SXSW Music Festival
From LoveToKnow Music
South By Southwest Music Festival
The 20th annual SXSW festival will take place March 10 – 19 in Austin, TX. Now in its 20th year, SXSW actually wears the face of 3 different festivals – an interactive media festival, a film festival, and its most popular identity, the music festival itself, which runs from March 15 – 19.
Part Trade Show, Part Concert Series
SXSW has become one of the do-not-miss events in the music industry calendar over the past twenty years by combining the two elements of other industry gatherings – the trade show and the concert showcase. Days at SXSW are focused around the exhibition hall, where, where 120 labels, distributors, magazines, and other industry bodies from around the world have booths set up to promote their product, and make connections with other businesses. This is where you go to drop off your demo at a few labels, or finally meet face to face with that Spanish distributor with whom you’ve been exchanging so many emails.
The days also offer a change to attend forums on the most pressing issues facing the music business today, where you can get advice from the pros, or take part in the debate.
The nights are showcase time, where invited bands from all over the world so their thing for an audience of record labels and press people. The showcase shows are spread across several venues, but concentrated mainly on one main drag in Austin, so SXSW attendees can easily pop in and out of venues, checking out as many bands as possible. Many a business deal is made over a few beers in the middle of the Texas night, as the bands play. Though, to be fair, some are not remembered.
The whole SXSW experience culminates in a barbeque and softball tournament for attendees.
This Year at SXSW
SXSW is celebrating its 20 years in the festival business with plenty of noteworthy events. The keynote speaker for SXSW music festival will be Neil Young, who will be joined by Jonathan Demme, director of a new Neil Young documentary, “Neil Young/Heart of Gold.” The keynote address will take place March 16.
The Beastie Boys, who will be screening their new film “Awesome, I Fuckin’ Shot That” in Austin, will hold an interview session on March 15. The film was shot by audience members at one of their shows, and so in keeping with the theme, their interview will be conducted by members of the audience.
Morrissey will try to forget that nasty business with the FBI by being interviewed for SXSW on March 16. A performance will follow that same evening, courtesy of BBC Radio, who will broadcast it. Check the BBC website for times. This is your first chance to hear songs from his soon to be released new album
Also taking part in this year’s SXSW interview series are Kris Kristofferson, k.d. lang, Judy Collins, The Pretenders, Bill Bragg, and Sam Moore.
1400 bands, selected by SXSW, will take part in the nightly showcases.
If You Want To Go
Tickets to the interviews, forums, trade shows, and showcases are available at any time, though it pays to buy them early, and to decide which events will be most useful to you.
The application process for bands wanting to take part in a showcase, or a business hoping to host a showcase, are generally due a few months before the festival (because of work permit laws, there are different deadlines for different countries – check the website out to find your date). The focus at SXSW is inviting bands who are ready to take it to the next level, so generally it helps if you have some kind of buzz going, and some parts of your career in place – a record label in at least one country, a good press packet, touring experience - something along those lines.
More Information
For a full rundown of the schedule at the music festival, or details on taking part next year, go to www.sxsw.com
Related Music Links
This page has been accessed 1,468 times. This page was last modified 14:01, 3 September 2006.
© 2006-2008 LoveToKnow Corp.
