The British Music Embassy reveals SXSW 2023 line-up

The British Music Embassy, SXSW’s venue for break-out UK music stars, today announces its line-up of the best new British music. After a tremendous 2022 at its new home at The Courtyard at 4th (formerly Cedar Street Courtyard), featuring performances from breakout artists, such as now two-time GRAMMY and two-time BRIT Award-winning artist Wet Leg, two-time BRIT Award-nominated Nova Twins, Yard Act, Self Esteem, Priya Ragu, Walt Disco, amongst many others, this year's line up continues to shine a light on the incredible talent coming out of the UK. 

The British Music Embassy’s 12 showcases run from Saturday, March 11 to Saturday, March 18, split between four daytime and eight night-time shows. The BBC, Consequence, Licks Magazine tipped artists such as Brooke Coombe, Alaskaalaska, Lime Garden will take to the stage, as well as multiple artists featured in NME’s '100 Essential Artists for 2023', including Balming Tiger, Crawlers, Heartworms, Panic Shack, and Redolent. This year The British Music Embassy is also presenting, with BBC Music Introducing, the first ever BBC 1xtra Introducing showcase featuring British artists of color, on Thursday, March 12. The showcase includes R&B, Soul, and Aftrobeat artists Bellah, Miraa May, Obongjayar, SIPHO, and Yazmin Lacey. Throughout the eight days, The BME will once again highlight the creativity and diversity of the British music scene, which annually makes the showcases the place to be during SXSW.

The British Music Embassy also offers networking opportunities for those looking to build business connections worldwide, with a week-long program of panels and roundtables featuring top UK executives and industry experts.

The British Music Embassy is brought to you by the Association of Independent Music (AIM), BBC Music Introducing, UK record labels association the BPI, the Department for Business & Trade, The Ivor Academy, The MMF's Accelerator program, PPL, PRS for Music and PRS Foundation, in association with ATC, Bowers & Wilkins,  Marshall, Production Park, Belfast City Council, SongBits and media partners Consequence and LICKS Magazine.

Saturday, March 11th - 8pm-12am

BME Opening Night Launch Party, feat.

Brooke Coombe, DEX DJ, Low Island, Tyson, Warmduscher

Sunday March 12th - TBC-TBC

BME Presents In Association with Songbits, feat.

Classical For Now, Max Cooper 3D/AV

Monday, March 13th - 8pm-2am

Marshall Official SXSW Showcase, feat.

Dead Pony, Gen And The Degenerates, Kid Bookie, NOISY, Panic Shack, Red Rum Club

Tuesday, March 14th - 8pm-2am

ATC-Live Official SXSW Showcase, feat.

Balming Tiger, The Goa Express, The Golden Dregs, Ishmael Ensemble, Mandy, Indiana, Sans Soucis

Wednesday, March 15th - 2pm-6pm

Licks Magazine presents, feat.

Alaskalaska, Brooke Coombe, Lime Garden, Jaz Karis, Prima Queen

Wednesday, March 15th - 8pm-2am

Consequence Official SXSW Showcase, feat.

Dream Wife, Folly Group, girli, Low Island, Pigs, Pigs, Pigs, Pigs, Pigs, Pigs, Pigs, SOAK

Thursday, March 16th - 2pm-6pm

Output Belfast presents, feat.

Cherym, Dea Matrona, Far Caspian, Junk Drawer, Lemonade Shoelace, WYNONA BLEACH

Thursday, March 16th 8pm-2am

BBC Introducing Official SXSW Showcase, feat.

Bellah, Miraa May, Obongjayar, SIPHO, Yazmin Lacey

Friday, March 17th - 2pm-6pm

BME / FORM presents, feat.

Dream Wife, Hamish Hawk, Sans Soucis, Tyson, Warmduscher

Friday, March 17th - 8pm-2am

BBC 1xtra Introducing Official SXSW Showcase, feat.

Crawlers, Edie Bens, English Teacher, Jessica Winter, Kadeem Tyrell, Steam Down

Saturday, March 18th 2pm-6pm

BME presents, feat.

Redolent, Strawberry Guy, Tamzene, Venbee, Youth Sector

Saturday, March 18th - 8pm-2am

BBC Introducing Official SXSW Showcase, feat.

Heartworms, The Orielles, Queen Millz, Robocobra Quartet, Sports Team, VLURE

"ATC live are delighted to be back at the British Music Embassy at SXSW 2023.  We welcome Folly Group, Ismael Ensemble, The Golden Dregs, The Goa Express, Sans Soucis and Balming Tiger for an dazzling and eclectic musical journey taking in post punk, new UK jazz, baritone crooning, psych rock, alternative RnB and multi-national alternative K-Pop." - Alex Bruford, ATC Live

Andrea Czapary Martin, CEO, PRS for Music, said: “PRS for Music is pleased to be returning this year to SXSW and the British Music Embassy to champion our exceptional members while strengthening PRS’s global footprint. These showcases present the best in British talent and are a springboard for music creators, helping to launch long-term opportunities for PRS members. If you are in Austin this year, I welcome you to join us at The Courtyard.”

“We are hugely excited to be returning to SXSW this year, this time as official sponsors of the Monday night at the British Music Embassy. SXSW, along with the British Music Embassy, allow artists fantastic opportunities to showcase their unique talents to a brand new audience.” - Steve Tannett, Music Director, Marshall Amplification Plc

Annabella Coldrick, Chief Executive, Music Managers Forum - "MMF is delighted once again to partner with the British Music Embassy and to support all the British managers in town. The work of music managers representing artists at the showcase and making international deals happen, including current and former participants on our YouTube Music supported Accelerator Programme, is crucial to the success of SxSW.”

Giles Pocock, Vice-President of Brand Marketing, Bowers & Wilkins, added: “Music has always been at the heart of everything we do as a company. As a British audio brand, it makes us incredibly proud to be able to help support the future of British music through our long-term association with the BPI and, more recently, the British Music Embassy. It's a hugely exciting line-up and we can't wait to see what all these amazing artists do next.”

Ben Wynter – Entrepreneur & Outreach Manager Association of Independent Music (AIM) - “AIM is thrilled to return to SXSW with the British Music Embassy, where we will support and champion all our incredible members who are speaking or/and have talent showcasing at this year’s event. Creative Entrepreneurs are the true innovators and pioneers of this industry, and we are pleased to be able to offer our guidance and support at SXSW. I am delighted to see such a strong, exciting, and diverse lineup at the British Music Embassy and would go as far as to say that if you don’t make it down to The Courtyard, you really will miss out on the hottest shows in town.”

Sophie Jones, BPI Chief Strategy Officer and Interim CEO, said: “British music and artists need their voices to be heard louder than ever in today’s intense competitive global music market, and SXSW has become one of the essential platforms to cut through all noise, amplify the UK’s voice and showcase its brilliant new music talent to an influential audience. I am delighted that the BPI is once again able to be part of the British Music Embassy at SXSW alongside UK partners and with the support of Bowers & Wilkins. We wish the organizers, attendees, and participating artists every success for another great event.”

Peter Leathem OBE, Chief Executive Officer at PPL, said:
“It is fantastic to be travelling to Austin once again for what is unquestionably one of the highlights of the music industry calendar. SXSW offers UK artists, like the Northern Ireland Music Prize winning band Robocobra Quartet and neo-soul singer songwriter Yazmin Lacey, who will both be among those performing this year, an invaluable opportunity to engage with global audiences.

“Having a larger capacity venue once again in The Courtyard demonstrates the increasing popularity and appeal of the talent being showcased at The British Music Embassy. PPL is proud to be a partner and supporter of this vital platform for the UK music industry.”