South By Southwest is the mothership of music festivals. It’s where bands and singer/songwriters have the opportunity to play in front of a feast of industry and fan ears alike. While there are hundreds of live performances to choose from, here are our favorites from amongst the festival’s chicest picks.
And don’t worry, we’ve also included a playlist for you with all these voices at the end:Â
1. Â Jungle
From: London, England
For fans of: Â Blood Orange, RJD2
SXSW showtimes: Â http://schedule.sxsw.com/2014/events/event_MS24812
2. Â The Preatures
From: Â Sydney, Australia
For fans of: Â Phantogram, HAIM
SXSW showtimes:Â http://schedule.sxsw.com/2014/events/event_MS25642
3. Â Calvin Love
From: Â Edmonton, Canada
For fans of: Â St. Lucia, Strange Talk
SXSW showtimes: Â http://www.songkick.com/artists/5616273-calvin-love
4. Â Future Islands
From: Â Baltimore, MD
For fans of: Â Rod Stewart, Gardens & Villa
SXSW showtimes: Â http://schedule.sxsw.com/2014/events/event_MS25062Â
5. Banks
From: Â Los Angeles, CA
For fans of: Â The Weeknd, Ellie Goulding
SXSW showtimes: Â http://schedule.sxsw.com/2014/events/event_MS26519Â
6. Â Bipolar Sunshine
From: Â Manchester, England
For fans of: Â Frank Ocean, Miguel
SXSW showtimes: Â http://schedule.sxsw.com/2014/events/event_MS24614Â
7. Â London Grammar
From: Â Nottingham, England
For fans of: Â Florence and the Machine, Active Child
SXSW showtimes: Â http://schedule.sxsw.com/2014/events/event_MS27723Â
8. Wet
From: Â Brooklyn, NY
For fans of: Â Polica, Gayngs
SXSW showtimes: Â http://schedule.sxsw.com/2014/events/event_MS25392Â
9. Â Black Lips
From: Â Atlanta, GA
For fans of: Â Tame Impala, Black Angels
SXSW showtimes: Â http://schedule.sxsw.com/2014/events/event_MS28353Â
10. Â Eagulls
From: Â Leeds, England
For fans of: Â Joy Division, Cloud Nothings
SXSW showtimes: Â http://schedule.sxsw.com/2014/events/event_MS27347Â
11. Â Habibi
From: Â Brooklyn, NY
For fans of: Â Crystal Stilts, Vivian Girls
SXSW showtimes: Â http://schedule.sxsw.com/2014/events/event_MS27788Â
12. Â Temples
From: Â Kettering, England
For fans of: Â The Kinks, The Zombies
SXSW showtimes: Â http://schedule.sxsw.com/2014/events/event_MS27305
13. Â Holy Esque
From: Â Glasgow, Scotland
For fans of: Â Editors, Interpol
SXSW showtimes: Â http://schedule.sxsw.com/2014/events/event_MS25569
14. Â Cherry Glazerr
From: Â Los Angeles, CA
For fans of: Â Silversun Pickups, Pretty Girls Make Graves
SXSW showtimes: Â http://schedule.sxsw.com/2014/events/event_MS26254Â
15. Â Angel Olsen
From: Â St. Louis, MO
For fans of: Â Sharon Van Etten, Best Coast, Surfer Blood
SXSW showtimes: Â http://schedule.sxsw.com/2014/events/event_MS27165
16. Â Wye Oak
From: Â Baltimore, MD
For fans of: Â Of Monsters and Men, Milo Greene
SXSW showtimes: Â http://schedule.sxsw.com/2014/events/event_MS25360Â
17. Â Asgeir
From: Â Reykjavik, Iceland
For fans of: Â Bon Iver, Matt Kearney
SXSW showtimes: Â http://schedule.sxsw.com/2014/events/event_MS27262
18. Â Cymbals
From: Â London, England
For fans of: Â MGMT, Passion Pit
SXSW showtimes: Â http://schedule.sxsw.com/2014/events/event_MS25386
19. Â SOHN
From: Â London/Vienna
For fans of: Â Toro Y Moi, The XX
SXSW showtimes: Â http://schedule.sxsw.com/2014/events/event_MS26747
20. Â Forest Swords
From: Â Liverpool, England
For fans of: Â Four Tet, Burial
SXSW showtimes: Â http://schedule.sxsw.com/2014/events/event_MS26335Â
And, as promised, a sampling of these artist’s songs:
Image via Tiffany Arment on Ruffled
8 comments
I dig the “likeness of feel” comparisons here. You take it deeper than a listing of bands with a similar sound and look at the unique components of specific songs, from there finding relatability other artists. You have a great ear for what’s out there and it’s expanding my world of music. I’ll be keeping an eye out for more of these mixes, yo.
Do you just know entry-level buzzbands? You made some of the worst music comparisons I’ve ever read.
“Angel Olsen – For fans of: Best Coast, Surfer Blood” – ???????
Kylie, my “for fans of” suggestions were meant to be better known bands/artists with similarities, not other buzzbands. I chose these bands based on a likeness of feel…not to compare them to the artist at hand. Angel Olsen is one of the most talented young artists breaking through right now, she’s on a level of her own. My apologies if I was way off here, just trying to help people navigate new music 🙂
I just recently found Darling Magazine through a friend, and saw your playlist immediately. Great selection Chelsea! (might I encourage you to not pay attention to trolls btw) 🙂 I will be at SXSW this year and I’ve heard a great deal of Asgeir (who’m I will see again and again always) but now I cannot wait to get to Wet, and especially now Angel Olsen!! Darling seems to have a great handle on music. See you in Austin… <3
Darling, could you possibly get any cooler?! What great choices!
You’re so cool for saying so!
This is awesome. It’s great to have a voice for music – there’s hardly an outlet to talk music with other women. Thanks for posting 🙂
Thank you for reading/listening, Stephanie! Come back and talk music with us anytime 🙂