It’s been a long year but the annual South By Southwest Festival returns to Austin in Texas this week.
This time last year, all bands were listed as official Ireland showcase artists at the 2024 SXSW Festival in Austin, Texas cancelled their official showcase shows after the festival’s links with the US Army and defence companies emerged.
The artists instead made a statement on stage during the festival in solidarity with Palestine, and were supported by Music From Ireland, the Irish export office facilitating the artists at South By Southwest in their decision to do so.
This year, a few of the acts: Gurriers, Cardinals and Soda Blonde – have returned to perform after SXSW confirmed they were dropping the US Army as a sponsor. 
They join 9 other acts performing in Austin this week, and the full list is:
- Ailbhe Reddy
- Annie-Dog
- Cardinals
- Dylan Flynn and The Dead Poets
- John Francis Flynn
- Gurriers
- Really Good Time
- M(h)aol
- Red Stamp
- Shobsy
- Soda Blonde
The acts will perform over two showcases: the Music From Ireland Showcase on Thursday 13th March at the Velveeta Room and The Full Irish Breakfast, on Friday 14th March at The Dead Rabbit.
International artists also playing the festival this year include Confidence Man, Big Freedia, Antony Szmierek, By Storm, Dawn Richard, Freak Slug, Twin Shadow, Desire, US Girls, Voxtrot and more.
Here’s a playlist of Irish acts playing SXSW this year.
Meanwhile the United Musicians and Allied Workers are calling for SXSW to remove the CIA from appearing at the event.
