Charli XCX and Tinashe reunite for surprise ACL Festival set

The 2026 edition of the Austin City Limits (ACL) Festival delivered a standout moment when Charli XCX invited Tinashe on stage for a surprise performance during her headlining set. The duo, who first collaborated in 2015, reunited on October 9 at Zilker Park in Austin, Texas, to perform two tracks from Tinashe’s latest album, Popstar, which recently debuted at No. 6 on the Billboard 200—her highest-charting release to date.

A Career Milestone for Tinashe

Tinashe’s appearance at ACL Festival was more than just a reunion—it was a celebration of her growing momentum. Popstar marks her first top 10 album on the Billboard 200, a significant achievement after years of building a dedicated fanbase. Her previous albums, including Aquarius (2014) and Joyride (2018), peaked at Nos. 17 and 58, respectively, while Quantum Baby (2024) debuted at No. 199. The success of Popstar reflects her evolution as an artist, blending dance-pop and R&B influences with infectious energy.

During the surprise set, Tinashe performed the live debut of Popstar’s lead single, “Nobody Wanna Dance Anymore,” alongside the album’s standout track, “Melatonin.” The performance was teased earlier in the day when Tinashe shared a backstage video on Instagram Stories, showing her and Charli dancing to their 2015 collaboration with Ty Dolla $ign, “Drop That Kitty.” The moment was a full-circle celebration for fans who have followed both artists’ careers.

Charli XCX’s Festival Highlights

Charli XCX, currently on her Sweat Tour in support of her album Brat, has been making waves at festivals this year. At ACL Festival’s opening weekend on October 2, she brought out Troye Sivan for a guest appearance, performing his tracks “Le Boy” and “Party.” The tour, which blends hyperpop, dance, and avant-garde influences, has been praised for its high-energy performances and boundary-pushing production.

The ACL Festival set was part of Charli’s broader tour, which includes dates across North America, Europe, and the UK. Her collaboration with Tinashe—including a 2024 remix of “B2B” from Brat—has reignited excitement among fans, who have long awaited another joint performance.

What’s Next for Tinashe and Charli XCX

Tinashe’s Popstar era is just getting started. Following her ACL Festival debut, she kicked off her Popstar Tour with a performance at the FORM Arcosanti Festival in Arizona on October 11. The tour will likely bring her signature blend of dance-pop and R&B to venues across the U.S., giving fans more opportunities to experience Popstar live.

Meanwhile, Charli XCX will wrap up her North American Sweat Tour later this month before heading to Europe. Fans can expect more surprises as she continues to blend festival headlining sets with intimate tour stops.

ACL Festival’s 25th Anniversary Weekend

The 2026 ACL Festival marked its 25th anniversary with two weekends of performances. Charli XCX and Tinashe’s surprise set was part of the festival’s first weekend, which also featured headliners like RÜFÜS DU SOL, Lorde, and Twenty One Pilots. The second weekend, which concluded on October 11, included closing sets from The xx, Geese, and Sofi Tukker, along with performances by Blood Orange and The War on Drugs.

For fans who missed the surprise performance, Tinashe’s Popstar Tour and Charli XCX’s ongoing Sweat Tour offer plenty of opportunities to catch both artists live in the coming months.