Austin’s ACL Live at the Moody Theater was once again where the stars of tomorrow came out, earlier this month, as Rolling Stone’s Future of Music Showcase at SXSW took over the famed Texas venue for the third straight year. For four nights, fans packed into the 2,750-capacity Moody to …
Read More »No, the SXSW Music Festival Is Not Dead
Reports of SXSW’s demise have been greatly exaggerated. Despite headlines circulating online on Monday suggesting that the music component of the annual festival in Austin, Texas, is all but dead for 2026, organizers tell Rolling Stone that live music will be well-represented next year. “We will be programming music across …
Read More »The Best of SXSW Day Five: Charley Crockett, Wifigawd, Fantasy of a Broken Heart
And then it was Saturday. SXSW 2025’s week-long music festivities closed out with another night of great shows from up-and-comers, established stars, and veteran acts writing new chapters. Join us for one more recap before we say goodbye ’til next year, won’t you? Here are the best things we saw …
Read More »Rema Riles Up a Rowdy Crowd of Afrobeats Lovers To Close Out Rolling Stone's Future of Music Showcase
While Houston is the Texas town better known to serve Afrobeats lovers, Rema fans flocked to Austin for his headlining set that closed out Rolling Stone’s Future of Music showcase. Rappers Samara Cyn and Anycia, who took the stage before him, couldn’t contain their excitement for Rema’s show either — …
Read More »The Best of SXSW Day Four: St. Vincent, Jackie Venson, Grupo Frontera, and More
SXSW 2025 headed into the weekend with a Friday night full of surprises. On one stage, an under-the-radar appearance from Texas’ own St. Vincent; on another, a vaudeville performance by actor John C. Reilly‘s new creation. In every other available space in town, there were great new artists, local legends, …
Read More »Willie Nelson's 2025 Luck Reunion Was Like No Place on Earth
“Everybody’s just in the best mood and it gets better and better throughout the day,” I overheard a fan say Thursday afternoon at the 2025 Luck Reunion. His observation was spot-on. For its 13th year, the boutique festival held on Willie Nelson’s Luck Ranch in Spicewood, Texas — just outside …
Read More »Ivan Cornejo Gets Fans Into Their Feelings During Future of Music Showcase Night Three
Hours before música mexicana heartthrob Ivan Cornejo took the stage at Austin’s ACL Live at the Moody Theater, his fans had already begun to hype him up. They showed up in droves — some of them carrying the signature red roses Cornejo tends to give out during his sets — …
Read More »The Best of SXSW Day Three: Big Freedia, Lily Seabird, Sunflower Bean, and More
Some of the biggest stars at SXSW 2025 spent the festival’s third full day of music at Willie Nelson’s Luck Ranch, where everyone from Julien Baker and Torres to Jessica Simpson and Lucinda Williams all showed up. Others were at Rolling Stone‘s Future of Music showcase, where música mexicana heartthrob …
Read More »The Best of SXSW Day Two: Billy Woods, Jack's Mannequin, Man/Woman/Chainsaw, and More
A great performance at SXSW can happen anywhere: An official showcase at a downtown venue, an unofficial get-together at an East Side bar, a shindig thrown by a third-party political group, or all of the above. Here are the best things we saw on Wednesday, March 12, at SXSW 2025. …
Read More »Megan Moroney Reminds SXSW Fans That They're All Okay at Future of Music Showcase Night Two
By the time Megan Moroney sang the words, “Oh, my God, am I okay?” at Rolling Stone’s third-annual Future of Music showcase at SXSW on Wednesday night, it was clear the Georgia country star already had her answer. Moroney was far better than just “okay,” and the fans assembled at …
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