Please don’t call it “South By,” being in a constant state of criticism (as well as Texas) and other tales from Austin
SXSW may be one of those things that exists in a constant state of criticism, be it warranted or not, where, every year (likely since it started in the 80s!) we’re all asking whether it’s jumped the shark and gotten too big or too glitzy or strayed too far from its humble indie roots. Our nation’s politicians are now making it a must-stop on campaign trail, for Pete’s sake.But for every stump speech or Jay Z + Kanye or Oustcast or Mike D “surprise” show, there are literally hundreds of shows featuring bands most of us would never hear of otherwise, and the music festival and Austin itself have long held a place that’s dear in our hearts. I’ve never bothered to crunch the numbers on this, but if we went back and traced our favorite bands back to when they started to gain traction, I bet many of them would lead back to SXSW shows and buzz created by them.
If we went back and traced our favorite bands back to the beginning, I bet many of them would lead back to SXSW shows.
This mix features a healthy mix of bands + artists we knew of before and would recommend seeking out for any fans of independently thoughtful music, and ones we’d heretofore never heard of before we dove into the various stacks of new music from artists playing there this year.
Most of the time we keep these mixes to 15 tracks, but, we’d like to up the count to 20 in March due to the simple fact that we’re usually inundated with new artists associated with the fest and too psyched not to share them, especially when it might mean someone seeing an awesome show they might miss otherwise. And some of these bands are playing upwards of 20 official + unofficial shows this week—the least we can do is reciprocate form afar.
As per usual, you can follow along with the playlist and take note of artists/songs that pique your interest, but we’re also linking through to artist pages below and listing out set times in order for anyone on the ground who wants to catch any of these talented souls. We’d encourage you to check the socials of any artist you dig as they’re likely playing some unofficial shows around Austin while they’re in town.
Madeline Kenney
3TEN AUSTIN CITY LIMITS LIVE
Mar 14, 2019 8:00pm — 8:40pm
Your Smith
EMPIRE CONTROL ROOM
Mar 13, 2019 10:30pm — 11:10pm
CLIVE BAR
Mar 15, 2019 6:00pm — 6:40pm
Wafia
EMPIRE CONTROL ROOM
Mar 13, 2019 11:30pm — 12:10am
CLIVE BAR
Mar 14, 2019 5:00pm — 5:40pm
ST DAVID’S HISTORIC SANCTUARY
Mar 14, 2019 11:10pm — 11:40pm
Balún
RADIO DAY STAGE AUSTIN CONVENTION CENTER
Mar 13, 2019 1:00pm — 1:40pm
JAVELINA
Mar 13, 2019 1:00am — 1:40am
Elder Island
INTERNATIONAL DAY STAGE AUSTIN CONVENTION CENTER
Mar 13, 2019 2:00pm — 2:40pm
BRITISH MUSIC EMBASSY @ LATITUDE 30
Mar 15, 2019 5:30pm — 6:00pm
BUNGALOW
Mar 15, 2019 9:00pm — 9:40pm
Public Practice
HOTEL VEGAS ANNEX
Mar 15, 2019 1:00am — 1:50am
CHEER UP CHARLIE’S
Mar 16, 2019 10:00pm — 10:40pm
FONTAINES D.C.
BRITISH MUSIC EMBASSY @ LATITUDE 30
Mar 12, 2019 11:00pm — 11:40pm
SWAN DIVE PATIO
Mar 13, 2019 11:00pm — 11:40pm
THE VELVEETA ROOM
Mar 14, 2019 1:00am — 1:40am
Abhi The Nomad
NUEVO LEON
Mar 15, 2019 3:00pm — 3:40pm
SXSW OUTDOOR STAGE AT LADY BIRD LAKE
Mar 15, 2019 6:00pm — 6:30pm
Sneaks
PALM DOOR ON SABINE
Mar 13, 2019 10:00pm — 10:40pm
CHEER UP CHARLIE’S
Mar 14, 2019 11:10pm — 11:45pm
Cassia
MALVERDE
Mar 13, 2019 10:00pm — 10:40pm
Ella Vos
ANTONE’S
Mar 13, 2019 12:00am — 12:45am
PALM DOOR ON SIXTH
Mar 14, 2019 12:10am — 12:50am
CLAVVS
CLIVE BAR
Mar 14, 2019 1:00pm — 1:40pm
AVIATOR NATION
Mar 15, 2019 6:00pm — 6:40pm
AUGUSTINE
Mar 15, 2019 10:00pm — 10:40pm
Isa Reyes
POUR CHOICES
Mar 13, 2019 10:00pm — 10:40pm
Helena Deland
BUNGALOW
Mar 11, 2019 9:00pm — 9:40pm
SEVEN GRAND
Mar 14, 2019 12:45am — 1:25am
SASAMI
CHEER UP CHARLIE’S
Mar 14, 2019 8:20pm — 8:55pm
Slow Pulp
CHEER UP CHARLIE’S
Mar 13, 2019 9:15pm — 9:40pm
SWAN DIVE PATIO
Mar 16, 2019 11:15pm — 11:55pm
Angie McMahon
AUGUSTINE
Mar 11, 2019 9:00pm — 9:40pm
ST DAVID’S HISTORIC SANCTUARY
Mar 15, 2019 10:20pm — 10:50pm
CONTINENTAL CLUB
Mar 16, 2019 12:00am — 12:40am
Tyler Ramsey
CONTINENTAL CLUB
Mar 12, 2019 9:00pm — 9:40pm
Art School Girlfriend
SWAN DIVE
Mar 13, 2019 9:45pm — 10:25pm
SWAN DIVE
Mar 16, 2019 8:00pm — 8:40pm
Ghostly Kisses
SWAN DIVE PATIO
Mar 15, 2019 8:00pm — 8:40pm
Final note: In addition to the mixtape picks, we’d also highly recommend catching the SXSW shows by Georgia, Graham Van Pelt, Linying, Bad Bad Hats, Lizzo, Japanese Breakfast, Oh Pep!, Sidney Gish, Westerman, Living Hour, Sir Babygirl, King Princess, Novo Amor, all of whom we’ve featured at some point and the last four of which were featured on last month’s mix. (Recommended extra credit reading—our 2018 interview with Sidney Gish; she’s superb).
