South By Southwest

The coronavirus seems to be affecting every area of our lives including music at the moment, so we've decided to give it its own section in our Weekly Music Highlights. Along with the Nashville tornado disaster and Riz Ahmed's Brexit truths, we hope music will be a way to bring us together in these tough times. 

Music News

The home of country music, Nashville, Tennessee, was struck by four tornadoes on Tuesday (March 3rd) killing 25 people and destroying numerous buildings and homes. Today a benefit gig under the name 'To Nashville, With Love' will take place at the Marathon Music Works, with acts such as Soccer Mommy, Sheryl Crow, Brandi Carlile, Dan Auerbach and more set to perform. Meanwhile, Taylor Swift has donated $1million to a relief fund and expressed her own devastation over the damage of the city she calls home, and a number of guitar companies such as Gibson, Heritage and Harmony are also offering their support to any musicians who may have lost equipment in the disaster with new replacement schemes.

Continue reading: Weekly Music Highlights: Musicians Band Together For Nashville, Coronavirus Cancels SXSW And Genesis Announce Comeback Tour

The new music drama from Terrence Malick, 'Song To Song' starring Michael Fassbender, is set to premiere on the opening night of the 2017 SXSW Festival this weekend, celebrating the Austin music aesthetic that the movie is all about and setting the course for a phenomenal event.

Rooney Mara, Michael Fassbender and Ryan Gosling star in 'Song to Song'

Austin, Texas is one of the greatest cities for music in the world, playing host to two major music festivals each year; SXSW and Austin City Limits. It so happens that filmmaker Terrence Malick shot his latest movie 'Song To Song' at the latter in 2012, and they are bringing it back to Austin with a screening at the 24th edition of SXSW today (March 10th 2017).

Continue reading: 'Song To Song' Returns To Austin With SXSW 2017 Premiere

Set up by music blogging platform Hype Machine and officially sponsored by Mazda, Hype Hotel took place over five days from March 14th - 16th during SXSW in Austin, Texas. It was a week split up with various showcase sessions opening in the afternoons and evenings, and was a particular go-to area for its mixture of both establish and up-and-coming artists, and its amazing dance vibe.

Over 60 acts took to the stage at Mazda + Hype Machine's Hype Hotel this year, some of which played more than once and none of which were really worth missing. Here are just a few highlights from 2016's line-up:

Continue reading: SXSW 2016 Is Over: Here Are The 7 Best Acts From Mazda + Hype Machine's Hype Hotel

Another year of SXSW is over and 2015's Hype Hotel leaves a lot of memories in its wake. This year featured a tremendous amount of talent, from up-and-coming stars to veteran favourites. If you missed it, here's a taster of what happened.

Odesza joined Spoon at Hype Hotel

This year's Hype Hotel was headlined by Texas rock band Spoon, who have been around since the 90s and recently joined the Loma Vista label, releasing their eighth album 'They Want My Soul' in 2014. They performed the opening night (March 17th 2015), succeeding everyone's favourite alternative pop orchestra San Fermin who entertained fans with snippets of their forthcoming second album 'Jackrabbit' out April 21st.

Continue reading: SXSW 2015: The Highlights From This Year's Hype Hotel Showcase [Video]

Rapper Snoop Dogg has announced he’s developing a new drama series for HBO, alongside director Allen Hughes and writer Rodney Barnes. The 43 year old made the announcement as he delivered the keynote address at this year’s South by Southwest festival on Friday morning.

Snoop Dogg is developing a drama series for HBO

According to Deadline, Snoop said the drama would be set in in early 1980s Los Angeles and centers on ‘a family whose seemingly idyllic life is turned upside down by the collision of their community and American politics.’

Continue reading: Snoop Dogg Uses SXSW Keynote Speech To Announce He's Developing Drama For HBO

Wednesday night (March 18th 2015) was a female fronted assault with fantastic sets from both US and UK bands at SXSW's legendary Hype Hotel Presented by Feed the Beat. The evening was a perfect example of why girl power is playing such an important role on modern music.

Ryn Weaver proved to be an excellent up and coming live act

Getting the evening off to an unforgettable start was 22-year-old San Diego singer Ryn Weaver. Undoubtedly the talk of the night, Weaver poses something very different with her vivacious stage presence and distinctive pop vocal, bringing everyone to their feet with songs such as 'Promises', 'Sail On' and debut single 'OctaHate'. She even connected with her audience by sharing an anecdote about her late grandfather, who she describes as her 'muse'. Set to release her debut album 'The Fool' this summer, Weaver promises big things having already topped the US Heatseekers chart with her 2014 EP 'Promises'.

Continue reading: Hype Hotel's Best Female-Fronted Bands Prove To Be SXSW Gold

Bill Murray sure knows how to make an entrance! The 64 year old comedian rode in on horseback to Thursday night's edition of ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’ from the South by Southwest Festival, while also turning heads in a cowboy hat, boots and a rather fetching red dress.

Bill Murray appeared on Thursday night's 'Jimmy Kimmel Live' from the SXSW festival.

"What a cute outfit, well you look very pretty, very beautiful," Kimmel told Murray. To which the actor quipped, “This is just for tonight because it's special," adding that he’s "usually in jeans and a t-shirt.”

Continue reading: Bill Murray Dons A Dress And Crashes SXSW Edition Of 'Jimmy Kimmel Live'’

Everyone's favourite pop rebel Miley Cyrus made a welcome surprise appearance at SXSW 2015 during Mike WiLL Made It's much-anticipated headline set at the Fader Fort on Thursday (March 19th 2015) alongside the likes of Riff Raff and Future.

Miley Cyrus brought sass to SXSW

Despite recent rumours regarding her personal life, Miley proved to be on top form in her professional life as she brought the house down during her unexpected performance alongside Mike Will Made It - who was scheduled to be mysteriously headlining with 'Friends'.

Continue reading: Miley Cyrus Makes Surprise Appearance With Mike Will Made It At SXSW 2015

Hype Hotel Presented by Feed the Beat returned to SXSW on Tuesday (March 17) to begin five days of music curated by music bloggers and brought to you by Mazda, official automobile sponsor of HypeON. Though primarily staged to showcase some of the hottest emerging artists around, the opening night saw the triumphant return of rockers Spoon, as well as the always on-form San Fermin.

Spoon played a triumphant homecoming gig at SXSW's Hype Hotel event

The evening kicked off with DJ sets for THE BIG P.A and Zach from Portugal-The Man who played a set later in the evening at Clive Bar, on Davis St. The New York six piece Parlour Tricks began the evening's slate of live music with their infectious brand of retro soul, while Swedish outfit Amason continued the party. 

Continue reading: Spoon Play Triumphant Homecoming Show At SXSW's Hype Hotel

SXSW 2015 is set to take over Austin, Texas for yet another spectacular event, spanning numerous venues with countless showcases and hundreds of artists. We may be a few weeks away yet, but here's a little taster of some of the best places to be this year.

First up, the Parish is hosting some seminal shows all week, so this should definitely be at the top of your schedule. Wednesday, March 18th sees alt rock Londoners Wolf Alice on the bill, impressing with material from their EP releases; though we are yet to see an album release from these four. Equally, LA newcomers BØRNS are not to be missed, nor are San Diego indie favourites Delta Spirit. Thursday sees The Vaccines promote their upcoming album 'English Graffiti', alongside Palma Violets with 'Danger In The Club', while New York's Lolawolf brings their brand of sensational disco pop to the scene. Friday will be headlined by the Jarman brothers' band The Cribs, and Saturday will see appropriate surf-rock from Florida four-piece Surfer Blood.

Borns will perform at the Parish on Wednesday, March 18th 2015

Continue reading: 5 Venues You'll Want To Visit At SXSW 2015