SXSW 2025 Day 3: Country, Rock, and Much More

On Day 3 of the SXSW Music Festival, the British Music Embassy showcase and the showcase at Stubb’s Amphitheater left the crowd begging for more while Rolling Stone continued to set the standard for the future of music. The artists listed here represent a variety of genres, providing a well-rounded listening experience for the day.

British Music Embassy

The British Music Embassy showcase was held at the Palm Door on Sixth in Austin. The showcase focuses on rising British musicians, spanning a variety of genres, demonstrating their talent in front of an audience including, Amelia Coburn and OneDa.

Amelia Coburn

Amelia Coburn’s performance felt like a fairytale unfolding on stage. She performed with a lovely band guiding the show, giving us vocals coming straight out of storybook. Her song “Oh Captain! Guide Me Home“ stood out as a soothing lullaby, perfect for easy listening during future study-seshes. After the show, Coburn graciously answered questions about her musical journey and her experience at SXSW. She shared that it was her first time in the States since childhood, adding, “Everyone’s so friendly here!” Coburn’s vibrant spirit was undeniable, leaving a lasting impression and building anticipation for what she’ll accomplish next. Listen to one of the tracks from her latest album here.

OneDa

British-Nigerian rapper and poet OneDa took the stage shortly after, delivering a high-energy performance that left a strong impression. Known for blending rap and spoken word poetry, OneDa captivated the SXSW crowd with her dynamic presence. Her track “The Formula“ from her debut album stood out, drawing the audience in with infectious rhythms and sharp rhymes that had the audience swaying and bopping along. In addition to her impressive rap skills, OneDa shared that she self-produces her music, adding another layer of depth to her artistry. The performance skillfully combined rap with elements of EDM, showcasing her fast-paced rhyming and genre-blending talent. As a queer artist, OneDa’s authenticity and vibrant energy echoed with the crowd.

Jack’s Mannequin @ Stubb’s

Most of the artists being featured at South were unfamiliar to the writer before the festival, including Jack’s Mannequin, who performed at Stubb’s on Wednesday night. The band opened the hour-long set with “Kill the Messenger,” blending a mid-to-late ’70s with pop-punk vocals similar to Blink-182 or Green Day. The show marked the 20th anniversary of Jack’s Mannequin’s SXSW debut album in 2005—a milestone that added a sense of nostalgia and pride for both the band and the audience.

Future of Music Day 2

Day two of Rolling Stone’s third-annual Future of Music showcase at ACL Live was a country-fueled kickback. DJs Moonshine and Prison Rodeo of Honky Tonkin in Queens kept the energy soaring between sets, spinning tracks that had the crowd breaking out their dancing shoes and two-stepping the night away.

Brittney Spencer

The lineup featured a mix of rising and established talent, including Brittney Spencer, whose powerful vocals and authentic storytelling captivated the crowd. As festival goers crowded in the main floor, Brittney’s charm and grace immediately caught their attention. While fans may have attended for Megan Moroney, they left as admirers of Spencer as well. The singer performed a few tracks from her album My Stupid Life.

Larkin Poe

Sister duo Larkin Poe delivered a high-voltage blend of rock and country, captivating the crowd with their raw energy and guitar-shredding prowess. The Lovell sisters hit the stage with infectious intensity, setting the venue abuzz with their powerful sound. Lead vocalist Rebecca Lovell opened up about the creative challenges behind their latest album, Bloom, admitting that songwriting as a duo hasn’t always been easy. Despite the struggles, the sisters remained determined to push through and craft something meaningful—a resilience that resonated in their performance.

Stephen Wilson Jr.

The latest rock performer from Indiana, Stephen Wilson Jr., continued to bring a raw edge with his fusion of rock and country and his effortless rockstar energy, drawing similarities to artists like Nirvana and Willie Nelson. The audience immediately took to the performer and connected not only with his sound but also his vulnerability, particularly in the single “Father Søn” written about the death of his father. The singer shared his musical journey with the audience saying, “Most of my history as a musician and performer is playing in indie bands and that’s why I have a pretty long history here at SXSW… But then I branched off and really got into learning the craft of country songwriting.”

Megan Moroney

Rolling Stone’s Gen Z Country Queen, Megan Moroney, a pop-country star and songwriter from Douglasville, Georgia, closed the night with her signature heartfelt lyrics and soulful melodies, leaving the audience buzzing. Moroney decorated the three-tiered stage with neon signs of smiley faces, cowgirl boots, and hearts. The singer is known for her vulnerability in her lyrics and her babydoll style dresses, creating a southern belle barbie aesthetic that the crowd adored. If her music wasn’t enough, her personality captured the hearts of everyone in the room.

Gurriers at Mohawk

Although the main showcases concluded, there were plenty of other showcases around the city still living it up. Over at Mohawk, the night was just starting to pick up as Gurriers, a post-punk, shoegaze rock band from Dublin, hit the stage with members jumping into the crowd even as the first song barely began. The band’s message and angst caused a mosh pit to form almost immediately with lead guitarist Mark MacCormack letting fans actually strum his guitar and lead vocalist Dan Hoff jumping into the pit for one of his songs.

We are already halfway through the Music Festival, but there is still much more to come. Make sure to catch the rest of Coog Radio’s wrap-up of this year’s SXSW Music Festival highlights.