Live music preview: Six more buzz bands to see at SXSW 2026
The 2026 South By Southwest (SXSW) music festival is days away. The roster of music festival artists can seem overwhelming at first glance. With a lineup that can satisfy every kind of music lover, The Cosmic Clash is bringing you six more buzz bands you should put on your list for the upcoming long week of music in Austin. All set times, along with venues, can be found on the SXSW website and the SXSW GO mobile application.
Marijuana Death Squads – Minneapolis, Minnesota
Formed in 2009, the genre-bending, improvisational chops of Marijuana Death Squads boggle the cranium with relentless force. With a tenure that’s approaching two decades, the Midwest sextet is known for their harnessing of chaos in realms of noise, electronica, and experimental rock that will have all the heads dabbling in their conjuring of all that is obscure and abrasive. Their 2018 album Tuff Guy Electronics continues a growing trajectory that’s worthy of your SXSW fest time. If you like unbridled experimentation that pushes the boundaries of any conventional song structure, make a stopover to one of the many opportunities to bask in the mayhem.
RIYL: Black Moth Super Rainbow, Boredoms, The Octopus Project, Boards of Canada
Annabelle Chairlegs – Austin, Texas
Despite having a long tenure as an Austin band, Lindsey Mackin and Annabelle Chairlegs are chasing a renaissance in 2026. Comprised of alumni of Austin music past and present, the Chairlegs quartet features the likes of Nolan Potter (Nolan Potter’s Nightmare Band) and Nick Cornetti (Daiistar, American Sharks) as Mackin’s esteemed rhythm section. With the Austin music all-stars involved and a new record, Waking Up (produced by garage rock legend Ty Segall) in the fold, Mackin and her associates are seeing a resurgence as one of Austin’s most coveted indie rock institutions. With a sound that dabbles in surf, blues, and hard-living garage rock, it feels like nothing can stop the new wave of Mackin and her brand of impossibly fun rock and roll. We’re a long way from the early spunky anthem “Candy Apple Red.” Keep your eyes peeled for Annabelle MF Chairlegs.
RIYL: Alvvays, Ty Segall, Beach Fossils, Snail Mail
Pink Breath of Heaven – San Francisco, California
With a touring resume that includes the likes of The Dandy Warhols, LSD and the Search for God, Alison’s Halo, Ty Segall, and The Brian Jonestown Massacre, Pink Breath of Heaven is a fresh homage to the elder statesmen of neo-psychedelia. With a sound that gloriously emulates the likes of My Bloody Valentine and early-era psychedelic revival, PBOH’s music is dreamlike, with drums that deliver a steady, tribal-laced rhythm. The vintage sounds all over their latest record, Colors Make A Sound, will feel right at home for fans of bands like Loop, Spacemen 3, and Spiritualized. An ideal fit with the psych hub of Austin.
RIYL: The Brian Jonestown Massacre, Mercury Rev, The Dandy Warhols, My Bloody Valentine
Radium Dolls – Brisbane, Australia
A band from down under in the distant land of Australia is what Austindie fans seek out since the emergence of bands like King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard and Amyl & The Sniffers. Named after The Radium Girls, the female factory workers who contracted radiation poisoning from painting radium dials, the infectious energy of Radium Dolls has become a talk of the town since the reveal of their SXSW appearance for 2026. On their latest record, Wound Up, Radium Dolls sound as unapologetic as ever, with abrasive power chords and shouted vocals that should hit hard for those who dig the ethos of Amy Taylor and her band of misfits. From the dive bars to the big stage, Radium Dolls feel like Australia’s next breakout for the weirdo music lovers all over the globe.
RIYL: Amyl & The Sniffers, The Chats, Turnstile, Idles
Nug – Portland, Oregon
Berlin-born filmmaker Dorian Warneck is a prolific mastermind. On top of making films, helming a street art zine, and contributing to South Carolina act Secret Guest, Warneck is now the leader of Portland-based outfit Nug, where he currently resides. With a fuzz-heavy delivery that fits in seamlessly with the Austin sound, Nug is a tripped-out wall of textural architecture that will have reverberation-lovers chomping at the bit to experience it. On their 2025 full-length debut, Kerfuffle, a worthy entry to DIY garage psych is implemented to utmost effectiveness, with driving guitars and searing leads to concoct a radioactive atmosphere that builds entrancing, hypnotic vibes. Check them out at The Cosmic Clash’s Webberville Block Party on March 14 among other opportunities. RSVP at the link or click the poster below for full lineup and details.
RIYL: Bass Drum of Death, Tame Impala (Early), The Black Angels, Parquet Courts
Bikini Beach – Konstanz, Germany
Active since the early 2010s, the raw power of Bikini Beach will set stages on fire during their SXSW 2026 run. With their confrontational presence that should strike similar chords as Austin ever-risers Die Spitz and Subpar Snatch, this one should prove to make every space in Austin a crowd-surfing mosh zone. On their 2025 effort, Cursed, Bikini Beach reflects on the current fucked-up state of the world, eviscerating each obstacle in their path and answering to no one. Singer Nico Rosch possesses the stage presence to captivate any space, stampeding drums, avalanche basslines and all. If you like it loud, grab your fest crew and get close to the stage to witness this live rarity.
RIYL: Black Lips, Die Spitz, Allah Las, La Luz
All photos courtesy of SXSW except where noted
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