Coca-Cola Sips & Sounds Music Festival: The Recap

Austin, Texas – We’re back covering Coca-Cola Sips & Sounds, and the buzz started the moment the lineup dropped. This year felt different right away—the festival expanded into the lawn area of the Parmer Events Center and even utilized the exterior of the building for GA+ attendees. Compared to last year’s more compact setup, it was clear that Sips & Sounds aimed to elevate the overall experience.

Personally, I had the chance to both cover the festival and enjoy it alongside my wife. The goal was simple: capture the vibes while also being present and making memories. We were especially excited to see GROUPLOVE, Christina Aguilera, Foster The People, and Calvin Harris, all set against the backdrop of the Austin skyline.

Friday, March 13, 2026

The day kicked off with Skateland opening the SXSW Stage, with the first beat dropping at 2:38 PM. Earlier in the afternoon, we caught up with him backstage to talk about his experience performing at Sips & Sounds, his upbringing, education, and even his favorite Coca-Cola product.

Next up was Aidan Bissett at the Coca-Cola Stage (3:15 PM), bringing his alternative/indie sound with tracks like “More Than Friends” and “All That I’m Crying.”

Photo: Ricardo Contreras Plaza

We also caught a glimpse of indie/pop duo The Two Lips—best friends Jewlz and Andrea—right before our interview with Skateland.

Photo: Ricardo Contreras Plaza

At 4:45 PM, Ravyn Lenae took over the Coca-Cola Stage with a smooth R&B set, including “Love Me Not,” which has racked up over 54 million views on YouTube.

Photo: Ricardo Contreras Plaza

BETWEEN FRIENDS energized the SXSW Stage at 5:45 PM. Standout tracks from their set included “Chevron” and “affection.”

Photo: Ricardo Contreras Plaza

Major Lazer Soundsystem was one of the most anticipated acts of the weekend, and they delivered. Taking the Coca-Cola Stage at 6:30 PM, they brought the energy with hits like “Lean On” and “Light It Up,” fully utilizing the expanded stage to engage the crowd.

Photo: Ricardo Contreras Plaza

Closing out the SXSW Stage, GROUPLOVE performed under the night sky. By this time, the festival expansion really paid off—attendees had more room to relax, sit, and take in the atmosphere.

Photo: Ricardo Contreras Plaza

Christina Aguilera headlined the night at 8:45 PM on the Coca-Cola Stage. Despite the packed crowd, the energy was electric. She had everyone singing and dancing to classics like “Fighter” and “Genie in a Bottle.”

Photo: Ricardo Contreras Plaza

Saturday, March 14, 2026

Saturday started with Caroline Hale at 2:30 PM on the SXSW Stage, marking her first-ever music festival performance. We’ve covered her before during Bob Schneider’s Christmas special at ACL Live in 2023—definitely an artist to watch.

Photo: Ricardo Contreras Plaza

Mallrat, representing Australia, hit the Coca-Cola Stage at 3:15 PM. One detail that stood out: her drummer rocking a vintage Pumas 2003 jersey, a reminder of how soccer culture continues to influence music fashion.

Photo: Ricardo Contreras Plaza

At 4:00 PM, Jade LeMac took the SXSW Stage. A self-taught musician, she showcased her skills on both guitar and piano.

Photo: Ricardo Contreras Plaza

Stephen Sanchez followed at 4:45 PM on the Coca-Cola Stage, performing hits like “Until I Found You” and “This Thing Called Love.”

Photo: Ricardo Contreras Plaza

One of the youngest acts on the lineup, The Runarounds, brought high energy to the SXSW Stage with songs like “Minivan” and “Senior Year,” connecting especially well with the younger crowd.

Photo: Ricardo Contreras Plaza

Catching Foster The People at sunset (6:30 PM) was a highlight of the weekend—and a personal bucket list moment for my wife and me. Their music carries a lot of nostalgia, and their influence on mainstream alternative music is undeniable. Being able to capture their set for our platform was an honor.

Photo: Ricardo Contreras Plaza

flipturn closed out the SXSW Stage at 7:30 PM with tracks like “August” and “Burnout Days.”

Photo: Ricardo Contreras Plaza

Finally, Calvin Harris headlined the festival on Saturday night. His set brought together a diverse crowd—from longtime fans to a new generation that still connects with hits like “Summer,” which has surpassed 1 billion views.

Calvin Harris by Roger Ho for Sips & Sounds Festival 2026

Final Thoughts

We want to thank the Coca-Cola Sips & Sounds organizers and artists for allowing us to cover the festival for the second year in a row. Even with other events happening in Austin that weekend, Sips & Sounds delivered a strong turnout and an even stronger experience.

Here’s to continued growth and more unforgettable moments in the years to come. See you next year.

Calvin Harris by Roger Ho for Sips & Sounds Festival 2026