These are the lesser know artists SXSW is known for and there’s something for everyone. You aren’t expected to recognize any of the names, though some are really buzzing at SXSW 2018. Find your new favorite artist and impress your friends by knowing the best new acts!
Walker Lukens (Austin, TX) – a genre bending pop, rock, blues, soul, electronic, and rock star in the making!
*repeat repeat (Nashville, TN) – melodic, yet guitar heavy indie rock that at times occasionally reminiscent of Vampire Weekend!
Caroline Rose (New York, NY)- infectious up beat folk-esque rock grooves mixed with deep lyrics creating songs that need to be heard!
Linqua Franqa (Athens, GA) – effortless hip hop flow that is so good it doesn’t need to be complicated!
Otis the Destroyer (Austin, TX) – high energy rock from one of Austin’s local treasures making it on everyone’s must-watch list!
Rude Kid (London, UK) – intense grime hip hop from the UK guaranteed to move crowds!
The Canvas People (Austin, TX) – intensely talented, chill harmonizing indie rock band with a home field advantage in Austin!
Mobley (Austin, TX) – the one-man army producing his own classification of “post-genre pop”!
Step Rockets (Minneapolis, MN) – indie pop band blending electronic melodies with guitar and smooth vocals!
Evalyn (Venice, CA) – described as “wine stained pop with soul,” Evalyn combines beautiful vocals with hard hitting beats that feels like the melodies of a bars last call!
Sons of an Illustrious Father (Brooklyn, NY)- a sweet sounding NYC indie rock band who continues to show their sharp teeth!
Davie (Los Angeles, CA) – funky soul rhythmic jams that make even Matthew McConaughey’s fingers tap!
Mega Ran (Phoenix, AZ) – nerdcore rapper who drops banger after banger!
Leikeli47 (Brooklyn, NY) – An enigmatic NYC rapper whose chill flows infect the party with head bobs!
Dressy Bessy (Denver, CO) – a solid indie pop band that just leaves you feeling awesome!
Stella Donnelly (Perth, Australia) – razor sharp vocals mixed with bone chilling lyrics!
Darkbird (Austin, TX) – ATX local indie rock with wailing vocals and fist pumping beats!
Superorganism (London, UK) – the must-see new-to-the-scene art pop group feels like a blend of Kimya Dawson with the future!
Talisco (Paris, FR) – high energy indie folk that’s nothing short of amazing!
Lime Cordiale (Sydney, Australia) – sibling rockers with howling vocals, wailing brass, and unmatched stage presence who were born to, well, rock!
Honorable mention: They were on the SXSW Top 20 but were removed from the SXSW schedule.
Onr. (Glasgow, UK) – Scottish indie rocker with massive build up’s and an intensely full sound!
Hans Nayna (Mahebourg, Mauritius) – Mauritian soul that translates in any language!
https://open.spotify.com/user/james_atx/playlist/1P4Ow7vT1HtacpRIpzyjT0?si=3cbi1X7iT2Si-WTFG6qQgw