The Chainsmokers Take Over Austin City Limits 2026 With Their Biggest Hits, Live Drums and Unexpected Remixes

The Chainsmokers Bring Their Biggest Hits, Live Drums and Unexpected Remixes to Austin City Limits 2026

AUSTIN, TEXAS — The Chainsmokers returned to one of America’s most celebrated music festivals with a performance that reminded audiences why the Grammy winning electronic duo became one of the defining crossover acts of the 2010s. Performing at Austin City Limits Music Festival 2026 in Zilker Park, Alex Pall and Drew Taggart delivered a high-energy set packed with their biggest hits, unexpected remixes, live instrumentation, and new material that offered a glimpse of where their sound could be heading next.

The Weekend 2 performance, released in a 62 minute video on The Chainsmokers’ official YouTube channel, brings together more than a decade of the duo’s musical evolution. From the atmospheric opening of “Roses” and the explosive energy of “Don’t Let Me Down” to the emotional singalongs of “Closer” and “Something Just Like This,” the set moves between nostalgic festival anthems and modern electronic production.

Joining Pall and Taggart was drummer Matt McGuire, whose live percussion added another dimension to the performance. Rather than relying exclusively on DJ equipment and prerecorded arrangements, the group incorporated live drumming into a show designed to bridge the worlds of electronic dance music, pop, and rock. The performance also featured some unexpected musical choices, including an EDM interpretation of Miley Cyrus’ “The Climb,” an edit incorporating Kanye West’s “Runaway,” and a country-influenced segment titled “Texas.” Those selections demonstrated the duo’s continued willingness to experiment with genres outside conventional festival EDM.

For fans who followed The Chainsmokers during their commercial breakthrough, the performance offered a reunion with the songs that dominated streaming platforms, radio, and festival stages. For newer listeners, it served as a reminder that the group’s success has always depended on something more than electronic drops: an ability to combine recognizable melodies, emotional songwriting, and the collective energy of a massive live audience.

Austin City Limits Provides the Perfect Stage for a Career-Spanning Performance

Held annually at Zilker Park, Austin City Limits Music Festival has become one of the most prominent events on the American festival calendar. The festival’s programming spans rock, hip hop, pop, country, indie, and electronic music, reflecting Austin’s longstanding identity as a center of live performance. That diversity made the event a natural setting for The Chainsmokers, whose catalog has consistently crossed the boundaries separating dance music from mainstream pop. Their records have featured collaborations with vocalists from multiple genres, while their live shows frequently incorporate elements of rock concerts and traditional DJ performances.

The Weekend 2 set emphasized that crossover identity. The performance moved quickly through familiar tracks while incorporating remixes and transitions intended to maintain momentum across the hour-long show. Instead of presenting their biggest records as isolated radio hits, Pall and Taggart placed them within a continuous festival arrangement, allowing songs from different periods of their career to interact with newer material.

McGuire’s presence also distinguished the performance from a conventional electronic set. Live drums gave certain passages a more physical, concert-like character, particularly during transitions that emphasized dramatic builds, percussion, and audience participation. The result was a show that drew on the spectacle of electronic music while retaining the accessibility of a mainstream pop concert.

From “Roses” to “Don’t Let Me Down”: The Early Hits That Changed Everything

The performance opened with “Roses,” the 2015 single featuring vocalist ROZES that helped establish The Chainsmokers’ distinctive approach to melodic electronic music. Appearing near the beginning of the recording, the song served as an appropriate introduction to a set built around the group’s most recognizable releases.

“Roses” represented an important turning point in The Chainsmokers’ career. Following the viral success of “#SELFIE,” the duo began moving toward more melodic, emotionally driven productions that combined electronic arrangements with conventional pop songwriting. The track’s restrained vocals, atmospheric production, and memorable instrumental hook helped establish the sound that would soon bring them international success.

Approximately six minutes into the performance, the duo transitioned into “Don’t Let Me Down,” their collaboration with Daya. Released in 2016, the song became one of their defining commercial breakthroughs and won the Grammy Award for Best Dance Recording in 2017. The track remains particularly effective in a festival environment because of its dramatic structure. Its vocal passages build tension before giving way to the instrumental hook that made it one of the most recognizable electronic records of its era.

Together, “Roses” and “Don’t Let Me Down” established the musical foundation for the rest of the performance. Both records helped transform The Chainsmokers from a successful DJ act into an internationally recognized pop-electronic group, and their inclusion early in the set immediately connected the Austin audience with that history.

“Paris,” “Love Again” and a Glimpse of The Chainsmokers’ Next Chapter

Around the 16 minute mark, the performance moved into “Paris,” another important release from the duo’s commercial peak. The 2017 single demonstrated their increasing interest in songwriting and narrative, combining an understated electronic arrangement with lyrics about relationships, escapism, and youthful uncertainty. “Paris” also helped establish Drew Taggart as a recognizable vocalist rather than exclusively a producer and DJ. His growing presence on the group’s recordings contributed to The Chainsmokers’ transition toward a hybrid identity that combined electronic production with the structure of a pop band.

Several minutes later, the set introduced “Love Again,” identified in the supplied tracklist as a preview of new or unreleased material. Its inclusion suggested that the group was using the Austin performance not only to revisit established hits but also to test newer music in front of a festival audience.

Previewing music during major performances has long been part of electronic dance culture. Producers frequently introduce unreleased tracks or alternate versions of existing songs to evaluate audience reactions before finalizing studio releases. For established acts such as The Chainsmokers, those moments can also provide a way to connect new material with listeners who initially discovered the group through older records. The appearance of “Love Again” offered an indication of the duo’s continuing creative activity, although the recording alone does not establish an official release date or final track title.

“#SELFIE” Returns: The Viral Record That Started It All

At approximately 24 minutes, the set revisited “#SELFIE,” the novelty dance track that first propelled The Chainsmokers into mainstream recognition in 2014. The song became a viral phenomenon through its satirical spoken-word commentary on nightclub culture, social media, and the increasingly obsessive relationship between young audiences and their smartphones. Its success arrived during a period when electronic dance music was rapidly expanding into American popular culture, aided by social platforms and the growing visibility of large-scale festivals.

Although “#SELFIE” differed considerably from the melodic pop-electronic records that later defined the group’s career, it remains an important part of their history. The track introduced Pall and Taggart to a global audience and demonstrated their ability to understand the relationship between music, humor, and internet culture.

Its appearance in the Austin set functioned as a brief acknowledgment of the duo’s origins rather than the centerpiece of the performance. By placing it alongside more emotionally driven songs, The Chainsmokers illustrated just how dramatically their music has evolved since their earliest commercial breakthrough.

“Closer” Turns Austin City Limits Into a Massive Singalong

One of the most recognizable moments in the performance arrived around the 30-minute mark with “Closer,” the 2016 collaboration featuring Halsey that became the biggest hit of The Chainsmokers’ career. The song spent 12 consecutive weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and became one of the defining pop singles of its decade. Its success was driven by an unusually effective combination of conversational lyrics, nostalgic imagery, and an instantly recognizable electronic hook.

Unlike many festival tracks built primarily around instrumental drops, “Closer” derives much of its appeal from storytelling. The lyrics describe two former lovers reconnecting after years apart, using ordinary details and memories to create a sense of familiarity that resonated with a broad audience.

That accessibility made the record particularly effective in live settings. Even listeners who do not regularly follow electronic dance music often recognize the song’s melody and lyrics, allowing it to function as a shared moment between performers and audiences.

The Austin performance demonstrated the continued importance of “Closer” within The Chainsmokers’ catalog. A decade after its original release, the song remains a central part of the group’s musical identity and a reminder of the period when electronic producers became some of the biggest stars in mainstream pop.

Miley Cyrus, Kanye West and the Art of the Unexpected Festival Remix

One of the most interesting aspects of the Austin City Limits set was the group’s decision to incorporate material from artists outside their usual electronic music orbit. At approximately 35 minutes, the performance introduced an EDM interpretation of “The Climb,” the Miley Cyrus song originally released in 2009. The selection represented a departure from conventional festival programming, drawing on a familiar pop country ballad and placing it within a contemporary electronic arrangement.

“The Climb” is built around themes of perseverance, uncertainty, and personal growth. Its inclusion highlighted The Chainsmokers’ longstanding interest in emotionally recognizable songs that can be reinterpreted for a dance oriented audience.

Several minutes later, the duo incorporated an edit of “Runaway,” Kanye West’s 2010 song from My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy. The original recording is known for its sparse piano introduction, unconventional structure, and introspective lyrics. Reworking that material within an electronic set offered a different kind of musical contrast, bringing hip-hop and experimental pop influences into the performance.

These selections reflected a broader trend in contemporary DJ culture, where recognizable songs from multiple genres are frequently transformed through edits, mashups, and remixes. The goal is not simply to reproduce the original recordings but to reinterpret their emotional impact in a new musical environment.

For The Chainsmokers, whose catalog already exists between pop and electronic music, the approach was consistent with their established identity. The remixes allowed them to move beyond their own hits while maintaining the familiar melodies and dramatic arrangements that audiences expect from their live performances.

“Texas” Brings a Country EDM Twist to Austin

At approximately 52 minutes, the set introduced a segment identified as “Texas,” incorporating country influences into the group’s electronic sound. The selection was particularly appropriate for Austin, a city whose musical identity has been shaped by country, rock, blues, and Americana alongside its increasingly prominent electronic scene.

Country and electronic dance music have developed a growing relationship in recent years, with producers experimenting with acoustic instruments, traditional songwriting, and rhythmic elements associated with country music. The crossover has created opportunities for artists to reach audiences who might otherwise have little interest in electronic festivals.

For The Chainsmokers, the “Texas” segment illustrated the flexibility of their production approach. Their music has rarely been confined to one genre, and the incorporation of country influences demonstrated another way to connect contemporary electronic arrangements with familiar American musical traditions.

The moment also gave the Austin performance a location-specific character. Rather than delivering an entirely standardized collection of hits, the group incorporated a musical reference that connected the set to its Texas surroundings.

“Something Just Like This” Delivers a Stadium Sized Finale

The final portion of the recording featured “Something Just Like This,” The Chainsmokers’ collaboration with Coldplay, beginning around the 57 minute mark. Released in 2017, the song brought together two acts with different but complementary musical identities. Coldplay contributed the melodic, emotionally direct songwriting associated with its stadium performances, while The Chainsmokers supplied the electronic production and rhythmic structure.

The result became one of the duo’s most commercially successful collaborations and further established their ability to bridge the gap between dance music and mainstream pop rock. The song’s lyrics focus on the desire for an ordinary, meaningful relationship rather than an idealized romantic fantasy. Combined with its expansive instrumental arrangement, that theme made the track particularly effective as a festival anthem.

Closing the Austin set with material from this collaboration provided an appropriate conclusion to a performance that repeatedly emphasized the group’s crossover appeal. From their early electronic hits to collaborations with major pop artists, The Chainsmokers have built a catalog designed to connect with audiences far beyond traditional club culture.

Matt McGuire’s Live Drums Add Another Dimension to The Chainsmokers’ Performance

An important element of the Austin performance was the participation of drummer Matt McGuire, whose live percussion helped distinguish the show from a conventional DJ set. McGuire has become known for combining the technical intensity of rock drumming with electronic music, using live percussion to reinforce programmed rhythms and add physical energy to performances.

In a traditional DJ set, percussion is generally embedded within the recorded tracks being mixed. Incorporating a live drummer creates opportunities for additional fills, rhythmic accents, and improvisational elements that can make a performance feel more immediate.

The Chainsmokers have increasingly explored the relationship between electronic production and live instrumentation, reflecting their broader evolution from a DJ-focused act into a group capable of presenting music in multiple formats.

McGuire’s involvement reinforced that approach. His performance contributed to the concert-like atmosphere of the Austin show and helped connect the duo’s electronic arrangements with the visual and physical intensity associated with live bands.

For a festival such as Austin City Limits, where audiences encounter performers from numerous musical genres, that hybrid format offered an effective way to present electronic music alongside traditional live acts.

A Decade of Hits Shows Why The Chainsmokers Remain a Festival Force

The Chainsmokers’ Austin City Limits 2026 performance was more than a collection of familiar songs. It was a demonstration of how the duo has adapted its musical identity across more than a decade of changes in popular music. Their early success came during the American EDM boom, when electronic producers were becoming increasingly visible on radio, streaming platforms, and major festival stages. But Pall and Taggart distinguished themselves by embracing pop songwriting and collaborations with vocalists whose work extended beyond dance music.

That strategy produced a remarkable series of hits, including “Roses,” “Don’t Let Me Down,” “Closer,” “Paris,” and “Something Just Like This.” Those records helped establish a model for electronic artists who wanted to reach mainstream audiences without abandoning the rhythmic foundations of dance music. The Austin performance demonstrated the continuing relevance of that catalog while introducing new material and unconventional edits that suggested the duo remains interested in musical experimentation.

From Miley Cyrus and Kanye West reinterpretations to the country-influenced “Texas” segment, the show embraced the genre-crossing approach that has characterized much of The Chainsmokers’ career. The addition of live drums and the festival’s large outdoor setting reinforced the group’s evolution beyond traditional DJ performances, creating an experience that combined electronic music, pop nostalgia, and the energy of a live concert.

Ten years after their biggest commercial breakthroughs, The Chainsmokers continue to possess something many electronic acts struggle to achieve: a catalog of songs that audiences can recognize immediately, sing together, and experience as part of a shared cultural memory.

At Austin City Limits 2026, that combination remained the foundation of their appeal. The production may have evolved, the remixes may have changed, and new material may be entering the picture, but the group’s central formula remains recognizable: memorable songs, emotional melodies, and enough electronic energy to turn a festival crowd into one enormous dance floor.

Watch The Chainsmokers’ Full Austin City Limits 2026 Performance

The complete Weekend 2 performance runs 1 hour, 2 minutes, and 14 seconds. The recording includes the group’s biggest hits, unreleased material, and multiple mashups that combine songs from different artists.

Sources & Further Reading

• The Chainsmokers — Live at Austin City Limits 2026, Weekend 2 (Official Full Set)
• Austin City Limits Music Festival — Official 2026 Lineup
• Visit Austin — Austin City Limits Music Festival 2026
• LiveTracklist — The Chainsmokers, ACL Weekend 2, October 9, 2026
• SFL Media — Electronic Dance Music and Festival Coverage