From March 12-18th, the SXSW Music Festival is back in Austin, Texas. With so many great artists on the lineup, it could be hard to decide which artists to look out for. To make things just a little bit easier, here are seven indie artists you don’t want to miss!
Enfants
Tokyo, Japan
Starting off strong, we have Enfants. This indie band from Tokyo is hard-hitting and fun, with a unique sound that should be great to hear live. Some standout songs include “Punk Head” and “Kid Blue.”
FEET
London, UK, England
Bringing their sound over from across the pond is FEET, a British indie rock band that should be on your radar ASAP. From songs like “English Weather” and “Why Would I Lie?”, they are sure to be a fun set to catch.
Hannah Cohen
New York, NY, United States
Her newest album Earthstar Mountain was a hit and now, she’s bring her soft voice and great guitar riffs to SXSW! Hannah Cohen is for anyone who considers themselves of indie twang, as she her music is heavily country inspired but with the common elements of indie-pop. It’s a great combination to bring a beautiful pleasantness to your ears.
differentchris
Houston, TX, United States
Stopping by the festival to represent H-town is differentchris. With over 15,000 monthly listeners on Spotify and a recent headlining tour, he’s been a breakout musician in Houston and soon Austin. His sound can be identified as a mix of indie music and RnB. Catch differentchris for an absolutely vibey set.
Lucid Express
Hong Kong, Hong Kong
If you’re looking for more of a shoe gaze band at SXSW, you should check out Lucid Express. Throughout their discography, you can find soft vocals on top of killer guitar progressions and drums. Don’t only look out for them at the festival, but be sure to take a listen to their upcoming album Instant Comfort on February 16th.
Stalefish
Austin, TX, United States
Stalefish is an exciting addition to the SXSW lineup. With great guitar riffs, bouncy bass lines and fun percussion, this band has what I’d consider that classic indie sound. With a little over 500 monthly listeners, Stalefish is one of the smaller bands to play at the festival but definitely one of the most deserving.
Sun Room
San Diego, CA, United States
From having music in Outer Banks to having headline shows across the world, Sun Room has had a great start to their career since their formation in 2020. If you’re looking for an indie band with some surfy tunes to remind you of summer and a great time, catch Sun Room!
Trophy Wife
Brooklyn, NY, United States
Self-described as “a large brutalist structure on an infinite lawn” on their Spotify, Trophy Wife‘s sound is just that. From “Knife Fight” to “So Hard,” this three-piece band has a big presence that is felt from powerful vocals and versatility displayed throughout their discography.
SXSW 2026 will be taking place from March 12th through March 18th. View SXSW Badge levels + prices + more information here.
I am from Houston, Texas and currently attending the University of Houston as a marketing major! From attending concerts, playing guitar, and collecting vinyl, I love anything that has to do with music. Some of my favorite artists include The Strokes, Omar Apollo, and boygenius. Besides that, I really like shopping, watching Pitch Perfect, and discovering new places in Houston!
