Consequence of Sound Presents: The Top 25 Artists to See at SXSW 2011

Odd Future

Showcase: 3/19 @ Buffalo Billard's 12:05 a.m. (Billboard Bungalow)

Party: 3/18 @ Santos Party House 4:30 p.m. (Death Match Day Party)

CoS Says: Even in a festival built on the back of each year's buzz bands, Odd Future may be the most hyped act to enter into the fray at Austin for quite some time. Known for their raucous and dark lyricism, Tyler, The Creator and his cohorts bring an unquantifiable sense of mayhem, wherever they go. Don't be surprised to hear "swag" ad nauseam all week long.

Smith Westerns

Showcase: 3/16 @ Stubbs 10:15 p.m.

Party: 3/17 @ East Side Drive-In 6:15 p.m. (#Offline)

CoS Says: Chicago does it again. Garage-glam rockers Smith Westerns pull from half a dozen influences, but together, they create something boldly unreal. Wild distortion, spacey harmonies, and spiral guitar work set this band above the mucky indie waterline. While the band's debut may be hit or miss, their recent sophomore album, this year's Dye It Blonde, packages everything you'd ever want in a psychedelic rock record these days. MGMT, take note.

Cloud Nothings

Showcase: 3/17 @ 512 Rooftop 12:05 a.m.

Party: 3/17 @ Lovejoy's 6:00 p.m. (Flying Dog Brewery & I Guess I'm Floating), 3/16 @ Mohawk 3:15 p.m. (Eat Your Own Ears)

CoS Says: The power-pop hooks of Cloud Nothings are the brainchild of Cleveland youngster Dylan Baldi. His debut LP culls tracks from home-recorded EPs, this time laid down in studio with Chester Gwazda, who previously helmed discs by Dan Deacon and Future Islands. The smart, well-crafted, supremely catchy tunes burst through the intimidating Weezer comparisons, finding their own mark.

Yuck

Showcase: 3/16 @ Club de Ville 1:00 a.m.

Party: 3/19 @ Mohawk 12:00 p.m. (MOG at the Mohawk)

CoS Says: Talk about a misleading name. Everyone who loves '90s alt. rock will warm up to the soft fuzz of London rockers, Yuck. The band's self-titled debut smashed headphones last month, surging thousands of nostalgic fans to dive into their closets in search of their now dusty ripped jeans and hole-ridden flannel. If you happen to be in the same boat, don't worry about cleaning either piece of clothing, as it's likely you'll sweat up a storm while you're tossing and turning at this wild show. Ouch.

Okkervil River

Showcase: 3/16 @ Red 7 Patio 12:50 a.m.

Party: 3/18 @ Flamingo Cantina 6:00 p.m. (Under The Radar)

CoS says: Tempered in the Austin music scene, Okkervil River returns home just ahead of the release of their seventh LP, I Am Very Far. Not only will the local, known-them-from-the-start crowd be cheering these cerebral folk-rockers on, but you're almost guaranteed to get a big sneak peak of their new album. Frontman Will Sheff is sure to lead the crowd with much vim and no small amount of unwrought emotion from his rough-hewn warble.

Twin Shadow

Showcase: 3/18 @ Maggie Mae's Rooftop 11:00 p.m.

Party: 3/17 @ French Legation Museum (Hill Stage) 3:00 p.m. (Other Music & Dig for Fire)

CoS says: Twin Shadow frontman and progenitor, George Lewis Jr., assumes the stage with his wood-grain telecaster strapped around his body. He's a black Morrisey, a glo-fi Kings of Convenience, a more dower Prince&#8212an amalgam of an array of music hanging in the ether for just about anyone to grab these days. His debut album was made in a bedroom, but in concert it has the potential to fill a stadium. Positively, one of the best live acts at SXSW in terms of talent, entertainment, <em>and </em>sex appeal.</p>

Kanye West

Party: Vevo Power Station @ 11:59 p.m.

CoS Says: It takes someone with a whole lot of power to shut down a festival featuring 2,000+ bands playing hundreds of different showcases and parties. However, the one and only Kanye West will do just that when he delivers a semi-surprise performance at Vevo's Power Station Saturday Night. Little is known about what Ye has planned, but if his 2009 visit to Austin is any indication, expect guests galore and a whole lot of awesomeness. In other words, your standard Kanye West performance.

Tennis

Showcase: 3/16 @ Club de Ville 12:00 a.m.

Party: 3/19 @ La Zona Rosa 1:00 p.m. (Rolling Stone)

CoS Says: Husband and wife duo Patrick Riley and Alaina Moore released this year's Cape Dory to pretty general fanfare. The duo's more-or-less biographical songs about sailing along the East Coast combine twee, girl-group pop with some light, surfy guitarwork. Moore's cooing vocals and Riley's gliding guitars come together for some of the cutest material out there.

The Strokes

Showcase: 3/17 @ Auditorium Shores Stage (Lady Bird Lake) 8:00 p.m.

CoS Says: March has been the month of The Strokes. After a five-year absence from recording, these New York rockers will turn plenty of heads as they perform tracks off their forthcoming record, Angles, which comes out a few days after SXSW on March 22. If their new record says anything, it’s that these guys haven’t lost a step during their time away from recording.

The Kills

Showcase: 3/17 @ Emo's Main Room 11:00 p.m.

Party: 3/14 @ Crossroads House 8:30 p.m. (IFC & Facebook), 3/18 @ Stubb's (Spin)

CoS Says: The Kills (composed of vocalist Alison "VV" Mossheart (co-vocalist of Dead Weather, alongside Jack White) and multi-instrumentalist Jamie "Hotel" Hince) specialize in a bluesy punk stomp. Past tourmates The Raconteurs and Le Tigre are pretty good touchstones, as Mossheart's wild, anarchic howls and Hince's aggressive hooks blend those styles. The duo went on hiatus during Dead Weather's meteoric rise, but they're back with upcoming LP, Blood Pressures.

The Boxer Rebellion

Showcase: 3/16 @ Buffalo Billiards 9:00 p.m.

Party: 3/17 @ Latitude 30 1:00 a.m.

CoS says: London-based band, The Boxer Rebellion, are a four-piece group who made waves with their previous album, Union, which was named the iTunes alternative album of 2009. With their new album, The Cold Still, led by the first single, "Step Out Of The Car," The Boxer Rebellion and their brand of British-infused rock are ready to finally make waves in the States.

Vanaprasta

Showcase: 3/16 @ The Rusty Spurs 9:00 p.m.

Party: 3/16 @ The Belmont 6:00 p.m.

CoS says: Even though they come from Los Angeles, Vanaprasta brings a southern rock sound that makes them seem like a psychedelic cousin to Kings Of Leon. Singer Steven Wilkins' haunting voice, along with a sweet sounding falsetto, backed by music that can seem both furious and soothing, will make you nod your head and shuffle your feet while wondering where you can pick up their album.

Lady Lamb the Beekeeper

Showcase: 3/18 @ SXSW Dot Com Day Stage (Austin Convention Center) 5:00 p.m.

CoS Says: Oh, where to start? Originally from the Southwest, Lady Lamb the Beekeeper, a.k.a. 21-year-old Aly Spaltro, takes a new approach to "knowing your territory." Spaltro’s stark yet melody-driven songs dig deep into her life, drawing from experiences with fractured love to living overseas to romanticizing the smallest dalliances in everyday life. It's raw, hard-hitting, and admittedly sexy as hell. What more do you want in rock 'n' roll?

Za!

Showcase: 3/17 @ Nuvola 1:00 p.m. (Primavera Sound SXSW Showcase)

Party: 3/19 @ Spider House 7:45 p.m. Theater Stage (Spider House Free Show Series)

CoS Says: As their name implies, Barcelona, Spain's Za! is a bit odd, a mix of everything from African beats to math rock to drones to free jazz and beyond. Those looking for a spectacle will find it in the two members of Za! making all that noise with just seven instruments. People looking for something wonderful should also apply.

James Blake

Showcase: 3/16 @ Stubbs 9:15 p.m.

Party: 3/18 @ French Legation Museum (Hill Stage) 5:00 p.m. (Other Music & Dig for Fire)

CoS says: London producer James Blake takes as much pleasure in his silences as he does in his dub-step-influenced beats. Layers of his auto-tuned croon weave in and out of his sparse drums and woozy bass. Unlike other club figures, Blake leads with his heart crafting delicate, emotional, and ambient pop ballads, but never forgets our need to nod our heads.

Hollerado

Showcase: 3/16 @ Atones 9:00 p.m.

Party: 3/19 @ The Rumbler Lounge [time TBD, but probably around 3:00 p.m.] (Axis of Audio)

CoS says: You might have heard Hollerado before via their near-platinum, near-viral video for "Americanarama". But the Ontario throw-back rockers hope you remember them for more than a clever music video, and want to win you over with just the right amount of straightforward rock and roll, which owes fealty to any indie band with a distortion pedal in the early '90s, especially Weezer. But toss in a little more blues and some cold beer, and now you're cruising alongside these Ontario boys. Throw one back with Hollerado in Austin—they'll love you for it.

Shit Robot

Showcase: 3/19 @ La Zona Rosa 12:00 a.m.

CoS Says: After more than a decade playing other people’s records, Irish DJ turned musician, Marcus Lambkin, started to create music under the name of Shit Robot in 2004. Six years later, Lambkin finally released his indie-star-studded debut, From The Cradle To The Rave&#8212a record which featured the likes of James Murphy, Alexis Taylor, Nancy Whang, and Ian Svenonius. Six months after releasing the LP, Shit Robot will take to the stage, providing fans a heavy dose of his signature, DFA-backed electronica.</p>

Callers

Showcase: 3/19 @ Lambert's 10:00 p.m.

Party: 3/17 @ The Mohawk 3:25 p.m. (Billions & Ticketfly), 3/19 @ Parkside 1:30 p.m. (Reverb Party)

CoS Says: Brooklyn via New Orleans' Callers strive in their sparse, eclectic world, combining folk songs with splashes of blues, jazz, and drone. Vocalist Sara Lucas' untamed delivery, combined with Ryan Seaton's evocative, layered guitar and Don Godwin's thrumming rhythms tumble out in haunting, arty bunches.

The Pains of Being Pure at Heart

Showcase: 3/18 @ Buffalo Billiards 12:05 a.m.

Party: 3/16 @ Beauty Bar 4:15 p.m. (eMusic)

CoS says: One foot in the past, and the other in the future. That's how The Pains Of Being Pure At Heart seem to function. Shoegaze, lo-fi, and new-wave collide into some perfectly jangly pop tunes and reverb-heavy rockers. The NYC quartet has their sophomore album, Belong, due out March 29th, so expect to get a taste of their new material down in Austin.

Astronautalis

Showcase: 3/17 @ Easy Tiger 11:00 p.m.

Party: 3/19 @ Rumbler Lounge 5:20 p.m. (Axis of Audio Day Party)

CoS Says: Astronautalis is among the most original and exciting new artists of this century. His artful storytelling and lyrical prowess combined with musical influences far beyond the hip-hop norm, create the sort of music you keep the words “unique” and “visionary” saved for. His 2008 album, Pomegranate, made it into CoS' top 100 albums of the last decade and his live show is not to be missed. You have never seen a freestyle until you've seen Astronautalis freestyle and this tour he has brought along a full band to back him. His next full length album is on the way as is a collaborative EP with P.O.S. Both these rappers will be spitting their latest, yet to be released verses at SXSW this year.

Surfer Blood

Showcase: 3/16 @ Beauty Bar/Palm Door 1:00 a.m.

Party: 3/18 @ Cedar Street Courtyard 5:00 p.m. (Filter Magazine's Culture Collide)

CoS Says: On the heels of their impressive debut record, Astro Coast, Florida indie-rockers, Surfer Blood, will once again bring their explosive riffs and infectious rhythms to the streets of Austin. Despite recently signing to Warner Bros., the Florida guitar rockers will soon release one last EP with their former label, Kanine, before moving to the majors. This year’s SXSW may be the last one to catch these guys before they truly blow up.

Matt & Kim

Showcase: 3/14 @ The Belmont 9:00 p.m. (See The World With Gowalla)

Party: 3/17 @ Red River Garage 5:30 p.m. (MTV Garage SXSW 2011 Day Party)

CoS Says: At this point in their existence, it's almost impossible not to know who Matt & Kim are. Boyfriend and girlfriend, perpetually smiling performers, and a stripped down indie pop-rock band who know how to kick out the jams. Sure, SXSW is full of new bands to discover, but ignoring these mainstays would be a total bummer.

Menomena

Showcase: 3/18 @ Central Presbyterian Church 1:00 a.m.

Party: 3/18 @ Flamingo Cantina 4:05 p.m. (Under The Radar)

CoS says: To be musically gifted is a powerful trait, but with it comes great responsibility. The Portland, OR trio of Menomena craft artful pop songs, full of just the right amount of genius and experimentation without preening their talents all over their records. Their whimsical and awe-inspiring live show is one not to be missed, as the multi-instrumentalists perform a round robin set of vocal leads, trading off guitars, synths, and saxes. If you can get into the acoustically revered Central Presbyterian Church to see their set, you're sure to own a concert memory of a lifetime.

Hunx and his Punx

Showcase: 3/18 @ Red 7 10:15 p.m.

Party: 3/16 @ Waterloo Records & Video 5:00 p.m. (Waterloo Records SXSW Day Party)

CoS Says: If you're looking for some good old fashioned rock and roll music, look anywhere else besides a Hunx and His Punx show. However, if you're in the mood for simply catchy punk rock that is bubbling over with awkward, almost uncomfortable amounts of B-movie sexuality, then Hunx and company should be near the top of your list of acts to catch in Austin.

Foo Fighters

Showcase: 3/16 @ Austin Hall (2011 mtvU Woodie Awards) TBA

CoS Says: With their seventh studio record on the horizon, it appears that the Foo Fighters have approached their forthcoming record, Wasting Light, with a renewed focus. Not that they ever really messed around, but after a reinvigorating stint with hard-rock supergroup, Them Crooked Vultures, Dave Grohl has returned to his longtime buddies as fierce as ever. According to the band’s frontman, Wasting Light consists of “11 songs and front to back, there’s not one sleepy ballad”&#8212a statement that foreshadows what is certain to be one of the Foo Fighters’ hardest-hitting records to date.</p>