026 show signal a comeback, or is the VMA magic of the past impossible to recreate in today’s music landscape?

If you’re looking for a 2026 MTV VMAs recap, the biggest VMA winners, performances, Taylor Swift and Madonna moments, plus a little ’90s and 2000s VMAs nostalgia, this episode has you covered.

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• Email: educate.your.earbuds@gmail.com

Links:

• https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/music/a73793108/vmas-performers-2026/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=mgu_ga_cos_md_pmx_prog_org_us_18419138764&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23699138372&gbraid=0AAAAAC5jt3O0mmRhQIKk5l9ZIqjBPe9BJ&gclid=CjwKCAjw_eLVBhBEEiwAeaYZfCRMFUZmcodXKUoOyn7n98jzNxb9SrFFcDQ5YR8RI96lkKbaayB8KhoCrDkQAvD_BwE

• https://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffbenjamin/2026/09/27/2026-vmas-madonna-lisa-tyla-lead-full-performer-presenter-list/

• https://vote.mtv.com

Taylor Swift, the VMAs, live music chaos, surprise concerts, and the latest pop culture news — this week’s Educate Your Earbuds mini episode has a little bit of everything.

In 15 minutes or less, we’re catching up on the music news you actually want to know about, starting with Taylor Swift’s latest TLOAS: The Encore releases and her special moment at the MTV VMAs. Then things take a turn into the wild world of live music: NYC festival cancellations, a new Sphere mini residency, and Hilary Duff giving fans even more tour dates.

Plus, Calvin Harris and Ella Langley make some literal history, before Justin Bieber brings the episode home with a surprise mini concert in Los Angeles.

It’s your biweekly dose of music news, pop culture, celebrity news, new music, concerts, festivals, and everything happening in the music world — quick, chaotic, and ready for your earbuds.

🎧 New mini episodes drop every other Wednesday—don’t forget to follow, rate, and share if you’re loving the pod.

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• Instagram: Educate.Your.Earbuds.Pod

• Threads: Educate.Your.Earbuds.Pod

• TikTok: Educate.Your.Earbuds

• Email: educate.your.earbuds@gmail.com

Links:

• https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/taylor-swift-life-showgirl-encore-listen-1236346593/

• https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/all-things-go-global-citizen-canceled-severe-weather-nyc-1236347787/

• https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/john-mayer-2027-sphere-dates-when-tickets-go-on-sale-1236349147/

• https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/hilary-duff-tour-dates-added-new-2027-lucky-me-tour-1236345018/

• https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/calvin-harris-guinness-world-records-1236345152/

• https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/ella-langley-reacts-choosin-texas-billboard-hot-100-record-1236344865/

• https://ktla.com/news/local-news/justin-bieber-holds-impromptu-show-in-l-a-s-embattled-macarthur-park/