A vast majority of the 5,000 music, film, and future-media events offered at SXSW will be a total waste of your time in Austin. But right next door to the clusterfuck of up-and-comers desperately clawing each others' faces for attention at Vitamin Water's mumblecore showcase, there may be a legitimately cool and worthwhile party happening—you just have to know where to look.This is the start of festival season, people, so stop wandering around trying to find another music biz sugar daddy to shmooze with, and get your shit together, because only noobs have time for mediocre industry circlejerk showcases. Still confused, you hopeless poser? Fear not, we've got a THUMP-approved guide to SXSW right here, so you can piggyback on our savvy insider knowledge.LFTF Day PartyDate: Sunday March 15
If SXSW will be good for anything this year, it'll be discovering that a lot of your favorite DJs are actually the same person. See here, at the daytime showcase curated by beloved blog Live for the Funk.Resident Advisor Showcase
Date: Thursday March 13
Perhaps the Berlin-based electronic music supersite Resident Advisor is most readily associated with no-bullshit house and techno, but their SXSW lineup proves their tastes—as well as their coverage—is all over the map. This year, their lineup is heavy on North American talent, like footwork kingpins DJ Spinn and DJ Rashad, Machinedrum, Lee Bannon, Jessy Lanza, Jacques Greene, and Shlohmo.Ray Ban x Boiler RoomDate: Saturday March 15
For small-town visitors, this is likely the best chance you'll have to nod casually on the Boiler Room live feed—That is, if you're able to keep your cool in the presence of Future. Maybe someone will blast your weak moves in the chatroom.Body High Official SXSW ShowcaseDate: Tuesday March 11
The Los Angeles-based club music label founded by Samo Sound Boy and Jerome LOL heads south. Samo's album comes out this month, so here's your best chance at a sneak peak.Loose Squares x SubPac x FeelTrip ShowcaseDate: Friday, March 14
So, you like booty music, you say? Look no further than the combined effort from the Loose Squares, SubPac, and FeelTrip camps. Chi-Town's club savant and mixtape legend Chrissy Murderbot is headlining, and Norway's Slick Shoota is flying in for his first ever US appearance. Plus, the Facebook page promises free party favors.Trouble & Bass x Mixpak Official SXSW PartyDate: Saturday March 15
Dubstep and grime OG Plastician heads down to Austin for the ultimate grimefest. Don't miss out.Future Classic Showcase
Date: Friday March 14
Every artist on the lineup will probably be big next year, so see them now before they sell out your favorite hometown venue in five minutes.Warp x LuckyMeDate: Wednesday March 12
Everything you could dream of, all in one room: Jacques Greene will premiere a new set, Future Brown together onstage, Sophie IRL. We're hyperventilating just reading this lineup.Symbols SXSW Day PartyDate: Friday March 14
Friday is going to be a very busy day in Austin, so choose wisely. Heed our advice: you won't regret spending at least part of the early afternoon dancing at a day rave with the Symbols label boss Kastle and all his buddies.HARD Fest at SXSWDate: Friday March 14
This week, HARD goes back to its roots of promoting live shows. Go hardcore electro with Boys Noize.
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If SXSW will be good for anything this year, it'll be discovering that a lot of your favorite DJs are actually the same person. See here, at the daytime showcase curated by beloved blog Live for the Funk.Resident Advisor Showcase
Perhaps the Berlin-based electronic music supersite Resident Advisor is most readily associated with no-bullshit house and techno, but their SXSW lineup proves their tastes—as well as their coverage—is all over the map. This year, their lineup is heavy on North American talent, like footwork kingpins DJ Spinn and DJ Rashad, Machinedrum, Lee Bannon, Jessy Lanza, Jacques Greene, and Shlohmo.Ray Ban x Boiler RoomDate: Saturday March 15
For small-town visitors, this is likely the best chance you'll have to nod casually on the Boiler Room live feed—That is, if you're able to keep your cool in the presence of Future. Maybe someone will blast your weak moves in the chatroom.Body High Official SXSW ShowcaseDate: Tuesday March 11
The Los Angeles-based club music label founded by Samo Sound Boy and Jerome LOL heads south. Samo's album comes out this month, so here's your best chance at a sneak peak.Loose Squares x SubPac x FeelTrip ShowcaseDate: Friday, March 14
So, you like booty music, you say? Look no further than the combined effort from the Loose Squares, SubPac, and FeelTrip camps. Chi-Town's club savant and mixtape legend Chrissy Murderbot is headlining, and Norway's Slick Shoota is flying in for his first ever US appearance. Plus, the Facebook page promises free party favors.
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Dubstep and grime OG Plastician heads down to Austin for the ultimate grimefest. Don't miss out.Future Classic Showcase
Every artist on the lineup will probably be big next year, so see them now before they sell out your favorite hometown venue in five minutes.Warp x LuckyMeDate: Wednesday March 12
Everything you could dream of, all in one room: Jacques Greene will premiere a new set, Future Brown together onstage, Sophie IRL. We're hyperventilating just reading this lineup.Symbols SXSW Day PartyDate: Friday March 14
Friday is going to be a very busy day in Austin, so choose wisely. Heed our advice: you won't regret spending at least part of the early afternoon dancing at a day rave with the Symbols label boss Kastle and all his buddies.HARD Fest at SXSWDate: Friday March 14
This week, HARD goes back to its roots of promoting live shows. Go hardcore electro with Boys Noize.