June, for many, is the true start of summer, and that only means one thing for music fans: festival season. SXSW London is wasting no time getting going when those sunbeams start to come down, with four full days of music lined up in their programme for their sophomore year in the capital.
With a successful London debut under their belts, it’s time for SXSW: The Return next month, which has seen them add another fantastically varied lineup across multiple venues in Shoreditch.
How does the music work at SXSW London?
SXSW is a festival with plenty of layers, but if you’re strictly in it for the music, you’ll want to pick up a wristband pass that gets you access to their multi-venue musical array scattered across East London. SXSW has collaborated with a host of names to give them license to curate part of the festival and add acts to the bill – with the likes of Crack Magazine, Huck, Notting Hill Carnival, Mohogany, BBC Introducing, and Crack Magazine all involved.
There are a few different SXSW passes you can buy, but if you’re strictly in it for the live music, you’ll want to pick up either a day wristband on your preferred date for £25, or a full pass, which allows you in every day to see all the artists, for £79.
The bulk of the music kicks off on what is technically day two of SXSW at large, though Pete Tong will play at the Brick Lane Yard on Monday, June 1 for those with delegate passes hoping to start with a boogie.
Here are some of our top picks from the special musical guests at SXSW London.
SXSW music picks for Tuesday, June 2
Earl Sweatshirt (Shoreditch Town Hall, 10pm – 11pm. Curated by NOTION)
Earl Sweatshirt has positioned himself as one of the most interesting figures in hip hop over the last 15 years or so. He’s made a name for himself for his unique live shows, with my fellow Secret London writer Vaishnavi Pandey waxing lyrical about Earl Sweatshirt’s show at the Jazz Café Festival, saying: “No one spits bars like Earl live, it feels less like a performance and more like you’ve stepped inside his stream of consciousness with no heavy backing tracks and frills, just pure lyrical genius.”
Catch him headlining the Shoreditch Town Hall stage on the first proper full day of music at SXSW London.
The rest of the special guests
- Sega Bodega (ambient set – curated by Crack Magazine)
- Jax Jones (delegates pass only – Brick Lane Yard, 6:30pm – 8pm)
View the full list of artists and day splits here.
SXSW music picks for Wednesday, June 3
Rachel Chinouriri (Shoreditch Town Hall, 9:15pm – 10:15pm, curated by Mahogany)
I first came across Rachel Chinouriri after hearing a glowing review of her Glastonbury set in 2023, which led to her track All I Ever Ask being on truly heavy rotation. As a breakout single, it has all you want, and since then, she’s released her debut album, What A Devastating Turn Of Events, as well as a handful of singles, appearances on Jools Holland, and a support slot on Sabrina Carpenter’s UK tour.
At SXSW, she headlines the Assembly Hall of Shoreditch Town Hall, in what’s nailed on to be a jewel in the crown of the Wednesday lineup, which also happens to be the day featuring the most special guests on the bill.
The rest of the special guests
- Giles Peterson (delegates pass only – Brick Lane Yard, 6:30pm – 8pm)
- DJ AG
- Infinity Song (Shoreditch Town Hall, 8pm – 8:45pm. Curated by Mahogany)
- Circa Waves (Village Underground, 9:30pm – 10:30pm. Curated by End Of The Trail Creative)
- Future Utopia
View the full list of artists and day splits here.
SXSW music picks for Thursday, June 4
Tiwa Savage (Shoreditch Town Hall, Assembly Hall at 9pm – 10pm. Curated by DJ Ace’s Everything R&B)
If Tiwa Savage is playing at a festival, there’s no choice but to go to see her and enjoy a dance. She’s a legendary name on the lineup, and it’s a significant show for her, having recently moved back to the capital and releasing her latest record, This One Is Personal, which features guest spots from the likes of Skepta. Since her debut in 2013, she’s consistently been releasing her blend of afrobeats, pop, and R&B, and she’ll draw across this for what’s certain to be a party atmosphere on SXSW London’s penultimate day.
The rest of the special guests
- ODUMODUBLVCK (Village Underground, 10pm – 11pm. Curated by Clash Magazine)
- Amaria BB (Unlocked – Caribbean Music House, 10pm – 11pm. Curated by Becca D’s DEADLY)
View the full list of artists and day splits here.
SXSW music picks for Friday, June 5
Shame (Village Underground, 10pm – 11pm. Curated by Huck Magazine)
There’s only one special guest act named for the Friday, but it’s a big one. Shame’s name may have been born at the Queen’s Head pub in Brixton, but the Londoners will be closing the festival in style over at the east of the city. They’ll take to Village Underground with four albums—their latest being 2025’s Cutthroat—of material, so it’s certain to be a popular act for the post punk fans at the close of SXSW London.
You can view the entire lineup with venue lists and time splits at the SXSW London website.
