SXSW 2014: 7 Pop Acts We’re Looking Forward To, From Betty Who To Lady Gaga To Coldplay

Coldplay

The iTunes Festival is heading to SXSW for the first time this year, and Coldplay is one of the biggest acts on the lineup. After the success of 2011’s Mylo Xyloto, the rock band pulled a mini-Beyonce and made their new album Ghost Stories available on iTunes for pre-order right after the 86th Academy Awards. Expect them to perform some new material off the album including the experimental “Midnight,” which sounds more promising than their tunes from years past.

Sam Smith

When you hear the name Sam Smith, the first thing that probably comes to mind is his stunning “Latch” collaboration with Disclosure. But the 21-year-old singer is finally breaking into solo stardom as well as the U.S. market with his debut LP In The Lonely Hour to be released in May. If his catchy single “Money On My Mind” and his recent title of BBC Sound of 2014 is any indication, the British newcomer is more than ready for the SXSW stage.

Kendrick Lamar

K-Dot has been a festival front-runner since he dropped the musical bomb that was 2012’s good kid, m.A.A.d city, and the rapper is bringing his energy to the iTunes Festival. He will be joined by TDE mates Isaiah Rashad and Schoolboy Q, who both recently dropped new releases. Imagine Dragons will also be performing at the festival, so it’s possible the two acts will come together for another awesome “Radioactive/m.A.A.d city” jam session. Fingers crossed!