The countdown begins as we inch closer to South by Southwest (SXSW) 2025, and we curated a perfect list of Texas artists for your radar.
Since the festival’s inception, SXSW has hosted thousands of different artists from all over the globe and this year is no exception. Since the festival takes place in the capital of the great state of Texas, we wanted to highlight some of our favorite local artists that will be hitting the stage this year. Two rounds of showcasing artists have been announced thus far, and we’ve broken down a slew of TX-based acts that you need to check out.
Daydream Twins (Austin TX)
Although the name may imply otherwise, the Daydream Twins are in fact not twins at all. The lead vocalist and guitarist are a couple who, like many artists on this list, originated in California and eventually made their way over to Texas in early 2021. The couple met the rest of their bandmates and found their core audience, and the rest is history. This shoegaze outfit fully encompasses everything that makes up the genre to a tee drawing influences from bands such as Ringo Deathstarr and Tim Hecker. The Daydream Twins are known for fusing experimental, dreamy, sounds with their thought-provoking vocals, making them a top contender of this year’s fest.
Exotic Fruitica (Austin, TX)
The alternative-rock band formed just over two years ago by longtime friends, vocalist Jon French and drummer Aaron Gilligan. Originally, the two were the only stable members of the band with a rotating cast of musicians to help record and play live shows with. Most recently, the duo settled with more permanent members Charlie Cruz on lead guitar, Carson Caldwell on rhythm guitar, and Ried Haynie on bass. Since their beginnings, the punk/hard rock group has cultivated their own original sound with their gruff vocals and outlandish lyrics. These elements come together through their wild stage presence excelled through their vocalists Jon, making these Austin rockers an act you don’t want to miss.
JaRon Marshall (Austin TX)
Austin local JaRon Marshall is one of the many rising artists emerging from the capital’s R&B scene. Like many rising Austin artists, JaRon is a musician oozing with talent who has yet to be discovered by the masses, although he has worked with many other R&B acts including Austin based BLK ODYSSY. His instrumental production style blends jazz, soul, and hip-hop to create a refreshing, vibrant, and smooth sound with a completely one of a kind style and flavor that brings a creative element of true musicianship to his work.
Lauren Lakis (Austin, TX)
The multi-disciplined artist Lauren Lakis uses various mediums to express her stories and her art including acting, photography, and of course music. With a strong emphasis on her creative drive and passion for the arts Lauren puts her all into her creative endeavors and her solo project is a fantastic layer of her artistic expression. Creating a haunting sound heavily influenced by the shoegaze movement of the mid to late 90s, Lauren delivers an ethereal sound with incredibly strong and clean vocal performances, echoing reverb on the guitar, and deep lyrical content that combines to make dream-like melodies to create a world within itself.
Letting Up Despite Great Faults (Austin, TX)
Made up of members hailing from Austin and LA, the indie dream-pop group draws from an array of musical influences to create their uniquely vibrant sound that combines pieces of shoegaze, electronica, and indie-pop. Forming over 15 years ago in LA, the band took a long hiatus and returned to the stage in 2022 with their signature blend of dream pop, combining elements of nostalgic synths, melodic guitar riffs and retro electronic drum beats married with soothing vocals. For fans of classic artists such as My Bloody Valentine and The Stone Roses, Letting Up Despite Great Faults is right up your alley.
Marry Cherry (Austin, TX)
The Psychedelic four piece has a way about them that perfectly encapsulates the vibe of old Austin with their cool laid back style of the early 60s coupled with an array of synthesizers and heavy guitar riffs of later influences. Marry Cherry has the perfect balance of experimental instrumentation, head banging riffs, and chill, nonchalant vocal styles.
Skateland (Austin TX)
Skateland is the bedroom pop indie pop creative project from the mind of Austin resident Dorian Williams II. Williams combines soulful melodies with catchy uplifting beats and existential lyrics of what it’s like to live life as a young man in 2024. His captivating lyrics and melodies create undeniable pop hits that almost anyone can relate to in one way or another. So far he’s already opened for the legendary indie icons Foster The People and has released two EPs to high praise from local critics, it only a matter of time before Skateland is headline festivals of his own.
Sly5thAve (Austin, TX)
Originally hailing from Brooklyn, NY, the now Austin based multi-instrumentalist, producer, and composer Sly5thAve is an absolute stand out of the festival bringing his own musical style to the table incorporating jazz, soul, orchestral instrumentation, and hip hop influences. The producer/composer has worked with a large assortment of artists to create original songs as well as composing jazz and orchestral renditions of classic hip-hop songs from the likes of Dr. Dre and Drake, just to name a few. Although this artist is currently under the radar, he’s gotten the backing from big name artists such as Freddie Gibbs, Stevie Wonder, and Questlove, and it’ll be a matter of time until a larger audience finds him as well.
Wes Denzel (Austin TX)
With a lot to say, and even more to prove, rapper/producer Wes Denzel has become one of the latest rappers to emerge from Central Texas. While Central Texas may not be the place that first comes to people’s minds when they think of Texas hip-hop, Wes is getting ready to change that and put outsiders on to what San Antonio has been cooking up. Since hitting the scene in 2018, Wes has released four full length feature albums and has been steadily building his catalog. With a string of singles having been released last year, it’ll be exciting to see what Wes pulls out for SXSW.
Xavier Omar (San Antonio TX)
San Antonio based music R&B artist Xavier Omar has been releasing music for a decade at this point, with his first project having been released back in 2015 with frequent collaborator and well respected producer Sango. Xavier’s voice rings loud of passion and soul which he’s harnessed and perfected over the years earning him high praises and even landing him on Obama’s 2022 playlist. His heart touching lyrics, vast musical influences, and incredible vocal range have been pushing the boundaries of modern day R&B since his start and set an example of what true artistry and passion sounds like.
SXSW 2025 will be taking place from March 7th through March 15th. View SXSW Badge levels + prices + more information here.
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I’m a photographer currently based in Austin after recently relocating from Denver, CO. I graduated from the University of Colorado, Denver in 2019 with a degree in Business Management. I love music of all genres and have been going to live shows since I was 5 years old. Some of my favorite artist currently include Freddie Gibbs, Lola Young, Ivy Lab and Knocked Loose, but that is always subject to change.
