SXSW 2026: Second Round of Artists Announced

SXSW 2026 just got bigger, as over 300+ new artists like Junior H & Lola Young join the 40th-anniversary festival taking place in Austin.

The momentum of SXSW 2026 is rapidly increasing, and now more than 300 artists are set to perform in a lineup that is becoming one of the most diverse in SXSW history. The artists featured in this second wave of announcements demonstrate SXSW’s strength as the leading destination to discover new musical talent and to experience cultural exchange on a global scale.

One of the many featured artists confirmed by SXSW as part of this wave is Mexican pop star Junior H. A leading figure in the corridos tumbados and sad sierreño genres, Junior H has become an integral player in the clarifying of Latin music through Hispanic pop music. Junior H’s performance at SXSW is highly expected to receive great acclaim, as he blends traditional acoustic instruments and urban styles.

On top of everything else, Southern Londoner Lola Young has made an impact with her raspy singing voice and upfront and honest song lyrics, quickly establishing herself as one of the UK’s quickest-rising artists. Her highly anticipated performance is guaranteed to draw an audience of passionate followers who can’t wait to experience her emotionally charged and cinematic story-telling in a cozy venue in Austin.

In keeping with its long-standing commitment to supporting the next generation of alternative sounds, DIFFERENT CHRIS will bring an exciting, genre-blurring element to the performance stage when they showcase their next-level take on hip-hop through boundary-pushing production. Additionally, for high-intensity rock, the sibling duo, Girl Tones, will perform their gritty, garage echo-infused style of music. Their dynamic performances and DIY approach exemplify the essence of the SXSW showcase.

The second wave includes a variety of artists who are among the top, globally popular artists, as well as those who are unknown but are track stars of the underground. All of this is guaranteed to facilitate the creation of legendary moments throughout Austin’s numerous venues.


SXSW 2026 will be taking place from March 12th through March 18th. View SXSW Badge levels + prices + more information here.

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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.