Big Star's 'Third' at SXSW: M. Ward, Tommy Stinson, Lucero & More Join Tribute

Two years ago, the music world was stunned by the loss of Alex Chilton, the man behind both the Box Tops and Big Star. Hailed as "a Rosetta stone for a whole generation" by Peter Buck, Chilton's death came only a few days before he was supposed to perform at SXSW, and the event instead was recast as a tribute concert. This year at the festival, artists will perform Big Star's landmark 1974 album 'Third' in full to honor the band's late helmsman.

The lineup now includes the Replacements' and Guns N Roses' Tommy Stinson, M. Ward, Wilco's Pat Sansone, Lucero, Peter Case, the Dunwells, Star and Micey, Big Star's Jody Stephens, Lost in the Trees' Ari Picker, as well as R.E.M.'s Mike Mills and Peter Buck.

Rounding out the line up will be Chris Stamey, Mitch Easter, the Posies' Ken Stringfellow and Jon Auer, Tosca String Quartet, Brett Harris, Evan Way and the Parson Redheads, Matt McMichaels, Fan Modine, and Skylar Gudasz. More info here!

The event will take place Thursday, March 15 at Austin's Paramount Theater. Before the performances, the SXSW Film Festival will debut the documentary 'Big Star: Nothing Can Hurt Me (Work-in-Progress),' which will also screen at the Paramount Theater. The event will be open to SXSW Film, Music, Gold and Platinum Badge holders, and those in possession of SXSW Film Passes and Music Wristbands. Those without the aforementioned credentials will have to shell out $25 for a limited amount of advance single tickets which can be purchased over here.