Even though SXSW has been canceled for the first time ever, we wanted to share our recommendations for artists you might have seen in hopes that you will still watch, listen, and love their music. You can also see our ‘101 artists to watch’ list at the bottom of the post.
While SXSW is known for bringing recognition to emerging artists, it also attracts a-list performers. Many of these hugely popular artists will be performing in unusually intimate venues or on the free outdoor stage at Lady Bird Lake. Either way, SXSW is a great way to see these successful bands. (Double check all times and locations on the SXSW app as they may change.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PdH45WXuHx8
Milky Chance: This duo of high school friends from Germany are proven hitmakers (“Stolen Dance” and “Flashed Junk Mind”). Meshing an acoustic guitar-driven sound with electric beats, Milky Chance creates a sound that crosses genres, includes infectious hooks, and enjoys wide appeal. (March 19: SXSW Outdoor Stage at Lady Bird Lake, 8:40-9:40 pm)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NRtvqT_wMeY
Soul Asylum: Grammy winning 90’s alt-rock band Soul Asylum is known for their monster hit “Runaway Train”. Still creating music, they have a new single out called “Got It Pretty Good” – – and it is pretty good! (March 20: Performing on the intimate stage at Lambert’s 1:00-1:55 am)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jAQR6266Gw
Max Frost: Austin born and raised musician Max Frost may now reside in LA, but he’ll always call Austin home. Check out his high energy pop-dance beats (try “White Lies” and “Adderall”) and we dare you not to dance along. (March 19: SXSW Outdoor Stage at Lady Bird Lake 5:35-6:15 pm)
Walshy Fire: Widely known as a member of Major Lazer, Walshy Fire will be showcasing his solo DJ music at SXSW. The son of a Jamaican Cricket star, Walshy Fire often invokes the sounds of his Caribbean heritage in his music — mixes that will surely have the crowd rocking to his island vibes. (Date and venue TBA)
Glass Animals: Feeling “gooey”? Well, you will after Glass Animals coats you with their dance-heavy electric tunes drenched in “peanut butter vibes”. Experience this four-man UK group in person at their SXSW show at Stubbs. (March 18: Stubbs, 12:30-1:30 am)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KeJm9PAWp6A
Carla Morrison: One of the most popular indie singers in Latin America, she has won two Grammy awards as well as multiple Latin Grammys. She also has cultivated an enormous fanbase that adore her clear, clean pitch-perfect vocals. (March 21: SXSW Outdoor Stage at Lady Bird Lake, 8:10-9:40 pm)
JP Saxe: This Canadian singer-songwriter’s popularity has exploded largely as a result of his newest song “If The World Was Ending” (which features Julia Michael). His goosebump-inducing lyrics are packed with soul touching emotion and feel a lot like a reassuring hug. (March 19: SXSW Outdoor Stage at Lady Bird Lake, 7:35 – 8:15 pm)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wFwPh-KbEY
Beabadoobee: At only 19 years of age, UK’s Beabadoobee has become an indie-pop sensation. Her light and airy song “Coffee” was a massive overnight success that continued to gain momentum when it was heavily sampled by Canadian musician Powfu and featured on his track “Death Bed”. (March 17: Latitude 30, 11:00:-11:40 pm and March 18, Cedar Street, 1:00-1:50 am)
Vistas: Popular in the UK, this trio of Scotland based musicians is now making major waves in the US with their upbeat indie-pop music. (March 18: Maggie Mae’s Gibson Room, 11:00 – 11:40 pm and March 19: Swan Dive, 10:00-10:40 pm)
See the entire lineup and schedule at SXSW.
Austin 101 Magazine’s “101 To Watch at SXSW”:
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$SNOT |
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99 Neighbors |
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Ailbhe Reddy |
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Algiers |
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Alma |
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Baby Rose |
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Balming Tiger |
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Beabadoobee |
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Black Lips |
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Bourgeois Mystics |
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Brian Fallon |
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Bridget Kelly |
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Caroline Rose |
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Cassper Nyovest |
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Christina La Rocca |
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Chuck Prophet and The Mission Express |
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Curtis McMurtry |
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CVLTE |
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Dead Horses |
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Dead Poets Society |
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Deanna Wheeler |
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Declan J. Donovon |
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Delta Spirit |
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Demi Grace |
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Devarrow |
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Devon Gilfillian |
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Drinking Boys and Girls Choir |
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Early James |
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Edan Archer |
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Electric Fields |
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Fenne Lily |
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Ferreck Dawn |
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Flawes |
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Free Radicals |
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Frisco |
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Ghetto Kumba |
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Gina Sicilia |
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Girl Skin |
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Grace Pettis |
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GRLWood |
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Hamilton Leithauser |
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Haviah Mighty |
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Harleighblu |
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Herizen |
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Honey Harper |
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Jackie Venson |
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Jadu Heart |
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Jeff Lofton |
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Jenny Lewis |
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Jinmi Abduls |
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Josiah Johnson |
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JP Saxe |
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Katie Pruitt |
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Kyle Craft |
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La Dona |
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Laundry Day |
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Laura Cantrell |
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Lesly Rehhagg |
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M. Ward |
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Margo Price |
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Max Frost |
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Michigander |
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Milky Chance |
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Mir Fontane |
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Modern Love Child |
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Naked Giants |
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Nasty Cherry |
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Native Sun |
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Naya Ali |
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Neal Francis |
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Neon Dreams |
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Nicklas Sahl |
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Noya Rao |
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Parisalexa |
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PNTHN |
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Reb Fountain |
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Renni Rucci |
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Ringo Deathstarr |
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Ryal McMullen |
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Sarah Klang |
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Savannah Sgro |
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Shelley King |
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Sir Woman |
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Soccer Mommy |
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Soul Asylum |
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Spooky Mansion |
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Sport Team |
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Thao & The Get Down Stay Down |
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The Brother Brothers |
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The HamilTones |
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The Talbot Brothers |
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The Teeta |
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There |
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Tone Royal |
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Tre Burt |
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Ume |
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Vistas |
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Walshy Fire |
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Whitney Rose |
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Wiley from Atlanta |
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Wire |
