Michael Toland

Mar 13, 2025 | austinchronicle.com | Carys Anderson |Catalina Pérez |Michael Toland

Alongside the festival’s out-of-town performers, these Austin-based showcasing acts make first-time – or rare – SXSW appearances this week Friday 14, 10pm, Lefty’s Brick BarChicoselfie’s velvety indie pop exudes a tranquility potent enough to transcend language barriers. A romantic coalescence of Argentinian, Tejano, and Mexican influences, the Austin-based quartet serenades the soul with Spanish lyricism.

Mar 13, 2025 | austinchronicle.com | Derek Udensi |Carys Anderson |Kahron Spearman |Michael Toland

Thursday 13 - Friday 14, Waterloo RecordsNearly 43 years after opening its doors, iconic local vinyl hub and live music venue Waterloo Records will relocate to its third (and biggest) Lamar location this spring. To celebrate the upgrade, the shop hosts its final SXSW day parties at its current Sixth and Lamar building. Thursday leans indie-pop-rock with Jo Hill, Sierra Spirit, and Molecular Steve.

Mar 6, 2025 | austinchronicle.com | Derek Udensi |Carys Anderson |Michael Toland |Raoul Hernandez

Friday 7 - Saturday 8, Chess ClubHotel Vegas owners Jason McNeely and Brian Tweedy, plus Flesh Lights singer/guitarist Max Vandever and Cliff White, plotted such a soft opening of Chess Club during South by Southwest 2022 that they only hesitantly confirmed it to the Chronicle. Three years later, the tiny, 100-something capacity venue at 617 Red River – formerly Plush – is one of this writer’s Downtown favorites.

Mar 6, 2025 | austinchronicle.com | Carys Anderson |Raoul Hernandez |Michael Toland

From rock to new age to Irish traditional, these are the incoming artists to see Over a thousand musicians from across the globe descend on Austin this week to perform for a slew of music fans and industry professionals alike. In a way, the official SXSW stamp of approval should be enough to convince you of every name’s merits, but all festival veterans know – there’s just too much to see.

Feb 27, 2025 | austinchronicle.com | Derek Udensi |Carys Anderson |Christina Garcia |Michael Toland

Get out and get loud Heavy Meddo Thursday 27, The 13th FloorA virtual early 2000s Austin supergroup, Heavy Meddo features Bill Baird and Jordan Johns, both of Sound Team, with Ichi Ni San Shi’s Jonathan Horne and more, for a mix of samples, electronics, and old-school guitar oddness that’s more on the electronic end than the strumming end. Queen Serene has been playing rough ’n’ ready indie rock since around 2020; both bands split a 7-inch late last year.