In the music industry, March means one thing: South By Southwest is upon us.
Whether you’re a seasoned veteran of navigating downtown Austin in mid-March, or it’s your foray into the world of networking, live music and BBQ, SXSW requires a game plan. Here’s a list of our most-anticipated events this year, including performances from our favorite artists, killer line-ups curated by our partners and general good times.
YouTube Music at Coppertank
When: March 16th-18th, 12–7PM CST
Where: 504 Trinity Street
Get more information: http://www.youtubeatcoppertank.com/
Why you shouldn’t miss it: Following its incredible 2015 lineup of The Weeknd, Future Islands, Snoop Dogg and more, YouTube does not disappoint for its 2016 run at SXSW. This year, the platform further solidifies its role as a definitive voice in music, bringing artists like Future, Jamie XX, Kehlani, Troye Sivan and Blood Orange to its stage.
Show up early, this one is going to be packed.
Spotify House
When: March 14th-18th, 12–7PM CST
Where: 1501 E 6th Street
Get on the list: https://spotifyhouse.com/
Why you shouldn’t miss it: With its impressive 2015 lineup of Run the Jewels, Stromae, Hudson Mohawke and Just Blaze (to name a few) being a hard act to follow, Spotify went above and beyond to deliver for it’s fifth-annual SXSW event. With early-morning SoulCycle classes featuring guest DJs like ILoveMakonnen, Chromeo and TOKiMONSTA, and acts like Miguel, The Kills, Anderson .Paak, CHVRCHES and Vince Staples gracing the stage, all rounded out by special appearances (notice it’s plural — there will be many) by Hannibal Burress, the Spotify House is a SXSW staple that’s not to be missed. We highly recommend arriving early and ready to dance.
Hype Hotel
When: March 14–19th, 12PM-2AM CST
Where: 1100 East 5th Street
Get on the list: http://hypem.com/hotel/2016/schedule
Why you shouldn’t miss it: Located in the middle of all the action happening in downtown ATX, this SXSW-mainstay features curated day and night line-ups from music blogs who have their finger on the pulse of what’s next, and this line-up shows it. Stop by the Hype Hotel to catch favorites like Empress Of and Jack Garratt at DIY’s night on Tuesday, 3/15, see AlunaGeorge and Tunji Ige during Pigeon’s and Plane’s party on Wednesday, 3/16, or get your Charli XCX and Teklife fix from Gorilla vs. Bear on Thursday, 3/17.
Madame Gandhi at Speakeasy
When: March 19th, 12AM CST
Where: Speakeasy (412 Congress Avenue)
How to get in: This one requires a festival badge or wristband
Why you need to see them: Madame Gandhi is an electronic duo comprised of two incredibly-inspiring women: Stem’s own Artist-In-Residence, Kiran Gandhi, and composer/sound-designer Alexia Riner. Featuring Riner’s production and Gandhi’s vocals and drumming (which you may or may not be familiar with from her stint as M.I.A.’s touring drummer), Madame Gandhi evoke dreamy, experimental soundscapes driven by motifs of feminism and freedom. If you aren’t hitting SXSW, don’t sweat; Madame Gandhi is on tour for the entire month of March. Check out their tour dates here.
Ableton Open House
When: March 17th-18th, 1PM-7PM CST
Where: East 3rd and Attayac, Austin
How to get in: Register for Thursday’s events here, and Friday’s events here.
Why you need to check it out: Whether you’re an Ableton aficionado or you simply dabble in the art of Push, this is a great opportunity to get face time with Ableton product experts and certified trainers in an intimate, informal setting. Workshops are all free and open to the public, and will help hone skills such as sample flipping, finger drumming and sampling with Push 2.
The FADER FORT
When: March 16th-19th, 1PM-8PM CST
Where: 1101 E. 5th Street
How to get in: Invite-only, hit up your friends who work at The FADER
Why you need to check it out: Best known for its outdoor space, brand activations, crazy line-ups and even-crazier lines, The FADER FORT has solidified its place in SXSW history as a party that can’t be missed. While, sadly, this year the party is invite-only, we like to think that where there’s a will, there’s a way in terms of getting in. The line-up itself is worth the effort; with buzz-worthy artists like MadeInTyo, Rae Sremmurd, Masego, Stormzy, Show Me the Body, and Metro Boomin hitting the stage, we’d say it’s worth calling in that favor to get on the list for this one.
Are you headed to SXSW? Tell us what artists you’re most excited to see in the comments below.
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