March always signals a pilgrimage of musicians and tunesmiths from across the globe seeking exposure for their art at South by Southwest, with dozens of them from Michigan. The lowdown at Local Spins.
The Spectacle of SXSW: Music showcases featuring Michigan artists abound. (Courtesy Photos)
Michigan aims to make a splash at 2024’s South by Southwest.
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Dozens of Michigan bands and solo artists will strut their stuff at industry showcases this week at several venues in Austin, as the world’s largest music festival and conference gets into full swing.
Exposure to music business honchos, media outlets and fans – as well as the networking opportunities offered by a global event that attracts hundreds of thousands of people – has long been the attraction for emerging and established acts.
“We get off on the experience and the fellowship of bands supporting other bands,” said Grand Rapids singer-songwriter Nathan Walton of Nathan Walton & The Remedy. Walton is making his second trip to SXSW, with performances this week at The Blind Pig and San Jac Saloon in Austin.
SXSW Performer: Ilajide with his Shure microphone. (Courtesy Photo)
“The community, the street protests, the world collective all in the heat of the Texas sun” makes the experience memorable, added Walton, noting he hopes that this year he’ll be “networking more and seeing more bands perform.”
Michigan artists will fire up showcases organized by several different groups and producers, including Midwest House (formerly Michigan House) and Detroit’s Yorg Kerasiotis, who’s assembled a week-long run of “Austin Rhythm Revival” showcases at San Jac Saloon and The Blind Pig starting today (March 11) and a one-night “Backwoods & Barnfires” festival at The Parlor Room on Rainey Street with “some of the best up-and-coming Michigan hip-hop, soul and DJ artists” on Friday (March 15).
“It’s our biggest SXSW yet,” said Kerasiotis, noting that Michigan artists playing the Austin Rhythm Revival showcases include Walton, up-and-coming jazz-hued Grand Rapids band Pocket Watch, northern Michigan’s Jake Allen, Dave Menzo Band, Louie Lee, Camilla Cantu, Grammy-nominated Justine Blazer, Racquel Soledad, Ali McManus and Marbrisa.
The Backwood & Barnfires event features Michigan’s Louie Lee, B Free, Teauxswanx, Lucylujah, Demaciiio, Just Shacoi, Soledad, Tommy Papi, Mike Reyes, SuperDre (Andrea Wallace), Curtis Roach, Ruby Flwrs, SW Ejay and Jerome Joyce.
Meanwhile, Midwest House’s 2024 lineup of nine acts – who performed Friday through Sunday last weekend – included two from the Great Lakes State: HiTech and Ilajide, both from Detroit.
Brie Stoner: Plays an SXSW showcase on Wednesday. (Photo/Chelsea Whitaker)
“This year, we are so excited to be partnering with Opnr and Shure Microphones to shine a spotlight on the music coming out of the Midwest,” said Peter Fox, who helped organize the showcases at Austin’s Half Step Bar on Rainey Street.
Today (March 11), Midwest House presents “Michigan Day,” aimed at focusing attention on the Mitten State with panel discussions (including “How Detroit is Becoming the Next Big Tech Hub”), a happy hour and an evening featuring producer/DJ Juan Atkins presenting “Detroit is the Birthplace of Techno.”
Beyond that, other Michigan artists also are revving up showcases on their own at this year’s SXSW, including Grand Rapids dream rock artist Brie Stoner, Midland native and anthemic pop singer-songwriter Michigander, Flint R&B duo BFF and Beecher hip-hop artist KrispyLife Kidd, among others.
Find the full lineup of SXSW performers online here.
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