Every year, bands descend on Austin with the hope of building buzz, earning new fans, and maybe, possibly, signing a record deal. But with so many acts, it’s a daunting task for the average concertgoer to sift through all the options. (To give you an idea of the gravity of the numbers, SXSW hosted more than 2,200 bands last year.) So, rather than walk into any random bar and hope for the best, we’ve done the work for you and culled the crowd to 10 acts that are guaranteed to bring the heat. From established artists making rare small-stage appearances to newcomers just now gaining steam, these acts have all proven themselves to be excellent in a live setting. While you’ll no doubt see many more than the artists included here, these SXSW headliners should give you a head start in planning your trip to Texas.
Must-See Headliners at This Year’s SXSW
For those headed to SXSW this year, you won't want to miss these headliners.
Image via Complex Original
Complex MusicNewsletter
Stay ready. The playlists, good reads and video interviews you need—delivered every week.
By entering your email and clicking Sign Up, you’re agreeing to let us send you customized marketing messages about us and our advertising partners. You are also agreeing to our
Terms of Serviceand
Privacy Policy