ACL showcases many popular artists, and with over 100 musicians showcased, there are a plethora of small musicians that perform throughout the festival. One of these bands is Hotline TNT, an alternative rock band started and led by Will Anderson and is based in New York City. The band played on the T-Mobile Stage at ACL this year, experiencing one of their biggest performances yet.
LASA Liberator: What makes the music you play different from other genres of music?
Will Anderson: I mean, in 2025, alternative rock, which is what I would call Hotline, is kind of in its own section of popular music. Like a lot of stuff that gets popular, doesn’t have real guitar, real drums. We try to bring that back a little bit. I think it’s always been there, but we’re starting to see it get popular again a little bit. These things go in waves. Other than that, we’re not too different than any other band. We’re just two guitars, one drummer, one singer.
LL: What kind of person do you see listening to this music?
Anderson: I say it’s pretty broad. I mean, a lot of different kinds of people. We try to make the music that’s in our heart, and it’s a big umbrella that everybody’s supposed to be welcome under.
LL: What kind of shows do you normally play?
Anderson: We do clubs that are around 100 to 300 capacity. We also do a lot of basement shows, holiday shows, VFW halls, weird shows like that.
LL: What kind of things have you noticed that were different about playing at ACL than your usual shows?
Anderson: This is a much bigger production. It’s very slick because a lot of people are working, and it makes it a lot easier for us to get in, get out, and play our show.
LL: How did you get on the ACL stage?
Anderson: Our booking agent, Gabe Sunshine, is always out every day. He’s looking for opportunities for us. He has relationships with the people who are running the festival.
LL: What did you notice about the audience reception today?
Anderson: Today there’s a lot of people who don’t know us. So I kind of like those opportunities. We’re just going in, they’re blind, they don’t know anything about us. Our name is on the screen, but I have to hold their hand and be like, all right, we’re going to sing this part now. I think it’s cool, people go for it if you tell them how to have fun.
LL: This weekend, other than ACL, is there anything different about playing in Austin?
Anderson: Austin is always a very, very music-heavy city, so there’s a lot of, I would say, competition. There’s always like a million shows happening every time we’re down here. But the vibes are always fantastic. People are excited to see rock music.
LL: How do you create your music and make your sound?
Anderson: There’s a lot of steps to it. I’m inspired by other bands. If I hear something I like, whether it’s in music or something else, I’ll go to my studio, which is my bedroom, and just try to make the sound I hear in my head. When it comes to being on stage, there’s, you know, gear, there’s presentation. As far as the actual sound of the band, I’m just trying to chase the sound I hear in my brain.
