Metallica To Play Secret Shows At SXSW Fest To Promote Guitar Hero

March 19, 2009 6:15 a.m. EST

Austin, TX (CNS) - Rapper Kanye West is set to make a surprise appearance at this week's South By Southwest festival (SXSW) in Austin, Texas. Metallica and Outkast's Big Boi will also play secret shows.

The Associated Press news agency reports that Metallica will be at the event in Austin, Texas to promote their new Guitar Hero videogame while Big Boi is expected to preview his forthcoming solo material at the event.

The SXSW festival typically showcases new bands, although the event has a history of staging high profile surprise performances. Several other big name stars are expected to appear during the music section of the festival.

Alt-rock band Jane's Addiction in all their original-lineup glory and Tori Amos are scheduled to perform along with Rick Ross and Jadakiss. There will be sets by the Silversun Pickups, Explosions in the Sky, Primal Scream, Devo, the Hold Steady, M. Ward and Peter Bjorn and John.

The Decemberists will be performing their new album, The Hazards Of Love, in its entirety while Grizzly Bear will unveil tracks from their much-anticipated Vecktimest album.

At SXSW 2008, there were performances by mainstays like Paramore, N.E.R.D., R.E.M., and My Morning Jacket.