While we here at CultureMap are always ready and willing to toss out local music recommendations for South by Southwest (SXSW), we also think it’s great to hear from the artists that will actually be playing it. So, here’s a handful of SXSW official local acts with who they’re most excited to see at this year’s festival, which will be running from March 8 to March 16.

The beauty of Austin's music scene this time of year is the chain reaction of organizing; If you're not going to the official festival, many of these bands will be playing unofficial shows, too. Plus, they'll still be here when the travelers depart.

Each entry is a direct quote from the artist. Some are edited slightly for grammar.

Ben Kweller
"I can’t wait to see Brendan Benson [of the Raconteurs]! We’ve known each other for over 20 years and I think he’s an incredible songwriter and performer. He’s obviously known for his work with Jack [White], but to me his solo work is really where it’s at. More people should check him out."

Chief Cleopatra
So excited to be back at SXSW! The two artists that I anticipate seeing the most this year are Bootsy Collins and The Tiarras. Bootsy has been a major influence on me and my sound as a soul rock artist and The Tiarras have just been killing it here in the city. Their live show looks AMAZING.

Being Dead
We’re excited for so many bands this year — where to start? Always amped to see our buddies Snõõper — they’re incredible. Also pumped for Mamalarky*, Teethe, Hinds, Godcaster, Allegra Krieger, This Is Lorelei, Bloomsday, and Horse Jumper of Love! There are also a handful of others we’re forgetting, I’m sure of it! Gonna be a cuckoo year! Oh, and Dry Cleaning of course.

*Editor's note: These quotes were collected before several artists, including Mamalarky, pulled out of their official showcases to protest SXSW's platforming of the U.S. military and arms manufacturers. Most will still be playing unofficial shows. Allegra Krieger is still on the schedule, but has released a single on a compilation album raising funds for eSIMs for use in Gaza, Palestine.

Magna Carda
For us, we're always huge fans of the British Music Embassy and Jazz Re:freshed showcases every SXSW. I think this year though we're most excited to catch Miso Extra and Jeshi. Highly recommended!

The way Miso effortlessly moves between rapping in both English and Japanese, singing catchy melodies, and her crazy dope production overall makes her a recommended performance to catch for us. "Great Taste" is a good place to start in the Misoverse.

Jeshi is pretty up there for us when we think of today's British hip-hop. Anything that's genre melding on top of potent bars has always captivated us. Jeshi mixes grime, garage, hip-hop and some RnB to get this incredible mixture. Can't wait to witness his energy in the live setting. "Protein" will always be a top banger to us!

Como Las Movies
Here are a couple artists I'm looking forward to checking out at SX '24:

La Gallo 3:20: A hip hop artist from Monterrey, Mexico. She combines hip hop beats and heavy cumbia rhythms (rebajadas) with a super sick flow. Great energy, fierce, and her lyrics are fantastic reflections of growing up in Monterrey.

Daydream Twins: Love me some shoegaze, mellow, melancholic, and dramatic sonic ear candy. Her voice is angelic, and it’s a local band who I haven't had the pleasure of seeing live yet. Hope to catch them at the festival.

Redbud
Enji and Fieh are both buzzing on our radar. We have not seen either of these acts but they caught our eye this past year. Enji has tickled our jazzy experimental hearts with their low-key seeming tracks and cool demeanor. Fieh demonstrates an incredibly funky feel in songwriting and production. I'm left curious about the live show. We just feel lucky they are coming to us from abroad!

L.C. Franke
I try to have no real agenda at SXSW and stumble into shows as blindly as I can. I especially love the international-themed showcases, and I always leave with a new favorite band I’d never heard of 24 hours before. That said, there are a few artists I wouldn’t miss.

One of them is Shannon and the Clams. Mixing elements of Doo Wop and Psychedelic GaragePunk, they always put on one of the most fun, infectious, energetic shows. Shannon Shaw has one of the most swoon-worthy voices ever.

There’s a few newer acts I want to see. There’s a band called Lambrini Girls from Brighton I dig. Think Bikini Kill meets Big Black, meets The Hives. Oh, and there’s some incredibly handsome and talented fella named L.C. Franke that I keep hearing about that I wouldn’t miss...

Blushing
We’re hoping to catch MOAA and Razor Braids! We’re excited to be playing with MOAA this July in Seattle. Also, Thus Love! We saw them at New Colossus Fest a few years back and have had their songs stuck in our heads ever since.

Broken Gold
I’m stoked to see our buddies in Booher, it’s been a minute and we’re finally playing a showtogether! Our guitarist Ben Lance plays with them as well, they have a new record coming outthat I’m stoked to hear. Tommy Stinson is gonna be making some rounds too, he put a greatrecord out called Wronger recently, really stoked to see him, we’re playing a show together onSt Patrick’s Day at Empire that should be insane. I’m lucky that most of the bands I want to seewe’re actually playing with this year!

Caleb De Casper
I'm excited to see my friends from Louisiana in Sick Ride play. Our paths cross often and it's cool to see them grow. I've found this new heavy Italian band called Tiger! Shit! Tiger! Tiger!, because why would I not? And I want to meet Jane Fonda and show her the song I wrote about her.

Kam Franklin
I'm especially interested in catching the Austin legends, Tameca Jones and Riders Against The Storm.

Tameca just dropped a brand new album, but I've never gotten to catch her full live show before. She's a Texas Queen, and I feel like it's time to finally give this woman the flowers she deserves.

Riders Against The Storm are easily one of the most fun, innovative, and necessary contributions to the Austin music community. Even though Houston is where I call home, when I'm in the city, Chaka and Qi always make me feel so welcome. It's been far too long since I've seen them perform, and I am ready!