Bring Back the Music Festival
Friday 6 – Saturday 7, Rustic Tap
South by Southwest’s condensed schedule has inspired some venues to host their unofficial shows either side of SX week. Rustic Tap will host a free, two-day event featuring a slew of local artists. Standout names include Friday headliner Money Chicha and Lew Apollo. All donations and a portion of proceeds will benefit HAAM.
SXSGrass
Saturday 7, Radio/East
SXSGrass takes place for the third straight March, but this year’s edition is the first to feature acts from outside Central Texas. Artists set to perform at the bluegrass mini-fest include Clay Street Unit, from Denver, and Texas String Assembly.
Villain Fest
Monday 9, 13th Floor
Underground Voices has continually hosted free, rap-oriented open mics on a weekly basis Downtown. With SXSW on the horizon, the live music platform puts together an event combining their typical open mic with a showcase of Austin-based lyricists afterwards. Among the Villain Fest headliners is Soto the Activist (“Somber 66”), an impressive newcomer who at times flows with a tinge of Eminem’s unhinged fury over East Coast-styled production. Other performers include co-headliner J. Mill and alternative rapper Ryan Dove.
This article appears in March 6 • 2026.
