From crowd chants to kickflips, Day 2 of SXSW 2025 delivered on the excitement teased in Day 1—and then some. Rolling Stone kicked off its annual Future of Music Fest, Artists for Action returned for their second and final day, and the Opening Music Party showcased talent from around the globe.

Music Opening Party

The Music Opening Party has long showcased rising talent worldwide, but this year’s lineup highlighted an impressive wave of girl power. Standout performances included La Cendejas, a Spanish artist from Madrid; Runyu Qian, a fusion singer-songwriter blending traditional Chinese music with contemporary styles; and U.S. Girls, the Toronto-based experimental pop project.

La Cendejas made a fan’s dream come true by taking their phone during her performance, singing into the camera, and later snapping a picture with the fan before signing the first thing they could find. Runyu Qian sparked curiosity before her set even began, warming up with the electric pipa—a modern take on the traditional Chinese instrument. She later explained her classical training and invited the audience to embrace her culture. Megan Remy, lead vocalist of U.S. Girls, caught the crowd off guard when she shoved through the audience barefoot, looking confused—until her band kicked off the set, setting the tone for a wild and unpredictable night.

Take Action x SXSW: Day 2

The line for the Empire Control Room & Garage went down the block and around the corner as fans anxiously waited for the doors to open for the second day of Take Action x SXSW. Austin-based synth dream pop band Sex Pop set the tone with shimmering beats and hazy melodies. Former Disney Channel stars turned pop rock duo Aly & AJ followed with a polished and heartfelt set, while R&B legend Ginuwine closed out the night with smooth vocals and nostalgic hits. The powerful lineup reinforced Take Action’s mission of using music to unite and inspire change in the fight against gun violence with each artist proudly encouraging fans to make a change.

Future of Music Showcase: Day 1

Rolling Stone Magazine‘s Future of Music Showcase (presented by JBL) at SXSW features the rising stars of tomorrow each year. This year, the lineup of artists showcasing their talent includes Benson Boone, Megan Moroney, Rema, and more! Each night of the showcase, artists take the ACL Live at Moody Theater stage in Austin with twenty-one artists in total performing over the course of four nights. The first night’s artists were Duplexity, jasmine.4.t, Laila!, Hannah Bahng, & Benson Boone.

Duplexity

Duplexity’s indie-rock sound had the crowd captivated as they took the stage as the first group of the night. They performed around five songs, the last one being their latest single titled, “Not Today“. Their groovy, head-bopping tracks took the crowd by storm and gave a great show!

Jasmine.4.t

Jasmine.4.t, a group of trans women from Manchester, United Kingdom, delivered an emotional performance to remember at Moody Theater. Their brutally honest lyricism, accompanied by powerful statements from the lead singer about transphobia faced while in the US between songs, brought a unique experience to the crowd that is sure to stay with them. Listen to one of their songs, “Elephant“, from their new album, produced by fellow queer band, Boygenius.

Hannah Bahng

Hannah Bahng delivered a great performance with her indie bedroom-pop sound that the audience definitely appreciated. I would mostly describe her time on-stage as chill as she sang her song, “POMEGRANATE.” She definitely crosses the boundary from alternative-indie to a little bit of alternative R&B as she brings a unique twist to music. Listen to Hannah’s latest single, “What Never Lived“!

Laila!

Laila!, a musician from Brooklyn, New York gave a laid-back vibe at ACL Live and showcased her unique, electric sound. A few of her songs were recognizable from being viral TikTok hits. However, she showed the crowd that she is more than just a “TikTok artist,” giving an outstanding show! She performed her flowy, alternative R&B release, “Like That!” Listen to it here!

Benson Boone

Benson Boone took the stage for an electrifying performance filled with guitar, belting, crowd-work, and…backflips. A ton of them. He performed a range of his songs, including a vulnerable track about his late grandmother. He was sure to involve the crowd greatly during his time on-stage, carrying on conversations with them that wittily led to transitions into the next song. The last song of the night that he performed was his 2024 mega-hit, “Beautiful Things.”

Day 2 of SXSW Music Festival brought a dynamic blend of global talent, high-energy sets, and meaningful performances that kept the momentum going. From the Future of Music showcase’s rising stars to Take Action’s powerful message through music, the day highlighted the diversity and creativity that define SXSW. With even more showcases, surprise guests, and standout moments on the horizon, be sure to check back tomorrow for a full recap of Day 3’s highlights and behind-the-scenes moments.