Van Morrison wants no part of a crowded Sixth Street, badges or barbecue, choosing to perform in Austin a day before the SXSW music fest starts to get under way.
After announcing some big names that will be making it to the festival, SXSW organizers have started to announce details of the fest's bread-and-butter, the label showcases, the re-discoveries and the international acts making their way tot he States, often for the first time.
Twenty-five years ago, San Francisco soul singer Darondo dropped out after releasing some compelling singles that combined a Curtis Mayfield-falsetto, the reverb of "What's Goin' On" and a Memphis beat, opening for James Brown and tooling around the Bay Area in a Rolls Royce. The label Luv n Haight/Ubiquity has resissued Darondo's work from the 1970s and in December he made his first appearance in ages. Ubiquity will also be bringing Ohmega Watts, Brownout, DJ Pari and DJ Chicken George.
Brit rapper Dizzee Rascal will perform alongside El-P and Del the Funkee Homosapien. Jammer and The Newham Generals, hot acts on London’s grime music scene, will also be performing.
Other international hip-hop and pop acts include South Africa’s Tumi, Brazil's  Marcelo D-2 and Planet Hemp, Norway's Lars Vaular, Montreal’s Giselle Numba 1 and Mala Rodriguez from Barcelona.
Avant/experimental German label Tomlab will team with the hip-hop deconstructionist crew Anticon.
unsuspecting public. Label's showcase includes Taipei-New York duo Misha,  psychedelic folk rockers Thee Oh Sees, Hey Willpower and No Kids.
Others booked include Sally Shapiro, the Acorn, Laura Barrett, Cadence Weapon, the Russian Futurists, and the Cansecos.