Lily Rose's ACL Festival set has us reconsidering country

Let's get one thing out of the way: We don't hate country music. It's just the genre that's not top of mind for this writer, OK? But Lily Rose at Austin City Limits Music Festival has us (me) rethinking our laissez-faire approach to country.

If you haven't been tuned in to Rose yet, here's what you need to know: She's from Georgia, she hates Alabama (as she told her ACL Fest crowd on Friday), and her band is out of Tennessee (Nashville). Her song "Villain" became popular in 2020 and we can understand why — she's got a great vibe.

Rose took the festival's BMI stage at 5 p.m. This stage is smaller, and usually houses the more up-and-coming artists. But Rose had a crowd fit for one of the bigger stages. Dozens and dozens were lined up early and the crowd grew as her set went on. And they knew the words! It was impressive.

Rose opened with "Know My Way Around," a catchy song about a crush. She covered Keith Urban's "Somebody Like You." We especially loved the sad and sweet "In My Drinks." Lyrics include: "Long as I'm still buzzin', she's sitting right here/ 'Cause it's clear when I'm sober that it's over with the girl of my dreams."

She looked really cool in an all-black get-up and ball cap, far from the stereotypical country woman with big hair and cleavage to spare. Which, heck yes. We love some variety!

At one point, it felt like we weren't at a massive music festival. The show was somehow intimate even though it was right next to an entrance into the festival grounds. She finished her hourlong set with "Villain."

ACL Fest was Rose and her band's first show ever in Austin. She commented on the festival's many genres, and said something special was going on at ACL Fest.

"Cheers to y'all for lovin' music," she said.