SXSW 2022: An Unofficial Guide
SXSW 2022: An Unofficial Guide
The best RSVP-only parties, live music, brand activations and more coming to Austin — minus the price tag
By Holly Cowart
Now in its 35th year, South by Southwest has become one of Austin’s largest festivals both in popularity and scale. After its devastating cancellation in 2020, which became an early signifier of COVID-19’s impact on our everyday social lives, the event pivoted to a virtual-only platform for 2021.
Now, the city-wide celebration is back and in-person this March 11-20, ready to once again bring visitors together with incredible live music, film slates, dynamic food and drink collaborations, educational panels and more. And while the schedule is always unforgettable, it can come with a steep price tag. If fest badges aren’t in your budget, there are still plenty of other ways to participate in the fun.
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Talented local and touring musicians are filling up Austin’s best venues with free shows while national brands are utilizing the opportunity to host interesting activations with fun perks (picture: breakfast tacos galore). The best part? All you have to do is show up!
We’ve done the hard part and gathered together a mix of our favorite happenings that are open to the public, helping make plans easy and accessible. Just make sure to check the details, RSVP whenever it’s required and throw your name on the waitlist — you never know what surprises can pop up.
As new events are announced, check back in for updated info and links:
(Updated on March 15)
Music
SXSW Outdoor Stage photo by David Brendan Hall.Galactic Interactive
When: March 11
Where: Hotel Vegas and The Volstead Lounge
Why: Lineup TBA, drinks and more
Central Machine Works Showcase
When: March 11–13, 18–20
Where: Central Machine Works Brewery
Why: Jackie Venson, Disko Cowboy, Texas Gentlemen, Jo James and more
Love, Tito’s Live Music Showcase
When: March 11–14, 17–19
Where: Love, Tito’s
Why: Tje Austin, Griffin Robillard, Miggy & Zack, Raw Paw screen printing and more
Lightstream: The Light House
When: March 12–14
Where: Scholz Garten
Why: Sweet Spirit, David Ramirez, Star Parks, Jonathan Terrell and more
Bang x Bang Bang
When: March 12–22
Where: Banger’s
Why: 10 days, 21 bands, Manmosas and more
Works in Progress: Powered by Patreon
When: March 13 and 14
Where: Cheer Up Charlies
Why: Durand Bernarr, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova, KevOnStage and Professional Musicians React and more
Days Up West – Original Music Weeklong Showcase
When: March 13–19
Where: Mozart’s Coffee Roasters
Why: Local songwriters and composers, 20% off your cafe purchase, gorgeous views and more
SoundCloud Next Wav
When: March 14
Where: Mohawk
Why: Monaleo, art installations, stage discussions, tacos and more
Music Week at Gerladine’s
When: March 15 and 16
Where: Geraldine’s
Why: Alex Lambert, Midlake, Heartless Bastards and more
The Paste 20th Anniversary Showcase
When: March 15–18
Where: The Pershing
Why: Sir Woman, Sunflower Bean, BLACKSTARKIDS, Delta Spirit and more
Secret Society 2022
When: March 16
Where: TBA
Why: Exclusive performances, free drinks, special guests & more
South by Soup Fest
When: March 16
Where: Güero’s Oak Garden
Why: BettySoo, Matt the Electrician, Caritas of Austin and more
New Nashville Riverboat Roadshow
When: March 16
Where: Hyatt Regency Dock
Why: Joshua Hadley, India Ramey, Khrys Hatch, The HawThorns and more
Black Fret “Love Your Music”
When: March 16
Where: GSD&M Backyard
Why: Blackillac, The Tiarras, Mélat, free drinks, food trucks and more
Pearl Stable Music Showcase
When: March 16
Where: The Continental Club
Why: Santiago Jiménez Jr., Rosie Flores, The Peterson Brothers and Garrett T. Capps
FLOODfest
When: March 16 and 17
Where: Mohawk
Why: Perfume Genius, Petey, Girlpool, surprise guests and more
Collide on Rainey: Dr. Martens Presents Music Showcase
When: March 16–18
Where: Container Bar
Why: Dawn Richard, MUNA, The Black Angels, Tayla Parx, Free tattoos and more
ACL Radio Live Morning Broadcast
When: March 16–19
Where: Hotel Van Zandt
Why: Exclusive performances from SXSW artists, interviews, Make-A-Wish Foundation and more
Wax Myrtle’s Music Showcase
When: March 16–19
Where: Wax Myrtle’s
Why: Sofar Sounds secret showcase, DJ Set from Jake Garcia and Cosmic Country tunes
Jam in the Van Experience
When: March 16–20
Where: Armadillo Den
Why: BLACKILLAC, Delta Spirit, The Peterson Brothers, Eric Tessmer, Susto and more
South by San José
When: March 16–20
Where: Hotel San José and Jo’s Coffee parking lot
Why: Black Lips, Surfbort, Midlake, Houndmouth, Sinner’s Brunch, local vendors and more
Lucy’s Fried Chicken Revival
When: March 16–20
Where: Lucy’s Fried Chicken – South
Why: Matthew Logan Vasquez, Scott Ballew with Evan Voyles, Shinyribs, Tomar and the FC’s, The Dream Syndicate and more
Collide on Rainey: Pickle Party
When: March 17
Where: Idle Hands
Why: Black Lips, The Aquadolls, Kosha Dillz and more
Poppin’ Lot ’22
When: March 17
Where: 430 San Jacinto Blvd.
Why: Sir Woman, Kydd Jones, live mural installation, merch giveaways and more
The Do512 Lounge Sessions
When: March 17 and 18
Where: Do512 Lounge
Why: Matthew Logan Vasquez, Scott Ballew with Evan Voyles, Shinyribs, Tomar and the FC’s, The Dream Syndicate and more
Lost Weekend 2022
When: March 17 and 18
Where: Cheer Up Charlies
Why: Resound, giveaways, lineup TBA
SXSW Outdoor Stage
When: March 17–19
Where: Lady Bird Lake
Why: Mt. Joy, Golden Dawn Arkestra, Sammy Hagar and the Circle, Houndmouth & more
Samsung Galaxy + Billboard Present THE STAGE at SXSW
When: March 17–19
Where: Moody Amphitheater
Why: Young Thug + Gunna, Kygo, Shawn Mendes and Sebastian Yatra
The Austin Chronicle’s Hair of the 3-Legged Dog Day Party
When: March 18
Where: Hotel Vegas
Why: TC Superstar, Yard Act, Eldorado Cafe, Austin Pets Alive! and more
Wasserman Music SXSW Day Party
When: March 18
Where: Mohawk
Why: Best Coast, Wet Leg, Luna Li, Joesef, Tom The Mail Man and more
Bandsintown Official Big Break Showcase
When: March 18
Where: The Creek and the Cave
Why: mehro, La Doña, CMAT, Annie DiRusso and more
Brooklyn Bowl Family Reunion
When: March 18 and 19
Where: Empire Control Room
Why: White Denim, Midlake, Seratones, Ezra Furman and more
YETI Music Showcase
When: March 18 and 19
Where: YETI Flagship
Why: The Texas Gentlemen, Magna Carda, Zach Person, Heartless Bastards, Briscoe and more
Bands To Watch 2022
When: March 18 and 19
Where: Still Austin Whiskey C0.
Why: Western Youth, Mélat, Aaron McDonnell and more
Rolling Loud
When: March 18 and 19
Where: Stubb’s BBQ
Why: Lineup TBA
UTOPiA Sessions
When: March 19
Where: Zilker Brewing Co.
Why: Sir Woman, Sugaray Rayford, Billy King and more
The Big One
When: March 19
Where: The Far Out Lounge & Stage
Why: Houndmouth, Superbloom, Briscoe, drinks and more
Art
Meow Wolf Pop Up
When: March 11–14
Where: Spatial Holodeck next to The Sunset Room
Why: Immersive audio, colorful installations and more
Art Island: All Day All Night Alright Fest
When: March 15 and 16
Where: The Pink Warehouse
Why: Art, music, drinks and after parties
Flatstock 77
When: March 17–19
Where: Austin Convention Center
Why: Concert posters, artwork, Flatstock 77 Stage and more
atxGALS + The Cathedral SpringFest 2022
When: March 19
Where: The Cathedral
Why: Diverse art exhibits, creative panel, live music and more
Shop
Atelier Beauté CHANEL Pop-Up photo courtesy of Chanel.Kendra Scott SXSW 2022
When: March 10–13, 18–19
Where: Kendra Scott Flagship Store
Why: Exclusive gifts, live music, drink tastings, aura portrait sessions & more
Atelier Beauté CHANEL Pop-Up
When: March 11 – April 24
Where: South Congress – Music Lane
Why: Master classes, beauty studio access, expert advice, products and more
BXBS Maker’s Market
When: March 12
Where: Broad Studios
Why: 40+ vendors, free beer, live DJ set, Tarot card reading and more
Bad Larry x Henbit SXSW Burger Jam
When: March 12
Where: Fareground
Why: Tasty burgers, Hold Out Brewing, live music and more
The Future Front House: A Meet-Up, A Market, A Party
When: March 15
Where: Cheer Up Charlies
Why: Cool vendors, live music, LGBTQ+ artists, Creative Future of Texas Fund and more
Weird Sisters Day Party
When: March 16
Where: BLK Vinyl
Why: Live music, vintage pop up shop, hard Kombucha and more
KREWE Austin Sample Sale
When: March 17–19
Where: KREWE
Why: Up to 80% off gently-used frames
The Left Eye Collective Vintage Market
When: March 19
Where: Kinda Tropical
Why: Palomas, vintage clothes, home goods, food and more
Howler SXSW 2022 MIchelada Madness
When: March 19
Where: Howler Brothers South Congress
Why: Cold drinks, good fashion, local shopping and more
Green Botanicals Glow
When: March 19 and 20
Where: Green Botanicals
Why: Infused ice cream, free pre-rolls, store discounts and more
Experience
The Trip: An Atlanta Café image courtesy of FX.