SXSW 2014: Top 10 Bands We're Most Excited to See

SXSW officially kicks off today with Interactive and Film and although the Music portion doesn't get going until Tuesday, we've gotten a head start and rounded-up ten acts headed to Austin that you absolutely can't miss.

1. SOPHIE

SOPHIE's sugary-sweet and hyper dance track "Bipp" made major Internet waves seemingly seconds after it was released. Fans know the mysterious producer is from London and apparently male, which is surprising given his penchant for working with bubbly-voiced females and all of his flowery pink lady-centric imagery. What's definite is that big things are coming for SOPHIE and you should get in on the action as soon as you hit SXSW.

- Empire Garage on Wednesday at 8:45pm
- Hype Hotel on Thursday at 11pm


2. Perfect Pussy

You may not be able to print their name, but trying to silence the attention-grabbing punk of Perfect Pussy in any way is near impossible. The Syracuse-based band drew attention with their passionately screamy four-track EP I have lost all desire for feeling and now the band's got their full-length LP Say Yes to Love coming out this month. Fans of noise-punk and bruising crowds should see this band live.

- Pitchfork Day Party at The French Legation Museum on Wednesday at 12pm
- House of Vans: Stereogum showcase at Mohawk on Thursday at 12pm
- Dr. Martens showcase at Bar 96 on Friday at 5pm
- Red 7 Patio on Friday at 11:20pm

3. Future Islands

Fronted by the husky-voiced Samuel T. Herring, Baltimore band Future Islands makes the sort of moody-boy brand synth-pop fit for the tape rotation in Lloyd Dobler's boombox. Although the band's latest album, Singles, isn't due out from 4AD until March 25th, you can catch these dudes all across SXSW. Another reason to catch them live? Herrings's dance moves, as seen on Letterman.

- Spotify House on Tuesday at 8pm
- Under The Radar at Flamingo Cantina on Wednesday at 2:25pm
- Cheer Up Charlies on Thursday at 1am
- Pitchfork Day Party at The French Legation Museum at 12pm

4. Kelela

Kelela mixes stripped-down electronica and techno to craft her own personal brand of seriously haunting R&B. Her songs are glittery, a little creepy, and definitely worth hearing live at SXSW.

- Empire Control Room on Wednesday at 8pm
- House of Vans: SPIN showcase at Mohawk on Wednesday at 12pm
- Pitchfork Day Party at The French Legation Museum on Thursday at 12pm

5. The Casket Girls

Formed by Georgia-based sisters Phaedra and Elsa Greene and friend Ryan Graveface, The Casket Girls' bizarre brand of dream-pop gets reinvigorated on their sophomore album True Love Kills the Fairy Tale. The record's title combined with the Alice in Wonderland-referencing song "Day to Day" alone indicates that this trio really knows how to deliver some hazy, tripped-out music.

- Half Step on Wednesday at 7pm
- Austin Psych Fest at Hotel Vegas on Thursday at 4:15pm
- Flowerbooking at Cheer Up Charlie's on Friday at 12pm
- Home Slice Pizza on Friday at 2:40pm

6. Big Ups

When the hellfire that is any music festival ever created gets to you, head to wherever Big Ups are playing. Sometimes screaming, sometimes drole and apathetic, these raucous Brooklyn rockers are worth catching in the (enraged) flesh.

- House of Vans: Stereogum showcase at Mohawk on Thursday at 12pm
- Exploding In Sound BBQ at Todd's Mansion on Thursday at 12pm
- Exploding In Sound Showcase at Hole in the Wall on Friday at 11am


7. Angel Olsen

Folk ain't dead in the songs of Angel Olsen, whose music somehow alternates between a sort of Emmylou Harris-esque classical country vibe and a rock 'n' roll/borderline psych sound. Her beautiful album Burn Your Fire For No Witness has won many hearts, including ours -- and we don't doubt for a second she'll win yours too.

- House of Vans: SPIN showcase at Mohawk on Wednesday at 4pm
- Central Presbyterian Church on Friday at 6pm
- Red Eyed Fly on Friday at 8pm

8. Dum Dum Girls

Dee-Dee's famously black-clad band isn't putting out the same-old lo-fi '60s girl pop it used to. Don't worry though, the Dum Dum Girls are still just as witchy as ever. With their new album Too True out, it's evident the band has honed their sound in this '80s goth-evoking, synth-laden record.

- House of Vans: SPIN showcase at Mohawk on Wednesday at 4:15pm
- Radio Day Stage at the Austin Convention Center on Thursday at 3pm
- Tumblr House at Clive Bar on Friday at 1pm
- Check Yo Ponytail at Empire Auto Garage on Saturday at 2:15pm

9. Tacocat

It's hard not to love a band that pens "Crimson Wave," a song that might be the funniest ode to menstruation ever. Tacocat's made a name for themselves in Seattle with their infectious, bratty garage-pop and now you can catch these fun girls live at SXSW. Just start practicing you're yodel-esque pronunciation of "Hawaii-eee-aie" now.

- Subpop Record Rummage at Macefield on Thursday
- Hardly Art Showcase at The Liberty on Friday
- Get Off the Internet! Showcase at Cheer Up Charlies at 11:45pm

10. Real Estate

The notoriously chill Real Estate seemed to have gotten a little melancholy on their latest record Atlas, but that doesn't mean these dudes haven't left behind their jangly, toned down surf rock sound. You won't want to miss the band's latest beach-worthy (and, just a little, cry-worthy) new material IRL.

- Radio Day State at the Austin Convention Center on Thursday at 1pm
- Bar 96 on Thursday at 8pm
- Central Presbyterian Church on Friday at 6pm