Despite the influx of marquee talent like Jay-Z, Kanye West and Lady Gaga, there’s still plenty of up-and-coming artists to discover at SXSW. It’s tough to follow all the music that’ll shake up Austin this year, but it’s worth checking out which Latino acts will leave their marks.
Here’s your primer on some don’t-miss Latino acts – along with some bands from Spain – to keep your SXSW festival ear and eye on.
Apolo
Credit: APOLOMXTV / YouTube
As straightforward a rock n’ roll band as they come, the Mexico-city based crew resurrects early-Sabbath vibes on jams like “La Noche.”
Honorable Mention: Agoraphobia
Bomba Estéreo
Credit: Nacional Records / YouTube
With appearances in ’09, ’10 and ’12, the electronic-based Colombian outfit is a SXSW regular, bringing their cumbia-fueled “Fuego” to the U.S. festival scene.
Honorable mention: Buenaparte
Centavrvs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4I-93_i_E7Y
Credit: SXSW / YouTube
With corrido sensibilities and chilled-out synth productions, the innovators of Centavrvs blend an iconic Mexican sound with the modern global dance scene.
Honorable mention: Chancha Via Ciruito
Dos Santos: Anti-Beat Orquesta
Credit: aguzate / YouTube
These “musical omnivores” might hail from Chicago, but they’ll tell you their backgrounds in indie, rock, afrobeat and jazz trickle down from the Cumbia glue revived in their overall sound.
Honorable mention: Deers
El Freaky
Credit: Canal de ElFreakyColectivo / YouTube
With generous support from Diplo, Bogota’s El Freaky Collective staples together a pastiche of Afro-Caribbean musical lore onto a backbone of EDM and booty bass.
Honorable Mention: Él Mató A Un Policía Motorizado
Felipe El Hombre
Credit: Felipe El Hombre / YouTube
They call these guys Latin Rock, but short of their Spanish vocals, these guys grind a psyched-out, garage-rock sound you expect to hear in Austin, making SXSW a perfect fit.
Gina Chavez
Credit: MusicVideoRace / YouTube
If you’ve caught onto the whole culture-mashing motif going on here, then consider this multi-ethnic songstress’ pop take on Mexican roots music.
Honorable mention: Ghost Magnet Roach Motel
Homeboy Sandman
Credit: Stones Throw / YouTube
Rapper Angel Del Villar II is a native New Yorker (via Queens) but the Dominican and Puerto Rican roots of his immigrant parents shape an honest sound that knows no boundaries.
Ibeyi
Credit: Ibeyi / YouTube
Twin sisters Lisa-Kaindé and Naomi Diaz come from Paris, but their Afro-Cuban roots are on full display. Their indie/electronic sound was recently noticed by the A&R minds at XL Recordings.
Honorable mention: Irene Diaz
Juan Pablo Vega
Credit: Juan Pablo Vega / YouTube
Go ahead and coin the nickname “Juan Legend” for this buttery pop vocalist out of Colombia, because he’s going to be melting hearts in Austin come March.
Honorable mention: Javier Escovedo and the City Lights
La Gaucha
Credit: Twitsessions / YouTube
A bombshell frontwoman makes no difference in the sound, but this Chilean quartet brings a dose of sexy to Austin. Look for some Latino-style bumpin’ and grindin’ on the dance floor.
Macaco
Credit: MacacoOficialVEVO / YouTube
These guys bring together people from Brazil, Cameroon, Sweden, Venezuela and Spain, a perfect fit at a festival that celebrates the positivity of music.
Honorable Mention: Matias Cena
Oso Leone
Credit: Oso Leone / YouTube
Spaniards Carles Baena and Abel Suárez produce an inventive post-rock sound that could be from anywhere. The band is one of the least bound by cultural roots to hit SXSW this year.
Honorable Mention: O Amor Existe
Percance
Credit: PercanceTV / YouTube
SXSW wouldn’t be the same without a few Ticos in the mix. That’s exactly what the uptempo pop punk/reggae/roots outfit Percance brings to this year’s fabulously diverse lineup.
Honorable Mention: Pommez Internacional
Quantic
Credit: Silvina Sodero / YouTube
British-born Will Holland has 15 studio albums to his credit, with much of that output grounded in a soulful blend of Latin-influenced electronic music that never ceases to entertain.
Raquel Sofia
Credit: NPR Music / YouTube
After a career backing the likes of Juanes and Shakira, this gifted Puertorriqueña has spread her wings and taken center stage with force.
Sonido San Francisco
Credit: Sonido San Francisco / YouTube
Psychedelic tropical electronic music isn’t a figment of your imagination, it comes in the form of this quasi-ravey cumbia music group making an appearance at this year’s SXSW.
Honorable Mention: Sexores
Txarango
Credit: Txarango Oficial / YouTube
If you’re looking to sway, mosh, dance or see an all-around party of a stage-show, be sure to keep your eye out for this Barcelona-based reggae/pop/latin rock/salsa fusion band.
Honorable Mention: Twin Shadow
URSS Bajo el Árbol
Credit: URSSbajoelarbolTV / YouTube
This experimental music project began in 2009 in the heart of DF and helped shape Mexico’s bustling indie rock scene with a sound reminiscent of In Rainbows-era Radiohead and Porter.
Zionstereo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRB3oD62TCY
Credit: SXSW / YouTube
Zionstereo’s anthemic shoutout to Colombia’s Cali combines the country’s local rhythms with the communicative power of hip-hop.
Honorable Mention: Zalama Crew
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