REM, Black Crowes at South By Southwest in 2008

The annual South By Southwest music festival and conference is stocking up on big acts this year, including R.E.M., the Black Crowes, Daryl Hall, and Lou Reed. R.E.M. will be introducing music from its new album, Accelerate, which is due out April 1st, while the Black Crowes will be promoting Warpaint, their first new album in seven years, which comes out March 4th. Hall and Reed will both be among the featured speakers at the conference. This year's SXSW takes place March 12th through 17th in Austin, Texas.

Other acts on this year's SXSW bill include the Breeders, the Von Bondies, the Raveonettes, the Kills, Grammy Award winner Daniel Lanois, My Morning Jacket, and the Black Keys. More are being added every day.

Thousands of artists and music industry insiders descend on Austin each year for SXSW, and the event is considered one of the most influential indicators of what's going to be big in the coming year.

SXSW also holds a film festival and technology conference in conjunction with the music fest.