The group will perform at the opening party
South by Southwest (SXSW) has announced the first 100 Showcasing Artists confirmed to perform at SXSW 2026 from March 12-18, and the first 50 Showcase Presenters for the 40th Music Festival. These groundbreaking artists represent genres and countries from around the world, showcasing the breadth of global talent attendees will experience at SXSW.
Highlights from the first 100 Showcasing Artists for the SXSW Music Festival include masked lo-fi art-pop musician Milo Korbenski from Brighton, England; experimental electropop and live coding pioneer DJ_Dave out of LA; Mexico City-based and regionally influenced post-punk project La Texana; Brooklyn-based alt-folk songwriter Hudson Freeman; Austin-based Bayonne, the introspective and ethereal electro-pop project of artist Roger Sellers; Indonesian indie trio Grrrl Gang; Irish post-punks Chalk; LA punk-pop buzz band The Sophs; West Coast hip-hop and Bollywood influenced rapper, producer, and songwriter KOAD; Minneapolis-based singer-songwriter runo plum; and Grammy-nominated rapper and Tully founder Joyner Lucas.
Music showcases are curated by SXSW programmers in collaboration with record labels, booking agencies, export offices, management and PR firms, publishers, media outlets, lifestyle brands and festivals. These showcases allow attendees to experience sets in exclusive, small-stage performances.
SXSW Music Showcase Presenters include returning favorites like Billboard, NPR Music Stations, Rolling Stone, British Music Embassy, Los Angeles Times’ De Los, BMG, BBC Introducing, and The Line of Best Fit, and exciting first-time presenters, like Willie Nelson’s Luck Reunion, R&B Block Party and Dream Con.
To kick off the festival, The All-American Rejects will perform at the Music Festival Opening Party, hosted at Stubb’s Amphitheater on the first night of SXSW 2026, Thursday, March 12th.
The Music Opening Party, presented by Rivian, is an annual celebration featuring live music from showcase artists, food and drinks, and more. Details on the Opening Party, including additional performances, will be shared in the coming weeks.
Last week, SXSW announced more than 250 sessions for the Innovation, Film & TV, and Music Conferences, curated from the thousands of PanelPicker submissions. Music Conference Programming provides attendees the opportunity to learn about the latest trends impacting the music business and practical advice to advance careers at every level.
This year, the Music Conference will look at how emerging technologies, new business models, and artist development are transforming music, from creation to performance, and fan engagement. Session highlights from the SXSW programming team include The Future of Music is Participatory, The Numbers Behind the Hits: How Data is Driving K-pop’s Global Domination, and Tour Support 2.0: How Mental Health is Reshaping Live Music.
For the first time, SXSW Music will feature seven days of music programming and showcases at Austin’s iconic venues. The Music Conference & Festival will run simultaneously with Innovation and Film & TV, and Music and Platinum badge holders will have access to the Music Clubhouse at The Downright hotel, a central gathering point surrounded by related programming and events, making it easier than ever to navigate and connect.
There’s still time to be part of the SXSW Music Festival, with seven nights to showcase your sound in Austin’s most popular venues with an audience from around the globe.
