It’s that time of year again and South By Southwest(SXSW) is just around the corner! We’ve decided to bring back our “50 Acts You
Won’t Want To Miss” feature! Check out our final installment
(acts 41-50, in no particular order) of artists we think you need to check out
below!
*Note: some acts we’ve included are performing at South By So What?! and not
South By Southwest. However, since the festival takes place during the week of
South By Southwest, we’ve decided to still include them in our list!
The
Suffers
Featured
on our list last year, this 10-piece continues to be one of our favorite
Houston acts. This ten-piece may be overwhelming to some, but the Suffers know
how to utilize each member brilliantly, creating classic tunes of rock &
roll with a bit of soul squeezed in there. Perfection is an understatement.
Sidenote, be sure to catch these guys on Lettermen on March 31st!
Where to catch The Suffers: 3.17 – 4:30pm – Paypal Party @ Empire
Control Room; 3.17 – 6:30pm – do512 Family Picnic @ Midway Food Park; 3.18 –
1am – New Frontier Showcase @ Holy Mountain; 3.19 – 12pm – BMI Showcase @
Lambert’s; 3.19 – 4:05pm – Big Picture Media Showcase @ The Blind Pig Roof;
3.20 – 11:30am – Balcony TV Showcase @ Joe’s Crab Shack; 3.20 – 11:10pm –
Convoy Group Showcase @ Palm Door Sabine.
Transit
Boston rockers, Transit, have the best mentality when it comes to music.
They create music as a way of finding themselves while sticking true to who
they really are. Every new album from these guys is different and that’s
exactly why we’re fans: because they aren’t conforming to any ideas of what
others want them to be. If you don’t get the chance to catch their performance
at South By, the band will be playing the Acoustic Basement Tent on the Vans
Warped Tour all summer!
Where to catch Transit: 3.19 – 1am – Official SXSW Showcase @ The
Trophy Club.
Empires
We’ve been huge fans of Empires for quite some time now. The band produces
music that is nothing but catchy, leaving the listener singing along and
wanting to hear more. At this point, the band has honed their sound and
perfected their own style, blending all the right sounds and feelings into
their work.
Where to catch Empires: 3.21 – Official SXSW Showcase – TBA.
The Tontons
Another act that appeared on our list last year is the Tontons. This
psychedelic rock/soul band is just so all over the place, but in the most
perfect way. Filled with empowering vocals, the Tontons know how to provide
fans with a unique and soulful experience that they may have never felt before.
Where to catch The Tontons: 3.16 – 8pm – Capital One Party @ 6th
and Congress; 3.17 – 5:30pm – Do512 Family Picnic @ Midway Food Plaza; 3.18 –
12am – New Frontier Showcase @ Holy Mountain; 3.20 – 12:30pm – Balcony TV @
Joe’s Crab Shack; 3.20 – 1am – The Convoy Group Showcase @ Palm Door Sabine;
3.21 – 3pm – Eye In The Sky @ Shiner Saloon; 3.21 – 5pm – Holy Underground @
Swan Dive.
Ghost Town
Ghost Town is one of those bands that began making a name for themselves
very early in the game. After being a band for only a year, Ghost Town signed
to Fueled By Ramen in 2013 and has been touring like crazy ever since. From
playing last years Warped Tour to touring with Issues, then Every Time I Die
and The Ghost Inside, now South By Southwest, and just today announced touring
with Falling In Reverse, I’m starting to wonder if these guys will ever take a
break. Passion and drive is what makes these guys one of our must see acts.
Where to catch Ghost Town: 3.20 – South By So What?! @ QuikTrip Park.
Twin Shadow
Recent addition to Warner Bros. Records, Twin Shadows is one of the newer
artists we’ve been introduced to. After some creative changes and a new
direction, Twin Shadows will be releasing their brand new album tomorrow and
it’s one we highly suggest you check out.
Where to catch Twin Shadow: 3.21 – 8pm – Official SXSW Showcase @
Ironwood Hall.
Microwave
Upon first listen, Microwave will warm you up from the inside out. This
will also happen upon second, third, fourth, and every other time you give them
a listen. This Georgia band uniquely balances genres including pop-punk and
post-hardcore, which is why they made our list. Microwave is one of those
unsigned bands that we expect to make it big before you know it.
Where to catch Microwave: 3.18 – 5:30pm – House show; 3.20 – 8:15pm –
Audiotree Showcase @ Licha’s Cantina.
Highly Suspect
Prog rockers, Highly Suspect, have become a recent favorite of mine, with
gritty vocals and their hard-rock sounds having previously been compared to
bands including Kings of Leon, Muse and Red Hot Chili Peppers. This is a must
watch-band for us.
Where to catch Highly Suspect: 3.18 – Beautiful Buzz Showcase; 3.18 – The
Trophy Room; 3.19 – Sonic Tonic Showcase; 3.20 – Reverb Nation; 3.21 – Trailer
Space Records; 3.21 – Monster Energy Rock Showcase.
Concord America
With an upcoming full-length on the horizon, this trio is one to keep on
your radar. Forming around their love for Rock & Roll, Concord America
contains sounds from a variety of genres from Garage Rock to Doo-Wop to Power-Pop
and even Surf. Though their tastes may be scattered, their music is cohesively
original.
Where to catch Concord American: 3.18 – 7pm – Ground Floor Booking/Hot Grits
Records @ Love Goat; 3.18 – 12am – Fireball Island Presents @ The Lost Well;
3.19 – 3pm – Sonic Tonic Pool Party @ Amli Downtown, 3.19 – KVRXPlosion; 3.20 –
21st St. Co-Op; 3.20 – 7:30pm – Audiotree @ Licha’s Cantina; 3.20 –
South Fry South Friendy’s @ Chain Drive Austin; 3.21 – 6pm – Georgia Theater
Athens @ The Side Bar; 3.22 – ATX Overload @ Spinner’s.
Halsey
For fans of Ellie Goulding, CHVRCHES, and Lorde, you’re sure to love Ashley
Frangipane, also known as Halsey. There’s something so refreshing about this
artist. At only 19, Halsey is taking over and is sure to be a household name
before you know it.
Where to catch Halsey: 3.18 – 1am – Official SXSW Showcase @ Bar 96