SXSW coming to London

South by Southwest

No it’s a Google it thing.

There is great networking for those in the industry.

Great !

If you remember a time before the internet, you're not the audience for SXSW.

Luckily it will be in early June so it won't affect my usual time of late June.

I think it's good news. Good to have an internationally known name event come to London for the first time. It will be a boost for the economy in many ways, especially around Shoreditch.

London has suffered quite badly in the last decade or so losing music venues, through the nimby-ism of gentrification, and COVID took a lot out. Brexit took its toll too, both making it harder for European bands to tour here and staffing night time entertainments with European folk.

There's not many really big venues (2000+) in Shoreditch that I can think of. The bigger shows might be other places. Victoria Park and Finsbury Park have large outdoor concerts at various points in the summer.

You can catch me and bostonphil rocking out in front of the stage :)

SXSW is a conference. In Austin, it is divided into three segments: technology, music and film. There are talks and workshops and panels with some very famous people . This is what takes place during the daytime. Then at night , you go out and listen to music or watch films. You have bands and musicians who are hoping to get recognized. You have film makers who have brought their films to the conference.

It will be a huge economic boom to the immediate and surrounding areas but just like in Austin, there might be some very bad behaviors as well.

It can be a lot of fun but it can also get out of hand.

I can no longer afford a badge and it is too big and hectic for me to really go out and do anything. In Austin, SXSW is two weeks long but it is only going to be a week long this first year. Persons will be coming in from all around the world.

I am going to describe the name SXSW. Originally this was supposed to be a regional music conference open only to bands that have never been signed and were from the South by Southwest regions of the United States.

It was never meant to become what it has become.

Ah yes. I think there's usually some concerts to go with it, but on reading more I think it will indeed be smaller affairs in the venues of Shoreditch. SXSW is well known for giving new artists their introduction to America and for more established artists showcasing new material to "the industry".

I went for several years in a row to Sonar Festival in Barcelona, which is sort of similar in its intention, but more electronic music focussed. I bought or was gifted a "badge" for the seminars and other daytime events there, tagging along with friends who were working in music.

If anyone's interested in Shoreditch and music, Village Underground is probably the best larger venue, and I'd imagine SXSW will centre around it. Worth looking at their calendar if you're interested in new music and are in town.

From the website:

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.