Billboard brought three days of nonstop music, artist conversations, and plenty of energy to SXSW® 2026 with its signature THE STAGE concert series and return of the Billboard House at Mohawk.

Billboard didn’t just show up to SXSW 2026, it took over! With a lineup of major headliners and rising talent, it was no surprise this multi-day experience drew in crowds for sold-out performances night after night.

For three days straight, Billboard THE STAGE delivered fan-packed performances at Moody Amphitheater while Mohawk became the center of it all with Billboard House – a go-to hub for intimate Q&A’s, panel discussions, emerging artist showcases, and high-energy afterparties that kept the excitement going well into the night.

Day One: Setting the Tone

Day One kicked off with a bang at the sold-out show at Moody Amphitheater headlined by hip-hop/R&B artist Don Toliver who celebrated the 6th anniversary of his platinum-certified debut album ‘Heaven or Hell’ by performing “After Party” live.

“It’s a very special day, I got my fans out here tonight for the anniversary,“ the Houston artist said after the beat dropped to his song “After Party.” 

“It’s only right that I play this.” This was one of the many moments where the crowd – including myself – were singing word for word.

Toliver also performed his Billboard Hot 100 hit “Body,” and had fans screaming “one more song!” once his set came to a bittersweet end. 

Earlier in the day Chase B, sosocamo, Yakiyn, and house DJ Cee Watts opened the series, while Billboard House at Mohawk hosted multiple conversations with The All-American Rejects; Mark Cuban; and a Superstar Q&A with Don Toliver. 

Don Toliver sat down with Billboard’s Mike Saponara to chat about his chart-topping fifth album, ‘Octane’ debuting at No. 1 with 162K units and all 18 tracks landing on the Hot 100 (huge deal!). He also touched on the story behind “Body” and sampled Justin Timberlake’s “Rock Your Body,” Travis Scott’s last-minute verse on “Rosary.” 

That night, Billboard House at Mohawk hosted the CHEETOS® FLAMIN’ HOT® Pickle Pop-Off, an afterparty featuring DJ duo Loud Luxury. As Toliver would say “I pull up, hop out at the after party!”

As a fan of both Hot Cheetos and pickles, the mash-up was everything I’d hope – complete with complimentary Hot Cheetos, custom cocktails (with a hot Cheeto dust rim), karaoke battles, arcade-style games like the “pickle shot” – all while enjoying the high-energy dance floor soundtracked by Loud Luxury.

Day Two: Música Mexicana Takes Center Stage

The global rise of Música Mexicana was on full display during Day Two, with emerging artists setting the tone early and established stars commanding the stage by night.

DJ HELIOS and breakout artist Oscar Ortiz opened the evening, bringing an infectious blend of energy and contemporary sounds. 

Ortiz kicked things off with “First Love,” one of his most popular tracks, and introduced his signature cumbia flair with a set featuring matador drums that had the crowd feeling lively. At one point, he surprised fans by handing out roses to those reaching out from the crowd—an unexpected moment that added to the night’s energy.

Later, Mexican singer-songwriter Junior H drew a packed crowd for another sold-out headlining set. Fans leaned fully into the moment, many wearing “sad boyz” and “sad girlz” sunglasses—a nod to his signature aesthetic. “Where are all my sad boys and sad girls?” he called out in Spanish, instantly igniting the crowd. When he performed “sad boy,” the energy only intensified.

Junior H also performed Peso Pluma and Gabito Ballesteros’ collaboration “Lady Gaga,” along with fan favorites like “LAS NOCHES,” “Y Lloro,” and “El Azul.” Before closing out the set with “CULPABLE,” he signed a Mexican flag handed to him by a fan and held it up proudly.

Earlier in the day, Billboard House at Mohawk hosted conversations with Corinne Bailey Rae and Ravyn Lenae (presented by BetterHelp), as well as an On the Record session with Jesse Coren and Andrew Spelman, and a Superstar Q&A with Junior H.

During the Q&A, Junior H sat down with Billboard’s Leila Cobo and talked about his chart-topping album DEPR</3$$ED MFKZ and how he’s helping reshape regional Mexican music through vulnerability and emotion. Junior H has since come a long way from when he first started. He reflected on his journey from recording music in his closet early in his career, the impact of Mexico’s corrido ban, and his evolution into what many now call the “godfather of the sad kids.” He also touched on launching Sad Boy Records, signing Gael Valenzuela, and his plans to expand globally.

Day Three: Ending on a High Note

Billboard closed out its three-night run with another wave of performances, as Apex Martin and house DJ Austin Ashtin set the tone ahead of internationally acclaimed DJ and producer Mau P.

The final day at Billboard House featured conversations with Noah Kahan, Nick Sweeney, Edgar Barrera, and Jonás Cuarón, alongside a Superstar Q&A with Mau P.

In conversation with Billboard’s Katie Bain, Mau P came across refreshingly down to earth, opening up on his evolution from producing as Maurice West to creating music that prioritizes what he genuinely enjoys over what simply sells. The dutch DJ is surrounded by a close-knit team he trusts, and continues to push his sound forward. He even joked, “let’s be honest, DJs are boring,” while emphasizing his goal of channeling that energy into his signature “fat” beats.

That mindset carried into the night at The Concourse Project. Despite a weather-related venue change due to strong winds, Mau P delivered a bass-heavy, high-energy set that had the crowd locked into every beat, weaving in his own spin on “Mercy” to close out the weekend on a strong note.

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Cover photo courtesy Billboard

Leean Vargas is the The Lone Star Low Down newsletter editor at Texas Lifestyle Magazine and an honors graduate of Texas State University with a bachelor’s degree in Public Relations. She is a concert enthusiast who loves traveling, photography, good food, and discovering new hangout spots in her beloved city, Austin, Texas.