Image via Complex Original
If you're down in Austin this week for SXSW 2014, we're sure there's a bevy of parties and showcases you're excited to attend. No doubt you've seen the lineup for The COMPLEX Complex, so you know we have some truly can't-miss acts at our spot, including Los Rakas, ScHoolboy Q and Ab-Soul, Lunice, Childish Gambino, Nipsey Hussle, Mike Will, Young Thug, Cam'ron, and many more. You're also probably itching to peep Kanye West and Jay Z performing together for the first time since 2012, whether you have the right phone to get into the show or not.
But if you're looking to expand your palette beyond gaining a new appreciation for Texas brisket, we have compiled a list of acts, old and new, that you should check out. Whether you're looking to see who's next on the rap scene, the next face of alt-pop, some of the best new indie bands, or boundary-pushing electronic musicians, we've got you covered. You know who you can't miss, but these are the 25 Acts at SXSW 2014 You Shouldn't Miss.
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ZMoney
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Genre: Rap
Best Place To Catch Them: Friday, March 14 @ Lean Pizza, The Eastern, Time TBD
Listen If You Like: Gucci Mane, Yo Gotti
YC The Cynic
Hometown: Bronx, NY
Genre: Rap
Best Place To Catch Them: Saturday, March 15 @ Palm Door on Sixth, 8:10PM
Listen If You Like: El-P, Ka
Vince Staples
Hometown: Long Beach, CA
Genre: Rap
Best Place To Catch Them: Friday, March 14 @ The COMPLEX Complex (Worlds Collide Presented by Boost Mobile), Time TBD
Listen If You Like: ScHoolboy Q, Earl Sweatshirt
Vic Mensa
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Genre: Rap
Best Place To Catch Them: Wednesday, March 12 @ The COMPLEX Complex (Curated by Green Label), Time TBD
Listen If You Like: Chance The Rapper, Ab-Soul
The Range
Hometown: Providence, RI
Genre: Electronic
Best Place To Catch Them: Thursday, March 12 @ Silhouette, 10:30PM
Listen If You Like: Aphex Twin and Skrillex's wub-free baby
Speedy Ortiz
Hometown: Northampton, MA
Genre: Indie
Best Place To Catch Them: Thursday, March 13 @ Stereogum Day Party, House of Vans at The Mohawk, Time TBD
Listen If You Like: Dinosaur Jr., Pavement, Veruca Salt
Sam Smith
Hometown: London, England
Genre: R&B
Best Place To Catch Them: Wednesday, March 12 @ KCRW, Haven, 11:00PM
Listen If You Like: Adele, Disclosure
Shy Girls
Hometown: Portland, OR
Genre: R&B
Best Place To Catch Them: Thursday, March 13 @ Red Bull Sound Select, The Belmont, Time TBD
Listen If You Like: Jon B., Tevin Campbell
Robb Bank$
Hometown: Coral Springs, FL
Genre: Rap
Best Place To Catch Them: Thursday, March 13 @ The Illmore, Time TBD
Listen If You Like: Raider Klan, Main Attrakionz, Shaggy
Ratking
Hometown: Manhattan, NY
Genre: Rap
Best Place To Catch Them: Thursday, March 13 @ Converse x Thrasher Magazine Death Match, The Scoot Inn, 3PM (Outdoor)
Listen If You Like: Joey Bada$$, Smoke DZA
Phantogram
Hometown: Greenwhich, NY
Genre: Indie
Best Place To Catch Them: Saturday, March 15 @ Guitar Center Sessions, Starr Bldg Rooftop, 9:30PM
Listen If You Like: Grimes, Cults
MØ
Hometown: Odense, Denmark
Genre: Pop
Best Place To Catch Them: Saturday, March 15 @ Neon Gold Party, Empire Garage, 12:15AM
Listen If You Like: Charli XCX, Sky Ferreira
London Grammar
Hometown: London, England
Genre: R&B
Best Place To Catch Them: Thursday, March 13 @ Gorilla vs Bear + Yours Truly Party, Hype Hotel, 1:00AM
Listen If You Like: AlunaGeorge, HAIM
Little Dragon
Hometown: Gothenburg, Sweden
Genre: Indie/R&B
Best Place To Catch Them: Thursday, March 13 @ Dickies Roadhouse Presented by Amazon, Banger's, 10:20PM
Listen If You Like: Erykah Badu, SBTRKT, Blood Orange
Lil' Herb
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Genre: Rap
Best Place To Catch Them: Wednesday, March 12 @ Red Bull Sound Select, The Belmont, Time TBD
Listen If You Like: King Louie, The LOX
Kelela
Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Genre: R&B
Best Place To Catch Them: Friday, March 14 @ Saint Heron Showcase, Cheer Up Charlie's, 11:30PM
Listen If You Like: Aaliyah, Sampha, Kingdom
Kap G
Hometown: Atlanta, GA
Genre: Rap
Best Place To Catch Them: Saturday, March 15 @ Bout Dat Life 3 Presented by Live Mixtapes & Dirty Glove Bastard, Cielo, Time TBD
Listen If You Like: Chief Keef, Migos
Isaiah Rashad
Hometown: Chattanooga, TN
Genre: Rap
Best Place To Catch Them: Thursday, March 13 @ SoundCloud Party, Lustre Pearl, 10:15PM
Listen If You Like: Kendrick Lamar, Goodie Mob
Future Islands
Hometown: Greenville, NC
Genre: Indie
Best Place To Catch Them: Thursday, March 13 @ 4AD Presented by Howl, Cheer Up Charlie's, 1:00AM
Listen If You Like: New Order, The Flaming Lips
Forest Swords
Hometown: Liverpool, England
Genre: Electronic
Best Place To Catch Them: Thursday, March 13 @ Austin Psych Fest presents Levitation Austin, Hotel Vegas Patio, 11:15PM
Listen If You Like: Evian Christ, Clams Casino
DJ Rashad
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Genre: Electronic
Best Place To Catch Them: Thursday, March 13 @ The COMPLEX Complex (Curated by Pigeons & Planes), Time TBD
Listen If You Like: Footwork, Early '00s Three 6 Mafia
Denzel Curry
Hometown: Miami, FL
Genre: Rap
Best Place To Catch Them: Thursday, March 13 @ A3C Party, 512 Rooftop, 11:00PM
Listen If You Like: A$AP Ferg, Flatbush ZOMBiES
Cashmere Cat
Hometown: Halden, Norway
Genre: Electronic
Best Place To Catch Them: Wednesday, March 12 @ Warp + Lucky Me Party, Empire Garage, 10:00PM
Listen If You Like: Hudson Mohawke, Ryan Hemsworth
Bishop Nehru
Hometown: Rockland County, NY
Genre: Rap
Best Place To Catch Them: Thursday, March 13 @ A3C Party, 512 Rooftop, 12:00AM
Listen If You Like: Black Milk, Danny Brown
A Tribe Called Red
Hometown: Ottawa, Canada
Genre: Electronic
Best Place To Catch Them: Wednesday, March 12 @ Canadian Blast BBQ, Under the Big top at Brush Square, 4:40 PM
Listen If You Like: Old school Diplo, Nadastrom
