THROUGH THE LENS: Roots Music Roars Through Austin, Texas During SXSW 2025

Founded in 1987 in Austin, Texas, South by Southwest (SXSW) has become, like its host city, many things to many people. The event has grown to incorporate tech, fashion, design, film, television, exhibitions, comedy, education, gaming and other cultural endeavors as well as music. 

The schedule of the Music Festival portion of SXSW listed 1,127 official showcase performers, in 90 separate genres, from 54 countries. Just conceptually, that is a lot to take in for the six-day period of March 10-15, 2025. Not to mention, the unofficial offerings have grown, as well. 

However, as No Depression concentrates on roots music, that number was winnowed down considerably. Fortunately, three ND photographers were there to catch as much of the action as humanly possible — SXSW veteran Kirk Stauffer, Justin St. Clair, and first-time contributor Joseph Kelly. Here are just a few of their highlights.

Kelly caught quite a few performers during the 3rd Annual SoCo Stomp at C-Boys Heart & Soul venue. One of whom is a personal favorite, Otis Gibbs, who also has one of the best YouTube channels ever. Kelly said that Gibbs, “took his place at the microphone with no fanfare, playing for a crowd that seemed better suited for an arena rock show. By the end of his first song he had silenced the crowd with his powerful voice (demonstrated earlier in the day when he made the crowd at the R.E.M. tribute think they were listening to Michael Stipe). His songs and stories held everyone’s attention, and his down-to-earth message held lessons for all.”

Also at the Stomp both St. Clair and Kelly were mightily impressed with Bonnie Whitmore who had her own set after backing up Kelly Willis. Kelly loved it when Will Johnson joined Whitmore for “a fabulous rendition of his song ‘Flashes and Cables.'” St. Clair added that Johnson’s cover (with his band Wire Mountain) of Songs: Ohia’s “Blue Factory Flame” was the best thing he heard all week.

Kelly also caught two legends at the 30th Annual Annual Yard Dog Party. First was Jon Langford, who after his time with the English punk band The Mekons, moved to the States and began playing what he termed “insurgent country.” He played played three different sets in various guises — His Fancy Men, The Far Forlorn, and Waco Brothers. The Waco Brothers also played the SoCo Stomp.

Second was Jon Dee Graham. Kelly reported that as Graham was having ”some additional surgery that will force a long hiatus, so he infused each performance with incredible passion” with sets at both the Saxon Pub and Yard Dog. At the latter, he played with his son William Harries Graham and it “was clear to everyone in the audience and was reciprocated by William’s respect for his father’s craftsmanship.“

Stauffer, always a man who always lets his photos doing talking, said that his highlight was guitarist Grace Bowers, who happened to be featured in the column two weeks ago at Willie Nelson’s Luck Reunion. He was also able to get a couple of informal portraits of her, one of which is included in the gallery.

Click on any photo to view the gallery as a full-size slideshow.