AUSTIN, TX - MARCH 13: Ab-Soul performs onstage at Fader Fort presented by Converse during SXSW on March 13, 2013 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Roger Kisby/Getty Images)

As the SXSW Music Conference takes its first steps today, there's one question resting on every attendee's mind: Who the hell should I go see? There are just too many artists to see them all, so inevitably, fans will miss performances they wanted to watch, or miss performances they had no idea they should have watched.

Either way, those lucky enough to be in Austin right now are going to see some of the best rising musicians. Some of these acts are going to have a breakout year after SXSW concludes, and others are going to continue to simmer below the surface, waiting for their chance to make headlines. Here are 40 artists at SXSW this year that everyone, attending or not, ought to know.

Lost In The Trees

Boy & Bear

Ab-Soul

The Districts

Kiev

Casey Veggies

Echosmith

Warpaint

Desert Noises

Le1f

Mighty Oaks

Pompeii

Black Dave

Shakey Graves

Run River North

Rome Fortune

Washed Out

Vic Mensa

GEMS

Touche Amore

Vince Staples

RDGLDGRN

Travi$ Scott

High Highs

Ms Mr

Isaiah Rashad

The Neighbourhood

The Cool Kids

Charli XCX

Asher Roth

Hozier

London Grammar

Vancouver Sleep Clinic

Naive Thieves

Oh Honey

This Wild Life

G-Eazy

The Eastern Sea

Animals As Leaders