Eight Top Performances to Catch at SXSW Sydney's 2024 Music Festival

This year's music program is SXSW Sydney's most dynamic to date, showcasing a rich mix of talent from both local and international artists.

Through an eclectic range of genres, innovative performances and opportunities for emerging artists to shine, live performances are the bedrock of the Fest. Over four electrifying nights, October 15–19, acts from more than 15 countries will perform at venues across Chippendale and its surrounds. With a lineup that includes internationally revered stalwarts, up-and-coming talent and unique collaborative projects, Sydney's music lovers can expect a thrilling experience that reflects the evolving landscape of the music industry.

From live showcases to thought-provoking panels and workshops, the program explores the intersection of music and technology, diving into topics such as streaming, artist empowerment, and the future of live performance. Whether you're a passionate music fan, an industry professional or an aspiring artist, SXSW Sydney's 2024 Music Festival offers a chance to connect, learn, and be inspired by the transformative power of music.

The Kid LAROI Keynote Address

Saturday, October 19, 2–3pm
ICC Sydney, Darling Harbour Theatre

Featuring an in-depth conversation with the 21-year-old artist about his journey from Redfern to becoming a global star with over a billion streams, the Kid LAROI's keynote session will be one of the defining moments of this year's music lineup. SXSW Sydney will also be collaborating with LAROI to offer a series of professional development workshops and performance opportunities for the First Nations community in Waterloo and Redfern. The Kid LAROI is an Australian singer-songwriter known for his genre-blending sound, which combines pop, hip-hop, and R'n'B. Rising to fame with hits like 'Stay', he has quickly become a global sensation, celebrated for his emotional lyrics and relatable themes, capturing the attention of audiences worldwide

87dance

You'll no doubt be familiar with K-pop, but Korea's Indie scene is just as vibrant. 87dance — from Seoul, South Korea — are known for their distinctive loft-funk-chill sound. They gained prominence in the K-Indie scene with their 2019 EP Palchilldance and refined their style in the 2022 EP Soldout Smile. Their singles 'How Can I Forget You Girl', 'Saffron', and 'Ghosts Are Bored' earned them a spot as an Apple Music UP NEXT artist and strong support from Spotify's Fresh Finds. Like many Korean music groups, fashion is an important part of 87dance's identity. The band blends eclectic styles from streetwear to vintage fashion, collaborating with brands like Fred Perry.

J-MILLA x Yung Milla — Same Blood

Hailing from the Northern Territory, artists J-MILLA and Yung Milla have carved their own paths to success, rising from the lean streets of Darwin's southern suburbs to national attention. For the first time, these two Marranunggu rap king bruthas join forces for an electrifying collaboration of rhyme, dance, and style. Happy Mag describes J-MILLA as "a dominant force in hip hop," while triple j labels Yung Milla as "hot shit," so you can expect Same Blood to be a watershed moment for Aussie hip hop.

Voice of Baceprot

This boundary-busting trio have been described by Metal Hammer as one of the greatest heavy metal power trios ever, declaring them "the metal band the world needs right now". Widi (bass), Siti (drums), and Marsya (guitar and vocals) first met in 2014 while they were junior high school students in Singajaya, a small village in Garut, West Java, located an eight-hour drive from Jakarta. Their teacher introduced them to their instruments and inspired the band's name; "Baceprot," meaning "noisy" in their native Sundanese. The band gained international attention in 2017 when their performance of 'The Enemy of Earth Is You' went viral. Since then, they have taken the stage at prominent events like Wacken Open Air (2022) and Glastonbury Festival 2024, as well as headlining shows in Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur, and embarking on two European tours (2021 and 2022) and a US tour in 2023. Their debut album, Retas, has also been recognized by Kerrang as one of the 50 best metal albums of 2023.

Jeshi

This Australian artist has been building an impressive legacy since releasing his debut album, Universal Credit, in May, 2022. This record is known for its multidimensional blend of personal, relatable and humorous themes, earning widespread acclaim from critics and fans. He has collaborated with notable artists like Sad Night Dynamite, Celeste, and Obongjayar, and his music has garnered support from leading fashion and music publications, including Hypebeast, Dazed, and The Guardian. Jeshi has captivated festival crowds at Glastonbury and other major festivals around the world, while also headlining a show in Tokyo and partnering with brands like Nike Air Max and Dr. Martens.

I'mdifficult

This multilingual, culturally diverse quartet — featuring Ernest (vocals, keyboards), Dotzio (vocals, synths), Eason (vocals, guitars), and Jason (drums) — fuses various styles and languages, reflecting their eclectic backgrounds growing up in both Taiwan and the US. The foursome's 2021 EP, 25, earned significant attention, amassing over two million Spotify plays and reaching 23rd on the Spotify Taiwanese charts. Their latest self-titled debut album, released in late 2023, showcases a mature, cinematic soundscape that critics have dubbed "sophisticated pop".

Ixaras

This queer indie pop-rock artist and songwriter from Brisbane got her break in 2023, when she made a significant impact on the scene as a triple j Unearthed High finalist, performing at BIGSOUND and Valley Fiesta alongside artists like Mallrat and Miss Kannina. Her track 'sprouts' has racked up 250,000 organic streams to date. Ixaras's music features melodic earworms and thought-provoking lyrics about the complexities of youth and love. Through her all-ages DIY gig company, Anti-Dismal, she has hosted multiple sold-out shows across Brisbane, creating an inclusive space where phones are refreshingly banned.

Phoebe Rings

This dream-pop quartet from Auckland, New Zealand, is led by songwriter Crystal Choi. Their debut single 'Cheshire' topped BFM's most played tracks in 2020 and hit number one on several student radio stations and alternative charts. Hot on the heels of this success came their self-titled EP, showcasing the band's mercurial mix of avant-pop, shoegaze, city pop and jazz. Their most recent releases have proven just as popular, with their latest single, 'Mandarin Tree', ranking on the Hot 20 NZ singles chart.

For the full lineup of the 2024 SXSW Sydney Music Festival, visit the SXSW website.