Text and photos: Madison Truscan
The Coca-Cola Sips & Sounds Music Festival returned to Austin, Texas for its second year – and this time, it was even more exciting and successful than the last. This festival is arguably one of the most underrated music festivals in the U.S, most likely due to how new it is. The vibes are immaculate, the people are friendly, it’s not overly crowded, and the lineup is diverse across a variety of sounds and genres.
Friday’s most memorable moment was Christina Aguilera’s massive comeback. Fans of all ages belted to all of her classic hits, like Dirrty, Fighter, Genie in a Bottle, and Lady Marmalade. She sounded better than ever, and brought us 90’s babies the ultimate wave of nostalgia. Christina commanded the attention of over 20,000 attendees and strutted that catwalk like nobody’s business.
Other standout Friday performances included indie pop artist Aidan Bissett, dream pop duo The Two Lips, viral hit queen Ravyn Lenae, alt/indie duo BETWEEN FRIENDS, classic DJ group Major Lazer, and the ever-energetic indie band, GROUPLOVE.
Saturday was a scorcher, with temps rivaling that late-July Texas sun. The heat didn’t stop fans from arriving early to stake out a perfect spot in the pit for the headliner, Calvin Harris. Harris played all the classic, catchy hits, like Sweet Nothing, Feel So Close, and Outside. The combination of pyro, smoke, lasers, and shaking bass made it a night Austin will never forget.
Additional Saturday highlights included Canadian alt-pop singer Jade LeMac, indie heartthrobs The Runarounds, indie rock mainstays Foster the People, and viral alt/indie group flipturn.
The festival has partnered with SXSW, and this year, badgeholders were able to attend without purchasing an additional ticket. Put on by Coca Cola, the festival featured tasting centers for the new Cherry Float flavor, along with Coca Cola branded activations, plus pop-ups from Cinemark, Peace Tea, Smartwater and more. Keep an eye out for next year’s lineup – and get ready for an even bigger, better, and more iconic Coca-Cola Sips & Sounds Music Festival in 2027.
