A six-show residency for international pop sensation Harry Styles. Bruce Springsteen’s first Austin performance in over a decade. Not one, but two nights with Madonna. Events like these were unthinkable in the capital city before the Moody Center, which turned 2 in April. If that revelatory status sounds like hyperbole, just ask Louis Messina, the promoter for some of the country’s biggest artists, including Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, and George Strait. “It was a B market—that’s how I looked at it,” he says of Austin pre-Moody. “Now, I see it as a must-play.” With more than five decades of expe ..read more

Now that’s a way to celebrate another trip around the sun! On April 8, Vampire Weekend lead singer Ezra Koenig rang in his 40th birthday in style as the band performed a midday show chock full of surprise guests to coincide with the total solar eclipse in Austin. Crowds of eager fans snaked around the entire perimeter of Moody Amphitheater as they waited in line for the sold-out show, collecting special eclipse glasses before gaining entrance to the outdoor music venue.   Special Vampire Weekend eclipse glasses.   A little after noon on Monday, Vampire Weekend walked onstage as the s ..read more

Music fans who love discovering new acts had plenty to explore this year at SXSW. Without the fervor of shows from superstars like Kanye West or Bruce Springsteen, independent artists constituted the bulk of talent performing in venues across the city. Below, we provide a rundown of the most memorable sets we saw and the music we’ll definitely be adding to our playlists.   Balthvs This Colombian trio’s name popped up on an abundance of event lineups this year, including the official closing music party—and it’s easy to see why after their entrancing performance at Mohawk last Wednesday. F ..read more

One way to mark the chapters of SXSW is to recall the buzziest musical act in a particular year. The time Future Islands played what seemed like a hundred shows. Or when the xx transformed from a trio of unknown teenagers into a household name. Or the year attendees had nearly half a dozen chances to see Kendrick Lamar right after Good Kid, M.A.A.D City came out. Below, we’ve assembled a list of the bands you’re most likely to hear all your friends gushing about as the week unfolds.   Reyna Tropical As the founder of female guitarist–focused zine She Shreds and a variety of musical projec ..read more

From humble beginnings with 700 music fans in 1987, SXSW has grown into the world’s largest music festival. After regaining its footing through several uncertain post-pandemic installments, the event expects more than 350,000 attendees this year. The annual spring gathering’s economic impact has also bounced back, reaching $381 million in 2023, exceeding its previous high of $356 million in 2019. Despite those recoveries, the days when Lady Gaga and Justin Timberlake make surprise appearance seem to be a thing of the past. SXSW’s Interactive and Film portions have grown in prominence, casting ..read more

Austin Monthly is thrilled to present the 4th Annual Women That Rock Unofficial SXSW Showcase event at Austin Garden & Studio. The showcase highlights a lineup of 20+ female and non-binary-led acts, creating a space during SXSW week that exclusively amplifies and celebrates the talent of female and gender-nonconforming musicians.     This year’s Women That Rock showcase lineup includes Hinds, Cassadee Pope, Wilt, Bad Bad Hats, Nabihah Iqbal, Tameca Jones, Sycco, chokecherry, Alice Ivy, PRONOUN, Wyldest, Raffaella, Hanorah, and more! In addition to Austin Monthly, the event is sp ..read more

South by Southwest draws in musical performers from across the globe, but some of the best on each year’s lineup hail from right here in Austin. In fact, the Texas capital is more represented than any other city in the world at the 2024 festival, with 182 performing artists. SXSW simply would not be what it is today if it weren’t for the bounty of talent that gave this community its reputation. Whether you’re a local who wants to support fantastic local musicians or a visitor who wants to see what makes our city so special, we’ve got a list of Austin artists you need to see at SXSW 2024.   ..read more

Formed in 2019, Irish band Sprints wasted no time carving their own path. Driven by a desire to create music with meaning, the band members inject their identities and personal experiences into a visceral, garage-punk energy. Often labeled as political, Sprints broach themes and topics with a refreshing and cathartic honesty. Now brimming with confidence, they’ve signed with City Slang, unleashed their debut album Letter to Self, and conquered stages across Ireland, the UK, and Europe, leaving a trail of sold-out shows in their wake. Two years after their first SXSW Festival, Sprints are poise ..read more

Austin’s avant-garde funk collective, Golden Dawn Arkestra, has become a legendary mainstay at SXSW. Channeling Sun Ra’s spirit with ornate robes and cosmic disco dancers, they indoctrinate audiences with a mix of world beats, jam band stamina, and psych rock riffs. Their electrifying performances transcend genres, creating a loyal following who are endlessly drawn to their hypnotic grooves. At this year’s annual March fest, the band will play a bevy of shows that includes South by San Jose and a Spaceflight Records–sponsored party at Central Machine Works in East Austin. As the group approach ..read more

On a crisp winter night, a small crowd of shadows hangs around in the dimly lit parking lot of an unassuming convenience store near UT’s campus. The soft red glow from a marquee overhead illuminates the excitable faces of teenagers. A few gaze through the store’s glass double doors at a swaying huddle encircling a four-piece band, playing directly on the floor among the bags of Hot Cheetos and Sour Patch Kids. The venue is at capacity, and those in line wait for their chance to watch this spectacle taking place in the radiant white light from backlit fridges of soda. The singer of Austin band ..read more