AUSTIN, Texas — 'We want to conquer the world," says Okamoto's vocalist Shou Okamoto after their well-received gig at the 24th annual South by Southwest (SXSW) Music and Media Conference.

Sharing a similar mentality as these young Tokyo rockers, some 1,800 major label and independent acts from 55 countries flocked to Austin, Texas, with dreams of gaining a stronger foothold in the music industry. Held from March 17-21, the massive SXSW boasts more than 80 official stages centered primarily throughout the downtown core of the city.

The festival included 21 groups from Japan. According to Audrey Kimura, SXSW Asia's tour producer for Japan Nite, close to 100 acts applied.