Lainey Wilson, Charley Crockett Get Showcases at SXSW

The two country stars join an artist lineup that also includes performances from the likes of Lola Young, Junior H and BigXthaPlug.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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South by Southwest has announced that country music stars Lainey Wilson and Charley Crockett will be performing showcases at this year's festival. The two artists join a lineup that also includes acts like Los Lobos, Passion Pit, Money Mark, Ink, Miss Bashful, and Kairo Keyz. SXSW's VP of music, Brian Hobbs, noted that country music will have a bigger presence at the festival this year compared to previous years, reflecting the genre's growing popularity and evolution.

Why it matters

The inclusion of Wilson and Crockett at SXSW highlights the increasing prominence of country music at the festival, which has traditionally focused more on other genres like rock, pop, and hip-hop. This shift reflects the broader rise of country music in popular culture, fueled in part by the genre's embrace of streaming platforms.

The details

Wilson and Crockett, who both have documentaries screening at SXSW this year, will be performing showcases at the festival. SXSW's programming this year is intended to reflect the evolving landscape of country music, with the festival booking acts that represent the genre's diversity and willingness to experiment. Hobbs noted that country artists like Crockett have been willing to take more risks and speak out on social issues, which aligns with SXSW's ethos.

  • SXSW is taking place in 2026.

The players

Lainey Wilson

A country music star who is performing a showcase at SXSW this year.

Charley Crockett

A country music artist who is also performing a showcase at SXSW this year and has been outspoken on social issues within the country music industry.

Brian Hobbs

The VP of music at SXSW, who noted the festival's increased focus on country music this year.

Dev Sherlock

The director of the SXSW Festival and conference, who commented on the evolving landscape of country music and its increased accessibility to new audiences.

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What they’re saying

“The bigger story outside of just Lainey herself is that country music is really going to have a big presence at South by Southwest this year, and it really hasn't in the past.”

— Brian Hobbs, VP of music at SXSW (The Hollywood Reporter)

“It's a little dangerous for country music artists to say some of the stuff that Charlie's been saying. It feels right for him to have a big presence at South by Southwest this year.”

— Brian Hobbs, VP of music at SXSW (The Hollywood Reporter)

“Country radio, more than any other genre, had the format in its grip. With the sort of dispersion of how people listen to and discover stuff. I think that's allowed it to open up to the new audience, to the new sounds, all those different things.”

— Dev Sherlock, Director of the SXSW Festival and conference (The Hollywood Reporter)

What’s next

SXSW is scheduled to take place in Austin, Texas in 2026, where Lainey Wilson and Charley Crockett will be performing showcases as part of the festival's expanded country music programming.

The takeaway

The inclusion of Lainey Wilson and Charley Crockett at SXSW reflects the growing influence and diversity of country music, a genre that has traditionally been underrepresented at the festival. This shift highlights the evolving landscape of the music industry and the increasing appeal of country music to a wider audience.