SXSW 2026 Reveals Initial Music Festival Lineup: Joyner Lucas, DJ_Dave and More

The initial roster for the South by Southwest (SXSW) music festival has been revealed, highlighting 100 performers and 50 presenting organizations. This first glimpse into the March 12-18 event in Austin, Texas, provides a worldwide cross-section of burgeoning talent spanning a multitude of musical styles.

Geographic diversity is a hallmark of this year's lineup, which features masked lo-fi artist Milo Korbenski from Brighton, England, Mexico City's post-punk ensemble La Texana, and the alt-folk sounds of Brooklyn's Hudson Freeman. The list also includes the Indonesian trio Grrrl Gang, local Austin act Bayonne, and electro-pop musician Roger Sellers. Further enriching the bill are Irish post-punks Chalk, Los Angeles punk-pop group The Sophs, and West Coast rapper Koad, who uniquely blends hip-hop with Bollywood influences. Rounding out the announcement are Minneapolis singer-songwriter runo plum, Grammy-nominated rapper and Tully founder Joyner Lucas, and Los Angeles-based experimental electropop act DJ_Dave.

Brian Hobbs, SXSW's Vice President of Music, emphasized the festival's 40-year history as a vital launchpad for new artists. He pointed out that the event's unique power comes from its ability to concentrate the global music industry—including A&R scouts, record labels, and media—in one location, giving performers unparalleled access to career advancement and international audiences. "SXSW has consistently served as a springboard for artists such as Kendrick Lamar, The White Stripes, and Billie Eilish," Hobbs stated. This dense networking ecosystem has cemented the festival's status as an indispensable destination for emerging talent. Looking ahead, an additional night of showcases is planned for 2026 to further expand opportunities for artists, industry professionals, and fans alike.

The festival will kick off on March 12 with a headline performance by The All-American Rejects at the Music Festival Opening Party, held at the iconic Stubb’s Amphitheater. Stubb’s, which originated as a humble barbecue joint in the 1980s, has grown into a legendary Austin venue deeply woven into the fabric of the city's live music identity. The opening event is presented by Rivian, the electric vehicle manufacturer.

An array of established and new presenting partners will curate showcases. Media heavyweights like Billboard, NPR Music, Rolling Stone, and the British Music Embassy are joined by BMG, BBC Introducing, and the Los Angeles Times’ De Los. This year also welcomes first-time presenters such as Willie Nelson’s Luck Reunion—an intimate, artist-focused festival known for its carefully selected lineup—and Dream Con. This inclusion of fresh creative communities demonstrates SXSW's ongoing evolution and commitment to amplifying diverse and innovative voices within the music landscape.