Official SXSW showcases announced, many locals in the mix

Photo by Ben Clark

Gay Witch Abortion are one of 17 Minnesota acts to play official SXSW shows

​The South by Southwest music festival announced the lineups for their official showcases this year (which are booked according to an application process that involves somewhere upwards of 10,000 bands), and 17 Minnesota acts have been selected. The local acts playing SXSW-sanctioned showcases are listed below, but keep in mind that this is only a portion of the Minnesota bands who are heading down to SXSW next month. These days, a band can gain just as much traction playing an unofficial showcase or day party as one of these shows, which keeps the streets of Austin flooded with music from morning until... well, morning each and every day of the festival.

The links below will take you to the bands' profile pages on the SXSW site. Showcase times are listed in chronological order, in case you're a nerd like me and are planning on traveling 1,172 miles to watch a bunch of Minnesota bands play SXSW.

Ruby Isle
Lamberts
Wednesday, March 17, 7 p.m.

The Melismatics
Lamberts
Wednesday, March 17, 8 p.m.

Kid Dakota
Lamberts
Wednesday, March 17, 12 a.m.

Grant Hart
Lamberts
Wednesday, March 17, 1 a.m.

Peter Wolf Crier
Emo's Main Room
Thursday, March 18, 8 p.m.

Birthday Suits
Jaime's
Thursday, March 18, 9:15 p.m.

The Pines
Stephen F's Bar
Thursday, March 18, 11 p.m.

The Blind Shake
Soho Lounge
Friday, March 18, 7:45 p.m.

Trampled by Turtles
Red Eyed Fly
Friday, March 19, 8 p.m.

Gay Witch Abortion
Soho Lounge
Friday, March 18, 8:40 p.m.

Solid Gold
Club de Ville
Friday, March 19, time TBA

Gigamesh
The Phoenix
Friday, March 19, time TBA

Charlie Parr
Victorian Room at the Driskill
Friday, March 19, time TBA

Jeremy Messersmith
Central Presbyterian Church
Saturday, March 20, 8 p.m.

Banner Pilot
Emo's Annex
Saturday, March 20, 8:15 p.m.

Off With Their Heads
Club de Ville
Saturday, March 20, time TBA

Swimming With Dolphins
Emo's Jr.
Saturday, March 20, time TBA