SXSW is upon us once again. Beginning this Wednesday, March 16, thousands of people and musicians will take over Austin for one of the best music festivals in the world. Over 2000 bands will participate in this year’s festival. There is no question that some of the world’s most talented and up-and-coming artists will be in Austin.

The SXSW organizers did bring out the big guns: Cee-Lo Green, Kanye West, Queens of the Stone Age, Odd Future, TV on the Radio, and The Strokes. If you are unable to get in to these gigs, don’t worry – there are so many great music options every night. This year, Bandcamp and the SXSW mp3 sampler made our lives easier as far as previewing the artists; we didn’t have to use Myspace to sample their music. After sampling roughly 1700 artists, we selected 20 that have bright futures.

At SXSW, in addition to listening to evening showcases, you can catch all of the artists at daytime parties at Paste, Fader, Pitchfork, Gorilla vs The Bear, and parties around town. Have fun and be safe. If you’re not attending the festival, enjoy the music below and support these bands when they come to your town.

Various Artists
Album: Daddy Rockin’ Strong: A Tribute To Nolan Strong & The Diablos (Buy)
Label: Norton Records
Demon’s Claws – Try Me One More Time
Nolan Strong & Diablos – Try Me One More Time

JEFF The Brotherhood
The Echo
Wednesday, May 11th
JEFF The Brotherhood – U Got The Look [Live 3rd Man Records]

Private Beach
Hometown: Los Angeles
Label: Unsigned
Private Beach – Europa

MP3: Best Coast – When I’m With You [Screwed & Chopped – Mix]

We have five pair of tickets to give away to R&G readers for the Jim Jones Revue this Saturday at the El Rey Theatre. To enter the contest, please write an email to rollogrady@gmail.com. Include “Jonestown” in the subject line and your full name & e-mail address in the body of the email. We’ll pick the winners Thursday afternoon.

For further show and ticket info (click here).

The Jim Jones Revue – Get Back (Beatles Cover)
The Jim Jones Revue – Hey Hey Hey Hey

Images by Michael Orlosky

[Via – Yours Truly]
“A case of the Mondays caused by cat and kanine rain couldn’t keep folks from showing out to support a great cause and share an evening of songs with Deer Tick, Blake Mills, Guards, Mountain Man, Cass McCombs, and Middle Brother at the Invisible Children Holiday Benefit. For the support of so many in the name of something so real, Yours Truly’s list of thank-you’s reads like a phone-book. Somewhere near the top of that list are the boys and girls of Middle Brother and Mountain Man for lending their voices to those who truly need them. Spread the word, and support the artists!”