To help people make sense of this monster of a music fest, we’ve broken it down for you in easy to understand categories.
Large Music Showcases: Here are few of our favorite major showcases and stages of the Music Festival March 16-20. Many last several days and nights and some have more than one location. The exact addresses/locations and schedules are all found on SXSW Music and on the SXSW App. Also, some of these are free but you need to line up early, and others are invite only so check schedules. These all have epic line-ups with barely known artists sometimes who blow up to be huge within a year (like Elle King).
SPIN’s Stubb’s Showcase is by far the biggest every year and has two stages so the music is endless with no breaks. This year: Vince Staples, D∆WN, White Lung, and More-Check times at SPIN 2016 Spin is also at Brazos Hall and at The Belmont for the AXE Showcase with John Legend.
Every year, The NPR Music Schedule has one of the best and coolest line-ups including bands that might be already popular in the UK but just emerging here in the States.
Rachel Ray has two parties,which can be a little confusing. Her huge free party with Chef’s brunch is every year at Stubb’s and her Feedback House is more low key, RSVP required and is on East Ceasar Chavez. All the info is on Rachael’s website
MTV Woodies: This fun event is held every year at The Austin Chronicle and features great emerging artists. It will be hosted by ASAP Rocky. Check it out here here
Austin Music Awards: Every year these Awards showcase amazing Austin bands and musicians including Warren Hood and Charlie Sexton at The Hilton Hotel. You can attend by puchasing tickets here
Other Showcases: BBC Music, The Grammy’s at Maggie Mae’s, KGSR W Hotel, FloodFest, Spotify House , Rolling Stone Magazine, KCRW (Los Angeles), Waterloo Records, Perez Hilton at ACL Live, The Container Bar/Hard Rock Cafe, The Beat ATX, Hype Hotel Hype Hotel Auditorium Shores Free Concerts, NME & British Embassy
Top Artists To See: We won’t even try to give you our recommendations on all the amazing acts to see during the Fest. Here are some of the ones we are going to try to make it to: Iggy Popp, Porches, Churches, Lydia Loveless, Lissie, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Walker Lukens, George Clinton, Charles Bradley, Charlie XCX, The OhSees, Polica, Borns, The Roots, Ray LaMontagne, Nas, Bloc Party, The Kills, Soul Asylum, Jimmie Vaughan, RaRaRiot, Snarky Puppy, Blue October, Oberhofer, Kydd Jones, Dale Watson, Dandy Warhols, The Moonlandingz, The Octopus Project, Charlie Bell, X Ambassadors, Avett Brothers, Jamestown Revival, Jake Bugg, The Wild Feathers, Hayes Carll, Third Eye Blind, Santigold, White Denim, Loretta Lynn, Wynona, Vince Staples, John Legend, Kacey Muscgraves and more! Need more ideas? Check out The Consequence Of Sound List .
Check out our links to last years SXSW Photo Galleries here . Follow our Top 10 SXSW Tips Here . Check Twitter for our daily picks and top concert photos each day Austin 101 Magazine Be safe. Have fun.
