Since 1987, SXSW has thrilled music lovers by turning Austin, Texas, into a global stage where rising stars make their mark. Over the years, the festival has jump-started the careers of top-tier musicians, such as John Mayer, who signed his first record deal with Aware Records after his 2000 performance. Likewise, Kid Cudi, Billie Eilish and many more have gotten their start at SXSW. Of course, as we look ahead, the big question remains: Who will be this year’s breakout star?
As SXSW prepares for its 39th annual festival, Austin will once again pulse with energy from March 7-15, as over 200 artists take the stage, ready to captivate audiences.
SXSW First Round of Showcase Artists
In fact, directly from the SXSW official website, here are a few musicians from the first round of showcase artists, all of whom are prepared to expand your cultural and regional palette.
“This year’s festival welcomes groundbreaking artists who span genres and continents, from Cuernavaca’s buzzy regional Mexican singer Justin Morales to raucous Dublin punk band Gurriers. Rising stars, like Middle Eastern-influenced Indonesian psychedelic funk band Ali, Montreal’s angular art-punk ensemble La Sécurité, Virginia-based multi-instrumentalist and composer Yasmin Williams, and hard hitting Aussie rock band Delivery, will join established acts including Japanese environmental music legend Shiho Yabuki and new wave-pop sensation and SX alum Twin Shadow, who will be launching his sixth album Georgie at SXSW.”
Without a doubt, SXSW continues to leave a global impact on both artists and fans. Before the music takes over, the festival opens with a showcase of groundbreaking art and technology, setting the stage for what’s to come. SXSW 2025 stands as one of the most highly anticipated events yet, in a time when technology and media can amplify an artist’s persona and style like never before.
SXSW Second Round of Showcase Artists
Last year, back in December 2024, SXSW dropped the second wave of its highly anticipated music festival lineup, set to take over Austin from March 10-15, 2025. So, with all that excitement building, here are a few more must-see acts you won’t want to miss:
“Over 165 newly-added artists will bring their fresh sounds and infectious energy to the stage, including ambassador of New Orleans Bounce Big Freedia, South Carolina alt-punk trio SWEET SPINE, buzzy pop outfit Freak Slug, and London’s new favorite party-starter Master Peace.”
“Don’t miss jasmine.4.t – signed to Phoebe Bridgers’ Saddest Factory label and already making waves with her upcoming debut LP being produced by boygenius, set for a January release. Plus, catch Aiko, the Czechia Eurovision 2024 semi-finalist, with her mesmerizing pop.”
Additionally, for a true taste of Austin’s local flavor, be sure to catch J’cuuzi, an avant-punk and experimental band that proudly screams, “Keep Austin Weird.” This eclectic group delivers high-energy performances packed with distortion that’ll undeniably shake you to your core. But it’s not just their sound that will take you by storm—their signature matching anime-inspired outfits add an extra layer of excitement to their wild, high-production shows.
Getting Familiar With Artists Before the Show
Want to get familiar with the artists before they hit the stage? In that case, SXSW has you covered with an official Spotify playlist, making it easy to discover and vibe to the sounds of this year’s lineup. Whether you’re planning your must-see performances or just looking for fresh tunes, this playlist is the perfect way to get the festival started early.
Schedule
Before you buy your tickets, certain events require different badges for access. Below is a timeline of all the bells and whistles SXSW 2025 has to offer this time around. Make sure you consider everything before you decide which badges to buy.
- Conferences: March 7-13
- Exhibits: March 9-13
- Comedy Festival: March 7-10
- Film & TV Festival: March 7-15
- Music Festival: March 10-15
Tickets
Furthermore, tickets for SXSW 2025 are now available for purchase directly through the festival’s official website. Whether you’re looking for access to all available events or just the music festival, SXSW has you covered.
Finally, here is a complete list of all the artists performing this March.
