Sadly, we aren’t heading to SXSW this year. After making the outing to Austin the last two years, we’ve decided to sit this one out. However, that doesn’t mean we don’t have opinions on the bands that are performing at this year’s shindig. And, since we reside in New York City, most of the must-see SXSW acts usually make their way to our podunk town at some time or another anyway. This year, we’re particularly excited about some of the female-fronted groups and women artists that are coming up through the ranks. Below, you’ll find 10 must see acts we hope you’ll seek out whether it be at SXSW or when they play a venue near you.

Aussie Guitar Girl Wonder: Stella Donnelly

Recently signed to Secretly Canadian, Stella Donnelly has been plotting world domination from her current home in the burbs of Western Australia. She has a critically acclaimed EP, Thrush Metal, to her credit, and her appearance at SXSW marks the start of an extensive tour that includes stops in North America and Europe. Much like fellow Aussie artist Courtney Barnett, Donnelly’s songs are born out of her witty observations of people and relationships.

SXSW Shows:
Wednesday, March 14
1:30pm – Cheer Up Charlies (AdHoc SXSW unofficial showcase)
4pm – The Sidewinder
10pm – The Townsend (FOCUS Wales showcase)

Thursday, March 15
3pm – Clive Bar (SMILF series SXSW party)
Barracuda (Secretly Canadian SXSW Showcase)

Friday, March 16
1:30pm – The Blackheart (NoiseTrade/The Current SXSW day party)
4:35pm – Lucille Patio Lounge (BIGSOUND Brunch)

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Ex-lovers Make Musical Sparks: Lola Marsh

The duo behind Lola Marsh took lemons and turned them into lemonade. Starting out as a romantic couple, after their relationship went sour this Tel Aviv-dwelling pair decided to channel their energy and raw emotions into writing and recording an album together. Punctuated by Yael Cohen’s sultry vocals, this combo rise above the fray.

SXSW Shows:
Tuesday, March 13th
9pm – The Blackheart (Rosquatch Showcase)

Wednesday, March 14th
6am – KGSR Morning Broadcast at The W Hotel
2pm – Lustre Pearl (Twix Duo House)
4pm – Banger’s Sausage House & Beer Garden (Culture Collide/Stubhub Showcase)

Thursday, March 15th
11pm – Maggie Mae’s (France Rocks/Bureau Export)

Friday, March 16th
4:30pm – Whole Foods (Southwest Invasion)
6pm – Tiniest Bar in Texas (Best Lil Big Fest)

Saturday, March 17
1pm – Austin Convention Center (International Day Stage)
5:30pm – Swan Dive (Rosquatch – A Hairy Sweaty SXSW Day Party)

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Young and Talented: Soccer Mommy

With her debut LP Clean, Sophie Allison, who goes by the musical pseudonym Soccer Mommy, demonstrates that for someone so young, she really has her act together. A product of Nashville’s DIY scene, the 20-year-old singer/songwriter dropped out of NYU to focus on her musical career after a series of her bedroom recordings attracted attention. Allison subsequently went into the studio with a full band in tow and producer Gabe Wax (War On Drugs) on the knobs and churned out Clean, an admirable and emotionally hefty first effort. The album was released earlier this month via Fat Possum.

SXSW Shows:
Wednesday, March 14th
2pm – Container Bar (Doc Marten)

Thursday, March 15th
3pm -The Sidewinder (Noise Pop / Another Planet / DotheBay)
6pm – Fader Fort

Friday, March 16th
12pm – Cheer Up Charlie’s (Brooklyn Vegan)
4pm – Space24Twenty (Urban Outfitters #UOLive Stage)
9:30pm – Cheer Up Charlie’s (Ad Hoc (Official))

Saturday, March 17th
3pm – Hotel San Jose (South by San Jose)

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Rage Against the Russian Machine: Pussy Riot

Pussy Riot aren’t exactly new on the scene, but they only recently started doing live shows, which they describe as being more akin to political rallies. Sharing the stage with other activists and artists, the Russian feminist art collective’s goal is to energize people to take action. SXSW is only one stop on the group’s tour list that includes appearances at the Treefort Music Fest, Hangout Festival, and Boston Calling, as well as west coast club dates. And, just last week, they released a collaboration with Dave Sitek (TV on the Radio), “Bad Apples”.

SXSW Shows:
Tuesday, March 13th
7:15pm – The Main (SXSW opening show)

Wednesday, March 14th
12am – The Belmont (SXSW Lennon Bus)

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Matador’s Special Delivery: Snail Mail

Matador sure knows a leading lady when they hear one. Affiliated with female powerhouses such as Cat Power, Julien Baker, Savages, Kim Gordon, Neko Case, Liz Phair, Mary Timony, and Sleater-Kinney, the label has cemented its place in the history of women in rock. So, when they started touting Snail Mail, the moniker of 18-year-old Lindsey Jordan, we knew this lady must be pretty darn special. She is currently touring off the power of her EP Habit, and has earned praise for her shredding skills, which she picked up from her guitar teacher, Mary Timony.

SXSW Shows:
Tuesday, March 13th
6pm – Kinda Tropical

Wednesday, March 14th
5:30pm – Cheer Up Charlies
12:30am – Barracuda

Thursday, March 15th
1:30pm – Sidewinder
4:30pm – Fader Fort
9pm – Clive Bar

Friday, March 16th
1:15pm – Barracuda

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London Lady Rockers: Goat Girl

Goat Girl hit up SXSW in advance of the release of their self-titled debut LP that drops April 6 via Rough Trade Records. Part of the South London music scene that is home to such acts as Fat White Family, Sorry, and Shame, this all-female foursome are here to rock.

SXSW Shows:
Wednesday, March 14th
2:45pm – Hotel Vegas (Desert Daze)
12am – Seven Grand (DIY Showcase)

Thursday, March 15th
5:35pm – Hotel Vegas (Levitation)
12am – Latitude 30 (British Music Embassy)

Friday March 16th
12:15pm – Cedar St. Courtyard (FLOODFest)
10pm – Cheer Up Charlie’s (AdHoc official showcase)

Saturday March 17th
12:15pm – Barracuda (Do512’s The Big One)
3pm – Weather Up (Thrasher x Converse Death Match)

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The Kick-Ass Drummer from Down Under: G Flip

After drumming in other people’s bands, Melbourne’s Georgia Flipo decided to strike out on her own. A few short weeks ago, the multi-instrumentalist posted her debut single “About You” on triple j’s Unearthed website, and now she’s blowing up. The song went to #1 on the Viral Spotify charts in Australia and is climbing the charts in the US. Proudly young, queer and female, Flipo, who likes to go by G Flip, is definitely one to keep tabs on. She’ll be playing a whopping eight sets at SXSW.

SXSW Shows:
Tuesday, March 13th
6pm – Lustre Pearl (Twitter House)
10pm – Pearl St Co-Op (Transgressive)

Wednesday, March 14th
5pm – The Sidewinder (Secret Sounds)
10pm – Empire Garage (Neon Gold)

Thursday, March 15th
4pm – The Mohawk (Paradigm Party)
8pm – Lucille’s (Future Classic)

Friday, March 16th
11pm – Cheer Up Charlie’s (AdHoc)

Saturday, March 17th
1:45pm – Cheer Up Charlie’s (Brooklyn Vegan Showcase)

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Getting to the Soul of It: Mattiel

Signed to Burger Records, Mattiel’s stunning debut self-titled LP came out in the fall of 2017. Her soulful rock n’ rock sound is almost born of another time and she cites Screamin’ Jay Hawkins, Andre 3000, Marc Bolan, Sister Rosetta Tharpe, The Staple Singers and Jack White as influences. After SXSW, she’ll play gigs in Nashville and her hometown of Atlanta before heading to Europe in May for a run of shows.

SXSW Shows:
Thursday, March 15th
5pm – Hotel San Jose
11pm – Continental Club

Friday, March 16th
9:30pm – Hotel Vegas (Burgermania VII)

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Nico-Tinged Pop: Girl Ray

While Goat Girl is representing for the South London music scene, North London has Girl Ray holding its torch. A youthful trio weaned on Pavement, Bowie, The Beach Boys, The Beatles, ABBA and Neutral Milk Hotel, Girl Ray are a decidedly more poppy affair than the South London Girls. Musical philanthropist Marc Riley took a shine to Girl Ray’s musical radiance, and the group were subsequently signed to Moshi Moshi and released their debut LP Earl Grey last year. Now, they are hoping their brand of Nico-tinged pop translates this side of the Atlantic. The group’s stop at SXSW comes amid a North American tour opening for Domino Records darling Porches.

SXSW Shows
Wednesday, March 14
11:30pm – Barracuda (Ground Control Touring)

Thursday, March 15
4pm – Cheer Up Charlies (Brooklynvegan)
11pm – Latitude 30 (British Music Embassy)

Friday, March 16
1pm – Container Bar (Dr. Martens)
3pm – Mohawk (Mohawk Party)
6pm – Lazarus Brewing Company (Music for Listeners)

Saturday, March 17
8pm – Maggie Mae’s Rooftop (Co-Sign)

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Bloomin’ Fun: Caroline Rose

Caroline Rose is just what the doctor ordered for 2018. February saw the release of her darkly comedic sophomore LP Loner, which she co-produced along with Paul Butler (Hurray for the Riff Raff). Now, she’s out on an extensive North American tour that includes several shows at SXSW. All hail this powerhouse, who is wholly unpredictable and absolutely lovable.

Wednesday, March 14
4pm – Austin Beer Garden Brewing Co.
9pm – Banger’s (StubHub Next Stage)

Thursday, March 15
4pm – Waterloo Records
11pm – Empire Control Room (Vinyl Me, Please: Rising)

Friday, March 16
2pm – San Jose Hotel
4pm – YETI Flagship
9pm – Antone’s (New West Official Showcase)

Saturday, March 17
12:30pm – Stubb’s (Rachel Ray Day Party)
4pm – Licha’s Cantina (Brooklyn Country Cantina)

Image above of Stella Donnelly by Evie Mackay