The Pretenders on Austin City Limits 'Middle of the Road'

The Pretenders make their Austin City Limits debut. Enjoy their classic hit "Middle of the Road."

About the Episode
Enjoy a career-spanning set from The Pretenders. The legendary rock & roll band performs songs from their latest album Alone alongside beloved classics “Back On the Chain Gang,” “Brass in Pocket” and “Middle of the Road.”

About Austin City Limits
ACL offers viewers unparalleled access to featured acts in an intimate setting that provides a platform for artists to deliver inspired, memorable, full-length performances. The program is taped live before a concert audience from The Moody Theater in downtown Austin. ACL is the longest-running music series in American television history and remains the only TV series to ever be awarded the National Medal of Arts. Since its inception, the groundbreaking music series has become an institution that's helped secure Austin's reputation as the Live Music Capital of the World. The historic KLRU Studio 6A, home to 36 years of ACL concerts, has been designated an official Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Landmark. In 2011, ACL moved to the new venue ACL Live at The Moody Theater in downtown Austin. ACL received a rare institutional Peabody Award for excellence and outstanding achievement in 2012.

[markh]

She is friggen 68 years old and her band mates are pretty much up there with her. I’m 63 and I wish I could be as badass cool as they are. True Rock & Roll man.

[davehowes]

Always loved the Pretenders. And Chrissy floats my boat. Probably not alone in that. 😆

[acenelson]

Chrissie Hynde is one of the handful of real geniuses of rock. Nobody else is so bright and dark at the same time, in the very same moment. She makes you soar but you ain't wearing rose colored glasses when you do. Her voice, her music, her lyrics. Pure artistry.

[joydelong]

It's March, 2024 and my 24 yr old son is jamming to this with me. Voluntarily.

[neilphelan]

Real musicians playing real instruments! No digital crap here. PURE TALENT at its

[Iloveit]

I live in Seattle, one night my friend and I where at a mariners game and on the way home we drove past the Moore theater and the pretenders we're playing. We paid like 30 bucks each. One of the best shows I've ever seen. And I've seen a ton of shows.

[annebailey]

Middle of the Road belongs in the rock and roll pantheon.

[tommy--k]

Chrissie Hynde, the definition of cool. Pretenders, great rock band!

[aquamarine]

That voice, and those lyrics, are eternal.

[alandesgrange]

Martin, the drummer, killing it. The guy still has flair!

[DigitalAndInnovation]

One of those bands that is just pure talent, they sound as good as they ever did and this is LIVE

[CreekyGuy]

She was awesome in the day, and she's lost none of it. She's still got plenty of brass in her pocket. Thank you for posting.

[Genghis]

The first album "Pretenders" introduced me to Chrissie. 4 decades later I still have a crush on her 😅

[bigdogpete]

One of the all time best driving songs.

[theorangegoodness]

I’ve never heard Chrissie sing sharp or flat live. Like ever. What a cool voice.

[davidreedy]

Saw them in July 2024. At 72 years old, still rocking.

[cheezypeezy]

She sounds the same so flawless. She is beautiful

[chipper]

I’ve had a huge crush on this Lady since the age of 14, 40 years later and it’s still going strong.

[JamesM]

Not only my favorite Pretenders song, one of my favorite songs ever. Just the coolest band - so influential on so many levels. As many times as I've heard this song, it never gets old. And they sound as good here as they ever did.

[timford]

Martin Dale Chambers has always been one of my very favorite drummers. He plays with the same ferocious energy here that he used to back in the late 70's, early 80's. He's an animal.