Clear Channel Media and Entertainment has announced the launch of 103.1 iHeartAustin Radio, a "pop-up" radio station that will cover the latest music and news straight from SXSW 2013. iHeartAustin Radio will broadcast now through March 17, 2013 on 103.1 FM in Austin and will also be available nationally on iHeartRadio.

Every year thousands of brands, bands, artists and other industry elite gather in Austin to get a glimpse of the latest trends in music, technology and other creative arts at SXSW. This year, 103.1 iHeartAustin Radio will bring listeners intimate performances, exclusive interviews and regular news coverage straight from its mobile studios at Empire on 7th and Red River. The broadcasts will feature coverage from SXSW’s Interactive Festival which will include interviews with major brands that are announcing hot new consumers products and apps – plus, activities and events happening throughout the SXSW conferences and festivals.

The live broadcast station will take a close look at the bands of SXSW 2013 and an in-depth look back at the bands and artist that broke into the music industry throughout recent years. 103.1 iHeartAustin Radio will also highlight the artists and DJs from Evolution, the new Electronic Dance Music (EDM) station on iHeartRadio.

 In addition, 103.1 iHeartAustin Radio will feature "Music You Need To Know," an hour-long segment with the festival’s buzz bands including Jake Bugg, The Neighbourhood, Rhye, Hanni El Khatib, Alt-J and Youngblood Hawke every night at 8 p.m. CST. During the show, the bands will play their entire album and discuss their music and artistry with listeners. Music You Need To Know will kickoff on Monday, March 11, with Pete Wentz from Fall Out Boy as he hosts and plays his favorite music from SXSW artists.

"Every year people from all over the globe travel to Austin to discover what’s next in music and technology," said Tom Poleman, CCM+E President of National Programming Platforms. "103.1 iHeartAustin Radio will bring the spirit of SXSW to listeners both in Austin and throughout the country via iHeartRadio – the leading platform for music discovery that provides listeners with everyday access to emerging artists."

iHeartRadio will host an all-star SXSW Showcase featuring live performances by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Tegan and Sara, Atlas Genius and Josh Baze at The Main, located in the heart of downtown Austin on Tuesday, March 12, beginning at 9 p.m. Clear Channel will also host an official SXSW panel, "Navigating the Waters of Radio to Your Benefit," which will discuss the social relevance of radio and its importance to music discovery. The panel will be moderated by Tom Poleman, President of National Programming Platforms at Clear Channel, and will feature record producer/songwriter RedOne; David Field, President/CEO of Entercom Communications; Daniel Glass, President/CEO of Glassnote Entertainment Group; and Peter Gray, SVP of Promotions at Warner Music Group. 

Fans can listen to 103.1 iHeartAustin Radio on-air, as well as on iHeartRadio.  For more information visit iHeartRadio.com/sxsw.