Watch Allison Russell Perform Captivating ‘You’re Not Alone’ On ‘Austin City Limits’

Canadian singer-songwriter Allison Russell makes her Austin City Limits debut on the episode premiering this Saturday, October 22 at 8 p.m. CT/9 p.m. ET on PBS. The Montreal-based musician’s May 2022 performance at Austin’s The Moody Theater was the landmark 1,000th ACL taping and JamBase is pleased to premiere exclusive video footage of Russell leading her band through “You’re Not Alone” from this weekend’s installment.

Allison Russell issued her excellent debut solo album Outside Child last year. The release of her first album under her own name came out from the Birds of Chicago and Our Native Daughters member in May 2021 via Fantasy Records and garnered Russell three 2022 Grammy nominations and was recently selected by the Americana Music Association as Album Of The Year.

Performing at the 1,000th taping since Austin City Limits launched in 1974 was extremely special for Allison Russell, who wrote:

“As an abused child growing up in Montréal, Quebec I used to watch ACL on PBS beamed up from Burlington, Vermont. I heard the sounds of freedom. Those sounds helped me to eventually free myself. Those sounds helped me find my own path as an artist and songwriter and anti-bigotry activist.

“I’ve dreamt of performing on that hallowed stage most of my life. To be part of the 1000th taping feels so resonant and cosmic. I am grateful beyond measure for the musical inspiration and cultural sustenance that ACL has amplified and curated iconically, for so many years. Sharing music and our diverse but equally human stories is an essential service and a sacrament. It bridges the gulfs between and turns fear into connection and hatred into love. It reduces the harm in the World. My chosen musical family and I are so proud to be stepping into this magic circle, this celebration. Thank you ACL.”

Russell, who shares the hour with fellow Canadian singer-songwriter The Weather Station (Tamara Lindeman), performed four songs featured on this weekend’s episode backed by a six-piece band. Allison works through three Outside Child cuts before delivering an emotion-laden “You’re Not Alone” from Our Native Daughters’ 2019 album Songs Of Our Native Daughters. The multi-instrumentalist shows off her bilingual vocal talents on the song.

Watch Allison Russell performing “You’re Not Alone” on ACL below:

Allison Russell dueted with fellow Season 48 artist Brandi Carlile on a new version of “You’re Not Alone” released in August. The Austin City Limits episode featuring Russell and The Weather Station can be viewed in full via pbs.org/austincitylimits after the broadcast premieres.