We’ve generated a Top 20 chart for the artists playing at South by South West this year, based on all the online buzz and fan activity for the more than 1000 bands performing at the festival. It’s a pretty eclectic mix as you can see – that’s because it’s based on real fan activity during the run up to SXSW and not biased towards any particular genre.
So, if you’re going to SXSW – make sure you check out some of these bands. We definitely will be…
If you can’t wait that long (or don’t have a ticket) – have a listen to our Spotify playlist featuring the artists!
Musicmetric Top 20 SXSW Spotify Playlist
1 – The Temper Trap
Sounds like: Indie Rock, Alternative, Indie
SXSW Dates: March 18th | March 19th
The Temper Trap
This band have managed to get a lot of things just right. On the tip of the wave sending bands the smart realisation that their hometown may not necessarily be the best base from which to launch their career, the four-peice packed their bags from Melbourne and headed to London in May last year. They had one of their most instantly infectious tracks, “Sweet Disposition”, feature on the soundtrack to indie feel-good film “500 Days of Summer”, and they have been tipped for success by many an influential tastemaker. But unlike the slew of new bands making waves in indie circles over the past couple of years, it isn’t just the PR they have got right. Debut “Conditions” proved this is a band not in danger of being killed off by the hype. “Conditions” is a rousing, addictive, rocking and melodic success, spattered with lyrical gems and the beautifully soulful voice of singer Dougie Mandagi, an album which only seems to improve with every listen. Oh, yeah, and they are even better live. Don’t say we didn’t tell you.
2 – Orgone
Sounds like: Funk, Soul, Afrobeat
SXSW Dates: March 17th | March 18th | March 19th | March 20th
Orgone
When intoxicated there is one form of music that is destined to get even the most hardened scenester dancing. That music is Funk, and Funk is what Orgone do. This 9-Piece funk behemoth has members that have worked with act such as De La Soul, The Pharcyde and Pharoahe Monch. So Orgone not only know how to get the party started, but how to create it, sustain it and finish it.
3 – We Are Scientists
Sounds like: Indie, Rock, Alternative
SXSW Dates: March 18th | March 19th
We Are Scientists
It took a mere 4 minutes for We Are Scientists most recent UK show to sell out, it was a 450 capacity venue so that’s a ticket sold every 0.53 seconds, needless to say they’re pretty popular in the UK. With a new album on the way and a second series of their MTV mini-series Steve Wants His Money in the pipeline, perhaps they can be catapulted into the league of their recent tour buddies Kings of Leon.
4 – Kidz in the Hall
Sounds like: Hip-hop, Rap, Alternative Rap
SXSW Dates: March 18th | March 19th | March 20th
Kidz in the Hall
If you had to be lil’ or Young in 2009 to be a rap superstar then in 2010 you need to be a kid. Kid Cudi, The Cool Kids and now Kidz in the Hall. In there own words they describe themselves as “futuristic everyman hip-hop” and with a third album on the horizon this rap duo is ready to make the leap from the fringes of fame, to center stage.
5 – Dum Dum Girls
Sounds like: Lo-fi, Noise Pop, Indie Rock
SXSW Dates: March 18th | March 19th | March 20th
Dum Dum Girls
The Dum Dum Girls sound is a cocktail that mixes one part Velvet Underground, one part Le Tigre and a very large helping of mystery and timeless retro coolness. With a debut LP that features a picture of her mum as the cover art and a sound that is self described as “blissed out buzzsaw” you know this is not your run-of-the-mill girl band. After releasing a smattering of singles on several smaller indie labels, they are now signed to the mother of all indie labels Sub Pop.
6 – Minus the Bear
Sounds like: Indie, Experimental, Alternative
SXSW Dates: March 18th | March 19th | March 20th
Minus The Bear
These guys are often filed under the hazy category of “Math Rock” where bizarre song names such as “Hey, Wanna Throw Up?” and “Monkey!!! Knife!!! Fight!!!” are commonplace. Their latest album OMNI has been described as both their most accessible and experimental offering to date, the jury’s still out on that one.
7 – Two Hours Traffic
Sounds like: Indie Pop, Indie
SXSW Dates: March 20th
Two Hours Traffic
Based in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island Two Hours Traffic is a Canadian indie rock band. They are named after a line in the prologue to Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Oftentimes described as the band that Halifax guitarist Joel Plaskett took “under his wing”, increasingly they are known as purveyors of original, well-crafted power pop songs in their own right. Though they draw comparisons to 1970s power pop band Big Star, the band members tend to cite Nick Lowe as a prime influence. The band’s achievements include a nomination for the Polaris Music Prize in 2008 for the album Little Jabs.
8 – Hudson Mohawke
Sounds like: Experimental, Hip-hop, Electronic
SXSW Dates: March 18th | March 19th
Hudson Mohawke
Wonky. Aqua-Crunk. Off-Kilter Hip-Hop. These are but some of the genre labels pinned on HudMo’s musical creations. This 20-something Glaswegian is just the kind of electronic maverick Warp records used to be famous for, think Flying Lotus or J-Dilla if you want more accurate idea of the musical leanings of Hudson Mohawke.
9 – Athlete
Sounds like: Alternative, Indie, Britpop
SXSW Dates: March 18th | March 19th
Athlete
“Wires” is without doubt Athlete’s most recognisable song. However you may not know that it was written about lead singer Joel Pott’s daughter after she was rushed into intensive care shortly after being born. Their latest album Black Swan was released in the US at the beginning of March and they will be playing a set of acoustic shows at SXSW.
10 – Shy Child
Sounds like: Electronic, Electro, Dance
SXSW Dates: March 17th
Shy Child
Somewhere in the space between Scissor Sisters and Talking Heads exists a Shy Child. Armed with a Keytar and some drums, Shy Child were the first American act to play at the new Wembley Stadium when they were chosen to support Muse on their 2007 tour. Now on their forth album Liquid Love be prepared to fall back in love with the Keytar.
11 – General Fiasco
Sounds like: Indie, Alternative
SXSW Dates: March 17th | March 18th | March 19th
General Fiasco
They could’ve been called General Music or Marley Jedrejak Fiasco, fortunately they decided to combine the two. Signed to the same label that brought you The Temper Trap and Local Natives, these guys are definitely someone to take note of. Their music is in a similar vain to The Wombats and The Pigeon Detectives, and is just as infectiously catchy.
12 – Band of Horses
Sounds like: Indie, Alternative, Alt-Country
SXSW Dates: March 18th | March 19th
Band of Horses
Band of Horses began back in 2004, from the ashes of the forlorn Carissa’s Weird, formed originally by Ben Bridwell and Mat Brooke. Mat left in 2006 to focus on his other band, Grand Archives. The Horses took in new members, Rob Hampton (guitar) and Creighton Barrett (drummer), and soon grabbed the attention of Sub Pop, after Iron and Wine’s Sam Beam, a family friend of Bridwell, asked them to support his band on tour. Debut Everything All The Time, released in 2005, is a masterful, haunting yet uplifting collection of songs that proved timeless and gained them a loyal following.
Their latest album Cease To Begin tells of love and optimism and one wonders if this new direction might be decision of band members to move from Seattle to Mt Pleasant, South Carolina, to be closer to their families. Whatever, nothing should ever be allowed to stop them creating this life-changing, totally rocking and lingering style of music.
13 – Smoke Fairies
Sounds like: Folk, Blues, Alternative Indie
SXSW Dates: March 17th | March 20th
Smoke Fairies
Primarily country and blues-folk by genre, the Smoke Fairies are Jessica Davies and Katherine Blamire. Their music is strong and sultry, yet retains an ethereal and fragile air. Gaining a lot of press for their beautiful and engaging two-part harmonies, the pair are from Sussex and find themselves deeply influenced by their childhood by the sea. Notions of space and confinement, as well as the sea are themes they often come back to. Their aim is to create a classic sound that cannot be pinned down to a specific sense of era.
14 – Surfer Blood
Sounds like: Psychadelic, Surf Rock, Indie Rock
SXSW Dates: March 17th | March 18th | March 19th | March 20th
Surfer Blood
Surfer Blood are four guys from Florida playing great riff driven guitar music. Take all the elements that make The Pixies one of the best party bands of all time and add to that the freshness and neat sing-along hooks of Vampire Weekend, and you might have an idea what these guys sound like. Maybe. Because they are of course wonderfully individual and the kind of band you’ll want to see live in a sweaty intimate venue, while you are blissfully ensconced in the movement of bodies and the cheers of enthusiastic, young, buoyant fans all soon to be parts of a memory you’ll be desperate to recreate. Roll on summer and more dates to see their catchy hits played in the flesh.
15 – Xzibit
Sounds like: Hip-hop, Rap, West-Coast Rap
SXSW Dates: March 20th
Xzibit
Xzibit. X to tha Z. X. Are all monikers of the rap artist Alvin Nathaniel Joiner who is more commonly known for Pimpin’ people’s rides than making music. However with new material coming out and promise of more to come, perhaps this rap veteran turned prime time TV host can still surprise us all.
16 – Seabear
Sounds like: Indie, Acoustic, Indie Pop
SXSW Dates: March 17th | March 18th | March 20th
Seabear
Seabear is an indie-folk band of seven Icelanders: Gudbjörg (Guggý), Inga, Sindri (the founder), Halldór (Dóri), Örn Ingi, Kjartan & Sóley. The success of their song “Cat Piano”- featured in a BBC advert and one episode of the TV series Gossip girl- and “I Sing I swim”, have built the popularity of the group. Their second album “We Built A Fire” is now available.
17 – Karnivool
Sounds like: Alternative Rock, Progressive Rock, Alt Metal
SXSW Dates: March 17th | March 18th | March 20th
Karnivool
Karnivool is an Australian alternative rock/progressive rock music band created in Perth in 1997. Their name is derived from an anecdotal description from the fans who initially described them as “a bunch of clowns” around Perth. They won 5 WAMI awards in 2007 (West Australian Music Industry Awards for ‘Most Popular Act’, ‘Most Popular Live Act’, ‘Best Male Vocalist’ (Kenny), ‘Best Guitarist’ (Goddard) and ‘Best Hard Rock Act’). Their major influences are Nirvana, Radiohead, Meshuggah, Pink Floyd, Tool, Soundgarden and Carcass.
18 – Aerodrone
Sounds like: Electronica, Electro, Indietronic
SXSW Dates: March 20th
Aerodrone
Originally from Oregon, Aerodrone is an electro pop-rock band. They built a worldwide popularity online via YouTube, MySpace and other social networks. Author of the popular phrase “Hold Me Like a Microphone”, they performed great gigs around the US and have currently deals with MTVU, MySpace Records and Warner Music Group; working with numerous producers such as Mark Needham of The Killers, Inner Party System, Fleetwood Mac fame. Upcoming appearance at South By Southwest in Austin, TX!
19 – The Pains of Being Pure at Heart
Sounds like: Shoegaze, Dream Pop, Indie Pop
SXSW Dates: March 18th | March 19th
The Pains of Being Pure at Heart
This NY band make songs to dance around the room to and sing about having sex in libraries and other such novel ideas. Their first album was a self-released EP which came out in 2007 through the Painbow label. Their debut self-titled full length album was released on February 3, 2009 via Slumberland Records. The band name comes from an unpublished children’s story of the same title that a friend of singer Kip Berman wrote. The group’s self-titled album peaked at #9 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart. On September 22, 2009, they released Higher Than the Stars, their second EP.
20 – CHEW LiPS
Sounds like: Electronic, Electroclash, Indie
SXSW Dates: March 17th | March 18th | March 19th | March 20th
CHEW LiPS
Chew Lips story begin at a friend’s house party in New cross where they performed 10 of their first songs. This south London trio formed in 2008 with Tigs (singer) and multi-instrumentalists Will Sanderson and James Watkins is a dance-pop band that took its inspiration from LCD Soundsystem, Prince and “Classic Pop”. They are supported by BBC DJ Steve Lamacq, and also attract celebrity such as DJ Lauren Lavern and comedian Mathew Horne via Twitter. Their single “Play Together” reached No. 5 in the club charts. They are currently touring the UK stay tuned if you’re not going to SXSW this year.
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