SXSW has unveiled the first wave of artists performing at the historic 40th anniversary music festival taking place March 12-18 in Austin, Texas. The 100 groundbreaking acts announced today include experimental producer DJ_Dave, and Indonesian trio Grrrl Gang. Brighton’s Milo Korbenski, La Texana from Mexico City, Hudson Freeman out of Brooklyn, Austin’s Bayonne, and Indian-American rapper KOAD are also among the artists confirmed to appear at SXSW 2026.
“SXSW has been the premiere destination for music discovery for 40 years, helping push pioneering acts like Kendrick Lamar, the White Stripes, Wet Leg, PinkPantheress, Tyler, the Creator, and Billie Eilish to the next level,” said Brian Hobbs, VP of music at SXSW, in a statement. “By bringing the global music industry to Austin, from labels and A&R to publicists to influential journalists and critics, SXSW is a unique opportunity for showcasing artists to build their careers, enter new markets, and learn from fellow artists and industry voices. With an extra night of showcases this year, 2026 is shaping up to be better than ever for artists, industry, and audiences.”
Check out the full lineup so far here.
Rolling Stone will also return as a music showcase presenter for SXSW 2026. In March, Rolling Stone’s Future of Music Showcase took over Austin’s famed ACL Live at the Moody Theater. For four nights, fans packed into the 2,750-capacity venue to see Benson Boone, Megan Moroney, Ivan Cornejo, and Rema, along with other musicians from around the world. The event aligned with Rolling Stone’s annual Future of Music issue and the Future 25 list, which featured many of the artists who played the showcase.
Additional SXSW returning presenters include Billboard, NPR music stations, Los Angeles Times’ De Los, BMG, College of Hip Hop Knowledge, BBC Introducing, British Music Embassy, and The Line of Best Fit. Willie Nelson’s Luck Reunion and Dream Con will also join as first-time presenters.
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Last month, the fest shared its first slate of featured session , including music-focused panels with All-American Rejects, who will delve into their viral DIY house tour, and indie rapper Russ, slated to discuss his rise with Andreea Gleeson, CEO of the distribution company TuneCore.
(Full disclosure: In 2021, Rolling Stone’s parent company, P-MRC, acquired a 50 percent stake in the SXSW festival.)
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