SXSW announces Thao Nguyen, Zombies, Honk!TX for Auditorium Shores shows, more free events
South by Southwest will return to Auditorium Shores for three days of free public shows on March 16-18.
In past years, the lakeside park has played host to high profile artists including Garth Brooks, Patty Griffin and Goodie Mob. This year's lineup is a bit more muted.
Who is playing this year's free SXSW Auditorium Shores shows?
The parties kick off on March 16 with a family-friendly showcase programmed by the folks behind KUTX's syndicated family show Spare the Rock/Spoil the Child. Thao Nguyen (best known for her work with the Get Down Stay Down) leads a bill that also includes Jonny Langford and the Silver Sands Roustabouts + Rosie Flores, Saul Paul and more. The theme for the event is ska, so expect your favorite two tone covers.
On Friday, '60s Brit rockers the Zombies (who played that song you may or may not know, "She's Not There") headline an eclectic bill supported by indie rocker AJ Smith and Afrobeat artist Baba Kuboye, nephew to genre-defining Afrobeat artist Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, who works classic motifs into modern Afrobeats sound beds.
On Saturday, the series of shows closes with a showcase of Austin-based street bands from the DIY music festival Honk!TX, another free event that will takeover Austin from March 31 through April 2.
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How do I attend the SXSW free shows?
All of the Auditorium Shores shows are all ages, free and open to the public with no credentials required. Concert-goers are invited to bring a picnic or grab food from the local food trucks on site. There will also be a beer garden in the park.
Doors are at 2 p.m. with concerts taking place from 3 to 7 p.m. daily.
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Are there any other official SXSW music events that are free?
The Flatstock 84 poster expo takes place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily March 15-17 in the Austin Convention Center.
The Sheraton Backyard hosts four days of showcases — March 15-18 — spotlighting diverse Austin artists. Showcases include a KUTX The Breaks night with simmering R&B singer Alesia Lani, an EQ Austin showcase featuring electrifying rockers We Don't Ride Llamas, and an EQ Austin and Latin Music Coalition that features cumbia outfit Como Las Movies.
DAWA, the emergency aid and artist empowerment nonprofit founded by Jonathan "Chaka" Mahone of Riders Against the Storm, takes over Stubb's BBQ on March 14 for a free show featuring post-punk outfit Urban Heat, R&B innovator J Soulja and sister act the Tiarras.
SXSW has a list of official free events online here.
The SXSW Music Festival takes is March 13-18. Festival wristbands are available at sxsw.com/wristbands.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: How to attend SXSW Auditorium Shores shows and other free events
