For two years now, hip-hop’s greatest band, the Roots, have closed South by Southwest grandstanding almost four-hour sets stacked with a cavalcade of all-star guests. Announced this morning, the Philly crew slots in on Saturday, March 17, at Fair Market.
The Eastside event space at 1100 E. Fifth is considerably larger than their past two SX venues, 2016’s Brazos Hall and last year’s “800 Congress.” Charismatic rap veteran Ludacris, who appears Monday at Rodeo Austin, performs with Black Thought, Questlove, and company. So will outspoken R&B breakout Jessie Reyez, Roc Nation-signed lyrical stunner Rapsody, Tiny Desk hip-hop/R&B/spoken word success story Tank & the Bangas, and Irish troubadour Dermot Kennedy.
Indie rock band Moon Taxi opens the show, which begins at 8pm. As an official SXSW event, you’ll need a badge or wristband to attend.
Other notable showcasers in today’s late-breaking SXSW announcement include Dr. Octagon, hit-maker Elle King, and “Whip My Hair” singer Willow Smith.
This article appears in March 2 • 2018.