SXSW 2026: 15 Latin music acts we’re excited to see

Here’s a hot take: South by Southwest is a Latin music festival.

In 2024, when the De Los team first covered the festival in Austin, Texas, around 60 Latin music artists were performing. By 2026, that number had grown to over 150, making the 40th anniversary of the festival a huge showcase for Latin music.

As a longtime follower of the music scene at SXSW, I’ve noticed Latin music becoming a huge force, which really mirrors what’s happening worldwide. Evelyn Gómez Rivera, who programs Latin music for the festival, told me 2026 is going to be massive for the genre – the biggest it’s been in over ten years! Apparently, several major record labels are planning to showcase their hottest new Latin artists there, and I’m really excited to see what they bring.

As SXSW begins on Thursday, the team at De Los has put together a list of up-and-coming artists we think you should check out. We know you might wonder why bigger names like Fuerza Regida and Junior H aren’t on this list, but SXSW is all about discovering the next big stars before they become famous. So, we’ve focused on artists you may not know yet.

Big Soto

Big Soto, whose real name is Gustavo Rafael Guerrero Soto, jokingly says he ended up becoming a rapper instead of the doctor he once aspired to be. This comment came during a collaboration with renowned Argentine producer Bizarrap during the pandemic. Considering his success, it seems like a good decision! The 29-year-old Venezuelan artist, now based in Mexico, is currently signed with Rimas Entertainment and is a leading figure in the Latin trap scene. — Fidel Martinez

Mariangela

I’ve been following Mariangela since she first started posting covers on YouTube back in 2019. She was this really sweet pop singer then, and you could definitely hear the influence of artists like Carla Morrison and Hope Sandoval in her sound. She officially broke through with her alt-pop album “Sensible” on Sony Music Latin just this year. But honestly, I’m even more excited about her new single, “Cuando Una Mujer.” She’s really leaning into her Mexican heritage, specifically the cumbia norteña sound of Monterrey, and it’s a powerful anthem about female strength. It’s a fantastic evolution for her, and I can’t wait to see where she takes it next. – Andrea Flores

Esty

Esty, a Dominican-American singer, refuses to be defined by one genre. Her music is constantly evolving, blending styles like dembow, alternative rock, bachata, and pop. You can hear this versatility in her latest single, “V3n3n0,” which is featured on her upcoming album, “Domi Star.” — Cat Cardenas

Marilina Bertoldi

Our contributor, Ernesto Lechner, first brought this Buenos Aires-based alternative rocker to our attention, including her on his 2025 list of deserving Latin Grammy winners. He described her as a powerful force in Argentine rock, praising her unique blend of sharp wit, catchy pop-punk tunes, and bold attitude. It’s a combination that’s impossible not to be intrigued by! — FM

Ruido Selecto

Medellín-based artist Ruido Selecto blends the vibrant Caribbean sounds of cumbia, salsa, dub, and Afro-diasporic music, drawing inspiration from the traditional Picós – the colorful, hand-painted sound systems common along Colombia’s coast. His unique mixes also incorporate elements of sonidero culture, particularly noticeable in tracks like “Lo Que Esconde.” I’m especially impressed by his project “Los 14 Cañonazos Bailables,” where he crafts experimental, modern tropical mixes using archives from Discos Fuentes, a record label from Cartagena that played a key role in popularizing 1960s Caribbean music throughout coastal Colombia. — A F

Delilah

This Mexican American singer began her musical journey with mariachi, and later taught herself to play piano, guitar, violin, and vihuela. At only 17, her powerful voice and talent for blending classic and modern Mexican sounds have already caught the ear of established artists like Becky G and Iván Cornejo. — CC

Danny Felix

I’m a huge fan of Danny Felix – he’s seriously talented! He produced Natanael Cano’s “Soy el Diablo (Remix)”, which was a really big deal because it was Bad Bunny’s first time trying out música mexicana. Danny’s based in Phoenix and he does everything – he produces, plays a bunch of instruments, and even sings! He’s been a key player in creating the sound of corridos tumbados as we know it today, and I’m so excited he’s bringing that vibe to Austin.

60 Juno

Hailing from Merced in California’s Central Valley, the band 60 Juno creates a dreamy, atmospheric sound – a vibe perfectly captured in their popular track, “zzz.” What started as a bedroom project for Jericho Tejeda during the pandemic has grown into a full band with three members, now based in Whittier, California. Their music blends mellow surf-rock with punk influences, as showcased in upbeat songs like “Enjoy the Sunset” and their widely-loved, mesmerizing track, “J Song.” — AF

RIA

Ria used to write songs for other musicians, but now she’s stepping into the spotlight herself. She’s known for heartfelt lyrics and a powerful voice, and she recently gained attention opening for Tito Double P in Mexico and releasing her new single, “Pagana.”

Sebaxxss

Sebaxxss is the DJ for Feid, a popular Colombian reggaeton singer. I’m curious to see how his energetic performance will feel in a smaller, more personal setting. — FM

Diles que no me maten

Diles que no me maten is a psychedelic rock band from Mexico City. Their name comes from a well-known short story by Mexican author Juan Rulfo, which tells the story of a man begging for his life after being captured for a decades-old crime. The band’s sound feels like it could have emerged in the late 1980s, during the peak of Mexico’s homegrown rock scene—especially in songs like “Outro,” which features raw, unprocessed vocals. Tracks like “El Circo” have a delicate, organic quality, while “(Radio Sonora Edit)” resembles a haunting acoustic jazz ballad. — A F

Eydrey

After appearing on the Netflix show “La Firma” in 2023, Eydrey signed a record deal and has been consistently releasing music that blends R&B, Mexican, and reggaeton styles. Growing up in the border city of El Paso has influenced her songwriting, leading to lyrics that often mix Spanish and English.

Lena Dardelet

Lena Dardelet is a singer from Cabarete, Dominican Republic, a beach town known as the home of the world’s only bachata school, the Bachata Academy. She blends pop music with Caribbean sounds, including bachata. — FM

Mosmo

Hailing from Hermosillo, singer Mosmo is adding a unique, soulful touch to the traditional corrido genre, now signed with Rimas Entertainment. He first gained recognition in 2022 on the Netflix competition series “La Firma,” which searched for the next big Latin urban music artist. Mosmo’s distinctive, slightly raspy voice shines through in emotional tracks like the romantic ballad “Modo B” and the heartfelt plea “Terapia.” He blends other genres into his music too, incorporating trap and reggaeton in songs like “Dimensiones” and pop influences in the Spanish and English track “Siempre Tú.” — A.F

Selines

Singer-songwriter Selines creates warm, nostalgic, and romantic music with her guitar, taking inspiration from artists like Natalia Lafourcade and blending the sounds of boleros, classical music, and jazz.

2026-03-13 03:31