As the SXSW Interactive portion came to a close, the staff of indie magazine She Shreds were setting up for a three-day takeover of the SXSW music scene.

Partnering with Panache Booking, Hardly Art Records, Tom Tom Magazine and EarthQuaker Devices, She Shreds played host to over 30 performances in venues around Austin, ranging from coffee shops to martial arts studios.

Their mission was to spotlight female musicians and women-led groups. 

Fabi Reyna is the editor-in-chief of “She Shreds” and an advocate for equality of women in the music industry.

“Nothing has changed for 20 or 30 years, so I just thought something new needed to happen. What better way to highlight this new aesthetic, this new style, than with women musicians,” Reyna said.

Held on the evening of March 17 at Spider House on Guadalupe Street and featuring Austin locals Megafauna, the “She Shreds Kick-off Show” featured bands such as The Shivas, The Ghost Wolves and Guantanamo Baywatch, among others. This was followed by intimate performances by La Luz, NOTS, Slothrust and a number of other bands at Reyna’s own childhood home on March 19.

The final series of performances was held at Zen Fit on March 20 and included over ten bands such as Chastity Belt, Thelma and the Sleaze and the popular Japanese metal group, BO-PEEP.

“At SXSW, you can do anything, I just needed the right moment and this was it,” said Reyna.

Overall, the performances provided a high level of energy and excitement culminating in a celebration of all things liberating about music.

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