Five Filipino Artists Who Have Represented The Philippines At SXSW
From indie-pop darlings to rock bands, here are some of the artists who have represented the Philippines at the South by Southwest Festival in Austin, Texas.
Courtesy of @enamorimusic, @muri.music, Flying Ipis, & @kianavee respectively
The first-ever South by Southwest (SXSW) Festival was held in 1987, and has been an annual tradition in Austin, Texas ever since. As the world’s longest-running and largest cultural festival combining music, film, and technology, SXSW brings together industry leaders, top-tier content IPs, and tens of thousands of enthusiasts each year for this global celebration of pop culture and technological innovation.
Recent iterations of this festival’s lineup have also shed light on the Filipino craft, as representatives from our country’s blooming musical landscape have brought their live performances to the SXSW stage. Ranging from indie pop to head-banging rock, these musicians have showcased a diverse range of music to this international audience.
On this note, let’s take a look through some of the artists who have represented the Philippines at different iterations of the South by Southwest Festival.
Muri
Courtesy of @muri.music
As the sole representative of the Philippines for this coming festival from March 7 to 15 of this year, The Ransom Collective’s Muri shall be joining this year’s roster of international artists at the prestigious event. Currently dividing her time between Paris, London, and Manila, the “Afternoon” singer-songwriter and violinist has been making waves around the world as a multi-talented artist. Combining indie pop and soul influences, Muri’s work is transcendental, electric, and dreamy, as heard on her debut EP, last year’s 11ème. Additionally, Muri had just rounded out her performances at Bangkok Music City last weekend, as well as the AXEAN Festival in Bali last September.
Ena Mori
Courtesy of @enamorimusic
Innovative and imaginative, Ena Mori has also represented the Philippines at the SXSW Festival, having brought her unique take on electro and art pop to Austin. After playing SXSW Austin in 2023, the Awit Award-winning artist held a UK residency for Sofar Sounds in January 2024, performed in SXSW Sydney with Clara Benin and took her music to several shows in Japan in October, and then capped off an eventful year at Hong Kong’s Clockenflap Festival in December.
Flying Ipis
Courtesy of Flying Ipis
The all-female rock band Flying Ipis previously its way to Austin, Texas for the 2016 iteration of the SXSW Festival. This followed years of honing their live show since putting out their breakout debut EP, Give Ipis a Chance, that was released back in 2013. This game-changing debut contained feisty rock anthems like “Lundangin Mo, Beybi!” and “Sssikreto.” Representing the Philippines in the one of the most prestigious festivals in music, they brought the distinct energy of Filipino rock to an international audience.
Kiana Valenciano
Courtesy of @kianavee
Local R&B princess Kiana Valenciano has also previously made her debut on the SXSW stage, representing the Philippines in the 2022 lineup. That same year, the singer-songwriter was dubbed as Favorite Female Artist at the Awit Awards, and Best R&B Artist of the Year at the PMPC Star Awards. Based in Los Angeles, this artist brought her unique vocal colour and lush production to this prestigious international music festival.
Taken by Cars
Courtesy of Taken by Cars
As one of the trailblazers of Filipino representation at SXSW, dance-rock quintet Taken by Cars performed at several SXSW showcases in 2012. The band of high school friends was notably named by Time Magazine as one of “Five Asian Bands To Watch” the year before, in 2011 — the only Filipino band presented on the list. Their SXSW stint also followed their two acclaimed albums, 2008’s Endings of a New Kind and 2011’s Dualist.