50 of the Most Notable & Newsworthy Female (or Female-Fronted) Acts at SXSW 2016  

SXSW has long offered one of the most diverse, eclectic and far-reaching selection of artists by any festival in existence.  With the ability to fill hundreds of stages and venues over five days with thousands of acts, it would be a real pity to see the fair city of Austin play it safe – luckily for us, ‘playing is safe is’ is not a part of the SXSW game plan.

More so this year than in any other I’ve witnessed, women are sharing the limelight with the men.  In fact, they are not only headlining the big venues, but they’re doing so more loudly than their male counterparts.  There is just something completely unforgettable, something that reaches in and touches your soul in a way that changes you, about a woman belting out a tune with everything she’s got and possessing the vocal chops to back the bravado.

Just as unforgettable acts like Janis Joplin, Diana Ross and Dolly Parton had to once be discovered, a whole new crop of rockers, divas and songstresses are hoping their ‘something special’ shines through onstage next week.  And to make it a little easier on you, the festivalgoer, to maximize your talent intake, here is a list of the 50 most-buzzed-about, must-see female acts of this year’s fest.

With literally thousands of acts to choose from this year, here are 50 artists led by fearless females taking the music world by storm this year.

• Adia Victoria
  Rock
  Showcase at The Parish Wednesday 3/16 @ 12:00am
• Akina Adderly & The Vintage Playboys
  R & B
  Showcase at The Sidewinder Outside Stage Tuesday 3/15 @ 10:00pm
• Aristophanes
  Hip-Hop/Rap
  Showcase at Elysium Saturday 3/19 @ 1:00am
• Bleached
  Punk
  Showcase at Barracuda Backyard Thursday 3/17 @ 12:00am
• Blondfire
  Rock
  Showcase at The Iron Bear Wednesday 3/16 @ 1:00am
• Boyfriend
  Pop
  Showcase at Monster Energy Outbreak House Wednesday 3/16 @ 8:40pm
• Charlie Faye & The Fayettes
  Americana
  Showcase at Saxon Pub Saturday 3/19 @ 8:00pm
• Crystal Castles
  Electronic
  Showcase at Stubb’s Friday 3/18 @ 10:00pm
• Emily Wolfe
  Rock
  Showcase at Trinity Hall at Old School Saturday 3/19 @ 12:00am
• Empress Of
  Electronic
  Showcase at Hype Hotel Tuesday 3/15 @ 1:00am
• For Esme
  Pop
  Showcase at Barracuda Backyard Saturday 3/19 @ 11:20pm
• Gina Chavez
  Latin
  Showcase at The Sidewinder Outside Tuesday 3/15 @ 8:00pm
• GRRL
  Electronic
  Showcase at Elysium Tuesday 3/15 @ 11:30pm
• Gwenno
  Electronic
  Showcase at Barracuda Wednesday 3/16 @ 10:15pm
• Hinds
  Rock
  Showcase at Cedar Street Courtyard Thursday 3/17 @ 10:00pm
• Irie Love
  Reggae
  Showcase at Maggie Mae’s Rooftop Friday 3/18 (TBA)
• Julien Baker
  Singer-Songwriter
  Showcase at Central Presbyterian Church Wednesday 3/16 @ 12:00am
• Kitten
  Rock
  Showcase at Buffalo Billiards Wednesday 3/16 @ 1:00am
• KLOE
  Pop
  Showcase at Latitude 30 Friday 3/18 @ 9:00pm
• L. E. J.
  Pop
  Showcase at Central Presbyterian Church Thursday 3/17 @ 11:00pm
• La Luz
  Rock
  Showcase at Cheer Up Charlie’s Thursday 3/17 @ 11:15pm
• Låpsley
  Electronic
  Showcase at Stubb’s Thursday 3/17 @ 10:15pm
• Lena Fayre
  Pop
  Showcase at Cheer Up Charlie’s Friday 3/18 @ 11:45pm
• Little Simz
  Hip-Hop/Rap
  Showcase at Scoot Inn Wednesday 3/16 @ 10:10pm
• Loretta Lynn
  Country
  Showcase at Stubb’s Thursday 3/17 @ 8:15pm
• Lucius
  Pop
  Showcase at Radio Day Stage Friday 3/18 @ 4:00pm
• Margo Price
  Country
  Showcase at The Gatsby Thursday 3/17 @ 8:00pm
• Maureen Choi Quartet
  Jazz
  Showcase at Elephant Room Saturday 3/19 @ 11:00pm
• Nina Diaz
  Rock
  Showcase at Maggie Mae’s Rooftop Thursday 3/17 @ 10:40pm
• Noveller
  Rock
  Showcase at Austin City Limits Live at the Moody Theater Wednesday 3/16 (Time TBD)
• Peaches
  Electronic
  Showcase at Maggie Mae’s Rooftop Tuesday 3/15 @ 1:00am
• Pom Poms
  Rock
  Showcase at Soho Lounge Wednesday 3/16 @ 9:00pm
• Pure Bathing Culture
  Rock
  Date TBA
• Quebe Sisters
  Americana
  Showcase at Swan Dive Wednesday 3/16 @ 9:00pm
• Rebecca Loebe
  Americana
  Showcase at Palm Door on Sabine Saturday 3/19 @ 9:00pm
• Regrettes
  Punk
  Showcase at The Velveeta Room Friday 3/18 @ 8:00pm
• Santigold
  Pop
  Showcase at Stubb’s Friday 3/18 @ 12:00am
• Seratones
  Rock
  Showcase at The Parish Friday 3/18 @ 12:00am
• Shannon and The Clams
  Rock
  Showcase at Cheer Up Charlie’s Thursday 3/17 @ 12:15am
• Shaprece
  R & B
  Showcase at Soho Lounge Wednesday 3/16 @ 12:00am
• Sharkmuffin
  Rock
  Showcase at BD Riley’s Saturday 3/19 @ 1:00am
• Slingshot Dakota
  Pop
  Showcase at The sidewinder Outside Friday 3/18 @ 8:00pm
• Tacocat
  Punk
  Showcase at Cheer Up Charlie’s Thursday 3/17 @ 10:15pm
• Tameca Jones
  R & B
  Showcase at Continental Club Saturday 3/19 @ 12:00am
• Thao & The Get Down Stay Down
  Rock
  Showcase at Parish Wednesday 3/16 @ 11:00pm
• The Middle East
  World
  Showcase at Russian House Thursday 3/17 @ 8:00pm
• The Wild Reeds
  Rock
  Showcase at 18^th Floor at Hilton Garden Inn Friday 3/18 @ 12:00am
• Warpaint
  Rock
  Showcase at Tap Room at The Market Wednesday 3/16 @ 11:00pm
• Waxahatchee
  Singer-Songwriter
  Showcase at central Presbyterian Church Saturday 3/19 @ 10:00pm
• Wild Child
  Rock
  Showcase at St. David’s Historic Sanctuary Saturday 3/19 @ 12:00am