7 Ones To Watch at SXSW 2026

by Paul Carrubba

Don’t miss these 7 artists at SXSW 2026

KUTX at SXSW 2026 is Powered by Rivian and Uber Eats

Lew Apollo

Performing KUTX Day Party @ Rivian | Friday, March 13th 4:00 PM

Minnesota-born, Austin-based neo-soul artist Lew Apollo knows how to set a mood. Inspired in equal parts by Prince, Leon Bridges and the Arctic Monkeys, Apollo’s sultry R&B soundscapes are engineered for late-night lounges or poolside hangs. Apollo’s debut full-length Fool’s Gold racked up 300,000 streams in under two months after its release this past August. Catch Lew Apollo as a part of KUTX SXSW Day Party at Rivian on South Congress. Learn more at kutx.org.

*Official SXSW Showcases*

Marilina Bertoldi

Performing KUTX Live at Scholz Garten | Saturday, March 14th 11:00 AM

Genre-bending Argentine artist Marilina Bertoldi is a rock ‘n’ roller with a New Wave heart. Bertoldi deftly weaves between the kind of big, stadium-ready rock found on her award-winning 2016 album, Sexo con Modelos, and the angular, synthy post-punk on her most recent, Latin Grammy-nominated album, Para Quién Trabajas Vol. I . With such an expansive sound, Bertoldi is poised to make a big splash stateside. Catch Marilina Bertoldi as a part of KUTX Live at Scholz during SXSW.

*Official SXSW Showcases*

Dizzy Fae

Performing KUTX Live at Scholz Garten | Saturday, March 14th 9:00 AM

Hailing from the Twin Cities, Dizzy Fae is a classically trained singer and dancer who’s a natural at blending classic R&B vocals and twitchy, synthy electro-pop. Fae’s star started to rise in 2016 when her debut single “Color Me Bad” appeared on influential DJ Zane Lowe’s Beats 1 (now Apple Music 1) show. Fae showed off her blend of sleek electro R&B while opening for the likes of Lizzo and Toro y Moi. You can catch Dizzy Fae as a part of KUTX Live at Scholz during SXSW.

grrrl gang

Performing KUTX Live at Scholz Garten | Friday, March 13th 9:00 AM

Indonesian trio Grrrl Gang titled their 2023 debut full-length, Spunky! It’s a great title and a great way to describe Grrrl Gang’s brand of jangly, punky power pop. With their crunchy, swirly guitars; sweet, spiky vocals; and punchy, driving rhythms, listening to Grrrl Gang is like diving headfirst into a hidden gem of 90s punk.

*Official SXSW Showcases*

Honey I’m Home

Performing KUTX Live at Scholz Garten | Thursday, March 12th 10:00 AM

Bittersweet is, perhaps, the best way to describe Dutch shoegaze band Honey I’m Home. They combine big, boomy wall-of-sound guitars with wry, thoughtful lyricism and undeniable pop hooks. It’s almost like they turned the Pixies up a couple of notches. Tracks like “Insecure” and “Alive” masterfully blend quiet, introspective melodies with full-on sonic assault—demonstrating a sonic maturity well beyond their years.

LARA’

Performing KUTX Day Party @ Rivian | Saturday, March 14th 3:00 PM

KUTX artist of the month alumna LARA’ (formerly Eimaral Sol) thrives with the kind of lush, sophisticated R&B you might recognize from fellow Texan, Erykah Badu. LARA’s most recent full-length, Luvology, is a sonic evolution from the slinky, soulful sound of her previous LP, Sol Sililoquies. Tracks like “Like Dat” exude effortless sensuality as LARA’ offers intimate glimpses behind a (very lacy) curtain.

Jamaica Moana

Performing SXSW Radio Day Stage @ Downright Austin, 701 E 11th Street | Saturday, March 16th 1:00 PM

With equal parts swagger, style and grace, rapper Jamaica Moana is one of the most exciting voices coming out of Australia. Hailing from West Sydney, Moana proudly reps her Maori-Samoan heritage and queer identity with razor‑sharp storytelling and big, bouncy, danceable beats. Moana is also a leader in the Sydney ballroom and queer communities. You can catch Jamaica Moana at the SXSW Radio Day Stage on Monday March 16. Learn more at kutx.org 

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