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World-renowned multi-disciplinary festival SXSW launched its London outpost last summer, and it was a pretty major affair, with a whopping 600 talks, 600 gigs and 200 films screenings all taking place around Shoreditch over six days in June.
And with the festival’s sophomore edition only a couple of months away (it takes place Tue June 2-Sun June 7) and we’re getting very excited about what’s in store. Some major names have already been announced for the conference and film strands of the multi-disciplinary festival, and now we also have details of the music line-up, with some huge artists set to headline.
Taking top billing across the six-day festival are a host of internationally-renowned artists including critically acclaimed US rapper Earl Sweatshirt, Afrobeats star Tiwa Savage, moody electronic producer Sega Bodega, indie-rock outfit Circa Waves, post-punk band Shame, indie-pop singer Rachel Chinouriri, veteran radio DJ Pete Tong and Time Out’s 2024 Londoner of the Year DJ AG.
But it’s not just the big stars to look out for on the line-up. SXSW has long been known as a launchpad for emerging artists and a discovery platform for keen music fans looking for their next favourite band, and the London 2026 festival will be no different. As usual, the festival’s enormous, hugely eclectic musical programme has been co-curated with a variety of esteemed partners, including Clash magazine, Notion, and The Crack, emerging artist platforms like BBC Introducing, Bite Back and Generator, and event promoters such as Latino Life, Mahogany and Hackney Empire Young Producers.
Gig-goers will be able to check out more than 200 artists performing at some of east London’s best music and nightlife venues, including Shoreditch Town Hall, XOYO, Colours Hoxton, Rich Mix and the Village Underground, with the full line-up available to peruse online here.
Keen to discover next year’s hottest band ages before everyone else? SXSW London music wristbands for the festival have just gone on sale, with prices starting from £25 for a one-day wristband, or £79 for the full duration of the festival. Grab yours here, and secure those musical bragging rights.
If you can’t wait til June, here are the 21 best London gigs and music concerts in April 2026
Plus, Kanye West is headlining all three days of Wireless Festival 2026 in London’s Finsbury Park
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