Day 2 of the Sips & Sounds Music Festival was an incredible experience. Anticipation was in the air as there was a good variety of acts planned throughout the evening. From EDM to artists that sing your fave songs from TikTok.
Caroline Hale opened the day with her pop-influenced melodies, as she performed a beautiful version of “Daydreamer” and “Echoes.” Next up was Mallrat who brought a soft, electronic vibe to her performance. She was able to excite the crowd, especially when she played “Charlie,” “Nobody’s Home” and other hits. Jade LeMac closed out the earlier sets with a soulful and electro-pop combination as she performed “Velvet Touch,” “Shadows,” etc. The audience enjoyed how production elements blended together and were ready for the rest of the evening.
Stephen Sanchez took on the Sips & Sounds stage, as he created electricity that generated excitement from all attendees throughout his entire performance. He incorporated his edgy yet melodic singer-songwriter sound while maintaining his vibrant presence on stage. Some of the songs included “IT MIGHT BE LOVE,” “Sweet Love,” and “Emotional Vacation.” Audience members cheered loudly when he performed “Only Girl,” “Evangeline,” and “Shake.” Sanchez ended his set with the explosive performance of “Until I Found You” — his breakout hit that was discovered on TikTok and launched him to mainstream success.
The Runarounds are a North Carolina-based band that has recently received some good media attention via an Amazon Prime video show based around them. Their ‘Minivan’ Tour has been so successful (they’re sold out through 2026) that there seems to be no end in sight for their momentum. Their performance was nothing short of incredible and charismatic.
The tracks they played, such as “Ghosts,” “Killed My Youth,” and “Funny How the Universe Works.” The Runarounds have defined themselves as a true band by translating their on-screen storylines into reality through their live performances.
Foster the People, formed in Los Angeles in 2009, has been a household name since the release of their breakout single “Pumped Up Kicks.” Their style encompasses playful beats combined with vibrant indie pop. During the festival, Foster the People gave the audience a taste of their past by performing hits like “Helena Beat,” “Sit Next to Me,” and “Houdini.”
Their latest album release, Paradise State of Mind, received positive critical reviews for its distinctive mixture of disco/synth pop styles and elements of psychedelia. Some songs from the album, such as “A Diamond to Be Born” and “Lost In Space,” became fan favorites and were an absolute gem to hear live.
The SXSW stage wrapped up Saturday with an exuberant performance from flipturn. This much-loved indie band has established itself as a mainstay on the indie music circuit, in addition to developing a huge following as they cross the country on their current Burnout Days tour, especially through Texas.
The band’s performance was a mix of new songs and fan favorites. They opened the set with their hit song, “Sad Disco,” and continued with the emotionally driven title track from their newest project, “Burnout Days,” along with “Whales,” “Moon Rocks,” and “Swim Between Trees.” Other songs entertaining the audience included crowd-pleasers like “Rodeo Clown,” nostalgic favorites such as “August” and “Playground,” and their final song of the evening, “Space Cowboy” showcased the vibrant and impactful pop/rock flair of the band and demonstrated the emotional connection they create with their audience at all of their performances.
Calvin Harris concluded the festival on the Sips & Sounds stage, where his performance brought the rave energy to Austin. For over two decades, Calvin Harris has been a key player in the world of EDM and has produced many number-one songs. He seamlessly mixed his greatest hits and amazing remixes into a continuous party atmosphere by starting his set with crowd favorites like “Sweet Nothing,” “Outside,” and “This Is What You Came For.” Harris then transitioned into a variety of musicians’ classics such as “One Kiss,” “Blame,” “Feel So Close,” and “Summer.” Harris added surprise elements throughout his performance, before finishing with the perfect final song for the festival, “Levels,” dedicated to the late Avicii, which left the audience in absolute tears.
Calvin Harris was the best choice to end the festival, as it ended with a bang. The energy was absolutely unmatched for Day 2.
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