SXSW has revealed the first group of artists set to perform at the festival’s landmark 40th anniversary celebration, happening March 12–18 in Austin, Texas. The initial lineup of 100 artists features experimental producer DJ_Dave and Indonesian trio Grrrl Gang. Other acts confirmed to perform include Brighton’s Milo Korbenski, Mexico City’s La Texana, Brooklyn’s Hudson Freeman, Austin’s own Bayonne, and Indian-American rapper KOAD.
“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.”
You can view the full list of announced performers here.
Rolling Stone will once again return as a music showcase presenter for SXSW 2026. Earlier this year, Rolling Stone’s Future of Music Showcase took over Austin’s iconic ACL Live at the Moody Theater, where fans filled the 2,750-capacity venue over four nights to see performances by Benson Boone, Megan Moroney, Ivan Cornejo, Rema, and other global artists. The event coincided with Rolling Stone’s annual Future of Music issue and the Future 25 list, highlighting many of the performers featured in the showcase.
Other returning presenters for SXSW 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 participate as first-time showcase presenters.
Last month, the festival announced its first wave of featured sessions, which includes music-focused panels with the All-American Rejects discussing their viral DIY house tour, and independent rapper Russ, who will speak with Andreea Gleeson, CEO of the distribution company TuneCore, about his career journey.
(Full disclosure: In 2021, Rolling Stone’s parent company, P-MRC, purchased a 50 percent stake in the SXSW festival.)
