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Since 2023, Rolling Stone has brought the music industry’s biggest up and comers to South by Southwest. This year’s Future of Music festival spans three nights and dozens of artists, with nights two and three anticipating names like Fuerza Regida and BigXThaPlug. Thursday night kicked off the festivities at Austin City Limits Live with a trio of captivating supporting acts and Rolling Stone’s most recent covergirl.
Susannah Joffe was the first to take the stage in a triumphant homecoming. The Austin native engaged the audience with her hometown charm and full, resonant vocals. Her baby blue ball gown adorned with black lace was a visual metaphor for her lyrics – sparkling, lively, and shrouded with darker meaning. Amongst country references of cows, Dolly Parton-esque hair, and prize ribbons in her imagery, the opener has built an image of hometown pride. Joffe kept great rapport with the audience as it continued to grow.
Following Joffe, Saint Harison mellowed out the venue with his incomparable crooning. The Southamptoner’s soaring tenor was matched with delicate piano accompaniment, echoing backdrops, and cheeky anecdotes. Harison tossed emotionally ripping songs detailing past relationship woes with occasional vengeful bursts in songs like bad. A natural stage presence, Harison was quick to thank the audience after each song. Harison’s own future of music looks like an EP titled Ghosted set to release May 29.
The final supporting act was Sofia and the Antoinettes, a four-piece band whose coquettish style, both in fashion and musicality, did their name justice. As with the first two performers, Sofia’s lyrics are characterized by gutting emotional depth and equally matched vocal prowess.
“Name dropping, it’s good for the soul,” Sofia announced, owning up to her blunt writing in songs like Matthew. A balance of leg-kicking drums and powerhouse backup vocals kept audiences pulsing with excitement for what was to come.
The evening ended with an explosive performance from headliner Lola Young, whose recent return to performing has been highly anticipated and was expertly delivered. Young graced the stage in a pink, eyeleted jumpsuit to juxtapose the dark dress of her supporting band, all in matching cowboy hats. As the most recent Rolling Stone covergirl, Young took a moment to thank everyone involved.
“That’s something that you only dream of,” Young gushed.
Audience members – spanning pre-teen and beyond – sang along word for word, matching Young’s bouncing energy. After the first few tracks, the Londoner interrupted her setlist to read a poem she had recently written about the circumstances of the world, titled “Art is Rebellion.”
“And as we smell the sloppy, disgustingly stinky s–t they dish out, we must s–t on them back,” Young extolled.
Rolling Stone’s signature festival has barely begun. With previous lineups endorsing standout artists such as Peso Pluma, Remi Wolf, Flo Milli, and Teezo Touchdown, the festival’s crystal ball has been quite transparent. Only time will tell if Rolling Stone will continue to predict the future of music.
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