Unofficial guide to unofficial SXSW

Lillian Jones

Local Music Assistant

 

South by Southwest (SXSW) has been an ongoing festival in Austin, TX since 1987 including conferences, film screenings and music showcases. The music showcases are featured all across town from Red River St. venues to hotel lobbies to lounges up north. 

With being such a busy and chaotic festival, sometimes the hustle and bustle of official SXSW showcases can become overwhelming. This is where unofficial shows come in! With so many artists visiting town, local promoters jump at the opportunity to have big names on their DIY bills as well as showcasing the local musicians we know and love. From house shows to bookstores to cozy bars, this is your unofficial guide to unofficial SXSW shows!

MARCH 7

21st St. Co-op presents: West by West Campus

Starts at 9pm

Lineup: Grocery Bag, Cormae, Big Wy’s Brass Band, Lose Kurados, Rhimix, DJ Giggles, Renvhar, Radium Girls, Eoxxticaa

Grocery Bag has been a year-long friend of KTSW from our live session with them in January of 2024, to a Third Thursday performance and spinning their tracks on air. Cormae also recently performed just this last week during our annual Estrojam event celebrating Women’s History Month. This will be a great night to appreciate the variety of the local Austin music scene with the delinquent residents of 21st St! 

Chess Club (21+)

Starts at 8pm

Lineup: Important Group, Cast of Thousands, Guiding Light, Mean Jolene, Prolific Charm

 

MARCH 8 

Private Park SMTX 

Starts at 6pm

Lineup: beforeyouleave (CA), Orbs of Ruin, Harmonysdemise, Daughters of Eve, Phonefoot

Hannah Baratang (@superh***arad on Instagram) brings SXSW to San Marcos with local emo bands accompanying beforeyouleave from California. Private Park has become the designated spot for chaotic emo, screamo and hardcore shows for those along the I-35 corridor. 

Chess Club (21+) 

Starts at 8pm

Lineup: Haha Laughing, TVS Daniel, The Pinky Rings, Tied Up, Grocery Bag

 

MARCH 9

Boingo House 

Lineup: Redbud, Virginia Creeper, Proun, Horsetail, Boomershack

 

MARCH 10

“The Sound of Convenience” at Friendly Rio Market

Starts at 2pm

Lineup: Little Marzan, Autumnal, Your Jack, Free Range (solo), H**l Trash, Tiberius

“The Sound Of Convenience” is celebrating its two year return with two days of music at Friendly Rio Market! March 10th and March 11th. 

Grrrl’s Night at Firehouse Lounge (21+)

Starts at 6pm

Lineup: Egee, Salt Kid, Hiding Places (NYC), Secret Siren, The Bottomless

There will be flash tattoos by @scratch.witch on Instagram! Donations at the door go directly to Planned Parenthood.

Happen Twice X Nowadays  at Chess Club (21+)

Starts at 8pm

Lineup: Fetch Tiger, Stalefish, Foster Pettit, Mir-Range Jumper, Slurp The World

 

MARCH 11

Hotel Vegas (21+) 

Starts at 2pm

Lineup: Haha Laughing, Touch Girl Apple Blossom, I Wear Your Chain, Paper Jam and DJs

Haha Laughing and Touch Girl Apple Blossom are two bands I had the pleasure of seeing live during last year’s SXSW. A contradicting lineup, Haha Laughing is the most chaotic experimental rap duo in the central Texas area right now. They are sure to leave your ears ringing and adrenaline rushing! On the other hand, Touch Girl Apple Blossom is a charmingly soft 5-piece, perfect for a night of sweet dancing. 

Tiny Sounds Collective presents: Smash by Smash West at Arnold House

Starts at 3pm

Lineup: Sly Withers (Australia), Campfire Social (UK), Finger Foods (Nashville), Dogs On Shady Lane (Brooklyn), Astro Alley (Philly), Tunnel (LA), Autumnal (Fort Collins), Joey Tea (Brooklyn), Wenge (Corpus Christi) and Second Place (Houston)

The true essence of an unofficial SXSW showcase – grouping out of state/out of country musicians into a cramped house! 

“The Sound of Convenience” at Friendly Rio Market

Starts at 2pm

Lineup: Zack Wiggs, Samuel Aaron & Noah Roth, Hannah Sandoz, Liz Moen, Woes, Astrachan, pam3, Hiding Places, Shallowater, Virginia Creeper, Bleary Eyed, Ritual 

Happen Twice X KVRX 91.7 X Nowadays at Peddler Bike Shop (Duval)

Starts at 2pm

Lineup: Jonny Tex, Foliage, Leo Napoleon

 

MARCH 12 

Alienated Majesty Books

Starts at 6pm

Lineup: Middle Mass, Tamsen, I Wear Your Chain, French Film, Ensorcell

A mix of heavy shoegaze and screamo. I have yet to be at an Alienated Majesty show, but it is for sure on my Austin live music bucket list! 

Touché (21+) 

Starts at 4pm

Lineup: The People, Vice In The Doorway, Tiny House, Triiiple Sixxx, Saigon Sinners, Lovelydidit, Jinxxunkown, Elephant Ears

Howdy Gals X Uncanny Attractions at Hole In The Wall (21+)

Starts at 8:30pm

Lineup: Her New Knife, Taxidermists, MHAOL, Haha Laughing, CDSM and a special guest

A night of music and wrestling for a “H**down Throdown”!

Resound X Marshall Amps at Mohawk 

Starts at 12pm

Lineup: Fleshwater, Die Spitz, Maruja, Wishy, Urban Heat, jaron Marshall, Freak Slug, Los Eclipses, Gen & The Degenerates, The Molotovs, Benét, Mujeres Podridas, Fawn, Luke Tyler Shelton, Queer Vinyl Collective

 

MARCH 13 

Scissor House X Superh***arad 

Music starts at 8pm

Lineup: Tommy Fleece (Detroit), The Dallas Cowboys (Brooklyn), At First At First, Push Ups (NYC), Reserv (NYC)

Scissor House is a quaint house tucked in the west side of UT campus (AKA wampus), known for throwing crazy fun house shows. For SXSW, residents have partnered with Hannah Baratang to bring an awesome lineup. Push Ups is a grunge rock band from NYC who’s members also include The Dallas Cowboys! The Dallas Cowboys are not from Dallas… nor are they cowboys. They’re an electronic duo from Brooklyn that will blow your socks off. 

Touché (21+) 

Starts at 4pm

Lineup: Faux Sang, Whisk, Velvet Green, Enjune, Window Shop, Tiny House, Couch Slippers

Locket Presents a Super Secret show

Starts at 8pm

Lineup: Farmers Wife, Grocery Bag, Almost Heaven, Alma Muñeca, Care About, Moonbby (DJ set)

Have to “ask a friend” to find the location

Third Man Records X Creem Mag at 13th Floor

Starts at 11am

Lineup: Die Spitz, Frankie & The Witch Fingers, Fantasy of a Broken Heart, Native Sun, PyPy, Wand, Dutch Interior, Monobloc

 

MARCH 14 

Pearl St. Co-op presents “Loud ASF Fest” 

Starts at 8pm 

Lineup: bulletsbetweentongues, Empty Shell Casing, Sinema, Her New Knife (Philly), Mary In The Junkyard (London), Gus Baldwin and The Sketch, YHWH Nailgun (NYC) & a special guest TBA

Moonbby6 has returned from NYC, partnering with Dillon Aitaila to bring “Loud ASF Fest”. All I know is it’s going to be loud… and a fest. 

Touché (21+) 

Starts at 4pm

Lineup: The Loneliness, De La Gates, Scarin’ Folks, Grace The Empress, Window Shop, Tiberius

Sunny’s Backyard 

Starts at 5pm

Lineup: Ritual, Fawn, Spright, Violetta, ladyluck, Stab, I Wear Your Chain

“Queer Alternative Showcase” at Alienated Majesty Books

Starts at 2pm 

Lineup: Perennial, Benét, Chrysalis, Flowerbed, Hit Like A Girl, Best Bear, Charlie MTN, Snailmate, Virginia Creeper

KVRX 91.7 presents “South By So What?” at Tweedys

Starts at 2pm 

Lineup: Mary In The Junkyard (UK), Middle Mass (ATX), Taxidermists (Mass), Bubbalucky (ATX), Modern Form (ATX), Truck Violence (Canada), Spitzer Space Telescope (UK), TVOD (NYC), YHWH Nailgun (NYC) & two special guests

Our college radio friends at KVRX of UT are putting on their own stacked showcase featuring a mix of local and out of town artists. Support college radio!

Perfectly Imperfect showcase at New Guild Co-op

Starts at 7pm 

Lineup: Laker Brad, YHWH Nailgun, Will Mahony, Fear Dorian, Her New Knife, Cooper B Handy, Quiet Light, Untitled Halo, Taxidermists, FC Goris, Almost Heaven, Catcher

Perfectly Imperfect is a newsletter who has trademarked a recommendation style of interviewing. They send out weekly newsletters featuring big celebrities, trending internet personalities and up-and-coming artists. Recent examples include Doechii, Ottessa Moshfegh, Oklou and Thrilliam Angels. I’m very excited to see the people on this lineup!  

Saturn Cocktail Club

Starts at 10pm 

Lineup: DJ B***rboy (Will Mahony), Lil Jerry Springer, YowenPuppy, Laker Brady

Will Mahony is an internet personality who’s DJ name came before he ever actually laid hands on a deck. He visited our lovely city back in October of 2024 and gave Austin residents an overall fun time. He’s returning and he’s been practicing his actual DJ skills. San Marcos, TX very own YowenPuppy is accompanying the bill and I couldn’t be more thrilled. If you have yet to see her play, now is the perfect time! 

Third Man Records X Creem Mag at 13th Floor

Starts at 11am

Lineup: Coldwave, Day Residue, TVOD, Her New Knife, youbet, Golomb, Cashier and more

 

MARCH 15 

Thanks4existing at Mothership Studios SMTX 

Starts at 8pm

Lineup: Tommy Fleece (Detroit), The Dallas Cowboys (Brooklyn), Harry Teardrop (NYC), Reserv (NYC)

Everyone say thank you to Hannah Baratang for another amazing lineup this week. Tommy Fleece’s first ever show was at Mothership Studios and he’s making his return. The electronic musician and internet personality makes for a fun performance you won’t want to miss. He recently put out a new song, “Short and Painless”,  collaborating with The Dallas Cowboy, paired with a fun dance you can try out at their show. 

Double Trouble

Starts at 5pm

Lineup: Stalefish, Astrachan, Middle Sattre, Mid-Range Jumper, Samuel Aaron & Noah Roth

Stalefish is a local six-piece band that I absolutely adore. Their recent album release, It’s All Down Here from Hill, was one of my favorites in the summer of 2024. Their label mates, Astrachan, I found through KTSW! We were sent Astrachan’s album, Cleaner Than Clean, and I fell in love with the track “Monkey Mind.” I suggest making a day out of the businesses on North Loop which Double Trouble resides on! Hit up some thrift stores and then head your way over to Double Trouble in the afternoon.

Touché (21+)

Starts at 4pm

Lineup: En Route, A.S.R.S.O.S., Soho Holiday, Anapests, Elephant Ears, Terra Cognita, Club Honey

Howdy Gals X The Luna Collective at Hole In The Wall (21+)

Starts at 8pm

Lineup: Little Hag, Ribbon Skirt, Golomb, Fake Dad, Jo Alice, Grocery Bag, Basically Nancy

Monkies Vintage

Starts at 12pm

Lineup: Native Sun (NYC), Yoo Doo Right, Enfants (Japan), Day Residue (Detroit), Buice (ATL), Honey Puppy (GA), Rubber Udder (GA)

$10 suggested donation at the door, proceeds go to the Abortion Coalition for Telemedicine.

 

MARCH 16 

Scissor House

Starts at 8pm

Lineup: GeneGrey, Jake Embers (DC), Echo, Harry Teardrop (NYC), Harlynn

 

That concludes the chaotic week that we know and love. There is so much to do in our beautiful central Texas. Get out of the house, have fun and support unofficial shows!