Austin, Texas — Rolling Stone’s Future of Music showcase, presented by JBL, wrapped up its final night at ACL Live at the Moody Theater during SXSW 2026, delivering a Texas-proud finale headlined by Dallas rapper BigXthaPlug.
The third and final night of the three-day concert series highlighted the rising influence of Texas artists, featuring performances from singer-songwriter INK and a high-energy showcase from members of BigXthaPlug’s Texas-based collective 600 Entertainment.
The event capped off a week of music discovery at SXSW, following earlier headline performances from Lola Young and Fuerza Regida.
600 Entertainment Opens the Night
The evening began with a showcase from 600 Entertainment, the Texas-based collective affiliated with BigXthaPlug.
KevanGotBandz kicked off the performance with an intense opening set, delivering rapid-fire bars on tracks including “I’m Serious,” “Ain’t Never Slowing Down,” and “Shine.”
Next, KaineMusic, the collective’s female MC, brought swagger and confidence to the stage. Her performance closed with the dark and commanding single “Do It,” drawing loud reactions from the Austin crowd.
Murdagang PB and Yung Hood continued the momentum with energetic appearances, showcasing their chemistry on songs including “24 Hours” and “Too Player.”
INK Blends Country, Soul, and Hip-Hop
Singer-songwriter INK shifted the tone of the night with a genre-blending performance that mixed country, soul, and hip-hop influences.
The Atlanta-raised artist, who has co-written songs for Beyoncé and Kendrick Lamar, performed songs from her 2025 album Big Buskin.
Dressed in a rhinestone suit, INK energized the crowd with “Turquoise Cowboy” before closing her set with the country-inspired party anthem “Hoedown.”
BigXthaPlug Closes the Night
Headliner BigXthaPlug ended the night with a high-energy performance celebrating both his rap catalog and his growing crossover into country-influenced music.
Joined by DJ Bubba and members of 600 Entertainment, the Dallas rapper performed fan favorites including “Back On My BS,” “Big Stepper,” and “Whip It,” while also showcasing crossover tracks like “Hell At Night” and the chart-topping “All the Way.”
One of the most memorable moments of the night came when BigX invited a young fan from the crowd to join him onstage during his breakout anthem “Texas.”
Watch: BigXthaPlug performs during Rolling Stone’s Future of Music showcase presented by JBL at SXSW 2026.
The showcase ended with smoke flares and thunderous applause as BigX closed his set with his signature hit “The Largest.”
Rolling Stone’s Future of Music Showcase
Now in its fourth year at SXSW, Rolling Stone’s Future of Music showcase continues to spotlight emerging artists across hip-hop, pop, country, and música mexicana.
The concert series coincides with Rolling Stone’s Future of Music editorial franchise, including the Future 25 list, highlighting the artists the publication believes will define the next era of music.
With headline performances from Lola Young, Fuerza Regida, and BigXthaPlug, the 2026 edition once again reinforced SXSW’s reputation as one of the most important discovery platforms in music.
Images courtesy of Rolling Stone’s Future of Music, presented by JBL, at SXSW.
