Seenachan of the Japanese band Tokyo Syoki Syodo performs the Mohawk at SXSW Tuesday March 11, 2025.
Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman
The South by Southwest Festival and Conference has officially returned to Austin. If you’ve opted not to buy a badge this year, you can still have an exciting experience filled with the fest’s free concerts. From Porchella to Austin Blues Fest, here are 20 badge-free showcases you should hit this SXSW.
Read more: No SXSW badge? The best free events you can attend during spring break in Austin
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Heartless Bastards play during the South by Southwest Music Festival earlier this year. They’re part of a benefit concert lineup in October.
Jay Janner / American-Statesman
March 11: BMI Presents ‘Howdy Texas’
BMI, a music rights organization with an Austin office, is hosting its annual “Howdy Texas” party at Güeros Taco Bar with six Texas-based artists. Performers include Claire Hinkle, Elijah Delgado, Magna Carda, Matt Kirk and the Güeyfarers, MackMartin and the 4411. Doors open at 1 p.m.
Info: 440 E. St Elmo Rd. — bmi.com
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March 11: Porchella 2026
The fifth annual Porchella returns to Hyde Park, hosted on the front porch of Austin band the Reverent Few’s home. Free and open to the public, this picnic-style concert will feature more than 15 artists. Attendees are encouraged to bring drinks, food, lawn chairs and blankets. A $25 donation is suggested.
Info: E. 41st St. and Barrow Ave. — eventbrite.com
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Éliane Viens-Synnott, middle, of the Canadian dance-punk band La Securite performs at Hotel Vegas during SXSW Tuesday March 11, 2025.
Jay Janner/American-Statesman
March 12: Hotel Vegas & Volstead Lounge’s 15th Anniversary
Hotel Vegas and the Volstead Lounge celebrate their 15th anniversary with a 12-hour live music marathon to kick off their Spring Break Boogie. Headliners include Surfbort and Osees, along with performances by American Sharks, Holy Wave, J’cuuzi, the Bad Lovers, Haha Laughing, Amplified Heat, Gus Baldwin & the Sketch, Tear Dungeon, Grocery Bag, Kind Keith, Queen Serene, Magic Rockers of Texas and Prehuman.
The event is free until 5 p.m. and includes a “Vixens of Volstead” drag show, DJs, vintage market and live screen printing throughout the day. The first 115 attendees will receive a free T-shirt.
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Info: 21 and up, 1502 E. 6th St. — texashotelvegas.com
March 12: Austin Rhythm Revival at San Jac Saloon
The 5th annual Austin Rhythm Revival returns with an Americana music showcase featuring the Last Real Circus, Gasoline Gypsies, Louie Lee, Maya Manuela, Caleb Michael and the Arrested, Alex Cano, Jacki Daniels, Jonathan Paige Brown Jr. and many more. Event begins at noon.
Info: 21 and up, 300 E. 6th St. — eventbrite.com
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March 12-15: 101x Day Parties
Local radio station 101.5 FM is setting up shop at the Inn Cahoots rooftop for four days of free performances, exclusive artist interviews and more. Follow their official channels for updates on the official lineup.
Info: 1221 E. 6th St. — 101x.com
March 12-13: YETI Music Showcase
Presented by BMI, the YETI Music Showcase is a free, two-day event at YETI’s South Congress flagship store. Performers include Datura, the Tullamarines, Avery Cochran, Easy Honey, the Sophs, Timmy Skelly and Meek on day one. Raynes, Grocery Bag, the Pink Stones, Joshua Ray Walker and more perform on day two. Music runs from 1 p.m. to 6:40 p.m. both days.
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Info: 220 S. Congress Ave. — bmi.com
March 12-14: South By San José
Since 2000, Hotel San José has hosted its annual SXSW showcase in the parking lot it shares with Jo’s Coffee on South Congress Avenue. The free, public event returns this year with live music, local vendors and more. 2026’s lineup includes Charlie Sexton Quartet, Devotchka, Tune-Yards, Sugaree & Cold Sweat, Sana Sana, Bricknasty, Karma Sheen, the Animeros, the Band Loula, the Sophs, Diles Que No Me Maten, Jo Alice, Next of Kin, Whitelands, Okan, Grocery Bag, Me An Tol, Calder Allen, Angela Autumn, Horsepower, Still Blank, Ella Ion, the Bures Band and Valley Flower.
Info: 1316 S. Congress Ave. — bunkhousehotels.com
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March 12-18: Radio Day Stage and Global Stage
Each year, SXSW partners with radio stations nationwide to program live music on the “Radio Day Stage,” which will be located inside the Music Clubhouse at the Downright Austin this year. As evening approaches, programming shifts to the “Global Stage,” showcasing international artists across multiple genres. This is a great opportunity to catch some of the best up-and-coming artists at the festival.
March 13: KUTX’s SXSBreaks
KUTX’s The Breaks, a hip-hop radio show hosted by Confucius and Fresh, is taking over Lefty’s Brick Bar for a free showcase with DJ Road Warrior, Faaris, Foolish Ty, LouisV.T/, Projectbaby JV, Los Kemet, Blackchyl, Anastasia Hera, Kydd Jones and J Soulja. Music runs from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.
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Info: 1813 E. 6th St. — kutx.org
March 13-15: Flatstock Poster Show
The Poster Institute brings its Flatstock poster exhibition to the Moonlight Exhibit Hall at the Austin Marriott Downtown. It will host hand-printed and limited-edition poster art by over 50 artists and studios from around the world, with prints selling for around $25 to $50. The event also features daily lectures, live print demonstrations, giveaways and music.
Info: 304 E. Cesar Chavez St. — sxsw.com
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March 14: Stoner Jam at the Far Out Lounge
The Canadian dance-punk band La Securite performs at Hotel Vegas during SXSW Tuesday March 11, 2025.
Jay Janner/American-Statesman
This year’s Stoner Jam will host more than 20 heavy rock bands across three stages, a vendor market and more. Performers include Duel, Crypt Trip, Amplified Heat, Warlung, Bridge Farmers, Doomboyz, Temptress, Oogwei and more. Music begins at 2 p.m.
Info: All ages, 8504 S. Congress Ave. — thefaroutaustin.com
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March 14: ¡Ay 35 Fiesta Eterno!
¡Ay 35 Fiesta Eterno! presented by Lone Star Beer is a free show taking place at the White Horse from noon to 6 p.m. featuring Girl in A Coma, Garrett T. Capps & NASA Country, the Hickoids, Los Juanos, the In and Outlaws, Lonely Horse and HoneyBunny.
Info: 500 Comal St. — do512.com
March 14: South By South Emo at Fast Friends
South By South Emo invites you to skip the badge and party like a local. Performers include Glass Mansions, Chancla Fight Club and emo cover band Jimmy Eat Brisket. Party starts at 6 p.m.
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Info: All ages, 7313 N. I-35 Frontage Rd. — eventbrite.com
March 15: Peelander Fest 2026 at Zilker Brewing Co.
Headlined by Peelander-Z, the lineup also includes CorMae, Sultanes Del Yonne, mypilotis, Department, Grrrl Gang, Kev Bev and the Woodland and Snail Mate. The event will also have live art from Peelander Yellow, dearninja, the Death Head and ponopinto as well as live screen printing by Billy Bishop. Music is from noon to 6 p.m. and the first 100 people get a free tote bag.
Info: All ages, 1701 E. 6th St. — zilkerbeer.com
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March 16: The Rendezvous in ATX at Sahara Lounge
The Rendezvous is an independent music showcase presented by Urban Eclectic Internet Radio Station and RhythmAndSoulRadio.com. Performances start at 5 p.m. and feature Mama Moon & the Rump Shakers, WhoIsDXVII, AVO, Beautiful Phnix, Dominique Smith, Uptown RoyaltyNYC, Kelsey Muse, T.R.A.N.E. Spitta and Xayeknow.
Info: 21 and up, 1413 Webberville Rd. — eventbrite.com
March 16: Marshall Day Party at Mohawk
Joe Carroll of The Manchester, England, band Maruja, performs at the Marshall day party at the Mohawk at SXSW Wednesday March 12, 2025.
Jay Janner/American-Statesman
Marshall’s unofficial SXSW day party returns to Mohawk from noon to 6 p.m. The event will feature live music, screen printing by FSG Prints, a Waterloo Records pop-up, food, drinks and more. The year’s lineup includes Water From Your Eyes, This Is Lorelei, Rocket, Meg Elsier, Cure For Paranoia, Diles Que No Me Maten, Ashaine White, Total Wife, Bloodsports, Gran Moreno, Almost Heaven and World’s Worst. You can RSVP now before space fills up.
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Info: 912 Red River St. — etix.com
March 16: Flak Records Showcase
Flak Records hosts its official SXSW showcase at Zilker Brewing Co., featuring Larry Seaman, Eric Hisaw Band, Parker Woodland and Little Wilderness. SXSW badge and wristband holders receive priority entrance at 7 p.m., but you can RSVP now for this free show now.
Info: 1701 E. 6th St. — partiful.com
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March 17: Penny Loafer PR Showcase
Penny Loafer PR presents its official SXSW showcase at Zilker Brewing Co., featuring Grocery Bag, Otis Wilkins, the Bures Band, Mariae Cassandra and the Tullamarines. SXSW badge and wristband holders receive priority entrance at 7 p.m., but RSVPs are open now for this free event.
Info: 1701 E. 6th St. — partiful.com
March 18-22: SoCo Stomp at C-Boy’s Heart & Soul
The unofficial SXSW showcase is back, bringing 50 bands to C-Boy’s Heart & Soul over five days. Performances take place on both indoor and outdoor stages, with food available for Halal Y’all ATX Weird Food Truck and El Patio.
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Info: 2008 S. Congress Ave. — socostomp.com
March 18: Austin Blues Fest & Antone’s Forever Day Party at Antone’s
CJ Chenier and The Red Hot Louisiana Band perform at Antone’s 50th celebration in Austin, Tuesday, July 15, 2025.
Mikala Compton, Austin American-Statesman
Austin Blues Fest and Antone’s Forever host their second-annual SXSW Day Party. Performers include CJ Chenier & the Red Hot Louisiana Band, Adrian Quesada’s Trio Asesino, Gypsy Mitchell, Keith Frank & the Soileau Zydeco Band, Monica Valli, Eve Monsees & Friends with Steve Bell and more. The event runs from noon to 6 p.m. and includes complimentary food and drinks, activations and prize raffles.
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Info: 305 E. 5th St. — eventbrite.com