Turning our SX compass south of the equator, creatives from across the Asia-Pacific region are gearing up for another epic convergence of Tech & Innovation, Screen, Music, and Gaming at SXSW Sydney 2024.

Since 1987, SXSW has been a hub of creativity, fueling endless conversations and collaborations beyond the March event. This October 14-20, Sydney takes the baton, bringing together global leaders and innovators in a city where stunning natural beauty meets a vibrant creative scene. With the motto "The future belongs to the curious," SXSW Sydney is set to ignite imagination and inspiration from the harbor to every corner of this Southern Hemisphere hotspot. From sounds to screens and beyond, let's dive into the latest SXSW Sydney 2024 updates!

The SXSW Sydney Conference announced their first Keynotes, Johann Hari, best-selling author of Magic Pill and Stolen Focus, and human rights lawyer Jennifer Robinson, known for her work with Julian Assange and WikiLeaks. Newly announced speakers include booking legends Marty Diamond and Larry Webman (Wasserman), A&R manager Samantha Urbani (Secretly Group), iconic Indian composer and musician A.R. Rahman, Singaporean entrepreneur Min-Liang Tan, and more.

Amping up the SXSW Sydney Music Festival, an already stellar lineup just got bigger with electronic Sydney duo 2touch, Mick Jenkins collaborator Heno. (USA), Anthony Fantano co-signed dogworld (VIC), indie rockers GIMMY (NSW), reggae masters Kurilpa Reach (QLD), recently-minted platinum "synth freak" Touch Sensitive (LA via NSW), and many more. Expand your playlist queue by adding these 40+ artists including Grammy-nominated and platinum-selling UK sensation Jorja Smith.

Casting a light on the cinematic scene, the SXSW Sydney Screen Festival revealed program additions including a live commentary from director Warwick Thornton (The New Boy, Samson and Delilah), composer Jed Kurzel (The Babadook), a Q&A with Josey McNamara on Saltburn, and insights from Pixar’s Mark Andrews on his upcoming projects. Leveling up the SXSW Sydney Games Festival, 60 new games round out its 2024 program.

Before you head Down Under, stay up-to-date with the latest event news at sxswsydney.com and explore programming standouts set to take the SXSW Sydney 2024 stage.

Attend SXSW Sydney 2024

Get ready to rock, reel, and innovate this October 14-20! Don't miss this week-long celebration with SX creatives in Sydney, Australia.

Register to attend SXSW Sydney 2024 at a special badge rate available through Friday, August 30 to save up to $400. Secure your Sydney spot at sxswsydney.com.

SXSW Sydney 2024

SXSW Sydney 2023 – Photos by Katje Ford and Jordan Kirk

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All session proposals received during the PanelPicker entry period are eligible for your vote to help shape the 2025 Conference programming for SXSW and SXSW EDU.

How to Vote

Ready, set, vote! To participate in the voting process from August 6–18, visit panelpicker.sxsw.com/vote and sign in or create an account.

Once you are signed in, filter proposals by conference (SXSW or SXSW EDU), format, title, description, tags, and speakers in the search field.

Each voter can vote once per proposal – selecting "arrow up" for yes or "arrow down" for no. Have a question for the organizer? The Comments section is a great place to post all of your questions and leave constructive comments about the proposals you vote on.

Inside the PanelPicker Process

Your input is very important in terms of shaping the look and feel of the March event. Community votes make up 30% of the final programming decision. Plus, input from the SXSW Staff (30%) and PanelPicker Evaluators (40%) helps ensure that lesser-known voices have as much of a chance of being selected to speak at SXSW as individuals with large online followings.

PanelPicker Evaluators consist of 200+ industry experts from around the globe and make up 40% of the PanelPicker final programming decision. Evaluators provide feedback on all submitted proposals. SXSW Staff input comes in at 30% with a goal to fill any gaps in relevant subject matter, striking a balance between new and veteran speakers. Together these percentages help determine the final Conference lineup announced later in the season.

Pro tip: Subscribe to the Conference Community Newsletter to stay in the SX know.

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Calling Austin entrepreneurs and creatives from all backgrounds! Join us for Mix It Up, an inclusive networking mixer designed to bring together the vibrant community of creatives and business owners in Austin, TX.

"SXSW is renowned globally for its Conference & Festivals, where diversity in expression and the convergence of cultures serve as the bedrock of our success," said Jason Ottley, SXSW Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Director. "Yet, the imperative of DEI extends far beyond the stage; it is woven into the very fabric of our corporate ethos and reflected in our year-round initiatives."

On August 22, get ready for an evening of networking and collaboration at AFS Cinema (6259 Middle Fiskville Rd, Austin, TX 78752) from 5 to 7pm CT. SXSW business mixers are all about celebrating diversity in business and connecting with like-minded professionals. Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, this is the perfect opportunity to meet new people, share ideas, and forge valuable connections. Experience guest speaker presentations, interactive activities, refreshments, and entertainment. Attendees are also encouraged to bring business cards, portfolios, and promotional materials to showcase their talents and services.

RSVP today!

Special thanks to Sunday Afternoon Project and Austin Film Society for co-sponsoring the event.

Stay tuned all year long for even more opportunities for business professionals and creatives to connect, collaborate, and celebrate diversity. Keep it tuned to SXSW News and our social media channels for the latest updates.

RSVP

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PanelPicker® is the official SXSW user-generated session proposal platform developed to encourage the community to pitch their proposals for our Conference programming for SXSW 2025 from March 7-15. This easy, two-step process allows the SXSW community to have a voice in what creative and thought-provoking programming is selected.

Tips for PanelPicker Success

• Follow the instructions and read the FAQ. Reading the PanelPicker FAQ will give you important information about SXSW and more valuable tips for creating a great proposal.

• Create a future-focused, original proposal that shows what you’re passionate about. Often SXSW previews what you’ll be talking about next year and beyond in tech, culture, music, and film. Give us your perspective on what lies ahead and why.

• Depth and specificity. SXSW attendees want advanced, in-depth information, so be sure to delve into the particulars of a topic. The more specific a proposal is, the better. Drill down to what really matters.

• Your title should reflect your description. Your title is going to be fighting for attention with hundreds of other titles in PanelPicker, so it’s important for your title to be direct and explanatory. The community should be able to understand what the proposal will cover without reading your description. Remember: think simple, accurate, and succinct. Tip: Avoid using ALL CAPS in your title and proposal.

How can you ensure that your session idea stands out? Dive into our tips for constructing the perfect proposal and mark your calendar for upcoming webinars from the SXSW Conference team.

To kickoff applications, SXSW Programmers will host a special virtual PanelPicker Best Practices & AMA Webinar this Thursday, June 27. RSVP and fill out the questionnaire in advance with your specific questions.Throughout July, gain even more advice and answers to FAQs from SXSW Programmers during PanelPicker Office Hours.

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Mark your calendars for the SXSW "Y'all Means All" Pride Showcase on Thursday, June 27 in Austin, TX!

Join us for an inclusive evening of networking and dancing as we celebrate the vibrant LGBTQ+ community and those working every day to bring us towards a better and brighter future. All collected donations will go directly to Transgender Education Network of Texas (TENT), the largest statewide, BIPOC trans-led, trans-focused policy, education, and advocacy organization in the state of Texas.

The event takes place at Cuatro Gato (310 Colorado Street) with a suggested $10 donation upon entry. Doors open at 8pm followed by music performances from 9pm–2am by DJ Hierba Mailta, Parker Woodland, Caleb De Casper, P1nkstar, and House of Lepore. ASL will be provided by Amber G Productions.

Come celebrate the beauty of diversity at the SXSW "Y'all Means All" Pride Showcase on June 27 from 8pm-2am at Cuatro Gato for a great cause. And don't forget to grab a commemorative poster that will be available for an additional donation. See y'all there!

Follow us across the socialverse for event updates and exclusive coverage on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok, and X.

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Last year, SXSW Sydney brought forth some of the world’s leading thinkers, performers, and industry professionals for a ground-breaking inaugural 2023 event in Sydney, Australia. Returning this October 14–20, SXSW Sydney has announced its initial round of 2024 programming, including speakers, short films, artists, and games, along with an exclusive Early Bird badge rate available through May 16.

Get a first look at the SXSW Sydney Conference speaker lineup, featuring Australia's newest astronaut, Katherine Bennell-Pegg; global Head of Business Marketing at TikTok, Sofia Hernandez; award-winning Australian filmmaker and director of Mortal Kombat and Mortal Kombat 2, Simon McQuoid; and many more. Across 23 tracks of programming, sessions will explore AI & Robotics, Future of Work, the Creator Economy, and Food, amongst others.

The SXSW Sydney Screen Festival slate spans feature films, shorts, TV premieres, music videos, and XR. Already on the program are four initial short films including Wendi Tang's Fishtank (US/China).

Amping up the SXSW Sydney Music Festival sound, get to know the first wave of artists like Sydney-based, genre-defying instrumentalist Joel Sunny; Melbourne post-punk duo HighSchool; Seoul electronic artist-on-the-rise 404; and Colombian psychedelic rock trio BALTHVS, to name a few.

The SXSW Sydney Games Festival unlocked 10 new titles out of its 120 independent upcoming and recently-released games set for the Sydney stage, including No Case Should Remain Unsolved (Somi, South Korea).

The unveiling of SXSW Sydney's 2024 initial lineup is the first of many announcements within the program. Check out the latest news at sxswsydney.com and explore open participation opportunities.

Join Us at SXSW Sydney 2024

Register to attend SXSW Sydney 2024 today to save up to $600. Get more event updates and secure your Sydney spot at sxswsydney.com.

SXSW Sydney 2024

SXSW Sydney 2023 – Photo by Jaimi Joy

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Last year, SXSW expanded its global footprint, taking the iconic annual event from Austin, Texas, to Sydney, Australia. Now we're heading across the pond for the first ever European edition! Announcing SXSW London, a new must-attend event that continues the SX tradition of celebrating the convergence of creativity, culture, and technology, in June 2025.

"We couldn’t be more excited to bring the SXSW experience to London," said Jann Baskett, Co-President and Chief Brand Officer of SXSW. "Following the success of SXSW Sydney, this is an incredible new opportunity to highlight the elements that make SXSW unique in one of the most vibrant cities in Europe. We look forward to forming deeper connections with our overseas community and bringing the conversations that start in Austin all the way to London."

SXSW London will bring its own distinct personality, driven by London's internationally-renowned cultural life and creativity, its status as a global meeting place, and its proximity to other major creative and tech centers in Europe.

"SXSW London will build on Austin's incredible legacy, presenting an event that underpins why SXSW is the go-to destination for professionals and creatives seeking meaningful connections, unexpected experiences, and ideas that can help shape the world." – Randel Bryan, Managing Director of SXSW London

Over the course of a week in June 2025, SXSW London will take over dozens of spaces in Shoreditch, a neighborhood in the heart of east London renowned as a vibrant center for creativity, technological innovation, diversity, energetic youth culture, global cuisine, and nightlife. Alongside inspiring keynotes, music showcases, tech, gaming, and screen, SXSW London will introduce boundary-pushing visual arts, design, and fashion programming. Plus, interactive exhibitions and immersive experiences throughout its east London campus.

"As a life-long fan of SXSW I truly believe that it’s more than an event – it’s a movement, a platform where the world’s greatest minds, musicians and motivators come to share their passion and their vision of the future," said Randel Bryan, Managing Director of SXSW London. "SXSW London will also provide a platform for the next generation of creative talent and we will be working hard to ensure that opportunities for learning, employment, and community uplift are at the heart of everything we do."

As SXSW’s European edition, SXSW London will have a particular emphasis on creative talent from across Europe with opportunities for attendees, performers, and the broader London community to collaborate and innovate. SXSW London will also continue to develop Austin's focus on climate action and sustainability, with the ambition to drive positive change for future generations.

"I am delighted to welcome SXSW to London for the first time ever, confirming our place at the heart of Europe’s tech and creative sectors and as a global capital of culture." – Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London

Stay tuned for more details about the SXSW London 2025 program in the coming months, with badges due to go on sale in October 2024. Subscribe to updates for the most unmissable event in the 2025 European creative calendar at sxswlondon.com.

Explore SXSW London

The post Announcing SXSW London: June 2025 appeared first on SXSW.

KUTX’s Spare the Rock, Spoil the Child brings “indie music for indie kids” every Sunday evening, plus at our Mueller concert series, Rock the Park. Now, KUTX goes big for SXSW with a free, family-friendly afternoon at Palm Door on Sixth, with Rock the Shores.

Performers range from local heroes SaulPaul, Parker Woodland, and Sabrina Ellis & Andrew Cashen (A Giant Dog) to alt-country legends Waco Brothers, to Taiwanese dinosaur-themed duo The Dinosaur’s Skin. New location for this event: Palm Door on 6th (508 E 6th Street) from 2pm - 6pm.

Saturday, March 16

KUTX Rock The Shores
Palm Door on 6th from 2:00pm - 6:00pm

• 2:00 The Dinosaur’s Skin
• 2:30 Sabrina Ellis & Andrew Cashen (A Giant Dog)
• 3:00 SaulPaul
• 3:30 Storey Littleton
• 4:00 Pepperminte Patti Collins
• 4:30 Parker Woodland
• 5:30 Waco Brothers

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Lineup is subject to change.

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