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SXSW Thu Dec 12 2013
Chicago at SXSW 2014: First Look
It's hard to believe the year is nearly over, and SXSW, the annual festival and conference on music, film and the internet down in Austin is only a little over three months away. Each year in Transmission, we take a look at which local musicians will be performing at SXSW Music March 7-16, 2014 to give those of you attending the fest an idea of who to keep an eye out for. And now that the first two rounds of showcasing artists have been announced, there are enough locals to file a report.
And yes, it took two rounds for there to be enough to bother. With more than 500 acts announced, fewer than 10 are from Chicagoland. They are: Andrew Belle, The Autumn Defense, Circuit des Yeux, Empires, Rockie Fresh and Urge Overkill, as well as The Giving Tree Band from southwest suburban Yorkville and K'La from Gary.
Sure, that's pretty light representation, but don't forget that this is very early -- the full schedule, usually released in February, will provide a clearer picture of how strong Chicago's presence will be felt in Austin. If you're planning to go to the festival, get your tickets and book your room ASAP, as most of the hotels close to the epicenter are already sold out.
As always, we'll be bringing you coverage of Chicagoland acts at the SXSW Music Festival as it happens. Stay tuned, and read our past coverage of the fest in the archives.