If you’re one of the 200,000 people to descend upon Austin’s city limits to partake in SXSW (and you know how to do it right now), and you want to see some of your favorite Brooklyn/Bushwick bands, you can do so at one of two places – at an official showcase (where festival badges/wristbands ARE required) or at one of the many free shows they will be playing next week. We’ve picked one free show per artist but all bands are likely to be playing different days and venues as well. Hint: if the bands have an official show, they’re doing pretttty well for themselves.
The number of Brooklyn bands playing at this year’s SXSW is an indication that Brooklynites will be strongly represented. Aside from highly-anticipated shows from Carroll Gardens’ Solange and a showcase from Bushwick’s own Daptone Records, Brooklyn singers and musicians will be in venues across the city every day. Whether you’ll be in Austin, or just want to know who’s hoping to make some serious airwaves in Austin, check the listings below. Our guide features a slew of our fave ambitious rockers, like DIIV, Fan-Tan, Modern Rivals, Chrome Sparks, Kool AD, The Bottom Dollars, and more!
ENJOY!
* = Bands we recommend because we’ve seem them, and because we love them. Click links for Bushwick Daily review.
AMBASSADORS
Official showcase: Wednesday, March 13th, 11 pm @ IFC Crossroads House (302 E. 6th St)
Free show: Thursday, March 14th, 2:15 pm @ Red Eyed Fly (715 Red River) [RSVP]
AMERICAN AUTHORS
Official showcase: Wednesday, March 13th, 9:40 pm @ Red Eyed Fly (715 Red River St)
Free show: Saturday, March 16th, 1:30 pm @ The Brew Exchange (706 W. 6th Street) [RSVP]
THE ATTIC ENDS
Free show: Friday, March 15th, 12:25 pm @ TRF Outdoor 2 (7th & Neches) [no RSVP required]
Official showcase: Saturday, March 16th, 1 AM @ The Parish (214-B E. 6th St)
Free show: Saturday, March 16th, 5:15 pm @ Beerland (711 1/2 Red River Street) [RSVP]
THE BOTTOM DOLLARS:
Free show: Friday, March 15th, 7 pm @ Aquarium on 6th (403 E. 6th St) [RSVP]
BUGS IN THE DARK:
Free show: Wednesday, March 13th, 7:15 pm @ Shangri-La (1016 E. 6th St) [RSVP]
CAGED ANIMALS:
Official showcase: Friday, March 15th, 8 pm @ Hickory Street (800 Congress Ave)
Free show: Friday, March 15th @ The Brew Exchange (706 W. 6th Street) [RSVP]
CAROUSEL:
Official showcase: Saturday, March 16th, 9 pm @ Antone’s (213 W. 5th St)
Free show: Thursday, March 14th, 5:30 pm @ The Brew Exchange (706 W. 6th Street) [RSVP]
CHROME SPARKS:
Free show: Saturday, March 16th, day starts at 12 pm @Hype Hotel (E 3rd Street & San Jacinto Blvd) [RSVP]
CRUSH DISTANCE (FORMERLY KID SAVANT):
Free show: Friday, March 15th, 8:30 pm @ The Brew Exchange (706 W. 6th Street) [RSVP]
CULTFEVER:
Free show: Friday, March 15th, 8 pm – 2 am @ Rusty’s (405 E. 7th St) [RSVP]
THE DEATH SET:
Official showcase: Wednesday, March 13th, 12:15 AM @ Lamberts (401 W. 2nd)
Free show: Tuesday, March 12th, 3:45 pm @ Sewth by Sewthvest at Valhalla (710 Red River St) [no RSVP required]
Official showcase: Saturday, March 16th, 12:10 a.m @ The Parish (214-B E 6th St)
Free show: Friday, March 15th, 10 pm @ Lustre Pearl (97 Rainey St) [RSVP]
DUCKTAILS:
Official showcase: Friday, March 15th, 11 pm @ Mohawk Indoor (912 Red River St)
Free show: Friday, March 15th, 3 pm @ Clive Bar (609 Davis Street) [RSVP]
ELLE KING:
Official Showcase: Tuesday, March 12, 1 am – SXSW Official Showcase – Buffalo Billiards (201 E 6th St)
Free Show: Sunday, March 10, 7:30 am – Paste Magazine at the Blackheart (86 Rainey Street)
*FAN-TAN:
Free show: Friday, March 15th, 8 pm – 2 am @ Rusty’s (405 E. 7th St) [RSVP]
Official showcase: Tuesday, March 12th, 9 pm @ Hype Hotel (301 Brazos Street)
Free show: Wednesday, 3/13, 12 pm @ The Parish / Parish Underground (214 E. 6th Street, Austin, TX) [RSVP]
FRIEND ROULETTE:
Free show: Thursday, March 14th, 9 pm @ J. Black’s (710 W. 6th St) [RSVP]
HEAVEN:
Official showcase: Friday, March 15th, 10 pm @ Brass House (115 San Jacinto St)
Free show: Thursday, March 14th at 11 AM and Friday, March 15th, 5 PM, both on outside stage @ Casa Chapala Downtown (101 San Jacinto Blvd) [no RSVP required]
THE HOLLOWS:
Free show: Thursday, March 14th, TBD @ The Blind Pig Pub (317 E. 6th St) [no RSVP required]
Official showcase: Wednesday, March 13th, 11:15PM @ Lamberts (401 W. 2nd St)
Free show: Tuesday, March 12th, 5 pm @ Sewth by Sewthvest at Valhalla (710 Red River St) [no RSVP required]
Official showcase: Friday, March 15th, 10 pm @ Haven (409 Colorado St)
THE LOOM:
Free show: Thursday, March 14th, 9 pm @ J. Black’s (710 W. 6th St) [RSVP]
*LODRO (featuring members of Friends, Royal Baths):
Free show: Wednesday, March 13h, 9 pm @ The Brew Exchange (706 W. 6th Street) [RSVP]
LOVESKILLS
Free show: Thursday, March 14th, 10:30 pm @ The Brew Exchange (706 W. 6th Street) [RSVP]
MIRACLES OF MODERN SCIENCE:
Official showcase: Saturday, March 16th, 10 pm @ The Whiskey Room (503 E. 6th St)
Free show: Thursday, March 14th, 5 pm @ Opal Divine’s Freehouse (700 W 6th St) [RSVP]
MODERN RIVALS:
Free show: Thursday, March 14th, 7 pm @ J. Black’s (710 W. 6th St) [RSVP]
MOTIVE:
Official showcase: Wednesday, March 13th, 10:15PM @ Lamberts (401 W. 2nd St)
Free show: Tuesday, March 12th, 3 pm @ Sewth by Sewthvest at Valhalla (710 Red River St) [Free, no RSVP required]
Official showcase: Friday, March 15th, 12 AM @ Mohawk Indoor (912 Red River St)
Free show: Thursday, March 14th, 12 – 6 pm @ 1100 Warehouse (1100 E. 5th Street) [no RSVP required]
pow wow!
Free Show: Saturday, March 16th, 2:00pm. RethinkPopMusic Showcase at The Lodge. 411 E. 6th Street. [ RSVP]
Official showcase: Wednesday, March 13th, 9:30 PM @ Lamberts (401 W. 2nd St)
Free show: Tuesday, March 12th, 1:30 pm @ Sewth by Sewthvest at Valhalla (710 Red River St) [no RSVP required]
STEEL PHANTOMS:
Free show: Thursday, March 14th, 9 pm @ The Brew Exchange (706 W. 6th Street) [RSVP]
WE ARE THE WILDERNESS
Free show: Thursday, March 14th, 10 pm @ Rusty’s (405 E. 7th St) [RSVP]
Official showcase: Friday, March 15th, 10 PM @ Mohawk Indoor (912 Red River St)
Free show: Thursday, March 14th, 1:40 pm @ Club DeVille (900 Red River Street) [RSVP, $5 for a Brooklyn Brewery beer bracelet, unlimited refills until supplies last]
ZEBRA KATZ
Official showcase: Thursday, March 14th, 11:25 pm @ 1100 Warehouse (1100 E. 5th Street)
Free show: Thursday, March 14th, TBD @ Emo’s East & Annex (2015 Riverside Drive) [RSVP]