Cold War Kids will headline Longhorn City Limits presented by Hollister on Saturday, October 24, bringing their signature alternative-rock sound to the LBJ Lawn before Texas Football’s primetime SEC meeting with Ole Miss at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium.
The show is part of the 2026 Longhorn City Limits season and, as with every LCL concert, admission is free. Cold War Kids will be joined by special guest The Bright Light Social Hour, giving fans a full afternoon of live music ahead of kickoff.
Cold War Kids have spent more than 20 years building a catalog that mixes blues, soul, indie rock and sharp melodies into a sound that’s all their own. The Southern California band formed in 2004 and made its first big splash with the 2006 debut Robbers & Cowards, which featured the Gold-certified breakout hit "Hang Me Up to Dry." Frontman Nathan Willett and bassist Matt Maust have led the group through a career that has kept evolving without losing its emotional punch.
Their best-known songs include "First," "Hang Me Up to Dry," "Love Is Mystical," "Miracle Mile" and "So Tied Up." "First," from the 2014 album Hold My Home, went Platinum and reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Alternative Songs chart in 2015.
Their 2017 album L.A. Divine landed in the Top 10 of Billboard’s Top Rock Albums chart, and the band has kept stretching its sound through the NewAge Norms trilogy and its 2023 self-titled album.
More recently, Cold War Kids have been revisiting early material tied to the Robbers & Cowards era as they mark the album’s 20th anniversary. An anniversary edition of Robbers & Cowards is set for release everywhere on October 30.
"We're thrilled to have Cold War Kids joining us on the Forty Acres for Longhorn City Limits," said Chris Del Conte, Vice President and Lois and Richard Folger Athletics Director. "Their signature sound and incredible catalog of hits will make for one heck of a show on the LBJ Lawn. It's the perfect way to get Longhorn Nation ready for a Saturday night under the lights at DKR!"
Opening the day is Austin-based band The Bright Light Social Hour, whose mix of psychedelic rock, soul, funk and electronic influences has made them a local favorite. Founded by Jackie O'Brien and Curtis Roush, the group has released Space Is Still the Place, Jude I & II and Emergency Leisure, and has drawn praise from outlets including NPR and CLASH. They’ve also played major festivals such as Austin City Limits and Lollapalooza, shared stages with Aerosmith and The Flaming Lips, and contributed music to HBO, MTV and Amazon’s Sneaky Pete.
The Tito's Tailgate and Bulleit Frontier Lounge open at 2 p.m. on October 24. The Bright Light Social Hour plays from 3-4 p.m., followed by Cold War Kids from 4:30-5:30 p.m. That leaves fans time to catch the music before Texas kicks off against Ole Miss at 6:30 p.m.
After the game, the fan-favorite postgame silent disco returns. The event will feature three live DJs, and fans who attend will get wireless headphones with access to three different channels.
Longhorn City Limits will also bring back its usual game-day extras throughout the 2026 season. The Tito's Tailgate, located at the entrance to the LBJ Lawn, is free to the public for fans 21 and older and includes Tito's cocktails on tap for purchase, shaded stage views, tailgating games and exclusive giveaways while supplies last.
The Bulleit Frontier Lounge will again welcome fans 21 and older with a shaded hangout, specialty cocktails and limited-edition swag. Fans can also grab award-winning barbecue from Pinkerton's BBQ, which Texas Monthly has recognized as one of the state's premier barbecue spots.
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