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🎸 SXSW Music Preview: The Best of the Fest

We're breaking down the best new features announced for the Nintendo Switch 2 as well as the questions that still remain for future reveals.

Author

Michael Ahr
March 14, 2026

SXSW Edition March 14, 2026

South by Southwest started exclusively as a music festival in 1987, designed to showcase local Austin talent and bring the music industry to Texas. While it quickly became a full-blown conference, it was not until 1994 that it expanded to include television and film events, growing from a music-only event into what these days has become a massive multimedia extravaganza unique among fan and industry conventions.

But like any good Texan, SXSW is true to its roots. And with this year’s new concurrent programming (read all about that below), the musical acts are hyping up the fun more than ever! The All-American Rejects, for example, filled the headliner spot with the innovation the festival is known for, sharing yesterday how their sold-out House Party Tour reimagined live music by performing in backyards, skateparks and unique spaces.

It really is a playground for all things (but especially music) on the cutting edge!

— Michael Ahr, Newsletter Editor

IN THIS ISSUE

  • Our big music preview of the weekend’s featured artists 🎷

  • An interview with SXSW’s VP of Music Brian Hobbs 🎤

  • A peek at night one of Rolling Stone’s Future of Music Festival 🎸

  • …and more!

Photo: SXSW via Getty Images

MUSIC
SXSW 2026: Music Spotlight

While the big brand activations and celebrity sightings often headline at SXSW these days, the true spirit of the festival remains its dedication to global music. From packed dive bars to scenic outdoor stages, the 2026 lineup once again shows that the music portion of the festival is more about creating trends than following them.

Per usual, this year’s set features an eclectic mix of styles and sounds where buzz bands mingle with avant-garde IDM performance artists and mainstays of regional scenes from around the world. Whether you’re searching for the next breakout artist or want to dive into Austin’s scene by catching local favorites, the sheer number of performances and showcases can be tough to navigate, so we’ve rounded up some essential artists and must-see acts that are guaranteed to define the conversation at this year’s festival. Take a look at the amazing list of performers!

Photo: SXSW via Getty Images

MUSIC
SXSW VP of Music Brian Hobbs Teases 2026 Festival’s Biggest Shows

South by Southwest is going bigger and more collaborative than ever in 2026 with the festival’s music, film/TV, and comedy programming running concurrently for the first time, and VP of Music Brian Hobbs says the changes are already paying off. Opportunities abound for artists to jump between mediums, like musicians premiering documentaries and then turning around to perform live. The goal. Hobbs tells us, is to make the experience better for both fans and the artists who travel from around the world to play the festival.

Hobbs also explains why headliners like The All-American Rejects, Lola Young, Junior H, and Gogol Bordello felt like the right fit this year, and how the festival now balances about 1,000 artists across 50+ venues each night to give performers multiple chances to be seen. Also part of the discussion are the explosion of Latin music at SXSW, the resurgence of country in the lineup, the festival’s shift toward more serious music fans, and the under-the-radar artists he thinks could break out this year.

Photo: Rolling Stone’s Future of Music at SXSW

MUSIC
Rolling Stone’s Future of Music Festival Night One Electrifies ACL Live

The Future of Music Festival is back at Austin City Limits Live for South by Southwest, and night one of Rolling Stone’s premiere showcase delivered rising artists who already feel like the next big thing. The evening built steadily with opening sets from Susannah Joffe, Saint Harison, and Sofia and the Antoinettes before exploding into a headlining performance by Lola Young, the magazine’s latest cover star. It was definitely a night to remember!

Joffe charmed the hometown crowd with country-tinged imagery and big vocals, Harison slowed things down with soulful piano-backed heartbreak songs, and Sofia and the Antoinettes kept it going with their signature coquettish style and vocal prowess. But the biggest moment belonged to Young, whose electric set had fans of all ages singing along before she paused to debut a fiery poem about the state of the world. With more buzzy names still to come over the next two nights, Rolling Stone’s musical crystal ball is once again ready to predict the future of music.

TODAY’S TRIVIA QUESTION

Which of these artists delivered a buzzworthy headline performance at SXSW 2014 that included a shocking stage stunt with performance artist Millie Brown.

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