AUSTIN -- If you're looking to save a buck at this year's SXSW music festival, listen up.
While an official SXSW badge might cost you a pretty penny, there are plenty of ways to find free shows -- Elle King, Old Crow Medicine Show, Salt-n-Pepa anyone? -- if you know where to look.
We've put together a list of some of the biggest free shows being offered this year, and links to help you RSVP. However, before you head out, take a hard look at each event -- most are for party-goers that are age 21 and up, require an RSVP, and might give priority access to those who do have official SXSW credentials first.
Here goes:
SXSW Free Outdoor Stage
The music at the SXSW Outdoor Stage at Lady Bird Lake kicks off on March 15 and wraps up on March 17. It's free and open to the public with a SXSW Guest Pass.
March 15
Los Lobos
Centavrvs
DJ El Freaky
March 16
Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats
Shakey Graves
Albert Hammond Jr. (of The Strokes)
March 17
Roky Erickson
Shinyribs
Night Drive
Bidi Bidi Banda
KVUE will be live from the stage each day from 4 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
All Are Welcome Day Party at Mohawk
March 16
(12 p.m. to 6 p.m.)
WAVVES
Sunflower Bean
White Reaper
Okey Dokey
Post Animal
Cut Worms
Girl Ray
High Waisted
Part Time
Suburban Living
This event is open to the public. Click here for more information.
British Music Embassy at Latitude 30
Night shows not listed below require SXSW credentials.
March 11
(8 p.m. to 11 p.m.)
LIFE
Wyldest
Emme Woods.
March 14
(2 p.m. to 6 p.m.)
Shame
IDLES
Our Girl
Doe
Breakfast Muff
March 15
(2 p.m. to 6 p.m.)
Touts
* repeat repeat
Joshua Burnside
TBC
The Lost Brothers
+ special guests
March 16
(2 p.m. to 6 p.m.)
Lucy Spraggan
Colin Macleod
Flyte
Findlay
The RPMs
March 17
(2 p.m. to 6 p.m.)
Beating Heart
Lucy Rose
Ozteki
Francobollo
Benin City
Click here for more information and to RSVP.
Brooklyn Bowl Family Reunion at The Historic Scoot Inn
Night shows not listed below require SXSW credentials.
March 14
2 p.m. – Lawrence
3 p.m. – The Shacks
4 p.m. – Son Little
5 p.m. – Hop Along
March 15
2 p.m. – Hinds
3 p.m. – Kweku Collins
4 p.m. – Sunflower Bean
5 p.m. – Dan the Automator
March 16
1:15 p.m. – The Commonheart
2:05 p.m. – Joey Dosik
3:05 p.m. – Erika Wennerstrom (Heartless Bastards)
4:05 p.m. – The Texas Gentlemen + Special Guests: Rayland Baxter, Christopher Porterfield (Field Report), Erika Wennerstrom (Heartless Bastards), Nicole Atkins, Billy Strings and more.
Click here to RSVP.
The Budweiser Country Club at Fair Market
March 15
(Doors at 6 p.m.)
Old Crow Medicine Show
Kane Brown
Elle King
The Sisterhood Band
Levon
Tenille Townes
Colin Elmore and The Danville Train
Click here to RSVP.
Dr. Martens presents Collide at Container Bar
March 14
1 p.m. – The Buttertones
2 p.m. – Soccer Mommy
3 p.m. – The Qualitons
4 p.m. – Porches
5 p.m. – Bully
6 p.m. – White Reaper
March 15
1 p.m. – Taylor Girlz
1:45 p.m. – Buddy
2:30 p.m. – Leikeli47
3:30 p.m. – Weathers
4:30 p.m. – Amy Shark
5:30 p.m – Elle King
6:45 p.m. – Tinashe
8 p.m. – Kemba
March 16
12:30 p.m. – Grim Streaker
1 p.m. – Girl Ray
2 p.m. – The Marias
3 p.m. – Naked Giants
4 p.m. – Kodie Shane
5 p.m. – Ron Gallo
6 p.m. – Andrew W.K.
Click here to RSVP.
Floodfest at Cedar Street Courtyard
March 14
1 p.m. – Sunflower Bean
2 p.m. – In the Valley Below
3 p.m. – Cut Chemist
4 p.m. – Hinds
5 p.m. – Dan the Automator
March 15
12:15 p.m. – Lucy Dacus
1 p.m. – Neil Frances
2 p.m. – Nina Nesbit
3 p.m. – Jack Harlow
4 p.m. – Starcrawler
5 p.m. – Special Guest
March 16
12:15 p.m. – Goat Girl
1 p.m. – Hop Along
2 p.m. – Moaning
3 p.m. – Speedy Ortiz
4 p.m. – Kurt Vile
5 p.m. – Porches
Click for more information and to RSVP.
Just Another Manic Monday (The Onion and The A.V. Club) at Mohawk
March 12
Outside Lineup
4 p.m. – Nnamdi Ogbonnaya
5 p.m. – Knox Fortune
6:30 p.m. – Lucy Dacus
7:30 p.m. – Shamir
8:30 p.m. – Bully
9:40 p.m. – Wye Oak
10:45 p.m. – Superchunk
Inside Lineup
4:30 p.m. – The Motor Tom
5:50 p.m. – Dramatic Lovers
7 p.m. – Field Report
8 p.m. – Sudan Archives
9:10 p.m. – Lomelda
Click here to RSVP.
The Octopus Project & Friends at Mohawk
March 17
(12 p.m. to 6 p.m.)
The Octopus Project
… and you will know us by the trail of dead
Broncho
UME
Peelander-Z
Omni
Ringo Deathstarr
Botany
FAVX
Vampyre
Jad Fair
Click here for more information.
Pandora Day Shows
Night shows not listed below require SXSW credentials.
March 13
2 p.m. – Mt. Joy
2.50 p.m. – Liza Annie
3:40 p.m. – Demo Taped
4:30 p.m. – Elley Duhe
5:20 p.m. – Duckwrth
March 14
2 p.m. – Jade Bird
2:50 p.m. – SYML
3:40 p.m. – Cuco
4:30 p.m. – Devin Dawson
5:20 p.m. – Walker Hayes
March 15
2 p.m. – Sunflower Bean
2:50 p.m. – Karol G
3:40 p.m. – Morgan Saint
4:30 p.m. – Harry Hudson
5:20 p.m. – Pale Waves
Listeners can tune into Pandora’s exclusive SXSW Festival station to RSVP to the free event or by clicking here.
Rachael Ray’s Feedback at Stubb’s BBQ
March 17
(10 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
Lucy Dacus
Caroline Rose
Erika Wennerstrom (of Heartless Bastards)
Bob Schneider (Note: Schneider also announced three other free shows here.)
The Cringe
Hinds
Albert Hammond Jr.
Kevin Morby
Waxahatchee
Kurt Vile
Girl Talk
Salt-n-Pepa
Dr. Pepper’s Jaded Hearts Club Band (led by Matt Bellamy of Muse, feat. Members of NIN, JET and more)
Click here or more information.
Rebelle Road at Hideaway Kitchen & Bar
March 14
(10 a.m. to 10 p.m.)
Rosie Flores
Brennen Leigh
Ladies Gun Club/'Emily Herring
Pearl Charles
Jaimee Harris
Nocona
Christy Hays
Calico the Band
Chris Fullerton
Jenny Van West
Carson McHone
Alice Wallace
Ali Holder
For more information, click here.
The Showtime House at Clive Bar on Rainey Street
SMILF showcase – March 15
2 p.m. – U.S. Girls
3 p.m. Stella Donnelly
4 p.m. – Natalie Prass
5 p.m. Sudan Archives
6 p.m. – Sunflower Bean
BREAK
9 p.m. – Snail Mail
10 p.m. – Speedy Ortiz
11 p.m. – Princess Nokia
Click here to RSVP.
The Chi showcase – March 16
2 p.m. – Melo Makes Music
3 p.m. – Air Credits
4 p.m. – Knox Fortune
5 p.m. – Joey Purp
BREAK
8 p.m. – Leikeli47
9 p.m. – Kweku Collins
10 p.m. – Lee Fields & The Expressions
11 p.m. – DMC from Run-DMC
DJ Sets by Lani Love
Click here to RSVP.
Shameless St. Gallagher’s Day Party – March 17
2 p.m. – The Nude Party
3 p.m. – Post Animal
4 p.m. – Shamir
5 p.m. – Tank and the Bangas
6 p.m. – WAVVES
BREAK
9 p.m. – White Reaper
10 p.m. – BRONCHO
11 p.m. – Low Cut Connie
12 a.m. – DJ Costa
Click here to RSVP.
Sound + Color Presented by M&M’s at Lustre Pearl on Rainey
Night shows not listed below require SXSW credentials.
March 16
2 p.m. – LovelyTheBand
3 p.m. – Mallrat
4 p.m. – Gothic Tropic
5 p.m. – Flint Eastwood
6 p.m. – Okkervil River
March 17
2 p.m. – Warbly Jets
3 p.m. – CYN
4 p.m. – The Shacks
5 p.m. – Ron Gallo
6 p.m. – The Black Angels
Click here to RSVP.
South x San Jose at Hotel San Jose
March 14
Kelly Willis
Jesse Dayton
Caitlyn Smith
Josh T. Pearson
The Weather Station
Duncan Fellows
Genital Panic
March 15
David Garza y El Cosmico All Stars
Albert Hammond Jr.
Mattiel
La Luz
Sudan Archives
Partner
Hayley Coupon
March 16
Tank and the Bangas
Gang of Youths
Erika Wennerstrom
Durand Jones & The Indications
Natalie Prass
Mt. Joy
Caroline Rose
Cut Worms
March 17
Okkervil River
Rayland Baxter
Sunflower Bean
U.S. Girls
Joshua Hedley
Soccer Mommy
Los Coast
Liz Cooper & The Stampede
Click here for more information.
South x South Austin at Moontower Saloon
March 15
(6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.)
Eastside Kings ft. Chrystal Thomas
Orange Jefferson
Birdlegg
March 16
(6 p.m. to 11:15 p.m.)
Swift Drag
Patrick Donahue
Noble Junkie
March 17
(1:30 p.m. to 11:15 p.m.)
TX KGB
Big Gun Show
Bakbonz
Love & Chaos
Lucas Johnson
Chris Cataneda Project
March 18
(2 p.m. to 7 p.m.)
Deanna Wheeler
Jo James
Brad Stivers
Jelly Ellington
For more information, click here.
Southwest Invasion
This family-friendly event held from March 15-17 at the Whole Foods Market flagship store’s rooftop on North Lamar Boulevard spans three days. It will include artists like Chris Carrabba of Dashboard Confessional, Larkin Poe, In the Valley Below, Dorothy, Gothic Tropic, A Place to Bury Strangers, Elise Trouw, Jukebox the Ghost, Lola Marsh, Uni, Dear Rouge, Striking Matches, Sego, Kolars, Jared & The Mill, Dizzy, Gordi, Caught a Ghost, Lawrence and Sur.
Click here to stay tuned as they announce more artists and set times.
StubHub Next Stage at Banger’s Sausage House
Night shows not listed below require SXSW credentials.
March 14
2 p.m. – lovelytheband
3 p.m. – morgxn
4 p.m. – Lola Marsh
5 p.m. – Lawrence
6 p.m. – Joey Dosik
March 15
2 p.m. – Hembree
3 p.m. – Durand Jones & The Indications
4 p.m. – Liza Anne
5 p.m. – Field Report
6 p.m. – Mt. Joy
Click here to RSVP.
Tumblr. Show Up at Mohawk
March 11
(7 p.m. to 2 a.m.)
Kelela
Shamir
Duckwrth
Sudan Archives
Click here to RSVP.
Twix House of Duos at Lustre Pearl on Rainey
Night shows not listed below require SXSW credentials.
March 14
2 p.m. – Lola Marsh
3 p.m. – Okey Dokey
4 p.m. – IDER
5 p.m. – Otzeki
6 p.m. – Larkin Poe
March 15
2 p.m. – Slenderbodies
3 p.m. – Mint Field
4 p.m. – De Lux
5 p.m. – In The Valley Below
6 p.m. – Now, Now
Click here to RSVP.
Waterloo Day Parties at Waterloo Records
March 14
12 p.m. – Hinds
1 p.m. – Son Little
2 p.m. – Moaning
3 p.m. – Lucy Dacus
4 p.m. – Shopping
5 p.m. – Ought
6 p.m. – Andrew W.K.
March 15
12 p.m. – Melat
1 p.m. – Shamir
2 p.m. – Marlon Williams
3 p.m. – A Pace to Bury Strangers
4 p.m. – Caroline Rose
5 p.m. – Dashboard Confessional
6 p.m. – The Weather Station
March 16
12 p.m. – Shame
1 p.m. – Starcrawler
2 p.m. – Sun Seeker
3 p.m. – Jade Bird
4 p.m. – Wallows
5 p.m. – Joshua Hedley
6 p.m. – Paul Cauthen
March 17
12 p.m. – Caitlyn Smith
1 p.m. – Aaron Lee Tasjan
2 p.m. – Billy Strings
3 p.m. – Tyler Childers
4 p.m. – Superfonicos
5 p.m. – Speedy Ortiz
6 p.m. – And You Will Know Us by the Dead
Click here for more information.
YETI Presents: Tacodeli SXSW Showcase presented by Wrangler
March 15
12:15 p.m. – The Watters
1 p.m. – Jaime Wyatt
1:45 p.m. – Ian Moore
2:30 p.m. – Jonathan Terrell
3:15 p.m. – Sour Bridges
4 p.m. – Big Gun Show
4:45 p.m. – Chance Peña Music
5:30 p.m. – Liz Brasher
6:15 p.m. – Jesse Dayton
Click here for more information.
Sun Radio Sessions 2018 - Afternoons
March 14
2 p.m. – The Texas Gentlemen
3 p.m. – Lukas Nelson & Promise Of The Real
4 p.m.– Paul Thorn
5 p.m. - Carolyn Wonderland
March 16
2 p.m. – The Band of Heathens
3 p.m. – Special Guest
4 p.m. – Red Shahan
5 p.m. – Special Guest
March 17
2 p.m. – Paul Cauthen
3 p.m. – Lilly Hiatt
4 p.m. – Shinyribs
5 p.m. – Kelly Willis
Click here for more information.
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For a list of other free shows from Do 512 that require an RSVP, click here. And for tips on how to maneuver your way around SXSW without a badge, click here. Not officially affiliated with the SXSW festival, Unofficial SX Guide also has a list of free RSVP events here.
One last tip? If you find a SXSW official showcase that's badge only, find out if they have a line for non badge-holders. Many shows will allow more people to enter if the venue doesn't fill up.
