In photos: the BBC Introducing & PRS for Music Foundation SXSW Showcase

It was a hot Wednesday in the heart of sunny Austin, where just hours before the 30th ever SXSW Music was kicked off with a keynote speech from none other than Michelle Obama. Yes - it's kind of a big deal.

Centred around the famous 6th Street area, it's loud, it's buzzing, and it attracts press and keen-eared industry insiders from across the world.

We headed to the British Music Embassy (normally known as Latitude 30) to showcase five very special new acts who we really believe in, and who all started their journey by uploading their music with the BBC Introducing Uploader.

The night began with a tribute to Viola Beach, the Warrington fourpiece who - along with their manager Craig Tarry - tragically passed away in a car accident on 13 February 2016. The band had been scheduled to perform here with us at SXSW. The thoughts of the whole BBC Introducing family are with the friends and families of Kris, Jack, River, Tomas and Craig.

Kicking us off - with an intro by Huw Stephens - was the very talented Isaac Gracie, one of the most exciting new artists in the UK.

Introduced to the stage by Jo Whiley, 16 year-old Billie Marten - earlier this year shortlisted for BBC Sound of 2016 - performed a spellbindingly hushed set.

Sheffield fourpiece The Sherlocks, championed by Steve Lamacq ("What I like about this band is they're real grafters", he tells the crowd), tore up the stage with a fast-paced set.

Watch Steve chatting with The Sherlocks before their performance.

Another act who made the BBC Sound of 2016 longlist, Frances stunned the crowd with her heart-wrenching, confessional songs.

Tipped by Huw Stephens, Wales' Estrons closed the night on truly incendiary form, tearing through their set at breakneck speed and drawing cheers from an ever-growing crowd.

Watch Huw chatting with Estrons before their performance.