The Festival has an engaged audience of over 400,000 music lovers and keen travellers, who descend onto Austin, Texas, year on year, for a week of Music, Culture and Tourism.  It has helped launch the careers of many musicians, and have seen performances from Rihanna, Damian Marley, & Protoje to name a few.

Island Wave made an impactful debut during SXSW Online 2021, launching its inaugural show from Kingston, Jamaica. The event garnered significant attention, ranking among the top 3 most streamed shows of the festival.

The physical manifestation of Island Wave’s stage came to fruition on March 18, 2022, at The Flamingo Cantina in an event hosted by Ras Kwame. Featuring acclaimed Caribbean artists such as Nailah Blackman, Tessellated, and Jaz Elise, the event attracted a sizable audience, creating an electrifying atmosphere.

Now in its 4th year, Island Wave, the premier platform spotlighting Caribbean and African musical prowess, proudly announces its triumphant return to SXSW festival, in association with Music TT, taking centre stage at Flamingo Cantina as the Official Caribbean Stage on March 13th 2024. With a constellation of stars in its line-up, including Haitian headliners J Perry and Kanis, alongside rising talents  Hector Lewis Roots and Sevana of Jamaica, Prince Amine hailing from Antigua/Morocco and Trinbagonian XAV. This year, Island Wave has expanded its reach to include African heritage acts in its lineup, welcoming Ghanaian artist Mauvey to perform

Breaking barriers in SXSW festival’s history, after four years of persistent advocacy, artists from the West Indies now rightfully claim their spotlight, courtesy of Caribbean Music’s inclusion as a Main Genre and New Calypso as a sub-genre on the SXSW sign-up platform. This ground-breaking change paves the way for the electrifying presence of J Perry, an illustrious Haitian artist, who is set to make his debut on the Island Wave stage, along with the line up will be accompanied by the Island Wave House band who hails from Trinidad and Tobago, led by Musical Director Joshua Salcedo, Kwami Morrison on lead guitar, and Nicholas Thomas on drums.

Guiding the audience through this musical journey will be Island Wave founder Kalpee, alongside the charismatic Vayne of Hitz106.7 Barbados and in quintessential Caribbean fashion, the night will reach its peak with the Reggae Music Again Collective, spearheaded by Jah Flex, and comprised of esteemed selectors Shaggy Fowl, Ras Jamin, Nappy, Mista B and Mr Blackrock.

Island Wave promises an unforgettable showcase of rich cultural fusion of Caribbean music with contemporary sensibilities.

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