For those who’ve never made the trip to Austin for SXSW, our best advice is to go with the flow. Follow the crowds, take chances, give yourselves the ability to stumble across bands you’ve never heard of, in locations you don’t expect. It’s the best way to discover something new. But it doesn’t hurt to know where the best events are in town.
At most events and venues, if you have a badge, you’ll be let in first. And if you have an “SXpress pass” you’ll be put at the front of that queue. For the bigger shows and films – even the conference talks – it’s recommended to get there an hour early – I’ve never missed a show living by those rules.
Just make sure you’re in the right queue. If you really want to be at a show, don’t take any chances. And when you don’t know where to go, or what to do during the live music portion of the festival, keep this guide handy. These are the best venues and events of SXSW:
Japan Nite at Elysium
Address: 705 Red River St
Dates: Friday 20th March
The annual Japan Nite showcase brings the best and most eclectic line up of Japanese artists to SXSW. 2015 signals the 20th edition of the only Japanese music showcase at SXSW. This year will feature a variety of genres including Hard Rock (QUORUM), J-Pop (moumoon), Alt Country (Pirates Canoe), Girl Rock (TsuShiMaMire), Synth/Chillwave (The fin.), J-Punk (Samurai Dynamites) and more. Held at Elysium on Friday 20th March, Japan Nite will be touring throughout the USA after SXSW.
More information is available at http://www.japan-nite.com/
Hype Hotel
Address: 1100 East 5th St
Dates: March 17th – 21st
Hype Machine’s Hype Hotel was one of the hottest spots in Austin at SXSW 2014 and it’s looking to be the same this year. Five whole days of live music curated by music bloggers, a large variety of musicians and performers pour through the doors of the club and generate a vibe that leaves punters exhausted, elated and sweaty. 2014 saw the likes of Chromeo and Tinashe kick ass on stage, and this year, thanks to publications including Consequence of Sound, All Things Go and Turntable Kitchen, SXSW 2015 punters are in for one hell of a party. Hype Machine celebrates 10 years in the game with their Austin residency on East 5th Street, and will definitely be five days of partying to drop in on.
An event schedule for Hype Hotel can be found HERE
The British Music Embassy
Address: Latitude 30, 512 San Jacinto
Dates: March 15th – 21st
If you want to immerse yourself in a venue full of accents from the UK, the aptly named British Music Embassy is a veritable smorgasbord. Held at Latitude 30, some of the best up and coming acts out of the UK will take to the stage for late night sets as well as shows during the day. This year, the likes of Catfish & The Bottlemen, Until the Ribbon Breaks, East India Youth and Marmozets are on the line up, while the always popular showcase on March 20th will see Public Service Broadcasting, Carl Barat and the Jackals, Circa Waves and more taking to the stage. Some special guests are still to be announced, so be sure to keep your eyes peeled for any last minute sneak reveals!
Culture Collide x Dr. Martens
Address: Bar 96, Rainey St
Dates: March 19th & 20th
Returning to Austin for their third year, the folks at Dr. Martens team up with Culture Collide for some expertly curated showcases people are going to be clawing to be involved in. Kicking off at 3pm each afternoon, the #STANDFORSOMETHING showcases ensure the party doesn’t stop until the early hours, with the headline sets from both Rae ‘No Flex Zone’ Sremmurd and Cloud Nothings kicking off at 12:30am.
More information and a schedule of performances can be found HERE
The Windish Agency SXSW Day Party
Address: Mohawk, 912 Red River St
Dates: Friday, March 20th
The Windish Agency threw their annual day party at the House of Vans at Mohawk last year, giving the crowds the goods with dynamic performances by the likes of Chet Faker, Phantogram, Connan Mockasin and Mas Ysa. The label returns to Mohawk this SXSW on March 20th, bringing 12 more stellar bands with them. Mohawk would have to be one of my favourite SXSW venues, it’s spacious as hell once you’re outside, but the way the venue has been built makes it still feel intimate on the inside. With acts including ODESZA, Wolf Alice, Cathedrals and Lido taking over both the indoors and outdoors stages, we’re set to be in for a good one!
More information about this event can be found HERE
Pandora Discovery Den at The Gatsby
Address: 708 E 6th St
Dates: Wednesday March 18th to Saturday March 21st
The last few years has seen Internet Radio Station Pandora throw one of the best parties in town, taking over The Gatsby. This year, they have an incredibly diverse mix of 37 artists representing eight countries, from the legendary, like Wyclef Jean, to emerging buzz phenomena, like ODESZA, Madisen Ward & the Mama Bear and Big Data. There is something for everyone to discover with four days of both emerging and established artists performing across four genres – electronic, hip-hop/R&B, Americana and rock. These showcases will be open to Music and Platinum Badge holders and Music Wristband holders.
Stay up to date with the event on Pandora’s blog HERE
K-Pop Night Out at Elysium
Address: 705 Red River St
Dates: Thursday 19th March
In its 3rd year, the much hyped Korean music showcase K-Pop Night Out brings some of the most interesting and diverse music from South Korea. K-Pop Night Out captures the spirit of the Korean “Hallyu” wave and showcase the fact that there is more to Korean music than just K-Pop. This year’s showcase artists include Epik High (Hip Hop), Crayon Pop (K-Pop), Hitchhiker (Electronic), The Barberettes (Doo-Wop), Asian Chairshot (Punk), Eastern Sidekick (Indie Rock), EE (Electronic) and S:UM (Fusion Korean Traditional). Held at Elysium on Thursday 19th March.
Stay up to date with the K-Pop Night Out on their official Facebook page HERE
Empire Control Room
Address: 606 E 7th St
Dates: Daily
The Empire Control Room on E 7th St is one of the newer additions to the SXSW venue list – opening a couple of years ago – and has fast become one of our favourites. Offering up to three stages at any given time, you’re sure to always find a great party at the Empire. And this year is no exception, with everyone from Austin’s own Gary Clark Jr and Shakey Graves taking to the stage, alongside Ghostface Killah, The London Souls, Dam-Funk, Tokimonsta and many more!
Get all the details HERE
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For more on what to do during SXSW as well as how to get around head to TravelTex
Click HERE for Part One
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