📍 3TEN at ACL Live — Jan. 17, 2026
Written by Clinton Camper
There’s something special about watching a hometown scene show up for its own. Last Saturday night at ACL Live’s 3TEN was a sold-out celebration of Austin talent, stacked from top to bottom, with Barb, Vision Arcade, and headliners The 4411 delivering a night that felt both intimate and electric.
Credit: Gaby Deimeke
Barb kicked things off, and if there was any question whether the crowd would arrive early for the opener, it was answered immediately. The room was already packed, buzzing, and fully tuned in. Barb wasted no time leaning into the moment, even dropping a crowd-pleasing cover of “I Was Made For Loving You” by KISS that had smiles spreading across the floor.
The energy in the room said everything. I chatted with a couple in front of me who had driven in from Beaumont just to see Barb (and not for the first time). That kind of devotion is always a good sign. Austin noticed too. People were locked in, swaying, singing, and giving Barb the kind of reception that turns opening sets into arrival statements.
Credit: Madison Grey
Then came Vision Arcade, stepping out in matching black jumpsuits and instantly shifting the room’s pulse. From the first notes, heads were bobbing in unison. Their set felt tight, confident, and forward-moving, the kind of performance where you get the sense you’re catching a band on the verge of something bigger.
They slipped in a new unreleased track that already felt like a future fan favorite, alongside standouts like “Crazed,” “Lay Alone,” “Hey Honey,” and “Youthful Heart.” Every song landed. Vision Arcade doesn’t just play well, they connect. If there’s a band from this lineup destined to blow past the Austin circuit into much larger rooms, my money’s on them.
Credit: Parker Pokluda
By the time The 4411 hit the stage, the crowd was primed. And the band leaned right into it. Their headlining set opened with momentum and never let up. A cover of “August” by flipturn turned the room into a scream-singing choir. “Sushi on the Beach” had bodies bouncing from front to back.
But the night’s most meaningful moment came with a bit of perspective: The 4411 hadn’t headlined in Austin since January 2025, and that show was also at 3TEN. Back then, they sold about half as many tickets as they did for this sold-out return. One year later, same room, entirely different scale. A true full-circle homecoming.
The band also treated fans to new material. During one unreleased song, the crowd erupted when the bassist pulled out a harmonica, adding a surprise texture that sent cheers through the room. Another new track, “Sweet July,” arrived tender and heartfelt, and with its official release date set for January 21, it already feels destined to become a staple in their catalog.
Credit: Parker Pokluda
They even tossed in a cover of “Come Together” (with a Pink Floyd-esque twist in tone and atmosphere), giving the set a classic-meets-modern flourish.
By the end of the night, it wasn’t just a concert, it was a snapshot of a city’s music ecosystem thriving in real time. Three Austin bands, three distinct sounds, one sold-out room, and a reminder that the local scene here isn’t just alive, it’s evolving and thriving.
And if this show was any indication, we’ll be seeing all three of these names in much bigger lights very soon.