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In photos: the 麻豆社 Introducing & PRS for Music Foundation SXSW Showcase

It was a hot Wednesday in the heart of sunny Austin, where just hours before the 30th ever SXSW Music was kicked off with a keynote speech from none other than Michelle Obama. Yes - it's kind of a big deal.

Centred around the famous 6th Street area, it's loud, it's buzzing, and it attracts press and keen-eared industry insiders from across the world.

We headed to the British Music Embassy (normally known as Latitude 30) to showcase five very special new acts who we really believe in, and who all started their journey by uploading their music with the .

The night began with , the Warrington fourpiece who - along with their manager Craig Tarry - tragically passed away in a car accident on 13 February 2016. The band had been scheduled to perform here with us at SXSW. The thoughts of the whole 麻豆社 Introducing family are with the friends and families of Kris, Jack, River, Tomas and Craig.

Isaac Gracie

Kicking us off - with an intro by - was the very talented , one of the most exciting new artists in the UK.

Billie Marten

Introduced to the stage by , 16 year-old - earlier this year shortlisted for - performed a spellbindingly hushed set.

The Sherlocks

Sheffield fourpiece , championed by ("What I like about this band is they're real grafters", he tells the crowd), tore up the stage with a fast-paced set.

Watch before their performance.

Frances

Another act who made the longlist, stunned the crowd with her heart-wrenching, confessional songs.

Estrons

Tipped by Huw Stephens, Wales' closed the night on truly incendiary form, tearing through their set at breakneck speed and drawing cheers from an ever-growing crowd.

Watch before their performance.

What a night!

, and signing off!

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