Chicago bands at South by Southwest

Wild Belle

Photo: Jennifer Tzar

Today marks the beginning of the music leg of the South by Southwest festival. Hundreds of bands will descend on Austin's bars, clubs, hotels and even rooftops to bring disparate strands of rock, pop, hip-hop, metal and more from across the globe. Chicago is well represented at this year's event, with more than 50 acts appearing over the next few days. Here's a guide to local artists playing official showcases, with the caveat that SXSW is notorious for running behind schedule.

Tuesday 12
Blah Blah Blah, BD Riley's, 1–1:50am
Mikkey Halsted, 404 Austin, 12–12:15am
L.E.P Bogus Boys, 404 Austin, 11:40–11:55pm
Mpulse, 404 Austin, 9:30–9:45pm
Rockie Fresh, The Belmont, 10:35–11:15pm
Recently signed to Rick Ross's Maybach Music, MC Rockie Fresh brings his story to life with every rhyme. The 21-year-old's smooth delivery and clever wordplay set him a bar above other rising rappers. His latest mix-tape, Electric Highway, shows he can hold his own against his new boss.

Wednesday 13
JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound, Continental Club, 12–12:40am
Frontier, The Hideout, 8–8:40pm
The Hood Internet, Avenue on Congress, 10–11pm
The Kickback, Avenue on Congress Rooftop, 10–10:40pm
Mahogany, Friends, 1–1:50am
Chris Mills, Creekside at Hilton Garden Inn, 8–8:40pm
Chrissy Murderbot, Speakeasy Kabaret, 12–1am
On An On, Red Eyed Fly, 12:10–12:40am
The Orwells, Hype Hotel, 9:30–10pm
Psychic Twin, Valhalla, 11–11:40pm
ShowYouSuck, The Stage on Sixth Patio, 9:15–9:55pm
Twin Peaks, Hype Hotel, 8–8:30pm
Waco Brothers, Continental Club, 1–1:15am
Wild Belle, Haven, 8–8:40pm
Siblings Elliott and Natalie Bergman formed Wild Belle in 2011 and since then have appeared on Conan and in the pages of Vogue, going on to ink a deal with Columbia Records. Their infectious hit, "Keep You," floats Natalie's smoky vocals over bubblegum reggae rhythms and can be heard on the group's just-released major-label debut, Isles.

Thursday 14
Bestfriends, Maggie Mae's, 9–9:40pm
Bird Bankin' Boi, 404 Austin, 9–9:15pm
Brenmar, Speakeasy Kabaret, 11:40pm–12:15am
Brenmar, Lucille, 9:30–11pm
Chance the Rapper, 404 Austin, 10:30–10:55pm
The Drum, Mohawk Indoor, 11–11:40pm
Flosstradamus, Ballroom Annex, 12–1am
Rockie Fresh, Easy Tiger, 9:45–10:30pm
GLC, 404 Austin, 10–10:20pm
Great Divide, Six Lounge, 9–9:30pm
Houses, Holy Mountain Backyard, 11:15–11:55pm
Katie's Got Bandz, 404 Austin, 11:40pm–12am
King Louie, 404 Austin, 1–2am
Scott Lucas & The Married Men, Hickory Street, 12–12:40am
Scott Lucas & The Married Men, Holy Mountain Backyard, 8:15–8:55pm
DJ Sean Mac, 404 Austin, 8:10–8:30pm
N.E.P.H.E.W, Hangar Lounge, 10:30–11pm
On An On, IFC Crossroads House, 11–11:40pm
Local trio On An On is touring in support of its debut album, Give In, which combines soaring anthems with more hypnotic detours.
Runway Bella, 404 Austin, 8:30–8:45pm
Vic Spencer, 404 Austin, 9:20–9:35pm
YP, 404 Austin, 9:40–9:55pm

Friday 15
JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound, The Tap Room at Six, 1–1:50am
Filligar, Karma Lounge, 8–8:40pm
Jerome Derradji, Lamberts, 11:40pm–12:40am
Flosstradamus, Republic Live, 12:30–1:30am
Rockie Fresh, Austin Music Hall, 9:05–9:20pm
Frontier, Rebels Honky Tonk, 7:30–8:10am
Gemini Club, Avenue on Congress Rooftop, 10–10:40pm
Houses, Six Lounge, 9:30–10pm
Kids These Days, Hype Hotel, 9–9:30pm
One of Chicago's youngest breakout bands, Kids These Days bring their energetic blend of funk, soul and hip-hop to Austin.
Jon Langford & Skull Orchard, Continental Club, 8:15–8:55pm
Nylo, Victorian Room at The Driskill, 9:45–10:15pm
Nylo, Austin Music Hall, 7:45–8pm
Outer Minds, Hotel Vegas/Volstead, 9:40-10:10pm
Shoes, Maggie Mae's Gibson Room, 11–11:40pm
Anita Wilson, Central Presbyterian Church, 8:50–9:25pm

Saturday 16
Chance the Rapper, Suite 101, 10–10:15pm
Judson Claiborne, The Iron Bear, 9–9:40pm
The Congregation, Lustre Pearl, 10–10:40pm
Flosstradamus, Ballroom Annex, 12:30–1am
Chief Keef, 1100 Warehouse, 10:30–10:55pm
Arguably Chicago's most controversial MC (Kanye, I'mma let you finish, but Chief Keef had one of the most controversial debuts of all time), Keef is set to bring his gritty, albeit accurate, depictions of South Side street life to SXSW.
Jonathan Mcreynolds, Carver Museum Boyd Vance Theatre, 2:15–2:40pm
My Gold Mask, Hickory Street, 12–12:40am
Omen, Club de Ville, 11:05–11:20pm
Paypa, Suite 101, 10:40–10:55pm
Serengeti, The Velveeta Room, 11–11:40pm
Anita Wilson, Bar 96, 9–9:40pm