The very best thing about SXSW Sydney is getting to see artists you’ve not seen before. A lot of times, this is because the acts are brand new. If you’re me though, a lot of the times is only because you were an idiot and just missed them up until now.
If you’ve already seen the artists on this list, then maybe the ones I’ve already seen and loved might help you discover something new. If not, then these are the ones I’ll be trying to get to as many of as possible. See you there.
2charm
The big reveal for this new project – fuelled by members of Cub Sport and Ninajirachi – have one track in the world, but are all but guaranteed to make a decent splash.
BIG NOTER
Rap legend BRIGGS’ hardcore punk project, reflecting both his immense musical breadth and an important part of the soundtrack to his youth. The first two tracks have been immense.
Chuck Sics
A series of enjoyable, tightly-constructed bedroom indie pop tracks mark this new project as one to catch early.
dust
dust are high on my personal list of ‘ashamed I haven’t seen yet’, so I’m hoping to redeem myself on that score asap.
FELIVAND
Already a fairly well-established name, FELIVAND continues to attract wide support across playlisters and tastemakers – if they’re all over it, you should be too.
Gordi
Gordi’s musical delights are pretty well known at this point, and is an artist I’d love to catch over the course of the week.
Holly Hebe
Furious with myself for not seeing this excellent artist over the last couple of years, I’m determined to solve that next week.
Krystal Rivvers
A marvellous swagger across a hatful of tracks insist they’d be awesome live.
Letters To Lions
Hey look, they’re back! They were a roaring bag of fun in the years before they went on hiatus and have come back strong after the break. Keen to see the updated version.
Lucy Sugerman
Absolutely lovely songs with a real, soaring sense of peace and space. Suspect I – and you.- will bloody need a bit of that at some point.
Maple’s Pet Dinosaur
You’ve seen the viral video, you’d be dumber than a sack of hair not to catch them live.
Phil Jamieson
It’s the actual Phil Jamieson, you dummy – if you get the chance to see someone this awesome, you take it.
Playlunch
Anticipating highly energetic, technically-skilled hip-pop mayhem and antics. Will be a riotous time.
Sacred Hearts
Icy cool, dark pop, and post-punk swagger in lockstep on their records and promise a show well worth seeing.
Selve
Being the first First Nations artist to record at Abbey Road is a great news hook, but the fascinating guitar pop that came from those sessions stands tall all on its own.
The Lazy Eyes
Despite having only uploaded a single Like A Version track in the last three years, their audience keeps growing and growing. Hard not this think that SXSW Sydney this year is the start of a new cycle, and an opportunity to catch them at the start of it.
The Rubens
I *really* should have seen The Rubens by now, so very much hoping I can catch the set next week. Their curated (free! open to all!) day-long event at Tumbalong Park on Saturday will be excellent too.
Worm Girlz
Loud, lairy, and fresh out of fucks to give, this is another band I’ve been looking forward to seeing for bloody ages.