The Six Australian Acts To Watch Out For At SXSW

In the past few years, Austin's annual SXSW festival and conference — the biggest of its kind in the world — has become a gateway to the global market for many Australian acts.

We have seen the likes of The Temper Trap, Vance Joy and The Preatures make waves around the world after creating buzz at the Texan event.

Over 30 Australian acts are heading across to perform during the music segment of the SXSW behemoth next week. Some already-established artists like The Church, San Cisco and Courtney Barnett will be consolidating their profiles with new material to promote but there's also the chance that some of our lesser known acts will be amongst this year's most-talked about.

Here's our tips for the top buzzes:

PETER BIBBY

Bibby's brand of fucked-up folk is the exact style of music that can grab the attention of a cross-section of music industry types swarming SXSW. And considering the WA lad already hails from the same Perth scene that begat Tame Impala and Pond, it's no wonder he can already boast the likes of Mac Demarco amongst his fanbase (see video below) - people at SXSW care about that kinda stuff.  

TKAY MAIDZA

The young Maidza is an old hand at music industry conferences having played the last two BIGSOUNDs. Last year's BIGSOUND appearance totally wiped out memories of the sound difficulties that plagued her first time there —  to make a comeback like that reveals the kind of stoicism that counts at SXSW. And it helps that people are already talking about her before she's even done her first gig there — interest is building.

FRASER A GORMAN

The Torquay Troubadour with the awesome initials lands in Austin with a lot of interest in him due to Gorman being a part of much-touted Courtney Barnett's label back here. Connections count at SXSW and you can bet that as Barnett plays to full houses next week, industry folk are gonna want to know about her labelmates.

REMI

Overseas media are already picking up on our hottest rising R&B star. He's already been feted by influential music sites such as the UK's NME and Billboard in the States. He has scored three official showcase spots in next week's calendar, including a high-profile spot at the conference's convention centre and a headline slot at favoured hangout Maggie Mae's (slap bang in the conference's main strip).

MANSIONAIR

The industry types at SXSW are suckers for the dreamy pop stylings of indie darlings from around the globe. It was a great springboard for the likes of Highasakite and Glass Animals last year — and interest won't have waned this year. Also, the Sydney trio's official showcase is taking place at the Central Presbyterian Church — shows taking place at Austin's acoustically-blessed churches are always hot ticket items.

BIG WHITE

Wild card time. Only just beginning to get people taking notice back home, the Newtown kids have a sound that harks back to a classic Australian indie sound of yesteryear that many overseas Ausophiles die for. Their upcoming Teenage Dreams album is both raw and blissful — a contender for end of year lists. They already have a US deal to release the album and will be heading to LA after SXSW to play a gig with Ty Segal and Ariel Pink.