Guide to Free SXSW Concerts 2024

Don’t miss out on any SXSW fun! From big name headliners to the newest up-and-comers, this guide has you covered with the best free SXSW events in Austin.

Rolling Stone Future of Music 

The second-annual Future of Music showcase, hosted by Rolling Stone, features 20 artists over four consecutive nights. Although SXSW Badge and Wristband holders receive priority admission, those without a credential may RSVP for the event. RSVP admission is first-come-first-serve, so be sure to get there early for the best chance of seeing your favorite artist.

Future of Music Showcase Schedule

• Tuesday, March 12 | Teezo Touchdown, Veeze, Lola Brooke, and Chase Shakur

• Wednesday, March 13 | Peso Pluma, Young Miko, Kevin Kaarl, J Noa, and Pink Pablo

• Thursday, March 14 | Preacher, Pheelz, Flo Milli, Uncle Waffles, Black Sherif, and Flyana Boss

• Friday, March 15 | Faye Webster, Red Clay Strays, Scowl, Dylan Gossett, and Jackie Venson

Marshall Funhouse

See Texas-based bands The Black Angels, Strange Joy, Pelvis Wrestley, and more at Marshall Funhouse. The carnival-themed festival boasts three days of music, food and fun for attendees. RSVP for 3-day GA admission, which is subject to capacity. SXSW credentials are prioritized for nighttime showcases (7pm-2am).

Marshall Funhouse Showcase Schedule

• Wednesday, March 13th | Frank Turner and The Sleeping Souls. Shannon and the Clams, Sparta, Die Spitz, Oh He Dead, Yaya Bey, Asha Imuno, Lambrini Girls, Skinny Lister, Spyres, Chameleon Lime Whoopiepie, Redbud, School of Rock

• Thursday, March 14th | Dry Cleaning, Therapy?, SPECIAL GUEST, Provoker, Snõõper, Dream, Nails, Kid Bookie, Noah and the Loners, Font, Farmer’s Wife, King Nun, School of Rock

• Friday, March 15th | The Black Angels, The Armed, Fugitive, Balthvs, Being Dead, Cumgirl8, Trauma Ray, Pelvis Wrestley, Gel, End It, Cactus Lee, Strange Joy, School of Rock

FLOODfest

Flood Magazine takes over Mohawk for its eighth-annual FLOODfest on March 14th. Artists from around the world are performing across two stages, making it a must-see event. Doors are at 11am, and admission is first-come, first-serve based on capacity for both SXSW badge holders and the public. RSVP here!

FLOODfest Showcase Schedule

• Thursday, March 14th | Chromeo, Hinds, Kneecap, Estevie, Fat Dog, NewDad, Porij, Caleb Landry Jones, J Noa, Viji, wilt, Gareth Donkin
  

Antone’s Presents: SXSW Lafeyette Sheauxkaze

An RSVP to this cajun music showcase at Antone’s gets you free boiled seafood and a free drink! Come early to get it while it lasts. Admission is 21+.

• Saturday, March 16th | Amis Du Teche, Dwayne Dopsi & The Zydeco Hellraisers, Lost Bayou Ramblers, Sick Ride, and Brother Dege. Doors open at 7pm.

Lafayette Live 

Head over to South Congress for more boiled seafood at C-Boys Heart & Soul! RSVP for admission (and a free drink!)

Lafayette Live Showcase

• Tuesday, March 12th | Nathan Williams & The Zydeco Cha Chas

SOCO Stomp

The second-annual SOCO Stomp includes indie favorites Michigander, Sir Woman, Sabrina Ellis and more! The five-day event features 50 artists across two stages at C-Boys Heart & Soul. 

• Wednesday, March 13th | Sabrina Ellis, the Vices, Lamont Landers, Sugadaisy, Stereo Hum, Sir Woman, Taméca Jones, Michigander, Daniel Donato's Cosmic Country, Greyhounds

• Thursday, March 14th | the Point, the Push & Shove, Scrappy Jud Newcomb, Wonderly, Cactus Lee, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Chuck Prophet & the Mission Express

• Friday, March 15th | Theo Lawrence, Billy Allen & the Pollies, the Tender Things, Tommy Stinson, West Texas Exiles, Alejandro Escovedo, C.c. Adcock & the Lafayette Marquis ft. Tommy McLain

• Saturday, March 16th | Wonder Women of Country (Kelly Willis, Brennen Leigh, & Melissa Carper), Otis Gibbs, Star Parks, Jo Alice, Lindsay Beaver & Brad Stivers, Barfield the Tyrant

• Sunday, March 17th | Money Chicha, Jon Dee Graham & the Fighting Cocks, Kelley Mickwee, David Jimenez, Wrongbird, Shinyribs, Ian Moore, Tomar & the FCs, Lost Bayou Ramblers, Restos

National Independent Venue Association Presents The Live List Official Showcase

Presented by the National Independent Venue Association (NIVA), this 18+ event features a wide variety of artists at Antone’s. Doors open at 7pm!

The Live List Showcase

• Thursday, March 14th | Jessica L’Whor, Taylor Acorn, Lip Critic, Daniel Donato’s Cosmic Country, Brainstory, Thus Love, and Oh He Dead

Meanwhile at Colton House Hotel

This all-ages, open to the public event takes place at the Colton House Hotel, located on South Congress. Head on over for live music from 12pm-8pm daily! RSVP here.

Meanwhile at Colton House Hotel Showcase

• March 13th-16th | Daniel Donato's Cosmic Country  • Pete Bernhard • Riley Downing • The Pink Stones • The Resonant Rogues • Low Water Bridge Band • Austin Lucas • Blue Cactus • Jason Scott • Jason Dea West • Jared Deck • Josh Langston • Cole Ritter • Paisley Fields • Colton Gerny & The Paper Matches • Creekbed Carter Hogan • Yes Ma'am • Mallory Eagle • Little Foot • Ever More Nest • Secret Emchy Society • Sam Downing & The Bandits

Hotel Vegas & Volstead's 13 Year Anniversary

Come celebrate Hotel Vegas and Volstead’s 13th anniversary! Headlined by A Giant Dog, admission is first-come, first-serve. The event features happy hour specials, vendors, comedians and a drag show. Make sure to come early: the first 113 attendees get a free t-shirt from Feels So Good prints! Doors are at 2pm, RSVP here.

Hotel Vegas & Volstead Showcase

Thursday, March 7th:

• HOTEL PATIO

• 3pm - Lord Friday the 13th

• 4pm - Party Van

• 5pm - Gus Baldwin & the Sketch

• 6pm - Como las Movies

• 7pm - Holy Wave

• 8pm - Pussy Gillette

• 9pm - The Well

• 10pm - A GIANT DOG

• INSIDE VEGAS

• 6:30-8:30pm - Comedians

• 9:15pm - Mint Field

• 10:15pm - Haha Laughing

• 11pm - Billy Glitter

• 11:45pm - The Pinky Rings

• 12:30am - Trejo

• INSIDE VOLSTEAD

• 6:30pm - Vixens of Volstead Drag Show

• 8:00pm - No Kid$

• 9:00pm - DJ Boyfriend

• 10:00pm - DJ Bad Apple

• 11:00pm - Orion Garcia

• 12:30am - uLOVEi

East By Eastciders

30 bands across two stages will perform at Austin Eastciders for free! The event includes food vendors, drink specials, and ciders galore. Doors open at noon! RSVP here.

East By Eastciders Showcase

Wednesday, March 13th:

• Brooklyn Stage:

• 12:15-12:40pm Pamphlets

• 12:55-1:20pm Pons

• 1:35-2:00pm Mary Shelley

• 2:15-2:40pm WifeKnife

• 2:55-3:20pm Strawberry Launch

• 3:45-4:10pm Tetchy

• 4:25-4:50pm Joudy

• 5:05-5:30pm Dead Tooth

• 5:45-6:10pm Miranda and The Beat

• 6:25-6:50pm Native Sun

• 7:05-7:30pm Gnarcisists

• 7:45-8:10pm A Very Special Episode

• 8:25-8:50 Endearments

• 9:05-9:30 Big Girl

• 9:45-10:10 The Truth Experiment

• Around the World Stage:

• 12:05-12:30pm HMS Morris - Whales

• 12:45-1:10pm Psychic Death - Atlanta

• 1:25-1:50pm Hause Plants - Portugal

• 2:05-2:30pm Veronica Bianqui (LA/London)

• 2:45-3:10pm Bolero! - San Francisco

• 3:25-3:50pm Dust - Australia

• 4:05-4:30pm The Macks - Portland

• 4:45-5:10pm Chavez Cartel - Australia

• 5:25-5:50pm Brian Tell & The Lovemakers - Austin, Texas

• 6:05-6:30pm Colatura

• 6:45-7:10 High Waisted

• 7:15-7:40 Wetsuit

• 7:55-8:20 Frida Kill

• 8:35-9pm Nihiloseros

• 9:15-9:40 Shop Talk

SXSW Community Concerts at Lady Bird Lake

Located in the heart of Austin at Lady Bird Lake’s Auditorium Shores, the family-friendly concert series features 16 artists over three days. Be sure to bring a blanket (and sunscreen) for the outdoor event. Doors open at 2pm! No RSVP required.

Community Concerts Showcase:

• Thursday, March 14th 

•  3 p.m. — Joe “King” Carrasco

• 3:45 p.m. — Patrice Pike & Friends

• 4:30 p.m. — Ian Moore

• 5:25 p.m. — Vallejo

• 6:30 p.m. — Bob Schneider

• Friday, March 15th

• Bootsy Collins

• ZAPP!

• Riders Against The Storm

• Saturday, March 16th

• 3 p.m. — The Dinosaur’s Skin

• 3:30 p.m. — Sabrina Ellis & Andrew Cashen from A Giant Dog

• 4 p.m. — Storey Littleton

• 4:30 p.m. — Superhero Peppermint Patti Collins

• 5 p.m. — SaulPaul

• 5:30 p.m. — Sugar Free Allstars

• 6 p.m. — Parker Woodland

• 6:30 p.m. — Waco Brothers

South By San Jose

Located at the San Jose hotel on South Congress, South By San Jose returns for its 25th anniversary. Music kicks off at noon daily, and admission is always free! No RSVP required. Make sure to drink some Topo Chicos and enjoy some good company at this local favorite!

• March 13th-17th | Alejandro Escovedo, Gruff Rhys, Shannon And The Clams, Golden Dawn Arkestra, Madi Diaz, Seafoam Walls, Billy Allen + The Pollies, Sinkane, Hinds, Friko, Cardinals, Ciovannie And The Hired Guns, The South Hill Experiment, Forest Claudette, Lamont Landers, Snacktime, Reyna Tropical, Cumgirl8, Jobi Riccio, Snooper, Beharie, Me Nd Adam, The Belair Lip Bombs, The Tiarras, Pratt & Moody, Neptune’s Core, Girl And Cirl, Dylan Leblanc, Wishy, Sisi