SXSW world: International acts Priyanka, Girl Ultra, Ramona, more take the stage in Austin

Each year, incredible musicians from around the world journey thousands of miles to play at the South by Southwest Music Festival. Carrying with them the pride of their nations, these artists, many of whom are stars in their homelands, often put on the most astonishing performances of the festival.

These showcases often fly under the radar of high-profile branded events, and many of them offer entry with a cover at the door if you don't have credentials. SXSW-r's and local folks have a unique opportunity to hop around the musical globe without leaving the Austin city limits.

Here are some of our can't-miss acts. Not all set times had been announced by publication deadline. Check sxsw.com for updates.

Priyanka

What’s her name? The winner of “Canada’s Drag Race” Season 1 — that’s right, the maple-soaked spin-off of RuPaul’s empire — has done well with her reality competition fame. One of the franchise’s only South Asian champions, the delightfully goofy Priyanka recently scored a development deal with Bell Media in Canada, and she’s got a burgeoning recording career. Her 2021 single, “Come Through,” went viral on TikTok. Priyanka will be the penultimate act for the second day of the Dr. Martens Presents Music Showcase on Rainey. (5 p.m. March 17 at Clive Bar)

— E.W.

More:Our guide to a dozen SXSW parties where you can post up all night

Girl Ultra

The artist aka Mariana de Miguel made waves on our side of the border with the 2019 Cuco collaboration, “DameLove,” and a feature on last year’s Adrian Quesada album “Boleros Psicodélicos.” On her latest, “El Sur,” she winds her smoky vocals over breezy club grooves that recall her days as a house DJ in Mexico City. (Midnight March 15 at Speakeasy; DJ set: Midnight March 16 at Neon Grotto rooftop; DJ set: 1 a.m. March 17 at Coconut Club Girl Ultra will also appear on a KUTX morning broadcast.)

— D.S.S.

mediopicky

On his self-titled 2022, album the buzzy Dominican vocalist and producer weaves together everything from trap to hard rock to warm bedroom pop. Pitchfork recently pegged him as one of 25 artists shaping the future of music, and Rolling Stone clearly agreed, as he’s on their Future of Music showcase. You can also catch him on the Fama records showcase and an evening of urbano music at Shangri-La featuring rappers from around the Latin American diaspora. (1:10 a.m. March 18 at Augustine; 10:45 p.m. March 18 at Shangri-La)

— D.S.S.

Yazmin Lacey

The warmth and rawness in the British singer-songwriter’s deep voice is instantly relatable and comforting. Her debut full-length, “Voice Notes,” is a gorgeous platter that serves nuggets of wisdom stewed in jazz and soul. A latecomer to music, the 34-year-old Londoner brings a maturity to her musings on self love, staying present and striving for personal growth that makes them feel both deeply personal and universal. (9 p.m. March 15 at Sellers Underground; 3 p.m. March 16 at KMFA Studios; 9 p.m. March 16 at British Music Embassy at Courtyard)

— D.S.S.

More:These are the bands you need to hear at SXSW Music Festival 2023 in Austin

Ramona

The Tijuana six-piece caught our hearts with the 2018 candy shop lament “Tristes Ojos,” a perfect picture of wounded-puppy heartache painted in lilting alt-rock en Español. They just dropped the new track “El Amor De Mi Visa” (“The Love of My Visa”), part of a series of songs inspired by Chicano border culture. (4 p.m. March 16 at Radio Day Stage at Austin Convention Center; 8 p.m. March 17 at Augustine)

— D.S.S.

Obongjayar

The Nigerian artist who is based in London scored a hit last year with his Little Simz collab “Point and Kill.” His debut full length, “Some Nights I Dream of Doors,” is a powerful work of abstract pop expressionism that folds in oozy, late-night club beats and embellishments of hip-hop and Afropop. He was recently signed by the management team behind Adele, and a breakout seems imminent. In addition to his performances, the video for "Point and Kill" is entered in the SXSW Film & TV Festival's music video competition. (Midnight March 17 at British Music Embassy at the Courtyard; 3 p.m. March 17 at International Day Stage)

— D.S.S.

Chameleon Lime Whoopiepie

As one might gather from the name, it’s hard to describe this Japanese band, whose members are called Chi- and Whoopies No. 1 and 2. The overarching feeling is lunatic glitch pop-rock-rap. “Whoopie is a Punk Rocker” sounds like early Sleigh Bells by way of Tokyo, while “LaLaLa” takes cues from 1990s East Coast hip-hop through a kind of industrial, cyberpunk funnel. Listen, it’s weird and it sounds fun. (Midnight March 18 at Elysium; 4 p.m. March 18 at International Day Stage)

— E.W.

More: How to see Zombies, Thao at Auditorium Shores, plus more free events

ÄTNA

Chilly synth music from Germany? What will they think of next! Tangerine Dream is the talk of SXSW 2023, but electro-pop duo ÄTNA, aka Inéz Schaefer and Demian Kappenstein, can be found at the juncture of au courant and avant-garde. Songs like “I See Love” and “Come to Me” sit comfortably next to Lykke Li and Róisín Murphy on a playlist. (10 p.m. March 16 at Shangri-La)

— E.W.

Son Rompe Pera

The Gama brothers from Mexico play rollicking cumbias infused with a punk-rock attitude. Their new album “Chimborazo,” recorded in Bogota, Colombia, abandons their earlier folkloric inclinations and leans into a sound that is amped up, edgy and guaranteed to make you move. (1:15 a.m. March 16 at Hotel Vegas Patio; midnight March 17 at Speakeasy)

— D.S.S.

Beverly Kills

Sweden: land of ABBA and Robyn, of affordable furniture and lingonberry soda, and also of Beverly Kills, a post-punk four-piece that goes hard. Hear the sound of chilly nights listening to Joy Division in the haunting voice of singer Alma Westerlund. (1 a.m. March 16 at Las Perlas; 1 p.m. March 18 at Radio Day Stage)

— E.W.

Ena Mori

Japanese-Filipina sensation in the making with a smart, spare approach to electro-pop. ”Banged out Chopin and Mozart pieces as a kid; now churning bangers,” her bio reads. Last year’s “DON’T BLAME THE WILD ONE!” album is full of emotive hooks and colorful lyrics, and it all sounds oh-so-shiny. (11 p.m. March 14 at Iron Bear)

— E.W.

Balming Tiger and Tiger Den showcase

Jaded, an American company dedicated to Asian youth culture, joins forces with Seoul-based indie music collective Balming Tiger to present a pan-Asian mini fest within the festival. The event kicks off with a free day party that includes performances from Japanese-Filipina artist Ena Mori, Yacko & Tuan Tigabelas from Indonesia and the Chairs from Taiwan. The evening program includes South Korean artist LØREN, who had songwriting credits on Blackpink’s debut full-length “The Album.” (He was featured as the male lead in the video for “Lovesick Girls.”) The evening also includes breakthrough South Korean electronic artist CIFIKA, buzzy Japanese rapper Tohji and host band Balming Tiger, which recently logged a collab with RM of BTS. (Doors open for the day party at noon March 15 at Cheer Up Charlies outdoor.)

— D.S.S.

M(h)aol

The members of the Dublin five-piece channel the fierce energy of their namesake, the 16th-century Irish pirate queen Gráinne Mhaol, throughout their catalog. With brass knuckles, punk sludge and biting wit, they create rough and rugged anthems for a generation fed up with a culture that abuses and objectifies women. Pronounce it "male" (and pour out a little whiskey for the rigid gender roles you are killing). (10:10 p.m. March 15 at Mohawk indoor; 8 p.m. March 16 at Velveeta Room)

— D.S.S.

Surma

The weird and wonderful avant-pop artist from Portugal is exactly the kind of international artist you hope to discover at SXSW. Lo-fi musings morph into lush spaces of aural repose that glitch into off-kilter electronic dance music. (Time TBA March 15 at Wax Myrtle's; 1 a.m. March 18 at Iron Bear)

— D.S.S.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Top musicians from around the world converge in Austin for SXSW 2023