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SXSW's Best New Bands

Expect to see these acts on the mainstream after this year

By Katherine Thompson, Newser Staff

Posted Mar 16, 2009 1:32 PM CDT

(Newser) – Austin's SXSW music festival is known for producing hot new hit bands, and with Esquire's pick of the 10 best up-and-comers, you can skip the plane ride to Texas and start the iTunes downloading instead:

White Lies: Reminiscent of the Killers, they already have a Letterman gig.
Janele Monae: She's part Motown, part Gwen Stefani.

The Henry Clay People: Always catchy, often drunk, and a lot like Pavement.
BoB: A rapper who can tide over those who hunger for more Outkast.
Vetiver: Like Devendra Banhart? They're his more obscure friends.
Late of the Pier: Like a frenetic, enjoyably disastrous house party.

Click the link below for the full list.

[Images (3)]

[Videos (2)]

The Henry Clay People, which Esquire predicts will be the new Pavement, perform at The Echo in Los Angeles. (©rawkblog4)

Janelle Monae arrives at the 51st Annual Grammy Awards on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2009, in Los Angeles. Expect her to be a breakout hit at this year's SXSW festival. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

Vetiver is friends with Devendra Banhart but may not be overshadowed much longer, if their SXSW appearance goes well. (©Ella Mullins)

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The Phenomenal Handclap Band performs "You'll Disappear" live at The Rivington Lounge in New York City. (SilentFiveMedia)

Late of the Pier performs Space and the Woods at Amsterdam's Melkweg club. Look for them to make a bigger name for themselves at SXSW. (live901)

View larger videos >>

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SXSW's Best New Bands