By Adam Sweeney at March 13, 2012 | 1:30 am | Print
List by Lucas Indikrovs, foreword by Adam Sweeney
Photos courtesy of each respective artist's official website
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If the Interactive and Film portions of SXSW are frontline of the event's army, then the SXSW Music portion are the troops that bring the Guns of Navarone, ready to blow the Hell out of anybody who stand in their way. With hundreds musical acts invading the high ground and heart of Austin, Texas from March 13th-18th, you have a choice. You can either ride the wave of musical ecstasy or you can get out of town.
We could write 5,000 words highlighting all the bands we want to see, but then we'd never see the bands. That presents a problem. Instead, Playmaker Magazine offers a list of 30 Must-See Bands at SXSW 2012. And yes, we know Sleigh Bells played last night and they kick ass, that Bruce Springsteen will be at SXSW, and that Jay-Z is a musical champion. If you need to be told to go see them, we can't help you. Enjoy.
The Ting Tings – Together since 2007, The Ting Tings have already sold two millions albums and four million singles worldwide including "Fruit 
Machine" and "That's Not My Name/Great DJ". Preparing for their upcoming album's US release scheduled for March 13th, The Ting Tings threw out the rulebook while recording Sounds From Nowheresville. Inspired by The Beastie Boys' musically indulgent Paul's Boutique, The Ting Tings travel through every genre soundscape from synthy dance pop to 60's doowop and even team up with fellow genre-hopping group tUnE-yArDs. Check out The Ting Tings at Stubb's on Friday, March 16th at 1:00AM.
Talib Kweli – Talib Kweli has been hailed as one of the most prolific and conscious rappers to come out of the scene since De La Soul. First gaining critical acclaim through his partnership with Mos Def and their group Black Star, Kweli has since been heard collaborating with Kanye West, Common and DJ Quik to name a few. Kweli's Hemi-charged motor mouth style fed by Afrocentric and politically drenched lyrics make him a sight to be seen and heard. Check out Talib Kweli on Thursday, March 15th at the Kiss and Fly at 12:10AM.
M. Ward – M. Ward is a man of many voices and musical expressions, which can be heard in not only his solo career but with this fellow acts She and Him (w/ Zooey Deschanel) and Monsters of Folk (w/ Jim James and Conor Oberst). Ward's alternative country-folk stylings and innate sense of melody is complimented his honey-soaked vocals and cleverly manipulated lyrics. The upcoming release of his newest solo album A Wasteland Companion scheduled for April 10th has already been hailed as some of the finest songwriting and strongest delivery of his career. Check out M. Ward at Auditorium Shores on Thursday, March 15th at 6:45PM.
MC LARS – Whether he's rapping about poetry, Moby Dick or all your favorite Ska bands growing up, indie-rap artist MC Lars makes it work. His 
widespread appeal is evident by toured with and opened for such varied acts as Hip-Hop behemoths Lupe Fiasco, Nas and Ludacris to Wheatus, Say Anything and The Aquabats. To add to his off the wall subject matter and inspired wordplay, MC Lars is backed by a live band and accompanied by video projections keeping the crowd's attention no what matters. The music. Check out MC Lars at Malaia on Wednesday, March 14th at 1:00AM.
Cairo Knife Fight- Hailing from New Zealand, Cairo Knife Fight could quite possibly be the next purest form of Rock & Roll since The Black Keys and they're just getting started. With the release of their recent EP Cairo Knife Fight II, the drums/bass/guitar riff-driven duo is making a lot of noise in the rock scene. Their music has been called mix of Led Zeppelin and Radiohead after a three-day booze cruise and what could be more perfect for SXSW? Check out Cairo Knife Fight at BD Riley's on Wednesday, March 14th at 10:00PM.
Neon Indian – Started by 20-year-old Alan Palomo, Neon Indian has become a genre-bending synth powerhouse and has even sparked a new musical genre called hypnagogic pop. Flaming Lips, Massive Attack and Phoenix are just a few of the big names Neon Indian has opened for in the short two-year span since their debut record. Their newest album, Era Extraña will showcase darker, more emotional synth-scape sounds and is scheduled to release on September 13th. Check out Neon Indian at Barbarella on Thursday, March 15th at 1:00AM.
Blitzen Trapper – Hard rock guitars, wailing harmonicas, plucking banjos and blasting drums is just a taste of what can be expected from Blitzen Trapper. Leaders of a dying breed of musicans, Blitzen Trapper is one of the last good ol' American rock groups and they are not shy to take you home to their country roads. They're newest album scheduled to be released on September 13th, American Goldwing takes you to their hometowns and drives you through their lives. Blizten Trapper provides a musical experience that can only be rivaled by their outstanding live performances. Check out Blitzen Trapper at Red 7 Patio on Friday, March 16th at 1:00AM.
The Shins – Indie-rock elite The Shins have cemented themselves as one of the definitive groups of their genre and have plans to continue their reign with 
the release of their newest album Port of Morrow set to release on March 20th. With a new backing band consisting of Richard Swift, Modest Mouse drummer Joe Plummer and Yuuki Matthews of Crystal Skulls, The Shins are ready to erupt back into the scene in style at SXSW. Check out The Shins at Auditorium Shores on Thursday, March 15th at 8:00PM.
Jukebox the Ghost – One of the catchiest bands out there, Jukebox the Ghost elevates pop-rock to a whole new spectrum. The ability to write a catchy tune comes easy to such skilled musicians and their enjoyment transfers directly to their listeners like contagious laughter. With a more serious approach to their second album set to release on June 12th, Safe Travels keeps the up-tempo sound Jukebox the Ghost has become known for but with a more personal, thoughtful message coming through the speakers. Check out Jukebox the Ghost at Continental Club on Thursday, March 15th at 9:05PM.
Clap Your Hands Say Yea – To put it simply, Clap Your Hands Say Yea writes and performs a perfected form of Indie-rock. Catchy vocals, synth/guitar driven melodies and inventive drums blend together to form CYHSY's distinctive, constantly changing sound. With their first release in three years Hysterical, Clap Your Hands Say Yea have once again renewed their sound with tracks that were intensely constructed, dismantled and rebuilt from the rubble to produce their most confident and creative album yet. Check out Clap Your Hands Say Yea at Bar 96 on Thursday, March 15th at 12:00AM.
Ingrid Michaelson – Indie-pop singer-songwriter Ingrid Michaelson is any music lover's dream. Her uncanny ability to construct catchy, beautifully 
written songs is evident in such hits as "The Way I Am" and "Keep Breathing." She has sold over 750,000 albums, three million singles, been recognized by VH1 as an "Artist You Outta Know" and has released a new album Human Again all as an independent artist. Check out Ingrid Michaelson at Central Presbyterian Church on Friday, March 16th at 10:30PM.
fun. – Never has there been a group named as appropriately as fun. who have made a name for themselves as the traveling circus equivalent to indie rock. From their organic, rocky, catchiness-is-key debut album Aim & Ignite to their newest hip-hop inspired release Some Nights frontmen Nate Reuss (The Format), Jack Antonoff (Steel Train) and Andrew Dost (Anathallo) continue to reinvent the wheel of indie pop-rock. Check out fun. at 1100 Warehouse on Wednesday, March 14th at 10:00PM.
Built to Spill – Together since 1992, indie rock veterans Built to Spill have released seven albums and five EP's without even blinking a collective eye. Borrowing from Dinasour Jr's style of catchy, heavy guitar hooks Built to Spill has created its own signature sound which has garnered an impressive list of followers naming Built to Spill as one of their influences including The Strokes, Brand New, Modest Mouse and Death Cab For Cutie. Check out Built to Spill at The Belmont on Tuesday, March 13th at 1:00AM.
Astronautalis – Self-proclaimed "historical fiction hip-hop" artist Astronautalis is just one many indie-rap acts scheduled to perform at SXSW. With the 
release of his fourth album This Is Our Science, Astronautalis has been noted for his rapping style which blends indie rock, electro and blues and has been described as "if Beck were a decade or so younger and had grown up more heavily immersed in hip-hop." Check out Astronautalis at 512 Rooftop on Wednesday, March 14th at 1:00AM.
Big Scary – Garage rock is alive and it lives on in the souls of Tom Iansek and Jo Syme who make up Australian's musical duo Big Scary. Electric guitar, drums, keys and dueling vocals are simply tools for Big Scary to constantly mold their sound from ashtray grunge to toothpaste pop while taking every note into consideration. With their compilation of four seasonally inspired EP's cleverly titled The Big Scary Four Seasons and their recent debut album Vacation, Big Scary is one of only two Australian bands at SXSW and the only unsigned group to make the stage. Check out Big Scary at Beale Street Tavern on Friday, March 16th at 12:00AM.
Shiny Toy Guns – Whether you know them from their acclaimed debut album We Are Pilots or from your favorite Lincoln car commercial, Shiny Toy Guns has a sound that is hard to ignore. Hailing from Los Angeles, the alternative/electronic Shiny Toy Guns has already been nominated for a Grammy Award in the category of Best Electronic/Dance Album and is planning for their third major release, III. Check out Shiny Toy Guns at Auditorium Shores on Saturday, March 17th at 6:00PM.
The Belle Brigade – When your grandfather is multiple-Oscar-winning composer John Williams, writing classic California pop rock tunes described as reminiscent of The Everly Brothers and Simon & Garfunkel must come pretty easily… especially when you're siblings. Barbara and Ethan Gruska, born only six years apart, are the brains and brawn that make up the charming duo The Belle Brigade. The brother and sister duo grew up immersed in all genres under the California sun, which is clearly evident in their self-titled debut album that has been described as "a dozen California pop gems…" by Los Angeles Times. Check out The Belle Brigade at Clive Bar on Saturday, March 17th at 10:00PM.
Miike Snow – Indie pop sensation Miike Snow is Sweden's pride and joy, second only to the meatball. Their debut album, Miike Snow sold over 200,000 
copies and has been compared to "if A-ha met Animal Collective" and in 2011 won a European Border Breakers Award for their international success. Their newest album Happy to You is set to be released on March 26th with the first single "Devil's Work" available for download on Spotify. Check out Miike Snow at Hype Hotel on Wednesday, March 14th at 12:00AM.
The Big Pink – Take the infectious melodies of MGMT, add the musicality of Crystal Castles and mix in the interstellar soundscapes of The Thievery Corporation and you will begin to understand The Big Pink. Taking their name from the debut album by folk-rock legends The Band, The Big Pink has already won two NME awards for Best New Act and Best Track and has participated in nationwide tours of Europe, Japan and the United States. Check out The Big Pink at Radio Day Stage in the Austin Convention Center on Saturday, March 17th at 12:00PM.
Arkells – In a time where 5-piece rock bands aren't playing around every corner, Arkells is meant to steer rock music back on course. While singer Max Kerman delivers an honest, emotional performance throughout every track with a vocal style similar to Dave Grohl (Foo Fighters) and Tim McIlrath (Rise Against), the rest of Arkells control the fervent rollercoasters from humble beginnings to intensifying ends. Check out Arkells at Trinity Hall on Friday, March 16th at 11:00PM.
Dragonette – 15 million views on YouTube, 2.9 million plays on Myspace, sold-out shows on 4 continents and touring with Duran Duran is more than 
most big name acts will ever achieve but underground Canadian synth pop group Dragonette can claim all that and more. Their music has been featured on numerous television shows like Grey's Anatomy and Gossip Girl along with advertisements for Toyota, Target and Sony Playstation. Check out Dragonette at Friends on Friday, March 16th at 12:05AM.
Flosstradamus – Flosstradamus is a product of hip-hop and electronica music after the two have done beautiful and terrible things to each other. Consisting of native Chicago DJ's J2K and Autobot, Flosstradamus is raising the bar to insurmountable heights considering electronica has not crossed so many boundaries that the music itself is too overwhelming to categorize since The Chemical Brothers or Aphex Twin. The duo's most recent release Total Recall was released on February 23rd. Check out Flosstradamus at Club De Ville on Friday, March 16th at 9:00PM.
Grimes – Arguably one of the first lo-fi R&B or witch-house acts to explode into the music scene, Grimes has been described as "the marriage between the voice of a human and the heartbeat of a machine," by Bullet Magazine. Grimes combines all the best aspects of The Knife, Scissor Sister and Aphex Twin with video, sound and 2D artwork to create some of the most creative and aesthetically pleasing pop music since Madonna. Check out Grimes at the Central Presbyterian Church on Thursday, March 15th at 10:45PM.
Grieves and Budo – Returning to SXSW 2012, Grieves and Budo are a Northwest hip-hop rapper/producer from Seattle. Grieves' hometown, lovestruck 
lyrics backed by Budo's mix of live instruments and produced beats resemble what a Gym Class Heroes/Atmosphere supergroup would sound like in a perfect world. Prominently featured in The Washington Post and Seattle Weekly, Grieves and Budo will make their mark at this year's SXSW. Check out Grieves and Budo at Malaia on Thursday, March 15th at 1:00AM.
Motion City Soundtrack – One of the last surviving groups from the onslaught of power pop-punk bands in the early 2000's, Motion City Soundtrack has sold over 500,000 albums in the United States alone and plans on adding to that number with the upcoming June release of their newest album. With an inspired, catchy sound stemming from influences like Sunny Day Real Estate and The Pixies Motion City Soundtrack has been described as too diverse to fit into just one particular genre suggesting that the band into "Scrabble Rock." Check out Motion City Soundtrack at Clive Bar on Wednesday, March 14th at 1:00AM.
Keane – After achieving mainstream success and multiple awards for the release of their debut album Hopes and Fears in 2004, Keane continued their success as the number one British piano rock group with their second album Under the Iron Sea just one year later. Keane replaced the traditional guitar driven rock sound with a distorted piano, which immediately set them apart from any other rock band on the scene next to Coldplay. Check out Keane at Stubb's on Saturday, March 17th at 10:15PM.
Madi Diaz – Being forced to listen to Metallica, Alice in Chains, Whitney Houston and The Beatles as a child may not be so bad after all. Madi Diaz brings 
all those influences and more into her time at the Berklee College of Music and the music that subsequently resulted from such schooling. After pairing with fellow student Ryan Kyle, the ice was broken and the warmth that Diaz was withholding from the world came spilling forth through their unique alt-rock collaboration. Check out Madi Diaz at St. David's Bethell Hall on Saturday, March 17th at 9:30PM.
Matthew Barber – His music has been described as indie pop and pop rock with folk and alternative country influences, but Canadian singer-songwriter Matthew Barber considers his music hot adult contemporary. Barber has released five studio albums with numerous guest stars including Sarah Harmer and even Barber's sister Jill Barber who is also a noted Canadian musician. Check out Matthew Barber at Stephen F's Bar on Wednesday, March 14th at 9:00PM.
The Pierces – New York-based but Alabama-bred, sisters Allison and Catherine make up the irrestible, pop sensation The Pierces. Allison and Catherine were raised in Alabama and home-schooled with an emphasis on arts, which exposed them to music and dance at a very young age. Their fourth upcoming album YOU & I is set for U.S. release on March 27th, 2012and one can only expect huge poppy hooks and smooth-as-silk harmonies. Check out The Pierces at Stubb's on Friday, March 16th at 12:40AM.
The Temper Trap – Australian indie rock band The Temper Trap have sold over 800,000 albums worldwide with singles like "Sweet Disposition" and 
"Fader" accounting for over 2.5 million singles sold. With influences like Prince, Radiohead, Massive Attack and U2 it comes to no surprise The Temper Trap has been nominated for four ARIA Awards and has won three of those four. Their self-titled second studio album The Temper Trap is scheduled for release on May 18th, 2012. Check out The Temper Trap at The Parish on Friday, March 16th at 12:00AM.
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