Photo Cr: Dakota Schlager & Design by Glenalyn Ann

Every year in Austin, TX the SXSW music festival serves as a mosaic of diverse emerging talent from around the world. Amongst the multitude and abundance of acts gracing its stages, five artists especially stood out as rising talents, sure to create a strong impression in the music scene. From infectious melodies to reflective and insightful lyrics, these artists mesmerized their audiences with individually unique sounds and evident talent. We're excited to share our top picks for artists you should keep an eye on this year.

1. BÉBE YANA

BÉBE YANA formerly known as Hayana from the K-Pop girl group, EvoL, is an Australian-Korean artist whose style has been described as “Underground K-Pop.” Her set in Austin, TX radiated with house beats, dance vibes, and upbeat jams. The small intimate venue was flooded with pink and blue lights that set the mood and complimented BÉBE YANA’s music. She performed various tracks such as “VROOM VROOM” and “Strawberry Kisses” accompanied by her dance moves.

2. Elle Shimada

Elle Shimada is a violinist, producer, and vocalist, raised in Tokyo and currently based in Melbourne. She has an experimental style to her music and accompanies her violin with a distortion pedal to push musical boundaries and elevate her music. She has recently gained a following in Melbourne’s underground music scene. She performed her new song “RESOLUTE” in Austin matched with her emotive choreography.

3. JOSEON

Joseon is a small Korean-American Los Angeles-based band formed by long-time friends Grant, Brennan, and Jonah, whose sound consists of 90’s rock blended with psychedelic new age styles. Joseon performed songs off of their new EP YOUTHiNASiA such as “FiENDS,” “EVERGREEN,” and “WHERE TO GO” while headbanging and serving punk rock energy.

4. PIAO

PIAO is a Chinese-Canadian singer whose music style is a blend of Chinese pop and American R&B. PIAO performed at two different showcases in Austin where she sang fan favorites such as her singles “Gum,” “Neopet,” and her song “Hannah Montana” from her 2022 EP, tissues. In each performance, PIAO delivered fun dance moves with upbeat sounds, shared personal anecdotes with the crowd, and showcased her strong vocal talent.

5. Wez Atlas

Wez Atlas is a Tokyo-based hip-hop artist who mixes lyrics conveying relatable everyday hardships with melodic and harmonic beats. Atlas also appeared at two different showcases in Austin performing songs such as “It Is What It Is” from his 2023 album, This Too Shall Pass, and his latest EP’s title track, “RUN.” Wez Atlas delivered a fun and personable stage presence which was warmly welcomed and appreciated by fans.

With their raw talent and impressionable performances, these five artists left a memorable mark on their audiences and other concertgoers alike. We're filled with excitement and anticipation for the future awaiting these emerging talents. Keep your ears open and your eyes peeled for the next moves from these artists and be sure to follow along on their socials we've listed below.

Let us know in the comments or by reaching out to us on Instagram or X (Twitter) to tell us which artist's next move you're most excited to see.

BÉBE YANA Socials:

Spotify

Instagram

X

Elle Shimada Socials:

JOSEON Socials: