Nine Artists You Won’t BELIEVE Are Skipping SXSW This Year

1. Joy Division

You’d be hard-pressed to think of a more influential or inspirational artist for the hordes of bands descending on Austin this weekend, but Ian Curtis and company sadly decided not to make the trip this year. Whatever you do, don’t tell Ian that some drunk guy on Sixth Street is ripping off his dance moves!

2. Gram Parsons

Speaking of influential, whether solo or with The Byrds, International Submarine Band, or the Flying Burrito Brothers, Gram Parsons looms large over so many of this year’s SXSW attendees, from Angel Olson to Houndmouth, that it’s hard to believe he decided not to play the festival this year. He must have decided the lines for Franklin BBQ just aren’t worth it!

3. Harry Nilsson

Tobias Jesso WHO-nior? This piano man’s soulful ballads are tailor-made to wow big and small crowds alike at a place like South By. It’s a shame he couldn’t make it. It’s just not SXSW “Without You,” but there’s always next year, Harry!

4. Christian Death

Someone tell Rozz Williams that atheism has never been bigger! Not attending SXSW this year is such a blown opportunity to build the Christian Death brand, we hope Rozz isn’t kicking herself a year from now when some upstart is reaping the benefits of playing for a captive audience of thousands.

5. Gil Scott-Heron

It may not have been televised, but Gil Scott-Heron’s comeback album, I’m New Here, definitely didn’t go unnoticed among the music cognoscenti, and his collaborative album with Jamie from The xx was another bold, fascinating move in a career full of them. A shame that Gil didn’t think it was worth his while to make it down to Central Texas.

6. Richey Edwards of Manic Street Preachers

Disappeared in February of 1995; presumed dead.

7. Janis Joplin

Come on Janis, you couldn’t make the drive from Port Arthur? Major #FAIL.

8. Stick Men With Ray Guns

Another Texas band that somehow couldn’t be bothered to make the trip to Austin. Bobby Soxx became locally notorious from the local news clip above, but something tells us he and his band could really take it to the next level in Austin this year…IF they had decided to play.

9. Big Star

It’s amazing how some people seem to just not want success. Big Star? Not with THAT attitude, buddy!