SXSW 2018: Overview

Concentus returns to SXSW this year for our second year running, catching every hot new band from all around the world in every genre imaginable – from rock to experimental electronic to folk.

This year’s highlights include the British Music Embassy, programmed by BBC Music in partnership with other British organisations including PRS and PPL. The line-ups saw the best of Britains’ new music scene, including the likes of Sam Fender and Suzi Wu, and highly anticipated new band on the scene Goat Girl, as well as the launch of Nina Nesbitt’s new look.

British prodigy Jade Bird also performed 13 gigs throughout the week, including performances with BBC Music, Universal Music, Pledge Music, BMI Music, Waterloo Records, and more, and ultimately won herself the Grulke Prize winner for Developing Non-U.S. Act to celebrate her success and widespread love she received throughout the week, firmly establishing herself as one to watch in the States.

International artists included the likes of Bad Pony from Australia, as well as some of the biggest US names right now including Wallows – a pop five piece from Los Angeles performing at the Pandora Stage, Bishop Briggs, who was showcased at the Universal Music party, and Billie Eilish – one of the most acclaimed new music names to come from this year’s festival.

The advantage of a setting like SXSW is the opportunity to see artists who are performing arenas in their home countries perform in intimate settings as they break their way in to the US.

The music industry also has a huge presence in the conference during the day, including a keynote speech from YouTube’s Head of Music Lyor Cohen, and featured speakers including Nile Rodgers and Glassnote Founder Daniel Glass.

More than a few artists who perform at SXSW go on to become international stars within a couple of years of performing, last year’s festival seeing Rag ‘n’ Bone Man, and record breaking star Dua Lipa performing there just two years ago. We can’t wait to see who we saw this week will go on to win Grammy’s in the near future, so get ready for our round up of our top 25 artists from this year’s SXSW.

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