The South by Southwest Music Festival has released its first list of artists for the 2014 festival, notably the New Orleans rapper Vockah Redu, indie-trio London Grammar, Drenge, the Texas country singer Rodney Crowell and Swedish rock band INVSN.

The first batch comprises of 183 acts from 27 countries that will play in downtown Austin in the spring. Last year, more than 25,000 people saw 2,278 acts at the six-day festival and music conference. 

INVSN is perhaps the most interesting act from the first announcement. Featuring Refused and International Noise Conspiracy frontman Dennis Lyxzen, the band are currently on a U.S tour promoting their self-titled debut album.

Elsewhere, Dum Dum Girls drummer Sandra Vu brings her new band SISU to the festival, while Brooklyn band Deidre and the Dark, Avi Buffalo from Los Angeles and Ohio's Jessica Lea Mayfield will also perform. 

Our recommendations from the line-up announcement include London Grammar (somehow denied a Mercury Music Prize nomination this month), Drenge, the rapper Roosh Williams (who has released a free EP), Delorean, Wild Moccasins, Robert Ellis and Bring Me The Horizon, from Sheffield, England.

The music section of the South by Southwest lasts from March 11-16. The festival itself also includes a film festival from March 7-15 and an interactive festival from May 7-11. 

Highlights from the 2013 festival included Justin Timberlake, Foxygen, Macklemore and The Walkmen. This year's festival is expected to attract more than 50,000 registrants.

Bring Me The HorizonBring Me The Horizon Are Heading to SXSW