Continuing our reviews at SWXW conference and festivals, we kicked off early again, and it turned out to be a decision we didn’t regret. Let’s delve into what captivated us on days 3 and 4.
Day 3:
GROCERY BAG
This young punk pop band kicks if the day off at noon. They look like teenagers but it’s great to hear this genre of music returning finally!! They have a promising future.
Rating: 4 stars
VERA ELLEN
Interesting Kiwi 3 piece that’s part shoe gaze part Kate Bush! An unusual combo. On one song there is a lovely he /she vocal dynamic between the lead singer and the drummer. They end the set with a love song called It’s Your Birthday which is a perfect ending
Rating: 3.5 stars
ILA BARKER
This folk soul artist from Winnipeg doesn’t fail to disappoint her unique voice stands out from the pack. Her image is cool quirky cowgirl which sits perfectly with her music. A star in the making.
Rating: 4.5 stars
TAMI NEILSON
This is the real deal in country music. Backed with her brother it’s a beautiful experience. Powerhouse vocals and stage presence in abundance. Not surprisingly she is performing at Willie Nelson’s Ranch this week and he dueted with her on her last album. Now she should be on a global stage in her own right.
Rating: 5 stars
JOYER
Well, I can officially say a shoe-gazing movement is on the way back! This low-fi indie outfit consists of two brothers who hail from NYC. The band most importantly have tunes alongside beautiful guitar riffs.
Rating: 4.5 stars
LADY APPLE TREE
Twee crap 💩 Though beautiful voice, lyrically it made me sick.
Rating: 2 stars
Horse Jumper of Love
Melodic low-fi indie guitar band perform to a capacity room and do not disappoint reminiscent of The Eels.
Rating: 4 stars
Chaii
She is born to be a star! This unusual artist crosses boundaries with her mix of pop, hip hop and Indian vibes.
Rating: 5 stars
Hotel Mira
Indie scissor sisters blended with Electric Six. Amazing frontman reminiscent of Michael Hutchence from INXS which is a brilliant thing!
Great tunes, seriously good 😊
One of the best of the week.
Arenas will beckon.
Rating: 5 stars
Nyssa
Starting bravely with an acapella song that sadly didn’t pay off…
This Alt-country artist should have read the room…
Rating: 2 stars
Swallow The Rat
Scratchy rock n roll, the drummer shares lead vocals with the guitarist.
Rating: 4 stars
Mack
Hailing from Portland Oregon – this alt-rock outfit is the newest signing to Devil Duck Records. With dirty guitars mixed with a shouty vocals, this band are making a road of their own.
It’s not like anything else I’ve heard – part The Datsuns/ Subpops, The Catheters and The Clash is the closest I can get. One of the best alt-rock bands I’ve seen bar none.
The frontman is a star and they have the potential to headline huge festivals and arenas across the world
Rating: 5 stars
LUXANDRA
Fresh from Finland this young stylish pop artist looks and sounds amazing. Vocally she’s a bit like Adele except with much more interesting songs! She’s backed by a keyboard player and drummer.
She even premiered a brand new song here which sounds like a hit!
She’s for sure someone who could conquer the charts around the world as much as she did the full room at SXSW.
A future star.
Rating: 4.5 stars
Blind Channel
This Finnish rock band are fucking amazing in my opinion, one of the best around. They are NOT the typical Finnish rock band… Songs are incredible front man hot and charismatic. The band are awesome musicians. They are a stadium band in the making.
Rating: 5 stars
Milas
Welsh Rock punk act that has an amazing stage presence! They get the crowd pogoing when one of the members joins the audience! Songs style and attitude that cut through and make them one of my favourites all week.
Rating 5 stars
Day 4
Flewnt & Inkabee
Aboriginal Father and son act that tackles their heritage head on with their lyrics. This is a serious duo that has the potential to stand out in music. Inkabee is only 11 years old and a real talent.
He performed a song called Beat The Odds and my guess is they will do just that and have global success.
Rating: 5 stars
Anna Smyrk
She said that she was performing today with a supergroup of Aussie musicians who were all dressed in mustard. She sounds really great and looks like a star. She’s a mix of folk and alt-country telling stories with each song. There is an amazing violinist who elevates the overall sound making it extra special.
Rating: 4.5
Keenan Te
This Melbourne-based soulful pop artist emotes beautifully. As an Asian Australian he stands out from the crowd and he has amassed over a million streams on TikTok.
Rating: 4 stars
WILLIAM SINGE
With 20 million views on YouTube, this young artist has a great starting point to make it globally. His voice is beautiful but I would have preferred to hear all of his own music rather than any covers…as his own is great! One of the tracks sounds like a Michael Jackson ballad and that’s a good thing! All killers no fillers.
Rating: 4.5 stars
Jess Cornelius
This artist is clearly a phenomenal talent.
Musically she’s very interesting with a voice to match. Supercool dark tunes paired with beguiling vocals shes set to be massive! For fans of The Pretenders, Patti Smith and Kate Bush.
Rating: 5 stars
MIA JUNE
The young singer-songwriter is a rising star. Engaging presence and interesting lyrics. She could be the next Stella Donnelly.
Rating: 4.5 stars
The Belair Lip Bombs
Whimsical indie pop at its finest. With one of the best new names I’ve heard.
Rating 4.5 stars
Ivoris
Gorgeous songs! The artist has a cutesy voice and kooky dress sense makes this artist shine.
Rating: 5 stars
LA SECURITE
Much hyped Canadian act quickly proves the hype is real. Cool memorable songs combined with a visually interesting band and lead vocalist that works the crowd beautifully could see the band cement their home success as overseas stars too.
Rating: 4.5 stars
Bee Bee Sea
Early Jam mixed with punk undertones and PIL makes this alt indie punk band an interesting proposition. With catchy tracks alongside interesting vocals, this band stands out as one to watch. They are poised to be the next best Italian export.
Rating: 4.5 stars
