South by Southwest is so close we can taste it, and to whet our appetite further, a new round of musical guests, star-studded panels, and podcast tapings were announced today.
Feel-good Aughts star Jack Johnson will join instrumental duo Hermanos Gutiérrez in celebration of the songwriter’s upcoming documentary SURFILMUSIC, tracing his journey from surfer to musician. “Ironic” songwriter and seven-time Grammy award winner Alanis Morissette will join rising country star Ella Langley onstage to celebrate Spotify’s 20th anniversary. The showcase, Spotify 20: Live at Stubb’s, will also feature a rare DJ set from songwriting guitar virtuoso St. Vincent.
The Paradox, the pop-punk sensation hailing from Atlanta, has also joined the lineup, as has rapper, singer, and producer Ty Dolla $ign, Buffalo rapper Benny the Butcher, Black Midi co-founder Geordie Greep, and more.
Vic Mensa, who was already tapped for a Featured Session at the Music conference, is now set to perform alongside a handpicked selection of up-and-coming hip-hop and R&B artists. Philadelphia rapper Tierra Whack and coding producer DJ_Dave will consider live streaming’s impact on the music industry with Twitch Head of Community Mary Kish, and Radiohead guitarist Ed O’Brien will join the conference for a conversation – the topic of which has yet to be announced.
Tying together the festival’s focus on film, music, and comedy, one-third of the Lonely Island, Jorma Taccone, will discuss with his collaborator/brother Asa their industry-spanning career and sibling rivalry in a Featured Session.
Other film-focused panels will include a keynote with Jane Fonda. The actor/activist will be joined by United Shades of America host W. Kamau Bell and ACLU National Director of Artist & Entertainment Engagement Jessica Weitz to discuss activism in creative pursuits and practical methods to protect free speech. Reality TV host Andy Cohen and NBCUniversal chairman Matt Strauss will examine the future of the entertainment industry, and Better Call Saul actor Bob Odenkirk, and fellow members of the NORMAL film team, will discuss the state of action films.
Keke Palmer, star of Boots Riley’s SXSW ’26 Opening Night premiere film l Love Boosters, will welcome cast members including Demi Moore to a live recording of her podcast, Baby, This Is Keke Palmer.
Former Saturday Night Live star Devon Walker and Alex English host their stand-up show DAD, and Good One, the celebrity interview podcast hosted by Vulture writer Jesse David Fox, will welcome comedic provocateur Eric André for a live conversation.
Political journalist Kara Swisher will present live editions of both her podcasts: On, with Jonathan Glazer and Billy Magnussen, and Pivot, with Scott Galloway. California Governor Gavin Newsom will join Networth & Chill host Vivian Tu for a live interview about politics’ impact on our pocketbooks. Plus, mental health experts and authors Brené Brown and Esther Perel will each host live conversations with special guests.
Other conversations of note include a roundtable with tennis icon Serena Williams and physical health innovators and a discussion of food in graphic novels and comics with World Central Kitchen leader José Andrés, author Steve Orlando, and Marvel Comics editor Nick Lowe.
Comedian Chris Fleming, who performed at the Paramount Theatre last month, will return to Austin to explore his creative process and comedic delivery following the release of his HBO special, Hell.
See the updated schedule here.