10 Artists To Catch At SXSW 2014: The must see alternative acts for 2014.

SXSW 2014 is here! Are you overwhelmed by the choices? The ironic band names? The traffic?

You are not alone. So take a deep breath, and relax. I’m here to help.

I’ve made a list of several new artists and veteran acts worth checking out at the festival along with previews of new tracks and their official show schedule. Some shows are free, and others require a badge or wristband so please check official SXSW page for more details.

 

GARY NUMAN

The synth-pop pioneer is back in a big way with new album Splinter, which is his strongest effort since his new wave heyday and mega-hit ‘Cars.’  Rarely touring TX, this is a must see act for electronic music fans.

SHOW SCHEDULE:

3/13 @ 11:00 AM – Austin Convention Center (Featured SXSW Speaker)

3/13 @ 5:00 PM – Waterloo Records (In-strore performance and signing)

3/13 @ 11:00 PM – Yahoo House at Brazos Hall (Official SXSW Showcase)

3/14 @ 4:15 PM – Buffalo Billiards (INgrooves Showcase)

3/15 @ 4:00 PM – The Palm Door (Do512 Presents “The Big One” Showcase)

3/15 @ 10:00 PM – 505 7th St. (Hype Hotel Showcase)

3/15 @ 12:30am – Elysium (Moog Showcase)

 Click here for my Gary Numan SXSW Concert Review

 

LAST INTERNATIONALE

Rage Against The Machine drummer Brad Wilk’s new group is less bombastic than his 90’s act, but it’s equally socially conscious (click here to hear their Ballad Of Trayvon Martin.) The soulful vocals of Delila Paz helps the music match the message.

Click here for my Last Internationale Interview

SHOW SCHEDULE:

3/12 @ 2:00 PM – Maggie Mae Rooftop (Austin Jump Off – Black Magnetic Showcase)

3/12 @ 4:00 PM – Rusty Spurrs (Anti-Quiet Showcase)

3/12 @ 8:00 PM – Palm Door (SXSW Official Showcase)

3/13 @ 5:00 PM – Hangar Lounge & Six Street (2 Venues – Sony Electronic Party)

3/14 @ 5:30 PM – Rusty Spurrs (Swing House)

3/14 @ 7:00 PM – Rooftop of flagship Whole Foods store (Whole Foods)

3/14 @ 10:30 AM – Stubbs (Rachel Ray)

 

KAN WAKAN

This group uses elements of jazz and psychedelia with a cinematic sheen. They’ll be promoting their upcoming album, produced by Radiohead producer Darrel Thorp.

SHOW SCHEDULE:

3/12 @ 1:55 PM – Red 7 Outdoor Stage (Echoplex/Origami/Spaceland Showcase)

3/12 @ 5:40 PM – Palm Park (IFC Showcase)

3/13 @ 12:30 PM – Palm Door on Sixth (Universal Music Group Showcase)

3/13 @ 11 PM – Lamberts (Highroad Touring Showcase)

3/15 @ 2:30 PM – Cedar St Courtyard (KCRW and Filter Showcase)

 

UME

  

Austin’s own Ume carry the torch for 90’s alt-rock with a sound that conjures QOTSA, Silversun Pickups and Yeah Yeah Yeah’s. They’ll be promoting their brand new album Monuments.

Click here for my interview with UME’s Lauren Larson

SHOW SCHEDULE:

3/11 @ 9:30 PM – The Show at Cheer Up Charlie’s

3/12 @ 2:30 PM – Rusty’s (Antiquiet & Swinghouse Studios Party)

3/12 @ 7:00 PM – Hangar & Six Lounge (Entercom & Sony TX)

3/13 @ 9:00 PM – Brazos Hall (Official SXSW Showcase)

3/14 @ 4:00 PM – Swan Dive (Circus on the Moon and Lonestar Brewing Present The Lonestar Bash) 3/15 @ 3:50 PM – Jackalope (New Amsterdam SX Party)

 

††† (CROSSES)

Crosses is the electronic side project of Deftones frontman Chino Moreno, full or dark, romantic textures.

Click here of my review of ††† debut album

SHOW SCHEDULE:

3/12 @ 9:45pm-Mohawk

 

TEMPLES

Possibly the most hyped band at the festival, Temples are a throwback to 60’s psychedelia and Wall of Sound reverb. If you can get past the goofy lyrics, they make some good tunes. They’ll be promoting their hit début album Sun Structures.

Click here for my Sun Structures review

 SHOW SCHEDULE:

3/13-South x San Jose @ Hotel San Jose  

3/14 @ 11pm -Dr. Martens Showcase @ Filter on Rainey’s 

 

WHITE SEA

  

M83 fans, take note; White Sea features Morgan Kibby, who’s co-written and sang on many of the French acts most memorable tracks. She’ll be promoting her new solo act White Sea, promoting their new release In Cold Blood.

SHOW SCHEDULE:

3/12 @ 6:30 PM – G Pen Annex

3/13 @ 10:00 PM – Brazos Hall

3/14 @ 4:40 PM @ IFC Fairgrounds (Palm Park- E 3rd and Red River)

 

DAVID J

Former bassist and vocalist of Bauhaus and Love and Rockets will be promoting his upcoming new album An Eclipse Of Ships.

Click here for my exclusive SXSW 2014 David J Interview 

SHOW SCHEDULE:

3/12 @ 1:00AM-Valhalla Tavern,

3/14 @ 3:15pm-Ginger Man Pub.

 

SOUNDGARDEN

The grunge veterans will be playing their 20-year-old album Superunknown in its entirety at the iTunes festival. It’ll be a hot ticket, so get there early if you want a chance to get in.

SXSW iTunes FESTIVAL 3/11 and 3/12 (showtime TBD)

 

Jarvis Cocker

The Pulp frontman will host an evening full of Britpop grandeur. He’ll be giving a lecture on songwriting, performing a gig with Pulp bassist Steve Mackey and premier the new Pulp documentary.

SCHEDULE:

3/11 @ Hype Hotel  (performing with Steve Mackey)

3/12 @12:30pm-Austin Convention Center Room 18ABC.

The Pulp documentary will be screening 3/9 at 7pm at Vimeo Theater and 3/12 at 7pm at Stateside theater.

So that’s my list of the SXSW acts to catch in 2014. What acts are you most excited to see? Tell us in the comments.