NPR Music and partner public radio stations will present the opening night of the South by Southwest Music and Media Conference on Wednesday, March 14 at Stubbs.

The official showcase will be available on-air, online and on mobile to everyone, everywhere, in a live broadcast on NPR Member stations across the country, and live video stream at www.npr.org/music and NPR Music apps.

NPR Music continues its SXSW tradition of bringing to the stage current favorites, and musicians on the rise. This year’s showcase, with special guests to be announced, include (with descriptions provided from NPR):

Andrew Bird
The Chicago-based lyricist and multi-instrumentalist headlines the NPR Music showcase just a week after the release of his highly anticipated new album "Break It Yourself," and the night before embarking on a North American tour (starting in Texas!). Bird’s distinctive mix of jazz, folk and rock elements has garnered both critical and popular acclaim.

Alabama Shakes
The quartet – singer Brittany Howard, guitarist Heath Fogg, drummer Steve Johnson and bassist Zac Cockrell – will likely bring the house down with its southern-tinged blend of garage rock and soul. Expect newly converted fans to clamor for the group’s debut album, "Boys & Girls," due April 10.

Dan Deacon
The Baltimore-based electronic musician, who’s gone from blogosphere favorite to scoring a film by Francis Ford Coppola (the director said he discovered Deacon via NPR, thank you), brings his high-energy live show to the Stubb’s stage.

Sharon Van Etten
Over the course of three albums, the singer-songwriter has evolved beyond folk, to become a fierce balladeer and rocker. This directness is exposed on her latest, "Tramp,: now streaming in a First Listen at NPR Music, along with an interview with Van Etten.