Alanis Morissette Headlines Spotify's 20th Birthday Bash at SXSW
Alanis Morissette will take center stage at Spotify's milestone 20th anniversary celebration during South by Southwest, proving the streaming giant knows exactly how to throw a party worth remembering. The '90s alt-rock queen joins rising country star Ella Langley and indie innovator St. Vincent for what promises to be one of SXSW's most eclectic lineups this March.
Spotify's choosing Stubb's Bar-B-Q for their Saturday, March 14 shindig makes perfect sense. The iconic Austin venue has hosted everyone from Willie Nelson to Red Hot Chili Peppers, so adding Morissette's powerhouse vocals to that legacy feels right. Her 1995 breakthrough "Jagged Little Pill" didn't just define a generation of angsty anthems, it became one of the best-selling albums ever recorded. Meanwhile, Langley's riding high on "Choosin' Texas," which dominated the Hot 100 for two solid weeks this year, while St. Vincent continues pushing sonic boundaries like she has for over a decade.
The Swedish streaming service isn't stopping at live music though. Lainey Wilson and Nick Jonas will join Spotify executives for panel discussions about music discovery and industry evolution. Jonas gets double duty, premiering his new film "Power Ballad" at the festival. Co-CEO Gustav Söderström clearly wants this birthday celebration to showcase both established legends and tomorrow's breakout stars.
Beyond the marquee names, Spotify's planning creator workshops, wellness spaces, and industry meetups throughout SXSW week. Twenty years after launching in Stockholm, the company's using Austin's music mecca to demonstrate how streaming transformed from novelty to necessity. Not bad for a birthday party.
Emily Saunders covers pop, country, and award shows for SongLyrics. Originally from Nashville, she grew up backstage at the Grand Ole Opry.