The South by Southwest (SXSW) music and film festival, usually held every year in Austin, Texas, will launch a European version in London in 2025, Variety reported.
SXSW London will have a combination of keynote speakers, film and TV events, music and digital and gaming innovations. These have been key elements of SXSW since it began in 1987.
SXSW goes to London
The London event will place more emphasis on visual arts, design as well as fashion exhibitions and immersive experiences. SXSW London will be in Shoreditch, east of London.
Managing director of SXSW London Randel Bryan said, “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.”
“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,” he continued.
The convergence of media, entertainment and tech
The event's arrival in London highlights the entertainment, media and tech industries' importance to modern Britain. The event's first international foray was in Sydney, Australia last year. The second SXSW Sydney is on Oct. 14 to 20.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan stated, “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.”
“When I was part of SXSW in Austin in 2018, I saw first-hand the electric atmosphere of innovation SXSW creates and I can't wait to be part of it again. This is a historic opportunity for London to once again bring the world's most exciting talent together as part of our mission to build a better and more prosperous London for everyone,” he added.
UK culture, media and sport secretary Lucy Frazer noted, “Festivals have been a vital part of British culture for decades and a key part of the reason why the U.K. is known the world over for creative excellence.”
“From film and TV to fashion and music, London is a global hub for cultural and creative talent, so it's fantastic that SXSW is coming here to bring together innovators from across these sectors and demonstrate why the U.K.'s creative industries are the envy of the world,” she continued.
Since its inception in 1987, SXSW has grown in scope and size each year. In 2017, the event lasted for 10 days. The interactive track went on for five days, the music for seven and the film for nine.
During the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 and 2021, the in-person events were canceled, with the organizers turning to smaller online events instead.
South by Southwest 101
There are other SXSW iterations aside from the one in Sydney and the planned one in London. The organizers, SXSW LLC, also co-runs Toronto's North by Northeast (NXNE). The company ran or co-ran North by Northwest from 1995 to 2001 held in Portland, Oregon, West by South West from 2006 to 2010, SXSW Eco from 2011 to 2016, SXSW V2V from 2013 to 2015 and the me Convention from 2017 to 2019.
The event's hub is usually at the Austin Convention Center in downtown Austin.
SXSW Music is considered to be the largest music festival of its kind in the world. There have been over 2,000 acts as of 2014. Performing bands need to cover their own expenses for both travel and lodging when they attend. However, they're also offered either a cash payment or a wristband packages to all of the music events. When the festival started in 1987, there were 700 registrants. By 2018, it grew to 161,000 attendees.
So many movie premieres, so little time
The event's film festival runs for nine days alongside the film conference. This year, both the music and film festival were held from March 8 to 16. Several movies premiered at the event such as Netflix's 3 Body Problem, Civil War, The Fall Guy, Prime Video's The Idea of You and Road House and Monkey Man.
Outside of The University of Texas at Austin's athletic and others, SXSW is the highest revenue-producing event for the state's capital. The festival has several badge types from primary music access from $945 to $995, and the primary film and TV badge from $1,495 to 1,595. Other pricier badges include the interactive badge from $1,595 to $1,695 and the all-inclusive one from $1,990 to $2,095.
More details for SXSW London will be announced over the year. The badges will start to on sale in October.
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