The South by Southwest Music Festival is a yearly music discovery hub. Held March 10-15, 2025, in Austin, Texas, the fest will showcase up-and-coming acts from around the world. Here are some artists and bands to watch this year, whether you’re in Texas or not, as recommended by members of The Current’s staff.

Case Oats

From: Chicago, Illinois | info | official SXSW schedule

About: Casey Gomez fronts this alt-rock group, which also features multi-instrumentalist Spencer Tweedy (Waxahatchee, Plains, Jeff Tweedy, Norah Jones). From their forthcoming debut album, the single “Seventeen” is an urgent, Americana-tinged introduction detailing “barn parties and whiskey ‘til the morning.”

Chinese American Bear

From: Seattle, Washington | info | official SXSW schedule

About: The duo of Lingbo Anne Tong and Bryce Barsten released their second album, Wah!!!, in late 2024. It’s playful synth-pop with a lot of food references woven into the bilingual lyrics. After SXSW, they’re touring as an opening act for multi-genre art-rocker Poppy.

Free Range

From: Chicago, Illinois | info | SXSW schedule

About: Sophia Jensen’s songs are sweet, hummable reflections on the complexities of modern love. Their second album, Lost & Found, drops on March 28. Upcoming tour dates for Free Range include separate stints with Horsegirl and Hovvdy this spring.

Gully Boys

From: Minneapolis, Minnesota | info | official SXSW schedule

About: On The Current’s airwaves for several years already, this edgy pop-punk quartet is one of the best live bands in the Twin Cities. Their hard-rocking, hard-touring approach has paid off, and they’ve got the fiery new single “Love Me 2” in tow. (For even more Minnesota-based music at SXSW, try the folk-rocker Humbird.)

Jasmine.4.T

From: Manchester, England | info | official SXSW schedule

About: One of the busiest bands of SXSW 2025, Jasmine.4.T is riding high on this year’s release of their debut album, You Are the Morning. The record was produced by the members of boygenius, and features collaborations with Julien Baker and Phoebe Bridgers. The band will perform with Freak Slug, Cardinals, Ali, and Mobley as part of the Public Radio Day Stage entertainment on Friday, March 14.

Laila!

From: Brooklyn, New York | info | official SXSW schedule

About: After her debut album Gap Year! was a critical, social media, and streaming success, this promising hip-hop and R&B star is hitting the road for the first time. Soulful hit singles “Not My Problem” and “Like That!” could make Laila! the talk of Texas.

Man/Woman/Chainsaw

From: London, England | info | official SXSW schedule

About: With the late-2024 release of Eazy Peazy EP, this English art-punk quintet brings a razor-sharp sound to this U.S. introduction. Get a taste of their fiery mix, featuring a dramatic turn by member Clio Starwood on violin, in this recent live recording.

Monobloc

From: New York, New York | info | official SXSW schedule

About: The taut, infectious songs by this swagger-filled post-punk group out of New York City are made for the stage. After their stops in Austin, it’s across the pond for a European run of dates, and then a return to their hometown for the Governer’s Ball Music Festival.

Samara Cyn

From: Los Angeles, California | info | official SXSW schedule

About: It only takes about 30 seconds of “Sinner” to appreciate this Tennessee-bred rapper’s greatness on the mic. The song comes from Samara Cyn’s 2024 debut album, The Drive Home, a project strong enough to land her among Pigeons & Planes’ 25 Artists to Watch in 2025.

Tunnel

From: Los Angeles, California | info | official SXSW schedule

About: Fronted by Natasha Janfaza and featuring drums by Fugazi’s Brendan Canty, Tunnels bring the noise on their two EPs, including 2024’s Ampersand. Underneath the rough waves of distortion, Janfanza’s melodies are diamonds.