SXSW is kicking off a bold new format as it gears up for its 40th Music Festival, returning March 12–18, 2026. The festival just dropped its first wave: 100 Showcasing Artists and 50 Showcase Presenters, marking one of its most globally diverse announcements yet. This early lineup highlights boundary-pushing talent from every corner of the world — from Brighton’s masked art-pop mystery Milo Korbenski and LA electropop innovator DJ Dave, to Mexico City post-punk force La Texana, Indonesian indie favorites Grrrl Gang, Irish post-punks Chalk, and Grammy-nominated rapper Joyner Lucas.
Alongside the artists, SXSW’s reimagined structure brings back major cultural tastemakers like BBC, Billboard, NPR Music Stations, Rolling Stone, De Los, and BMG, while welcoming first-time Showcase Presenters including Willie Nelson’s Luck Reunion and R&B Block Party. Together, they’ll curate fresh, intimate performance spaces designed to spotlight rising talent in more dynamic, immersive ways than ever before.
To kick off this milestone edition, The All-American Rejects will headline the SXSW Music Festival Opening Party at Stubb’s Amphitheater, presented by Rivian, setting the tone for seven full nights of showcases across Austin’s most iconic venues. Alongside the festival, the SXSW Music Conference will explore the evolving future of the industry, with sessions diving into participatory music creation, the data-driven rise of K-pop, and new mental-health models reshaping touring. With more than 250 sessions across all SXSW tracks, attendees will have access to essential insights shaping the next era of music and culture.
This year also marks an expanded, streamlined SXSW experience: seven days of music programming running in parallel with Innovation and Film & TV, plus access to the new Music Clubhouse at The Downright Hotel for Music and Platinum badge holders. With hundreds of performances, global curators, and unmatched industry access, SXSW 2026 is set to deliver one of its most ambitious and influential editions yet and artists still have time to apply for showcases before the November 21 deadline. Austin is ready, the world is watching, and SXSW is gearing up to make its 40th year unforgettable.
SXSW 2025 Info | SXSW Conference & Festivals
— general overview of the event, dates, and what’s included.
Music Festival & Conference | SXSW
— specifics on the music festival component (showcasing artists, timelines) for SXSW.
Watch the SXSW Live Stream | SXSW
— access to live/streamed content during SXSW.
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Aaron Page • Adeline Hotel • AJ McQueen • The All-American Rejects • Angela Autumn • Arroba Nat • The Band Loula • Baria • Bayonne • Ben Ellis • bloodsports • Brainwasher • Bricknasty • BrunOG • Bubba Lucky • Buddy Red • buffalo_farm • Calder Allen • Cardinal Bloom • Casket Cassette • CHALK • Commercial Breaks • Couch Dog • Creature Canyon • David Huckfelt • DeVotchKa • DJ_Dave • Easy Honey • Elijah Delgado • Elijah Johnston • Emily Frembgen • The Family Battenberg • FEET • Fine • Five Eight • GEORGIAN • Glassio • Grocery Bag • Grrrl Gang • Gus Baldwin & The Sketch • Gus Englehorn • Hania Derej • Hector Gannet • Hot Garbage • Hudson Freeman • IYLA • J Soulja • Jana Diab • Jaylon Ashaun • Jordan Patterson • Joshua Ray Walker • Jovi Greene • Julie Nolen • Just Jim • Kaash Paige • Kalush Orchestra • Karina Galicia • Karma Sheen • Knats • KOAD • La Texana • Los Discorde • LYNN • Mackwood • Mali Hâf • Matt McClure • MC Frontalot • Milo Korbenski • Montclair • Morgan • Next of Kin • NEZZA • Nug • Olivia Ellen Lloyd • Paisley Fields • People R Ugly • Pierce Washington • Planeta No • Pretty Jane • Radium Dolls • The Red Eye Gamblers • Redolent • REHMA • Reilly Downes • runo plum • Shunk • Sofish • The Sophs • Spike Fuck • Steven Bamidele • Sūn Byrd • t-low • Unsafe Space Garden • Valsian • Victor Jones • Whitelands • Wim Tapley & The Cannons • YARD • Zastava • Zola Marcelle
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