Our A - Z Guide to SXSW
SXSW celebrates all the brightest prospects that the arts have to offer, whether its film, music, or art, you will be sure to find the next big thing in Austin.
The 2019 festival is set to be as expansive as ever, with a host of musicians from the UK and further afield descending on the Texas city to showcase their talents. Here is our A to Z music guide for 2019’s SXSW Festival.
Another Sky
Our first pick is Another Sky, a female-led band that have drawn comparisons to Wolf Alice in terms of their sound, but the vocals of Catrin Vincent is what has people listening.
Her vocals are truly remarkable, going from booming to angelic in an instant, with a solid back catalogue making this band one to watch out for.
Boy Azooga
SXSW 2019 will host a large Welsh representation, one of the brightest prospects hailing from the valleys are Boy Azooga.
The Wrexham-based band head to Austin following on the from the success of debut album ‘1,2, Kung Fu!’ and their experimental rock-funk sound on hits like ‘Loner Boogie’.
Their prospects haven’t gone unnoticed having recently won the Welsh Music Prize, and will be looking to further enhance their growing reputation in Texas.
Cassia
Looking to get your toes tapping and your hips moving? Cassia will be the band for you. Drawing comparisons to the likes of Vampire Weekend, this trop-pop outfit will look to impress audiences with a taste of what their recently announced debut album is set to bring.
Doe
The indie darlings Doe have gone through quite the transition since their critically acclaimed debut LP, considered one of the best of 2016. The trio released their latest album ‘Grow into It’ last year and will be looking to wow SXSW audiences once again.
Eliza Shaddad
Singer-songwriter Eliza Shaddad will be using the SXSW platform to announce herself as a solo artist.
Shaddad has found success previously as a writer for the likes of Clean Bandit, but will be looking to wow audiences in her own right with her infectious soft rock and build on the momentum from last year’s debut LP ‘Future’.
Fontaines D.C.
Punk’s revitalisation is being led by the likes of Fontaines D.C., the genre’s next big thing will bring a level of rowdiness to proceedings.
The Irish band have already gained quite a large following for their realistic storytelling of life in Dublin, and will look to increase excitement around their debut LP while simultaneously bringing the house down.
Glass Caves
As one of the brightest prospects in the UK indie scene, Glass Caves will look to announce themselves on the other side of the pond. A heavier sound combined with synths gives Glass Caves a unique sound that people should be listening out for at SXSW.
Honey Lung
Having spent 3 months writing material in Berlin last year, Honey Lung are beginning the reap the rewards of those sessions.
The London quartet show a more introspective, honest, and mature direction towards their sound with latest single ‘Complete’, with a certain look towards their future at SXSW.
ISLAND
ISLAND certainly aren’t resting on their laurels, heading to America with new material for the Texan audience.
The London four-piece found huge success with LP ‘Feels Like Air’, with a new single ‘She’ and their tight, energetic live show sure to go down a treat.
Joshua Burnside
Burnside’s visit to SXSW will coincide with the imminent release of his hotly anticipated second album on top of a live release. The Northern Ireland national is unique with his experimentation of folk music, offering a visual experience to audiences as well as sonically.
King Nun
Any association with Dirty Hit should pique interest instantly, but King Nun are certainly different from their label alumni like The 1975 or Wolf Alice.
Their heavier punk sound on releases such as ‘Sponge’ and latest release ‘I have Love’ has garnered attention and excitement ahead of their debut album later this year.
Larkins
Manchester has been a hotbed for many great bands over the decades, Larkins are being touted as the next big band out the Northern powerhouse and rightly so.
Their dream-like, indie-pop sound has drawn comparisons to the likes of Friendly Fires, with their latest release ‘TV Dream’ being the centrepiece of their set heading to Austin.
Matt Maltese
One of the bright spots in the fast-growing South London music scene, Matt Maltese brings his witty, dark lyrics to Austin. Backed by the likes of The Magic Gang, this singer-songwriter looks to keep the ball rolling from his critically acclaimed debut album last year.
The Ninth Wave
This four-piece’s ability to mix light and dark has garnered them fast-rising acclaim amongst critics and fans alike. It’s difficult to tie this band down to one genre, holding the ability to shake walls with a post-punk sound, but sugaring that with pulses of pop make The Ninth Wave an act to be enjoyed by all.
Orchards
Orchards will bring their charming, feel-good vibes to Austin, with their experimental pop bringing a smile to any face.
Hailing from Brighton, this quartet has already gained notoriety from critics and comparisons to the likes of Everything Everything and Foals. They’re placing a heavier focus on melodies in their new material, with the latest single ‘Young’ leaving you needing more.
Paws
It’s been a long journey full of changes for the rock trio PAWS, but they arrive in Austin ahead of their new album ‘Your Church On My Bonfire’, the first in several years.
Many circumstances have changed since ‘No Grace’ in 2016, but the Scottish natives have embraced the losses, broken relationships, and line-up changes to reflect this new version of the band and the people they’ve become through the process.
Quiet Company
One of Austin’s most famous and celebrated rock bands will take to the stage at SXSW, with Quiet Company being touted as the only rock band in the city on more than one occasion.
Having won countless Austin Music Awards, the band look to continue their success having released their third LP ‘On Corners & Shapes’ at the beginning of February.
Rascalton
Rascalton have come a long way from their garage, their aggro punk sound seeing them become one of the staples of Glasgow’s punk-garage scene. They are looking to follow up on last year’s debut EP with their new single set to release this month.
Sports Team
SXSW is one of the first calling points on what is expected to be a busy festival season for Sports Team. As one the country’s fastest-growing bands, they’ve become renowned for their ‘abstract’ style of music with releases such as ‘Kutcher’ and ‘Winter Nets EP’.
Having already conquered their “Robbie-Williams-at-Knebworth” moment by headlining London’s Scala, SXSW attendees should be curious and excited about how they will top it.
Trudy and the Romance
After two years away, Trudy and The Romance are setting themselves up to go again with a visit to Austin. This trio’s imaginative, tongue in cheek lyrics garnered them praise as one of the best newcomers of 2017, with their new single ‘The Original Doo-Wop Spacemen’ and previous releases taking you back to eras gone by.
UME
Ume announced their triumphant return to the scene last year with the latest LP ‘Other Nature’ and are expected to receive a rousing reception from a hometown Austin crowd.
After taking a break to start a family, the indie rock band returned with their most emotionally raw and triumphant record yet. A high-octane live show is expected to produce one of the most exhilarating crowds at the festival.
Versus
After a 10-year hiatus, SXSW will see the long-awaited return of Versus. They have been delighting audiences since the 1990s, but they have come back together again for new songs and more importantly a new album which is set to be their best yet.
Whenyoung
This limerick trio are really creating their own musical identity, mixing sensibility with beautiful melodies which has garnered comparisons to a modern-day Blondie.
Whenyoung had quite the 2018, supporting the likes of Nick Cave and Patti Smith, but 2019 is set to be where the Irish three-piece make it on their own, starting at SXSW.
Xetas
Another Austin hot pick, XETAS are looking to build anticipation around their third LP with a homecoming showcase.
The last 2 years has been non-stop touring for this band, their work ethic is unbelievable as is their sound and live show, one that shouldn’t be slept on.
The Young Something
The teenage duo of The Young Something will make the trip from Tampa, Florida to delight SXSW audiences with their indie pop/rock sound. They have expanded in band size and notoriety since their inception in 2015, and will look to continue their growth following on from their debut EP last year.
Zunis
Having grown mass popularity in their hometown of Tusla, Oklahoma, the indie-psych rock trio Zunis will look to showcase their talents further afield in Austin, Texas.
Zunis formed out of frustration due to the lack of music they enjoyed, and having become famous in their local scene, they will want to take that across states along with their latest release the ‘Earth to Self EP’ which was released at the end of last year.
SXSW Festival takes places the 8th -17th March 2019. For more information click here.
Feature created by Danial Kennedy