Traffic, big brands and more Californians tend to give Austin locals a negative conception of SXSW, but for music lovers it is a smorgasboard of new bands and under-appreciated genres that are suddenly thrust into tangibility. While Austin has a handful of industrial bands, SXSW 2019 is offering a plethora of global options to choose from, and if gritty gothtronica is your bag, you need to check out these five acts below. The Negative Gain showcase on March 16 at Valhalla on 710 Red River St will be a cornucopia of industrial talent worth investigating as well.

 DSTR (GER)

East-German electronic project DSTR has an all new line up with three veterans of the German electronic music scene. They are back to infuse a fresh new sound straight from the heart of post-Soviet Germany.

Odonis Odonis (CAN)

Odonis Odonis has continued to push their sound further into the depths of post-apocalyptic experimentation. The band is on their fourth LP and venturing into a starker and more dance-floor friendly space.

Gallops (UK)

Gallops has been revitalised, rejuvenated and driven to create music that has stretched their horizons, and is driven by the propulsive charge of electronic music.

Grun Wasser (Chicago)

The music of Grun Wasser is inspired by the juxtaposition of beauty and tragedy in the world. They stands in solidarity with all people who have been disenfranchised by the negligent powers of society. 

Goo Monday (AUS)

 Goo Munday is a music producer and performer from Sydney Australia. Her music is a hypnotising mix of dark electronic beats, jolting screams and ethereal vocals. 

The golden age of Houston rap (Geto Boys, Swishahouse, Screwed Up Click) may be a distant memory, despite some continuing to rep the city (Z-Ro, Paul Wall, Devin the Dude etc), yet there is a new generation (not talking about Travis Scott) that is rising to carry the torch and hold down ‘Screwston’ as a hub of quality rap. Luckily, 160 miles West from H-Town, is the largest music festival in the world, so it’s only right that SXSW gets a glimpse of the next class of powerhouse rappers emerging from the ‘City of Syrup’. Here are five up-and-comer acts that are looking to impress at SXSW 2019.

Megan Thee Stallion 

The newly crowned queen of Houston rap, Megan Thee Stallion aka Tina Snow, has incisive lyrics that are as clever as they are provocative. Young, ambitious and undeniably talented, Megan is giving Austin once last glance before she takes over the world. 

Tim Woods 

Poet, MC, flower-child, or hippy, Tim Woods has gone by a multitude of names. That alone should speak volumes about his versatility and creativity.

Doughbeezy  

Doughbeezy a.k.a The South East Beast has been exciting crowds and gaining fans since high school where he got his start doing impromptu concerts at the lunch table. Since recording his first song in 2003 Doughbeezy has continued to progress as a recording artist, live performer, and a successful brand. 

Rizzoo Rizzoo 

When it comes the infrastructure of the modern Houston sound, The Sauce Factory has played a pivotal part into the way the rest of the nation looks at Texas’ emerging soundscape. One of the X Factors in the collective that has been gaining steam is Rizzoo Rizzoo.

Doeman 

 Born and raised in Southeast Houston, Doeman’s flows are largely about his experiences as a Mexican-American man. It is no surprise, then, that his lyrics focus less on typical hip-hop subjects such as women and material possessions, and focus more on social statements and current events. 

 Some of the most intricate sounds and exciting artists will be emanating from the African continent for SXSW 2019. A diverse contingent of musicians, from every corner of Africa, will be bringing high-energy performances to Austin, and these five acts listed below are a great reason why you should get out and see them.

Kokoko! (DRC) 

Sprung from the ghetto and downtown clubs of the Congolese capital, Kinhasa, Kokoko! had to createin between the government-imposed power cuts. Strong ideas combine with DIY and constructed instruments to create a powerful and unique vehicle for their sound.

Siimba Liives Long (ETH)

A third culture kid raised in New York, New Jersey and Ethiopia, SIIMBA SELASSIIE is just as familiar with the streets as he is with the jungle. Since planting roots in Brooklyn, NY, Siimba has headlined his own national tour and supported artists like Rae Sremmurd, Ty Dolla Sign and Cam’ron.

Alternate Sound (NIG)

The band’s meticulous panache and deft instrumentation has been paired with many of the best African talents and featured on the most prestigious stages across the continent.

Jojo Abot (GHA) 

A Ghanaian artist expressing herself through music, film/photography, fashion, literature and performance art. She uses music as an ongoing project to explore the self and as a provocative tool in the discovery, exchange and evolution of her identity.

Stoneybwoy (GHA) 

Livingstone Etse Satekla is a Ghanaian Afro-pop artist, from the Volta region, who integrates dancehall and reggae influences to create an upbeat sound.

  Taiwan is an island nation that’s dwarfed by its larger neighbors like China, Japan and the Phillipines, but at the SXSW 2019, THEY are the behemoths, with an extremely talented showcase.The country has a rich music history, but having only sent ten music acts to Austin, the quality of their contingent is something to be admired. The Taiwanese showcase will take place March 13th at Elysium at 705 Red River St.

 Chiu Pi

  Avant-garde music that has an ethereal and introspective style, Chiu Pi is changing the general perception of electronic music. 

My Skin Against Your Skin 

Their music ranges from garage and psychedelic rock to electronic pop  and they use surreal plots to spin narratives.

 The Fur. 

 An indie dream-pop band with sensual vocals and shimmering synths.

Elephant Gym

 Elephant Gym is an instrumental rock band that is known for clear and memorable bass lines, emotional guitar riffs and melodic drumming. 

I Mean Us 

I Mean Us is a Dream Pop/ Shoegaze /Indier that romantically combines the 1990s analog sound with psychedelic style.