Since 1987, creatives have gathered annually in Austin, Texas, for an event that explores the future of entertainment and media. South by Southwest, or SXSW, has grown into one of the biggest cultural events in the world; attracting musicians, filmmakers, artists, tastemakers, thought leaders in technology and more. The scale is impressive, too, with over 2000 acts performing at over 100 venues across the city.
A major part of what put SXSW on the map is discovery. Media, A&Rs and industry executives wander the streets of Austin looking for the next culture-defining generation of artists. In 2007, Amy Winehouse played a slew of shows around Austin, boosting her ascent. In 2001, the White Stripes played a set ahead of their breakout third album, ‘White Blood Cells,’ which set them on a course to stardom; Jack White returned in 2012, with his Third Man Records roster, to throw a massive party. Anderson .Paak played in 2016 before racking up Grammys, both as a solo artist and with Bruno Mars in Silk Sonic.
Entering with a buzz in 2011, Odd Future solidified their standing with a series of legendary performances; Tyler, The Creator has gone onto be a leading force in hip-hop. R&B vocalist SZA and Atlanta rapper Young Thug performed memorable sets in 2015 and 2016 respectively, introducing them to broader audiences. In 2022, alt rock-meets-country artist MJ Lenderman turned heads with his showcase performance. Artists ranging from John Mayer to HAIM and M.I.A all had breakout SXSW runs, generating attention that propelled their careers.
With SXSW 2025 fast approaching, we’ve put together a guide of artists who are ready to hit the festival. Whether you’re making the trip or just dreaming of it, we’ve assembled a collection of tracks we think are worthy of being on your radar. From Canadian art-punk and Mexican corridos to Irish post-punk and dream pop from Norway, let us take you to the streets of Austin.
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Chinese American Bear, “Weekend In Chinatown”
Anne Tong and Bryce Barsten are the couple behind this bubbly Seattle-based pop group. They’re known to wear wigs onstage: “When we put a wig on,” Tong, a classically trained pianist, says, “it removes us from our day-to-day.”
The Criticals, “Danish Eyes”
Nashville-based rock duo formed by Parker Forbes and Cole Shugart. “Danish Eyes” is part of a series of singles that kicked off in 2024
SNACKTIME, Devon Gilfillian, “TOGETHER”
This seven-piece band worked on its funk-rock-soul chops by playing free shows in Philadelphia’s Center City. For their latest single, they collaborated with Nashville-based Gilfillian, whose most recent album, ‘Love You Anyway,’ came out in 2023.
Laila!, “Not My Problem”
Brooklyn native Laila! dropped this 2024 track — her first official Billboard chart entry — right before her self-produced debut album ‘Gap Year!,’ a witty and woozy ride through alternative R&B. Discover more about Laila! on her episode of Sound Advice.
TSHA, “In The Night”
The British DJ and producer has remixed songs featuring J Balvin, Ellie Goulding and more. Her 2022 debut album, ‘Capricorn Sun,’ was named Album of the Year by DJ Mag.
Claire Rosinkranz, “Swinging at the Stars”
The latest single from Californian singer-songwriter Claire Rosinkrauz, the infectious pop of “Swinging at the Stars” follows her 2023 debut album, ‘Just Because.’
Corto.alto, “4:16am (45)”
This is the jazzy, genre-hopping musical project of Glaswegian multi-instrumentalist Liam Shortall. Corto.alto’s debut album, ‘Bad With Names,’ was shortlisted for the Mercury Prize’s Album of the Year award in 2024.
Justin Morales, “Ando Prendido”
From Cuernavaca, Mexico, this Regional Mexican songwriter specializes in the rancheras and corridos of his heritage. But he also represents a new generation that’s taking this music into the future, as part of the hip-hop-influenced “corridos tumbados” (trap corridos) movement.
La Sécurité, “Detour”
On their 2023 debut ‘Stay Safe!,’ this bilingual five-piece from Montreal channeled Riot Grrrl, art-punk, new wave and krautrock.
Gurriers, “Dipping Out” (Edit)
These aggressive post-punk newcomers from Dublin have released a bracing stream of singles in the past couple of years. According to an Irish Times reviewer, they’re “raw as a butcher’s cut, and just as fresh.”
Mint Field, “Ve hacia la ventana”
Led by the ethereal singer Estrella Sanchez, this new-wave-of-shoegaze band from Mexico got their big break at Coachella. Last year, they released an extended version of their third album, ‘Aprender a Ser.’
Vines, “I am my home”
“I am my home” is the latest track from composer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Cassie Wieland; as Vines, her textural, reflective music, realized on 2023’s ‘Birthday Party,’ feels like it shimmers in the light.
Gloin, “controlfreak69”
This Toronto post-punk four-piece’s latest track is a teaser for their upcoming second album, ‘All of your anger is actually shame (and I bet that makes you angry).’
Man/Woman/Chainsaw, “Ode To Clio”
This five-piece group of Londoners formed when the members were teenagers, and released their debut EP, ‘Eazy Peazy,’ on Fat Possum in 2024. They described their quiet-loud dynamic as being “on the thin line between pretty and noisy.”
Freak Slug, “Sexy Lemon”
After three well-received EPs, British musician Xenya Genovese — who’s been described as “Manchester’s answer to Mitski” — released her debut album, ‘I Blow Out Big Candles,’ in 2024.
Yoke Lore, “The Score”
A dancer, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter and vocalist, Adrian Galvin does it all. Once part of groups Walk the Moon and Yellerkin, he’s gone solo as Yoke Lore; “The Score” is his latest single, released in 2024.
Gold Star, ‘Wild Boys”
Taken from his 2024 album ‘How To Shoot The Moon,’ this gently powerful, Bob Dylan-esque track showcases the Gold Star alias, of LA-based musician and vocalist Marlon Rabenreither, in fine fashion.
Yndling, “Never As Easy” (Feat Petite Amie)
The Norwegian vocalist, guitarist and songwriter teams up with Petite Amie, a psychedelic pop-rock band from Mexico City, for this shoegaze-meets-dream pop track.
tiger bae, “Distant Calls”
“A dream seen within a dream”: There are layers to the synth-pop of this Tokyo-based band, formed between members of Hotel Mexico and the singer Yuco. “Distant Calls” is the group’s most recent single; it follows their 2022 debut mini-album, ‘Calm Like This Love.’
Paris death Hilton, “Hardcore Punk For KPI Achievement”
Hardcore experimental rock from a Japanese electronic duo — of Kuba and Ken Takahashi — that makes an unholy racket. They’re known for their cathartic live show.
Yasmin Williams, “Virga” (feat. Darlingside)
This gifted multi-instrumentalist from northern Virginia plays finger-style, with the guitar in her lap. Crediting her love of music to her youthful infatuation with the Guitar Hero game, she released her third album, ‘Acadia,’ last year on Nonesuch Records.
Vanessa Zamora, “TRANSFORMANDO” (feat. Ximena Sariñana)
From Tijuana, bilingual songwriter Zamora teams up with Guadalajara-born songwriter and actress Sariñana. “Transformando,” part of a recent series of collaborative singles, translates as “transforming.”
Master Peace, Wale, “Home”
British musician Peace Okezie won a Rising Star award for his 2024 debut, ‘How to Make a Master Peace.’ That followed three EPs and eye-catching collaborations, including with The Streets. For his latest track, he enlists the rapper Wale.
HEAL, “The Shiver”
From Barcelona, the band specialize in slowcore and “distorted folk.” “The Shiver” is the title track of their debut album, which came out in 2024.
Catnapp, “No Cover” (Alex Wilcox Remix)
Argentinian artist Amparo Battaglia made her name as an underground performer in Buenos Aires. Now based in Berlin, she brings a crossover energy to the European dance music landscape.
Hachiku, “Fun for Everyone”
Anika Ostendorf, known by the stage name Hachiku, first brought her indie pop sound to American stages as a tour opener for Courtney Barnett in 2020. “Fun for Everyone” features on her 2025 album, ‘The Joys of Being Pure at Heart.’
J.Tajor, “Can't Get Enough”
Following his breakout single “Like I Do,” this Melbourne-based artist has enjoyed a viral ascent with his throwback brand of bedroom R&B and become a favorite among K-pop fans.
Jasmine.4.t, “Elephant”
Led by the eponymous Jasmine, this quartet from Manchester, England found a record label after opening for Lucy Dacus. She encouraged Phoebe Bridgers, her band mate in boygenius, to listen; the band are now on Bridgers’ Saddest Factory Records.
Joe P, “Violet”
This New Jersey native became the frontman of indie band Deal Casino when he was in eighth grade. Now, he’s out on his own: his debut album, ‘Garden State Vampire,’ came out last summer. Hear Joe P breakdown the making of ‘Garden State Vampire’ on SoundCloud’s Voice Notes.
KAI CA$H, “71124”
This Brooklyn rapper is following in the footsteps of some of the borough’s greatest products – JAY-Z, Notorious B.I.G. KAI’s ascent has been rapid, boosted by a series of opening sets for Cordae, appearances at Rolling Loud, Day N’ Vegas and more.
Laurence Guy, Surya Sen, “The Morning”
For his latest release, the acclaimed British house DJ teams up with British-Bengali rapper -producer Sen, who takes his stage name from a Bangladeshi revolutionary. The two artists met at a pop-up party for mutual friend Barry Can’t Swim.
Lizzie Berchie, “Don't Get Ahead of Yourself”
Growing up in East London, Berchie was immersed in a stew of music, from jazz and neo-soul to reggae and R&B; in her own music, she blends these genres while also honoring the sounds of her Ghanaian heritage. This is the lead track from her 2023 EP, ‘Am I an Adult Yet?’
Mhaol, “Snare”
The Irish band’s singer and drummer, Constance Keane, says she wrote this song as a response to the “countless” times she’s been lectured on proper drumming technique since she took up the instrument as a child.
ALT BLK ERA, “Rave Immortal”
Blending metal, rock, rap and buzzsaw rave beats, this British duo — made up of real-life sisters Nyrobi and Chaya Beckett-Messam — released their debut album, ‘Rave Immortal,’ earlier this year on Earache Records.
Quelle Rox, “serás mía para siempre”
Working from her Brooklyn bedroom, the Cuban-Puerto Rican songwriter broke out in 2018 with her hazy debut single “Dream Daisies.” She released her latest EP, ‘Midnight Blue,’ in 2024.
Larkin Poe, “Little Bit”
This Nashville-based duo’s sound is rooted in country, rock and soul. “Little Bit” features on their latest album, ‘Bloom,’ released on Sony Music in 2025.
Summer Pearl, “THE CREATOR”
Blending jazz, soul, dub and hip-hop, London-based singer-songwriter Summer Pearl has a deep, cosmic that feels utterly contemporary. “THE CREATOR” follows her 2023 album, ‘outmysystem.’
Sofia Grant, “Walk On Water”
As a classically trained saxophonist and piano, Sofia Grant’s ethereal sound blends jazz, pop and R&B to stunning effect. “Walk On Water” opens her 2023 album, ‘Extinction.’
WilliE, “lotta mercy”
The opening track for WilliE’s 2024 debut album, ‘This Will Only Hurt A Little,’ “lotta mercy” showcases the British R&B vocalist’s sweet tones and catchy melodies.
Dutch Interior, “Fourth Street”
Listening to the 2025 track “Fourth Street,” it’s evident that this 6-piece band on Fat Possum Records are from California. Their music sounds just like a drive down the 405, with its lush, sunny rock vibes and romantic tones.
CVC, “Bonnie & Clyde”
You’d never know on first listen that this 6-piece band were from Cardiff, Wales — their music is pure Californian gold, playing sunny synth pop with psychedelic tinges.
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