Experiences of the demise of South by Southwest’s music component appear to have been exaggerated, with SXSW organizers clarifying that whereas subsequent yr’s occasion might be shorter, its music presence won’t be diminished.
A spokesperson for SXSW confirmed that the pageant is reconfiguring because the Austin Conference Heart is about to close down for renovation. As such, SXSW 2026 might be two days shorter, chopping into what has historically been the pageant’s music-focused second weekend. (Since 1987, a music convention with 4 days of programming has taken place on Wednesday via Saturday.) However subsequent yr’s occasion will function an extra night time of music, melding into SXSW’s movie and tv programming.
“We’re actually excited concerning the plans for SXSW 2026” a SXSW spokesperson instructed The Hollywood Reporter. “With the Austin Conference Heart closing down for 3 years, we imagine it’s an excellent alternative to place new concepts into motion.”
With the conference middle unavailable, the pageant will happen at varied areas round Austin.
The information comes simply after the tip of the 2025 version of SXSW, which wrapped Saturday. Participation within the music pageant has reportedly been dropping because the 2010s, when the common band rely peaked at round 2,000. This yr’s version reportedly noticed 1,012 bands showcasing.
Penske Media, the proprietor of The Hollywood Reporter, invested in SXSW in April 2021 as a part of what it described as a long-term partnership with the pageant.
Lately, the movie and tv pageant has turn out to be a much bigger a part of SXSW. Nicole Kidman, Paul Rudd, Blake Vigorous, Anna Kendrick, Issa Rae, Ben Affleck, Jon Bernthal and Seth Rogen had been among the many stars available on the premieres of their respective movie and TV initiatives. SXSW this yr additionally drew such huge names as Michelle Obama (who recorded a podcast together with her brother, faculty basketball coach Craig Robinson) and Chelsea Clinton.
In the meantime, musical artists taking part in this yr’s occasion included John Fogerty, Tom Morello, Benson Boone, Khalid, Larkin Poe, Koe Wetzel, George Birge, Ashley Cooke, Brittney Spencer, Aiko, Massive Freedia and Jurassic 5 rapper Soup.
The Austin American-Statesman famous that “nation breakout Megan Moroney and Latin pop up-and-comer Ivan Cornejo performed effective units, however they didn’t fill the cavernous live performance corridor ACL Dwell, even with a free public RSVP.”
Native music journalist Andy Langer, a veteran of the pageant since its launch in 1987, wrote in a much-shared Fb put up, “For years, it’s been not possible to not discover how parking woes, resort costs, visitors and so forth. drop off significantly when SXSW Music begins. The city empties out significantly the Wednesday AM after tech/movie ends.”
In the meantime, PMC is rising SXSW’s presence all over the world. The corporate expanded to Australia in 2023 and heads to London for the primary time in June.
March 17, 11:34 a.m. This story has been up to date to make clear the music plans for SXSW 2026.
This story was first printed on March 16 at 11:11 p.m.
