5 International Acts To Support at SXSW 2024

From shoegaze to surf rock, here is a curated list of the best international acts to catch at SXSW 2024.

Written by Miranda Garza

Photos courtesy of Dan Curwin, Oscar Chik, and Izzy Austin

Having originated in 1987, SXSW’s week-long music festival is an opportunity for artists to build connections, gain exposure, and visit the Live Music Capital of the World. With over 1,400 acts from all corners of the world, there’s no better chance than now to catch live performances from fan-favorite overseas artists. Here’s Afterglow’s selection of promising international musicians that’ll be visiting Austin at SXSW.

NewDad

Hailing from Galway, Ireland, alternative newcomers NewDad are dream-rock’s saving grace. Deriving inspiration from alternative staples like Slowdive and The Cure, the foursome has pieced together a soft shoegaze signature that’s all their own. Their 2024 release MADRA gleams with lush electric strums and humming basslines. Vocalist and guitarist Julie Dawson’s siren vocals echo through the record, bringing life to looming melancholic lyrics. “Sorry if I changed you and it’s something you can’t undo (never tried, never tried) / Now your eyes are just like mine / And I can see you’re not fine,” she apologizes in “Change My Mind.” The band’s misty melodies will definitely make for a must-see set.

Support NewDad on Instagram and Twitter, and check out their music on Spotify and Bandcamp. Catch their performance at Seven Grand on March 14 (1:00 am CST), Mohawk on March 14 (12:00 pm CST), and The Velveeta Room on March 14 (10:00 pm CST).

The Courettes

Composed of Brazilian-Danish duo Flávia and Martin Couri, The Courettes are set apart by their eccentric ’60s rock and roll flare. Rockabilly rhythms flood the pair’s 2021 record Back In Mono, alongside veiled vocals emblematic of The Ronettes and the metallic jingle bells of The Supremes in (“Want You! Like A Cigarette”). The couple’s latest single, “You Woo Me,” is a buzzing breakneck gem sure to get people on their feet. Melding together surf rock’s uptempo signatures, the layered harmonies of pop-latent girl groups, and the static shreds of garage rock, The Courettes will transport listeners back to an era of beehive hairstyles and go-go boots.

Support The Courettes on Instagram and Twitter, and check out their music on Spotify and Bandcamp. Catch their performances at Low Down Lounge on March 14 (11:00 pm CST) and Hotel Vegas on March 16 (11:40 pm CST).

Arches

Hong Kong-based shoegazers Arches are a dark dreamscape you won’t want to miss. The group’s founding members, vocalist and guitarist Jack Ip and drummer Takuro Cheung, expanded the band’s lineup in 2023 with the recruitment of guitarist Hugo Fu, bassist Eqqus Lee, guitarist and producer Edward Chiu, and backing vocalist Wayne Ip. The now-six piece delves into guitar-heavy sonics and intricate drum patterns on tracks like “Another Sunny Day” and “Candy.” The band’s 2024 single “Doll” explores a denser, grittier wash of distorted shreds, textured instrumentals, and buried vocals. If you have the chance to see this sonically salient act live, don’t forget to bring earplugs!

Support Arches on Instagram, and check out their music on Spotify and Bandcamp. Catch their performances at Empire Garage on March 14 (3:30 pm CST), Zilker Brewing on March 14 (7:00 pm CST), and Volstead on March 15 (11:10 pm CST).

Friedberg

Alt-rock London band Friedberg, are a pop-doused force to be reckoned with. The all-female quartet consists of Austrian-born frontwoman Anna Friedberg, bassist Cheryl Pinero, guitarist Emily Linden, and drummer Laura Williams. The group’s 2021 EP Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah swirls with alluring electric riffs (“Pass Me On”) and menacing harmonies (“Lizzy”). Friedberg’s breathy vocals relay imaginative lyrics in standout “Your Hollywood,” leaving an incandescent rawness within the track: “But there ain’t no rainbow in the middle of the night / When you’re a tenant of these torn skies.” The foursome is gaining momentum, having supported acts like Placebo and AnnenMayKantereit on their recent tours.

Support Friedberg on Instagram and Twitter, and check out their music on Spotify and Bandcamp. Catch their performances at Las Perlas on March 16 (1:00 am CST) and Sheraton (Downright Austin) Backyard on March 16 (10:50 pm CST).

Earth Tongue

Psychedelic duo Earth Tongue combines a vivacious experimental edge with fuzz-latent instrumentals. Based out of Wellington, New Zealand, guitarist Gussie Larkin and drummer Ezra Simmons released their first EP, Portable Shrine, together in 2016. Since then, the two have cultivated a heavy, saturated sound where the pair’s grounding vocals combat menacing riffs, as seen in songs like “Miraculous Death”. Layers of textured shreds and incessant drum patterns flood the band’s latest single, “Bodies Dissolve Tonight!” The duo’s headbanging stage performance has garnered them spots supporting reigning acts like Queens of the Stone Age, Ty Segall, and IDLES. Not only will this upcoming performance be Earth Tongue’s SXSW debut, but it will also be their first show in America. It won’t be one to miss!

Support Earth Tongue on Instagram and Twitter, and check out their music on Spotify and Bandcamp. Catch their performance at The 13th Floor on March 12 (12:00 am CST).

Afterglow ATXMarch 12, 2024sxsw 2024, earth tongue, arches, the courettes, friedberg, newdad