SXSW is besotted with Gurriers this year. Cast an eye over any of the top music showcases and you’ll find their name on the lineup. Bookers are more obsessed than Patrick Bateman with seeing their name on the card.

Who can blame them? They’re the Paul Allen subtle off-white business card, the Valentino Couture pinstripe suit, The reservation at Dorsia on a Friday night. They deserve it all after their principled protest of the festival in 2024. A successful boycott that led to the US military sponsorship ending two months after last year’s event in June 2024.

“It's not a principle until it costs you money,” avowed a 1950s advertising legend named Bill Bernbach, who eschewed the tobacco industry.

The decision of Gurriers, along with all the other Irish artists that took a stand for Palestine, resulted in the loss of a lot of opportunities. Yet, they never flinched.

That delay of 365 days might be a blessing in disguise. A year on, the five piece dropped their raucous debut album, toured non-stop and have morphed into an unstoppable live force. This was evident at their first gig on US soil. The BME showcase hosted the Irish group as they emptied themselves on stage. Singer Dan donned a ‘Don’t Mess With Texas’ t-shirt, an unofficial State motto that Gurriers unabashedly ignored with gusto as members marauded through the audience drumming up enthusiasm for the song ‘Approachable’.

After a lengthy sound-check, there were still some technical issues affecting guitarist Mark’s feedback in his monitor, yet it didn’t dampen their enthusiasm or performances. A new song ‘Eraser’ was thrown in mid-set, as well as crowd favourite ‘Nausea’.

A punchy rapid set came to a close with the track ‘Come and See’, with the parting words from the group, “Free Palestine”.

A packed room for their first show proved that South By Southwest has definitely picked one of the best live bands at this year’s festival.

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