Sips & Sounds Festival: Day 2 Recap – A Celebration of Music, Energy & Unforgettable Moments

Day 2 of Sips & Sounds 2025 delivered another round of high-energy performances, emotional moments, and a genre-spanning lineup that kept the crowd engaged from afternoon sunshine to the chilly Austin night.

With a mix of rising stars, fan-favorite acts, and a headliner who left it all on stage, Saturday proved why this festival is quickly becoming a must-attend event. Let’s dive into the highlights!

Paul Russell: Kicking Off Day 2 with Energy & Heart

Dallas native Paul Russell opened the second day in style, rocking a black vest, camo pants, and crème-colored boots—because even in the Texas heat, attitude is everything. His set was more than just music; he showed his character by pausing his performance to ensure a fan got medical assistance. He closed with the infectious Lil Boo Thang, hyping up the early crowd and setting the tone for the day.

Austin Ashtin: Nostalgia & Electronic Vibes

Over at Coke Studio, Austin Ashtin delivered a standout set, including a fresh electronic take on Gotye’s "Somebody That I Used to Know", bringing back early 2010s nostalgia. Unlike Day 1’s heat, the cooler weather made his set even more enjoyable. We also got the chance to interview him backstage, so stay tuned for that video dropping soon!

Nessa Barrett: Dark, Emotional, and Unapologetic

Dressed in black and grey, Nessa Barrett embodied the freedom and confidence that define her music. She opened with her powerful hit S.L.U.T., immediately pulling the audience into her world. As the Texas wind picked up, her moody lighting and dark stage visuals only amplified the raw emotion of her performance.

DJ Cassandra: Bringing Live Energy to the Turntables

One of the festival’s standout DJs, Cassandra infused her set with live instrumentation, keeping the energy up between band performances. We also had the chance to interview her backstage, so be on the lookout for that exclusive content soon.

Chelsea Cutler & Jeremy Zucker: A Moment of Calm in the Chaos

Chelsea Cutler & Jeremy Zucker by Roger Ho

One of the most intimate moments of the festival came when Chelsea Cutler took the stage with Jeremy Zucker to present their Brent EP—an album inspired by Brentwood Road in 2019. Their stripped-down, acoustic-driven melodies allowed the crowd to sit back, breathe, and take in the beauty of live music in Austin.

Arcy Drive: Indie Rock That Resonated Across Generations

When Arcy Drive hit the stage, it wasn’t just the indie rock fans that tuned in, it was a wide range of festival-goers, spanning different musical tastes and age groups. The band’s undeniable stage charisma and infectious energy made them impossible to ignore. From their dynamic sound to their electric chemistry on stage, Arcy Drive proved that great music speaks to everyone, no matter their background or preference.

AJR: A Family Affair of Catchy & Quirky Hits

Inside-pop brothers Adam, Jack, and Ryan, better known as AJR, had the crowd singing along to hits like The Dumb Song, Touchy Feely Fool, and Skip to the Good Part. Their quirky, experimental approach involves making beats in their living room, translated effortlessly to the festival stage. Watching families with kids singing along was a special moment, proving their music connects across generations.

Claire Rosinkranz: A Dedicated Fanbase & a Cozy Performance

As night settled in and temperatures dropped, festival-goers scrambled to buy jackets downtown, but Claire Rosinkranz came prepared, rocking a white outfit with a long grey coat. Her set was chill yet captivating, with melodies that had attendees swaying in the cool Austin air. We even spoke to a fan who made a one-day trip from Houston just to see her, proving her growing impact.

Benson Boone: A Headliner Who Left It All on Stage

Closing out Sips & Sounds 2025, Benson Boone delivered an intense, emotional, and fully immersive 90-minute set. Dressed in a red vest (no shirt) and a thong, he made a statement both visually and musically. Fans stood on shoulders, waved frantically, and tried to get his attention as he moved around the stage, making sure everyone felt included.

At one point, Benson reflected on the personal changes he’s gone through in the past year, leading into a deeply vulnerable performance of Friend. Between storytelling and powerhouse vocals, he closed out the festival in the most memorable way possible.

Final Thoughts: Sips & Sounds 2025 Was a Success!

As our first year covering the festival, we couldn’t be more grateful to Sips & Sounds and their team for making this event possible. The venue at Auditorium Shores was the perfect choice, with both the Coca-Cola & Coke Studio stages close enough for fans to easily catch each set.

Shoutout to Cinemark for the free popcorn & drink at the Movie activation, Minute Maid for the Silent Disco, and of course, let’s not forget good music needs good eats! Huge thanks to the food vendors for keeping everyone fueled throughout the festival.

So, what’s next? We hope to see Sips & Sounds return next year, and the year after… and the year after. Because we’ll be right here, ready to capture the magic once again.

Until next time, Austin.