It's official: Lou Reed is the keynote for SXSW Music 2008. His speech will be held in conjunction with Julian Schnabel's film Lou Reed's 'Berlin,' which documents a recent performance of the landmark 1973 album.

The official site is also officially confirming a performance by Spain's Mala Rodriguez. This is the only official news since last week, when we gave you our initial thoughts on '08's possibilities.

Elsewhere, however, the annual trend of rumor, gossip and predictions are in full swing, as bands start announcing their hopes of coming to the ATX during March whether or not they've got a showcase or an official invitation. As expected, no local names are emerging yet, and they probably won't be officially anywhere until much closer to the big week. Same goes for huge headliner names that most folks are anticipating appearing (Stephen Malkmus and Battles come to mind).

Because so much of the official information is under lock and key, and because the rumors and anticipation are just too juicy to ignore, we'll round up this week's gossip and intimations quickly, adding links to our growing list of bands who are either rumored to play, or have announced their plans to travel here regardless of official support. As always, we thank our good friends at Done Waiting for being so diligent about updating these names as they unfold (and to bands who take the time to let everyone know their plans!). Remember: a lot of these names are based rumors and band/artist declarations. Austinist does not claim to have insider knowledge of the eventual full line-up.

A couple names we hope to see pop up again: Vampire Weekend is rumored to be playing, but we can't confirm that rumor anywhere but in our own minds. We'd love to see them though, since we missed the last buzz-worthy performance here in town. Black Mountain is touring with Bon Iver, and Bon Iver is claiming an appearance at SXSW, so we hope those fates align. Finally, Montreal's Plants & Animals claiming that their 2008 tour to support their upcoming album, Parc Avenue, will kick off in Austin during the festival. We're really glad to see Holy Fuck's name being thrown around the ring of contenders as well: their 2007 release was mind-blowing, and their live show is devastatingly good. If the plan to tour with A Place to Bury Strangers works out, and APBS is indeed counting on being in Austin in March ... well, there's a few variables there, but we're hopeful.

AA Bondy
A Place to Bury Strangers
Bon Iver (via CMJ)
Breeders
The Cribs
Daryl Hall
Dead Confederate
Die! Die! Die!
The DoDos
Dokkebi Q
El Jesus de Magico
The Feral Children
Firewater
Gallows
Goes Cube
Hanne Hukkelberg
Health
Hey Willpower
Holy Fuck (check those tour dates w/ A Place to Bury Strangers!)
Justin Townes Earle
Kaki King
Mala Rodriguez
Minmae
Necropolis
Plants & Animals
The Raveonettes
Sia
The Soundtrack of Our Lives
Tech N9ne
Unholy 2
Wussy