Kacey Musgraves returns to ACL Live to kick off program’s 50th anniversary

AUSTIN, Texas — It was a special night for both ACL Live and Kacey Musgraves. The live music program, whose pilot shot in 1974 with a performance by the legendary Willie Nelson, celebrates its 50th season this year. And Musgraves took to the ACL Live stage on Monday for the third time in 10 years to shoot the season premiere of the program’s landmark anniversary.

“It’s good to be back here in Texas,” Musgraves said as she opened the show. The feeling was mutual.

Musgraves was sure to set the scene as a therapist would, declaring the set was a “safe space” for everyone in the room. It’s fitting, considering a Kacey Musgraves concert is like therapy — expressing your emotions is encouraged.

The Grammy Award-winning songstress released her latest album, “Deeper Well,” on March 15, which made up the bulk of the setlist. But she didn’t leave out hits from previous albums.

Leaning into her country roots, Musgraves’ band rocked Canadian tuxedos while she shined in a glittering black dress. She even kicked off her stilettos during a performance of “High Horse,” sending the crowd into a roar.

Even when she and her band had to re-record songs due to sound issues, the crowd cheered with twice the enthusiasm. Multiple people yelled “We love you, Kacey!” in between takes.

Musgraves took it all the way back to “Same Trailer Different Park” with a performance of “Follow Your Arrow,” explaining that she wrote the song during a time of division in the U.S.

Season 50 of ACL Live is set to premiere on PBS in September. Musgraves returns to Texas in November for shows in Houston, Dallas and Austin as part of her Deeper Well World Tour.