Laura Cheadle + The Girls: Powerhouse Soul Vocal Female Group Set to Perform at SXSW 2025

Below is the teaser for an article in the in-print Winter 2025 K. Magazine issue, releasing April 5th.

Laura Cheadle + The Girls is a new all-girl band that took the spotlight at the South by Southwest 2025 Festival with their powerhouse soul vocals, dance-worthy instrumentals, and their incredibly joyful energies. The band also uses their musical platform and performances to help lead change, advocating for women and the LGBTQ+ community. We had the opportunity to learn from the stories and mindsets of members Laura, Michelle, and Emily, and we’re absolutely inspired.

Jiya: Your energy on stage (both at SXSW and your past live shows) is incredibly radiant, and this joy instantly resonates with us in the audience!

Could you share any magical moments you have with each other or with your audiences at your live shows? Do you have any unique pre-show routines or traditions?

Laura: Our goal is to engage and make our audience’s day better. Michelle and I always have a fun dynamic, and the audience really notices our chemistry. When you come to our shows, we embrace you with joyful girl power and dancing. Our last few performances have included a full on dance party! The world truly needs joy now, and we consistently bring this positive energy.

We are always singing in harmony and laughing before the shows. We are very much into manifesting and meditation, so we set the stage before we enter! I truly believe joy emanates when you bring it before you set foot on the stage.

Jiya: You use your art form to advocate for the LGBTQ+ community and women. How do you use the power of music as a channel for advocacy and a force that stimulates change?

Laura Cheadle + The Girls "Air Gets Tight"

Laura: Michelle and I are a married couple, and we strive to show love is love and to have that translate in a joyful performance. As women, having an all-girl band is a powerful platform to show we can really do it all. We are truly advocating to show that we and our entire LGBTQ+ community deserve the same rights as everyone else. We are performing at Pride Festivals all over the country this spring and summer! With everything going on in the world right now, we need advocacy more than ever.

Read the rest of this article and more in our Winter 2025 issue releasing on April 5th, 2025!

xoxo, Jiya Kumar, Music Affairs Coordinator,

March 14, 2025