by Virginia Hernandez
Influential indie rock band Modest Mouse, fronted by the ever-charismatic Isaac Brock, is known for angular guitar work, unconventional rhythms, and introspective, often existential lyrics. The band reached mainstream success with the Grammy-nominated hit “Float On” in 2004, but its influence has long extended beyond the indie-rock scene. Over the decades, Modest Mouse has built a catalog that continues to resonate with listeners across generations. On October 15, the band brought that legacy to ACL Live at the Moody Theater for a night that showcased its staying power and unmistakable energy.
Opening the show, American singer-songwriter Caroline Rose brought a healthy dose of pop-rock energy, mixing quirky sounds with offbeat lyrics and a playful, unpredictable style. It was an exciting start to an evening with a band that has made a career out of establishing their own unique style.
The multigenerational crowd for Modest Mouse spoke volumes about the band’s ability to transcend trends, drawing together longtime listeners and newer fans (including pairings like dads and sons) who have found their way into its wonderfully weird world. These weren’t just people waiting for “Float On”; you could tell there were plenty of lifelong fans in the room, fans who have followed the band’s evolution and remained devoted through its many sonic twists and turns.
The 20-song setlist offered a satisfying mix of familiar favorites and deeper cuts, moving from “Gravity Rides Everything” and “Missed the Boat” to fan favorites like “Trucker’s Atlas,” “Cowboy Dan,” and “Spitting Venom.” Modest Mouse has always excelled at balancing jagged, restless instrumentation with lyrics that veer between existential dread and unexpected optimism. That tension is a big part of what makes the band’s music so enduring: it can be chaotic, melancholy, infectious, and oddly comforting all at once. Nearly three decades into its career, Modest Mouse hasn’t lost the edge that made it stand out, and the enthusiasm in the room made it clear that its music continues to find new generations without losing the ones who have been there all along.
Check out all our amazing photos from the show at Austin 101.
Setlist
ACL Live at the Moody Theater — October 15, 2026
- Third Side of the Moon
- Speak ’n Spell (Or Not)
- Dance Hall
- Trucker’s Atlas
- Dogbed in Heaven / Give It a Skeleton
- Gravity Rides Everything
- Picking Dragons’ Pockets
- Missed the Boat
- The Cold Part
- Absolutely Necessary Never
- Cowboy Dan
- Shit in Your Cut
- Knocked Down by Waves
- Satellite Skin
- Float On
- Life Like Weeds
- March Into the Sea
- Talking Shit About a Pretty Sunset
- King Rat
- Spitting Venom
