NPR Music announced line-ups for three South by Southwest Music showcases, each of which will be webcast and broadcast live from Austin, Texas, March 16 – 19. The first, originating from Stubb’s on the evening of March 16, will headlined by soul singer Raphael Saadiq. A March 17 afternoon showcase features a “first listen live” performance of the indie rock trio The Antlers as they unveil their forthcoming, as yet untitled, record. The final showcase, scheduled for Saturday, March 19, is headlined by Bright Eyes, the indie/folk band fronted by Conor Oberst.
Each showcase includes at least three additional musical acts, and one spotlights NPR Music veteran Carrie Brownstein in a new way. Instead of co-hosting NPR’s live shows from SXSW, Brownstein will perform in the March 17 showcase with her new punk band, Wild Flag. Succeeding Brownstein as NPR Music’s resident rock chick is Ann Powers, the Los Angeles Times music critic who joins NPR’s Bob Boilen and David Brown of Austin’s KUT in co-hosting each concert. NPR’s SXSW website has full details on each showcase and “The Austin 100,” a music stream previewing emerging artists who will be performing at this year’s festival.