Lars Ulrich & Kesha
Lars Ulrich and Kesha at “Featured Session Fighting Loneliness in Our Digital World” at Austin Convention Center on March 12, 2025 in Austin, Texas.
Benson Boone, John Fogerty, Kesha & More at SXSW 2025: See the Photos
Written by djfrosty on March 14, 2025
The heat was up in Austin, Texas, this week, but the music was even hotter.
Approximately 300,000 people descended upon the Texas capital from March 7 to 15 for SXSW 2025. As it has annually since 1987, the gathering brought together musicians, artists, directors, innovators and other creatives for panels, performances, barbecue and general revelry.
On the ground in Austin, where temperatures reached 92 degrees in the latter half of the week, attendees buzzed about standout moments that included a spirited performance from rock royalty John Fogerty, who played the city’s iconic venue Stubb’s, and also took part in a keynote conversation with Tom Morello. Benson Boone did backflips onstage during a much-hyped show, Metallica’s Lars Ulrich took part in a conversation with Apple Music’s Zane Lowe (and also hung out backstage with Kesha), and former first lady Michelle Obama and her brother Craig Robinson appeared for a live taping of their new podcast, IMO.
Meanwhile, Flying Lotus came to town for a screening of his newest film Ash (which he both directed and composed the score for), Anderson .Paak got people on the dance floor while playing as DJ Pee. Wee, and Will.i.am took part in a thoughtful conversation about AI.
Billboard also threw the biggest shows of the week at Moody Amphitheater at Waterloo Park. Here, Billboard Presents THE STAGE at SXSW hosted country titan Koe Wetzel, who wowed the audience on Friday, March 13. On Friday, March 14, Mexico’s Grupo Frontera will bring the heat during an evening performance, while dance music star John Summit will close out the week on Saturday night.
See images from SXSW 2025 below.
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Image Credit: Travis P. Ball -
John Fogerty
Image Credit: Diego Donamaria John Fogerty at the BMI showcase during SXSW Conference & Festivals at Stubb’s on March 11, 2025 in Austin, Texas.
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will.i.am
Image Credit: Travis P. Ball will.i.am at Featured Session “AI is the New UI: Transforming Your Everyday” during SXSW Conference & Festivals at Austin Convention Center on March 11, 2025 in Austin, Texas.
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DJ Pee .Wee
Image Credit: Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images for Austin Proper DJ Pee .Wee performs during Proper Presents: DJ Pee .Wee at The Quill Room at Austin Proper Hotel on March 10, 2025 in Austin, Texas.
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Flying Lotus
Image Credit: Michael Buckner Flying Lotus at “Ash” Premiere at Paramount Theatre during the SXSW Conference & Festivals on March 11, 2025 in Austin, Texas.
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Lars Ulrich
Image Credit: Amanda Stronza Lars Ulrich at Featured Session “Breaking the Fourth Wall: Metallica’s Lars Ulrich With Apple Music’s Zane Lowe” during SXSW Conference & Festivals at Austin Convention Center on March 11, 2025 in Austin, Texas.
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John Fogerty & Tom Morello
Image Credit: Diego Donamaria John Fogerty and Tom Morello at the BMI showcase during SXSW Conference & Festivals at Stubb’s on March 11, 2025 in Austin, Texas.
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Daveed Diggs
Image Credit: Amanda Stronza Daveed Diggs at “Magic Hour” Premiere during the SXSW Conference & Festivals at Rollins Theatre at The Long Center on March 7, 2025 in Austin, Texas.
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Laila!
Image Credit: Stephen Olker Laila! at Rolling Stone Future of Music showcase during SXSW Conference & Festivals at Austin City Limits Live at the Moody Theater on March 11, 2025 in Austin, Texas.
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Benson Boone
Image Credit: Stephen Olker/SXSW Conference & Festivals via Getty Images Benson Boone at Rolling Stone Future of Music showcase during SXSW Conference & Festivals at Austin City Limits Live at the Moody Theater on March 11, 2025, in Austin, Texas.
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Kesha
Image Credit: Travis P. Ball Kesha at “Featured Session Fighting Loneliness in Our Digital World” at Austin Convention Center on March 12, 2025 in Austin, Texas.
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Tom Morello & John Fogerty
Image Credit: Andy Wenstrand Tom Morello and John Fogerty at Keynote “John Fogerty and Tom Morello” during SXSW Conference & Festivals at Austin Convention Center on March 12, 2025 in Austin, Texas.
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Megan Moroney
Image Credit: Jason Bollenbacher Megan Moroney performs at Rolling Stone Future of Music showcase during SXSW Conference & Festivals at Austin City Limits Live at the Moody Theater on March 12, 2025 in Austin, Texas.
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Larkin Poe
Image Credit: Jason Bollenbacher Rebecca Lovell and Megan Lovell of Larkin Poe performs at Rolling Stone Future of Music showcase during SXSW Conference & Festivals at Austin City Limits Live at the Moody Theater on March 12, 2025 in Austin, Texas.
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Koe Wetzel
Image Credit: Julian Bajsel Koe Wetzel during the Billboard THE STAGE at SXSW held at Moody Amphitheater at Waterloo Park on March 13, 2025 in Austin, Texas.
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Jimmy Humilde
Image Credit: Amanda Stronza Jimmy Humilde at Featured Session “The Rise of Rancho Humilde with Jimmy Humilde” during SXSW Conference & Festivals at Austin Convention Center on March 12, 2025 in Austin, Texas.
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Ivan Cornejo
Image Credit: Jason Bollenbacher Ivan Cornejo performs at Rolling Stone Future of Music showcase during SXSW Conference & Festivals at Austin City Limits Live at the Moody Theater on March 13, 2025 in Austin, Texas.
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George Birge
Image Credit: Gilbert Flores George Birge performs during the Billboard THE STAGE at SXSW held at Moody Amphitheater at Waterloo Park on March 13, 2025 in Austin, Texas.
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Ashley Cooke
Image Credit: Gilbert Flores Ashley Cooke performs during the Billboard THE STAGE at SXSW held at Moody Amphitheater at Waterloo Park on March 13, 2025 in Austin, Texas.
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Britney Spencer
Image Credit: Jason Bollenbacher Britney Spencer performs at Rolling Stone Future of Music showcase during SXSW Conference & Festivals at Austin City Limits Live at the Moody Theater on March 12, 2025 in Austin, Texas.
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GALE
Image Credit: Jason Bollenbacher GALE performs at Rolling Stone Future of Music showcase during SXSW Conference & Festivals at Austin City Limits Live at the Moody Theater on March 13, 2025 in Austin, Texas.
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Butthole Surfers
Image Credit: Michael Buckner Jeff Pinkus, Paul Leary, Gibby Haynes and King Coffey at “Butthole Surfers: The Hole Truth and Nothing Butt” Premiere during the SXSW Conference & Festivals at Paramount Theatre on March 12, 2025 in Austin, Texas.