Music Festival News

SXSW Staffer Lizzy Newton recently returned from checking out all the action at the 11th annual Lowlands Festival in Biddinghuizen, Holland. Each year, the festival continues to sell out, this year doing so in only eight days and in advance of announcing the line-up. It's such a hit among many due to the diverse programming, 2010 including acts ranging from

The music community was excited back in June when we learned that SXSW '04 Alum Sufjan Stevens was in fact working on a new album. The excitement came to a rolling boil when we learned that he'd booked a North American tour, set to perform live in large and beautiful, historic theaters and venues across the continent. Then, less than a couple weeks ago, we just about exploded when he surprised us by digitally releasing 60 minute EP All Delighted People with the promise of a physical release to follow shortly.

Back in 2007, Mexico's Indie rockers Chikita Violenta's demo landed in Dave Newfield's hands resulting in their first full length album, The Stars and Sun Sessions, and featured the collaboration of members of Broken Social Scene. By 2008, Chikita Violenta performed at SXSW on the NACO and Gibson Showcase, followed in 2009 by a performance in Oya Festival's SXSW showcase. These and

Merge Records packed Cedar Street Courtyard at SXSW 2010 with a super solid lineup for their label showcase. Opening with a surprise set from Superchunk, the music kept coming with the label's new act, the UK's Let's Wrestle, then Radar Bros, She & Him, Wye Oak, Lou Barlow and The Love Language. If you weren't there, or even if you were, check out the photos below for a glimpse of the what went down. Be sure not to miss amazing shows like this one at SXSW 2011 by registering to attend.

Pictured above, Wye Oak. All Photos by Courtney Pierce