The South by Southwest 2025 music portion began to heat up, which included another day at the Rivian Park Radio Day Stage and the much anticipated Take Action x SXSW Showcase.
South by Southwest Radio Day Stage
As usual, the Brushy Park Stage delivered, with an alt-rock showcase. First, the British band, Honeyglaze, took the stage with a fun mix of indie rock, and fun melodies. The crowd cheered to their song, “Don’t”, which feels like the epitome of female rage.
Next, Wishy, an iconic Midwestern band, took the stage bringing more of the “rock” into alt-rock. Fans danced along to their fun, upbeat musicality, paired with a clear midwestern emo lyricism and sound. If you’re looking for a more lowkey version of punk rock, this band is for you.
Lastly, untitled (halo) took the stage. They brought a fun mix of indie rock and experimental sounds. Overall, they ended the showcase beautifully. – Isha Merchant
Unruly Bodies
Next, Austin’s favorite queer bar, Cheer Up Charlies, paired with SisterSong and Repro Uncensored to create a nightclub in support of reproductive rights and resistance. The event was done in support of the Afiyah Center’s SYS Fund, which is providing support for Black Texans looking for abortion care outside of Texas, as well as raising funds for condoms and other reproductive health items.
The team put together a fun event, with insightful panels about reproductive justice, paired with amazing musical sets by Madame Gandhi, Zayah Belle and more. The turnout was outstanding, with it being fully packed by the end of the night. – Isha Merchant
End of the Trail Official Showcase
Las Perlas was completely packed, with long lines forming outside the door, for their End of the Trail showcase. They featured a variety of British alt-rock artists, who were ready to bring the house down with their infectious energy and talent.
First, Courtney Dixon brought an infectious energy to the crowd. She mixed together pop and rock to create fun songs like “You Look Good Naked”. At one point, she stepped into the crowd, with fans singing the lyrics of her song into the mic. Overall, it was unforgettable.
Next, The K’s took over with a beautiful set. They had amazing, raw vocals, paired with a beautiful mix of rock, and very pop punk vibes. They entranced the crowd with their beautiful playing and vocals. – Isha Merchant
Take Action x South by Southwest
To round off the night, Artist for Action and Sandy Hook Promise paired together to present a night of fundraising against gun violence at the Empire Control Room and Garage. This event was probably one of the most highly anticipated events of the week, with lines going all the way down the block, hours before the headliner came on stage. Who were the headliners? No one other than Aly & AJ and Ginuwine.
By the time Aly & AJ were on stage, Empire Control Room was packed to the brim, even with the huge space within the room. It was truly amazing to see so much support for ending gun violence. – Isha Merchant
Howdy Gals’ Barn Burner at Sagebrush
Farmer’s Wife performed a psychedelic set at Sagebrush in South Austin. Their songs intertwine acoustic guitars with lush harmonies to create a full-bodied, earthy sound that profoundly connects with listeners. At their most recent + final South by Southwest related show, the band rocked out on stage to tracks like “Greg Abbott’s Maxi Pad,” “Mildew” and “Swarm.” The impassioned lead vocals by Molly were impeccably supported by the band’s tight instrumentals, which held the crowd spellbound for about an hour for their set. Farmer’s Wife is a true Austin gem, and it’s amazing to see the upward direction their taking. – Keylee Paz
I am a student at University of Houston currently studying Strategic Communications. In my free time, I write for different publications as I am extremely passionate about music. I collect vinyls, go to concerts, and play guitar. Some of my favorite artists include Paramore, Kendrick Lamar, and Lorde. On the weekends I make pottery, sew, and spend time with my dog.
I'm a full-time music journalist/photographer from Houston, number one Paramore fan and Husky dog owner. I have a B.S in Radio-Television-Film from UT Austin and a M.A in Mass Communications from the University of Houston, which makes me smart! On top of being an avid concert-goer and movie fanatic, I love bonding with others over the power of local music and media.
