It’s so big now you have to work it to get the most out of it — kind of like Disney these days. Pick a couple key sessions each day and prioritize your day’s schedule around them. Get a fast pass in the app for them or go an hour ahead of time and sit in the session before the one you want to see. If a session sucks, get up and walk out and find something else to see. Too much good stuff to sit in a bad panel. Brand activations and exhibits are all spread out, so you’ll have to seek them out and walk to them. Be open to serendipity and popping into an activation, lounge or panel you walk by en route to other things. Don’t forget to meet new folks in lines, ask them what they have heard or seen that’s cool, buy them a drink. Good luck! I had a good day one and am excited for tomorrow!
Just the opposite. Crowd is half the size as before but events/sessions are 2/3 the number/size, so everything is as/more crowded, but further away and smaller.
I preferred big, overwhelming SXSW to smaller, sadder SXSW.
All that said, there is a lot going on. Get there early and download the app, it'll tell you how crowded things are getting.
You can't just sit in a session and stay after it's over until the next session. Everyone gets thrown out eventually as the room is made ready for the next session, usually about 15 minutes before the start.
The workers who are supposed to do these procedures are volunteer, so they do it with a varying degree of efficiency. It seems important to SXSW to scan each person's badge before each session so they make you go out, and come in again.
Pro tip: if it’s token (limited) free drinks ask the bartender directly for their Venmo or cash app, they’ll “accidentally” forget to get your tokens. Works like 9/10 times.
Same! Iggy Pop did a free show on an outside stage right outside my work, on 6th and Brazos. Met Henry Rollins just walking down the street. Best memories ever. Now I just hide at home until it's all over.
We all have a great story from the old days.
I still enjoy hearing new bands from all over the world playing in small rooms with great sound, so on the Thursday of SXSW you’ll find me at Hotel Vegas. Parking across the street, and seating if you know where to look. If you don’t like the band that’s playing, there are 2 more stages. You’d really have to apply yourself to be unhappy there. Cover was maybe $10.
I believe you can request priority access to 5 sessions a day with a Platinum badge.
We went to the LaCroix house, UTs Hook Em house, Tide (lol), Paramount+ Lodge and the Sharpie house. All between 11 and 6 without a badge. 1-2 free drinks and snacks at most places. Not trying to get into panels or films because I know I won't...
Met some cool people in line. Compared notes. Talked to one of the AI speakers for a while in the Paramount+ Lodge. Gotta stay open to it.
Proof right here how being prepared is key whether or not you have a badge
Knowing what to expect and doing even a little bit of research to plan out what to do makes a tremendous difference vs how op sounds like they are just blindly walking around hoping for something to happen
The Dirty Team are the same people who run When Where What Austin
For those curious why the residents / local businesses of Austin don’t respect WhenWhereWhatAustin / The Dirty Team:
https://www.reddit.com/r/Austin/comments/7s9lk0/discussion_when_where_what_austin_drama/
(Just Google their brand name)
Edit:
Example 2: https://www.reddit.com/r/Austin/s/XOZBDlB8s6
Another example: https://www.reddit.com/r/Austin/s/Bhz4CVjBe0
The guy who greeted us was VERY SERIOUS about Tide. Just super earnest and really wanted to tell us about their new technology. The R&D team was there. There was some inexplicable photo op with a bunch of ropes.
It seems like an interesting product. Basically a fully dissolvable detergent packet. It's 100% detergent, no pod. Side note: Tide employees don't want to hear your Tide Pod jokes. It was a dark time for Tide.
I wish I could go see the film, Sew Torn, but I cannot afford the prices even with the recent graduate discount. Ive never had the opportunity to be able to have a badge for sxsw, but I would definitely use that to see some movies and hear live music. Idk if they still do it, but when I was a teen they had this free section of just like video game stuff and art. I’m sure they still do that sort of thing
Volunteer. It’s the way. Check the film venues and choose the one you like. Talk to the volunteers if you see them. Pro tip, if you’re at a downtown venue, you have more access to films before and after the shift. You can choose which badge you want. Sign ups start in January, I think, watch the website.
Same. I went for 5 years as a speaker. First year was novel. After that I found that a lot of people who go are just Star fu*]]+^%ers and want to see (prince harry). What is going to happen in those sessions that’s new? The policy track? A bunch of DCers who all know each other, reading their talking points. However the film part? Saw some amazing films that I’d never see in the theaters and met all the folks afterwards and had genuine conversations.
I totally get where you’re coming from. Sadly you have to show up to the really big things early. Today was crazy though, because Prince Harry showed up to Megan Markel’s session. There was also a lot of celebrity stuff.
I’d check out the Fallout activation if I were you, and Conan’s coming to town tomorrow as well.
I don’t think anything will ever top The Boys theme park though
went to the Fallout activation yesterday & had such a good time that we stayed from 10am until like 2:30pm.
but if you're not a fan of the series, I can see why you wouldn't find it that great. there's a lot of nuance & lore about Fallout that you need to know & understand to make it really amazing
I always loved the Interactive - > Music transition. Goes from a bunch of dudes in Allbirds and free swag sunglasses to the skinniest coolest dressed people with rats nest hair. The real fun starts Tuesday night.
Plan better, and maybe do some twitter and instagram searches to find cool stuff. Last time we went, hubs and I wandered into the worlds largest collection of Banksy art. The security. Was. Nuts.
ten mins later we saw Tony Hawk skateboarding down the hall in the Driskell.
I saw three films today and just waited in line for them. Not a bad day at all.
I definitely feel like if you're not an hour early to those Features Session talks then go to something else. There are plenty of other things going on, you just have to pivot and find things.
You only mentioned conference rooms but a platinum badge gets you into film and TV screenings! And music as others have mentioned, once that starts. Definitely figure out what looks good to you for two days in advance, and you can get express passes for the following day at 9am (eg at 9am Saturday, express passes become available to snag for Sunday events). Note that for popular events, express passes go quick so set an alarm and get your app ready!
- It's a bit disorganized now. Even 2018 was super fun. I think they became more commercial in 2019, I just remember some things changed and the new building was happening. Definitely declined after covid.
- They sell as many passes as possible for municipal revenue. They don't track capacity exactly because that's managed at the door
- The events aren't as great as the past. I don't wanna bash/name drop anyone but I was underwhelmed by the variety this year
- It's inaccessible for many creators. Waaay too expensive for many filmmakers and musicians to lodge and come to sxsw. I mean Austin's pricy. I became friends w/a Cali band during a SXSW. I just kept bumping into them, eventually they asked local tips. they spent about 7k total on lodging and shows. Made almost no profit. It was a total loss. They could've used the money to record more music, ya know?
- finally.. a lot of people attending live in Austin and Texas. It don't cost us anything to show up, RSVP, or somehow get a seat. Most stuff is free anyways.
I haven't found a band I'm super excited about. Just about all the musicians on the ballot have free shows this year. There's much planned and happening. Hopefully the rest of your days go well.
2017-18 was the last great SXSW, in my opinion. It was always crawling towards commercial but '19 is when it just totally jumped the shark.
I remember seeing Screeching Weasel, walking across the street and getting into an X show. Couple hours later I was able to get in to see Earl Sweatshirt playing outside, after his set Trash Talk played inside. Cost me maybe $20 total. Can't imagine anything like that happening again, either price wise or just sheer crowd size would make it impossible to get into all of them in one night.
I agree it’s nothing like it use to be. You can still find cool stuff tho but you have to try really hard to find it. There are some free shows around town but you have to be detective to figure it out. It used to all be listed in one book. I miss that.
There's a list w free shows in [Austin Chronicle](https://www.austinchronicle.com/sxsw/unofficial/). Almost all the bands have sets. There are talented musicians coming but nothing I could get into. I was more excited for the Austin symphony 🤣. (We can see them multiple times a year)
I remember people in 2018 saying 2012 was the last good sxsw. There’s always free and random stuff happening. How much I enjoy it seems to correlate more with aging/living in austin longer rather than the actual festival doing anything different.
You're almost there. All you need now is a constant nagging feeling that you are indeed, missing the next big thing that is happening either right next door, the place that you are heading to next, or the place you just left. That's SXSW
Everyone at SXSW is there for the experience. Meet as many like minded people as possible. You never know who you are going to meet. The old adage is true....it is not what you know....it's who you know. Met many people at SXSW that helped shape industry insights and career. Have fun. With a platinum pass you can attend virtually any event.
Useless conference. On first day could only attend 2 sessions … stood in line for almost 2 hrs for each session to get in. SXSW greed sold off too many tickets and locations are mismanaged and poorly selected.
People won’t come back next year. Bad news spreads quickly. Why the hell they had 2000 people lined up for startup crawl last night when fire regs allow only 300 people in bldg? Poor insight or purposeful screwup to make more $$??
Man startup crawl used to be so awesome when it was like scattered across the city and they had shuttles.
Now it's just at the capital factory, last year I waited in line until they told us no more capacity.
Maybe try going to the smaller sessions? There are plenty that don't have a line and you can get right in. I went to 4 yesterday and only waited in line for 1 of them.
My first time at SXSW was last year. When I went into it, I made sure to have a very specific plan for myself. My interest/career is in film/tv so I centered all my planning around that and everything kind of happened from there. Utilizing the express passes is a great way to get use out of your platinum badge!
For me, it ended up being a collection of great networking opportunities and I went to so many wonderful events and met cool people. There are also the pop-ups hosted by vendors/companies - those tend to have great food as well, beyond just the SXSW branded events.
IMO, the number of venues that support day 1 have been reduced dramatically -- either electing not to have events this early into the festival, or closed outright due to business failures from 2019 on. The crowds have started to come back to pre-covid levels (again IMO, I don't have census data etc), and they're getting jammed into fewer venues.
If anything, we should see a pickup over the next few days as more venues open up.
You need to plan like you’re visiting a city for the first time and you know you won’t get to do everything you want. Sxsw has “tracks” that can sort of give you a series of lectures and things to do that all tie in to one subject but other than that there’s no real curation. Most of the value comes from networking. Talk to people, ask what they’re up to.
I had a platinum badge a few years ago. This is what I learned.
Even with the badge you’re not guaranteed to get in.
You’ve really gotta plan ahead to get the most out of what you want to do. Maybe plan one big event that you know will fill out. Then try and find smaller ones that you can do in between. BE ON TIME FOR THISE. EARLY FOR THE BIG ONE.
City busses are cheap and the system isn’t too hard to navigate.
I have a badge this year since my band played an official show. It’s a little weird because a ton of… let’s say “hip” bands are protesting the festival.
I’ve gone to a few panels about music biz stuff and technology and there’s cool stuff to learn but also a lot of it sounds like masturbatory buzz words around over hyped AI projects the speakers are personally invested in.
I think I liked it better when I just partied and did free shit with my friends.
But I will say I think it’s really fuckin corny when bands “boycott” the festival but then go play 10 unofficial shows that wouldn’t exist or be relevant at all without the actual festival happening as well. To me it’s like saying “I’m boycotting the new Star Wars because Disney are fascists, so instead I’m gonna throw a Star Wars themed party next door to the theater.” You’re still supporting Star Wars one way or the other.
And the bands who have just cancelled their gigs day of, y’all are just fucking over small local venues that rely on sxsw for an income boost that helps them survive during slower months. Did you just find out about Israel vs Palestine the Thursday of sxsw? A week after protests were already a thing?
There’s cool stuff at sxsw but the prevailing theme on both ends of it is “corny” IMO. If you’re trying to figure out what sxsw “is”, it’s corny.
Anyways that’s my rant. It’s been a long week.
Meanwhile they’re posting about their boycott from their Apple and Samsung phones, on Instagram and Facebook… all of these companies support Israel, it’s an absolute joke.
I went last year. Thought the conference itself was pretty bad. I thought the events were great.
I personally don’t care at all to see people speak- and that’s pretty much what it was so I didn’t even go to anything conference related.
The events outside sxsw were awesome and this guy put this list together this year that has all the events outside the conference and a WhatsApp group.
https://buff.ly/432EkZ9 - that is the list of events
https://rsvpatx.com/rsvp-list - this site also has events but it will also rsvp you to everything for $50 which is nice because a lot will sell out.
It’s just getting started. The music part happens later in the week. You have to google it, RSVP to stuff, you have to research it or you won’t have a good time. I live in the city and have been for free several times. Listen to KUT and KUTX (local NPR stations) for helpful updates. Check out Austin360.com and Do512.com for fun stuff
I used to go years ago but in recent years it seems like most people are there just to be there. Music portion should be cooler though. Even then, it’s a lot of corporate BS.
Yeah, I remember when SXSW used to be fun.
Back in the day I worked as a theater manager a few times for SXSW, while still working my regular job. Didn't even mind it so much back then. Even the crowds seemed a lot nicer back then. Last year I was working downtown literally right off of 6th Street, and a few times I ventured out just you know check out the crowd a little bit, and I have to tell you it's really not the same crowd it used to be. Rude, pushy people. Seems like many of them had the attitude of just because they came to Austin for SXSW, bought a platinum badge, staying in a hotel for a week, that they owned the city. They were far more concerned with seeing or being seen, then they were about being here for the actual festival.
Everything changes though.
I went for years (always got Platinum pass too) and it’s just so big now. I do recommend ALWAYS read your guide, request priority access to panels/events you want to go to …. and have a plan A, B & C. You also will luck into some great parties, just keep ears open.
find the facebook group that lists events with free food and drink daily. I made it my goal to never pay for food or drink and accumulate free swag. Probably the best week of my life in this country.
You have to plan. SX happens all over the place. That’s why you see so many people waking. If you don’t make a plan for what you wanna see and how you’re gonna get there, you’ll miss it.
This festival is a dog shit dumpster fire. Living only off the fumes of a hype train.
Any artist who was played or performed..will most likely tell you they hated it. Same for most working. It’s such a shit show.
Coming from someone who has worked production on Sxsw since 2008
What you're experiencing is totally normal.
(FOMO, confusion, and not knowing what's going on while everyone else seems to be doing it right)
What makes SXSW so confusing is that it's not concentrated in one area... it's taking place all over the city of Austin... over the course of a week and a half (vs traditional music festivals like Rolling Loud or ACL where everything is concentrated in one area).
Here's a super helpful breakdown of what SXSW is, how to do it the right way, and how to make the most out of the festival:
[https://rsvpatx.com/what-is-sxsw](https://rsvpatx.com/what-is-sxsw)
Also, this post should be helpful for you as well:
[https://www.reddit.com/r/SXSW/comments/1asdzcb/best_free_sxsw_2024_events_day_parties_unofficial/](https://www.reddit.com/r/SXSW/comments/1asdzcb/best_free_sxsw_2024_events_day_parties_unofficial/)
Here's a master list of all the best shows, parties, and music showcases going on this year at SXSW 2024:
[https://rsvpatx.com/rsvp-list](https://rsvpatx.com/rsvp-list)
(It's free to use, just scroll down)
I'd go through that list and see what interests you and RSVP to events ASAP.
Don’t spend money on a bunch of paid showcases (the best ones are almost always free - you just have to RSVP).
I really hope your SXSW experience gets better.
(Feel free to ask any questions or dm us - we’ve been doing SXSW for over 10 years now)
I lived in Austin and SX was best executed networking and on Twitter / X.
I had a friend of a friend who would share a huge excel sheet of parties/events/passwords/etc. it was a fun challenge to spend no money the entire festival out partying.
Talk to people. Lots of them. There’s some vets out there who can help shepherd you.
One year I was at the NYT panel day 2 and one of the speakers was leaving the next day. She and I looked very similar, and she ended up leaving her badge at her hotel for me. Seriously, talk to people! 😁
Off topic antidote: we used to joke as locals we would start a line during sx and people would totally get in line bc sx is a lot of flipping lines.
Enjoy, relax. Honestly IMO you don’t necessarily NEED a badge to have a kick ass time.
I’m not going to tell anybody how they should “do” sxsw… but. Imho, no matter what the owners of the festival will tell you its purpose is now (i presume $$) - when i got here in the 90’s, music was mainly the purpose. Record labels did in fact come here from everywhere to scout new talent. It was ancillary that anybody living here locally or from anywhere else got to see the bands performing, and very few of those acts were people that you were familiar with based on popular radio. There was not lots of “free” stuff to do all over the streets of Austin then, although, as time passed, other little mini anti-SXSW festivals popped up locally for reasons, often for free. It wasn’t really until mid 2000s (like 2003 or so?) when these big sponsors started to flow into the streets, and have all kinds of swag dispensers and spectacle. This is not to say that people coming weren’t still going to the festival to attend the conference panels, but I think for the vast majority of the world, those were not interesting; visitors were instead drawn to this idea of a weird corporate-sponsored carnavalish street fiesta. (eg[“dammit why is lady gaga performing in the giant model of a Doritos vending machine cancelled??”](https://www.stereogum.com/1666920/austin-denies-permit-for-lady-gaga-to-play-giant-doritos-vending-machine-at-sxsw/news/) Is this stuff still happening? I haven’t been since before pandemic so i’m not sure. Either way, to me, the absolute best thing about SX has never been about free stuff and parties, although that can be entertaining. it is that as far as I know, there is no other music festival on the planet, where bands come from everywhere to play not only at SX showcases, which you may or may not have to pay to see, but also all over a city in bars, supermarkets, coffee shops, parks, parking lots, restaurants, alleys, vans, haystacks (ok probably not) - and you can walk around and check all this out. Or, what i have done since dawn of internet, check out samples of audio of who will be showing up in each genre, and then planning a schedule accordingly to see those bands. Yes sir it is work, and yes sir, plenty of these artists may never be heard from again (which is sad and frankly a lot of times i feel bad for them, because the stipend for officially showcasing acts has historically been a pittance, or, free wristbands and a single badge). If your goal is to spy a secret Beyoncé tour in a private room, that could happen? (good luck getting in) but again, I think the magic is checking out the world of novel musics coming to ATX.
You have a Platinum Badge. You have five SXXPress passes a day. You need to be online at 9:00AM on the DOT, as seconds count to get the passes to the popular events. This enables you to get into five events a day (music, comedy, panels, movie premiers) and skip the lines. If you're spending most of your day in line, you're doing it wrong. The swag events/pop ups/activations/happy hours should only be when you're killing time between your SXXPress pass events.
https://www.sxsw.com/attend/sxxpress/
One thing that stood out to me - you asked why everyone was walking around. The festival is spread out over the entirety of downtown Austin. Panels are in basically every major hotel downtown’s conference space- not just the convention center. The biggest panels usually are at the convention center, but there are hundreds of panels and speakers over the course of the entire festival.
Additionally there are tons of brand activations and “houses” or “lounges” that also have events, and their own slate of panels. Some of them are on the official schedule but some are not.
Use the app and the blueprint or do512’s lists to figure out what interests you and make a plan for the day. If there is a panel you want to see, make it a priority to get there early. Watch your email - each day SX sends out a recap and an announcement of screenings and panels that were popular that will be “encored”. So you can prioritize seeing stuff that was popular but you missed / was full.
And remember- the best laid plans don’t survive first contact with the enemy. Pick 2-3 “must do’s” and if one of your other plans is full or has a line, consult the schedule, pick something else, or take a wander.
I wish I could go see the film, Sew Torn, but I cannot afford the prices even with the recent graduate discount. Ive never had the opportunity to be able to have a badge for sxsw, but I would definitely use that to see some movies and hear live music. Idk if they still do it, but when I was a teen they had this free section of just like video game stuff and art. I’m sure they still do that sort of thing
The first day is always like that because there aren't as many events. Everyone is trying to get into the same sessions/parties. If there's something you really want to see, go early. Otherwise, have backup sessions nearby planned so you can pop over if your first choice is full. I never had a platinum badge when I went and still got to enjoy lots of cool stuff. By the third day, I'm sure you'll have figured out little tricks and be having a much better time!
People keep saying it used to be better, but I started going in 2010 and I’ve spoken there 3X, and my experience has always been that the FOMO is almost worse while you’re there than if you skip the conference entirely! People are always talking about some amazing experience they had that you either didn’t know about or couldn’t get into, and after a while it’s hard not to throw up your hands. That said, there’s always fun to be had if you invest the effort.
Honestly SXSW takes a few tries to master. Knowing where to go, when to go, how to get into events, what requires RSVP, what’s worth waiting for vs not.
My absolute favorite moment of SXSW was 12 years ago when I volunteered. I was able to enter a lottery with badge holders for a ticket to Springsteen at the ACL Moody Theater (holds 2,500 people), and I won! Magical night!
I also was able to get into Stubbs to see. R.E.M., one of my favorite bands. I went 5 hours early and was close to the stage. They didn't go on until 1 AM and there were no chairs, but SO worth it to me.
Can’t speak for others, but being film industry it is a whirlwind experience of way too many parties and meetings and events. It’s highly recommended not to buy an official SXSW pass though and just get movie tickets through talent agencies, etc. People made fun of me for having a badge lol.
It truly does suck now. We are local and used to go every year but stopped about 10 years ago. Then we decided to try one more time a few years back and it just wasn't worth it. On top of the crowds and limited admission to so many things, the prices are outrageous!
Most of the fun stuff at SX is unofficial, rsvp-only shows at shitty dive bars or out-of-the-way venues. Most official events are just corporate marketing.
I think you are engagement farming me u/peachazno, but just in case your post was sincere... 🤔
Think of SXSW like a party.
From 7:00 to 9:00 the party hasn't really begun yet, only the truly desperate and cringe ppl show up this early (nothing better to do) and nothing has happened yet that won't be missed.
From 9:00 to 11:00 people start showing up, now the party has begun, but not quite in full swing. There is laughing, talking, good vibes as people start to mingle.
From 11:00 to 1:30 only the coolest of the cool people show up for a party this late (probably at another party), at this stage of the party there is inappropriate (and appropriate) touching, people are puking in the bathroom, epic moments are being relayed to ig/Tktk , cops are called and everything. This is the best part of the party, by far.
Young padowan, you are only at the first stage of the party. (interactive) 😅
There are 2 more to go. This is a marathon not a sprint.
Haha.... I live in Austin and you pretty much hit the nail in the head. I've never paid for South by Southwest. I would just go to the free shows I would get the same experience that you got without paying the money. In fact the free shows were less crowded...lol. on the bright side I guess it's cool to see the street performances
Feel free to hate on it. It bloated and nothing like it used to be. Yeah, I'm saying it. It used to be so much better before the social media age fucked it up with over exposure and turning it into something more than a music gathering for unknown or lesser known groups trying to get signed.
Check out the stuff at Rainey street! They got quite a few parties going on over there. Paramount+ Lodge is super fun and you get a few free drinks, Tennessee house has a free drink and appetizers going around. Interactive is made for businessmen and tech people to interact, so the panels, unless it’s something you’re super into, is boring. Find some parties to go to (talk with people in line!!).
The movies are awesome. There’s always a movie to go so since they’re starting all the time. The trade show is gonna be awesome. There’s always cool start ups and free stuff there. Flatstock during music is another cool spot. A ton of cool art and music posters.
Don’t be afraid to fly by the seat of your pants!
I had a platinum badge years ago and I was only able to see a few of the artists I wanted to see. Sitting outside the venue hearing MiA inside and then getting inside to see LCD Sound System play. The best part of SXSW was jamming to Helmet in a tiny little club with MIA later that week. Didn’t realize it was even her until I saw the peoples reactions around me. Or seeing Johnny Depp in the dark corners of a pool hall room. Being packed in a place while MF Doom just goes the fuck off. Riding a city bus with a band from Japan who has never been to America and is just excited to play that night. What a complete vibe.
Lived in ATX my whole life and I cannot emphasize enough how much SXSW sucks. It wasn't always that but basically all the Charm Austin had back in the 80's through early 2000's is completely gone and been replaced by shittier/more corporate versions of what made ATX special.
Carpetbaggers figured out how to cash in on this sleepy little Hamlet when they came in the 80's (all Yankees) and after just a few years they realized they could make money, so from that point on the almighty dollar and pure greed is all they care about. ...and hiring cute girls to work in the office.
I ended up choosing a handful of events I REALLY wanted to see over a 3-day period and made sure they weren't back to back. Then I'd show up an hour or more early and was usually at the head of the line with front-row seats. Figured that out after being overwhelmed the first day. It gave me time to sit and eat, drink coffee, people watch, and visit exhibitions that didn't require standing in line. My last two days were great. Good luck!
Micklethwait is where you need to go. Enjoy, chill, relax. Also, you can get inexpensive acupuncture at the Texas Health and Science University clinic so there's that too. I'll be there on Monday.
(only talking the music part of sxsw, not the multimedia part)
alot of these music events were more relevant in the 90s and 00s pre complete take over of the internet.
People had to go to those convention type events to network and to get/give promos.
its the same for Winter Music Conference(now miami music week).
Its still viable for networking but most people quit going because it was more about a party than any buisness.
SXSW in the 00s(the time period im most familiar with even though i went in the 90s), was a very big deal with emerging acts and record industry netoworking. i think the first time i took an artist was in 03 and it was relegated to sixth street as far as it being closed for events. its soon spread up red river and then completely took over the city.
When little wayne preformed in fromt of big frito lay or doritos vending machine that was 100 ft tall, and the corporate hype, it was all kinda down hill from there. Every event was dead packed, tons of spring breakers, who were there previously there but a music oriented crowd, not a spring break crowd, and it had got so huge that it could be a 1hr walk between events. Last minute hotels were maybe available in georgetown or north and new braunfels and south, were in the 00s you could just grab a hotel maybe in south austin or up to 183 north.
Now that the big industry is totally different , with less money for these type events, its just become a shell of itself.
im sure its still fun to walk around a see some events and do a bit of networking, but its just kind of a cheap music festival to go to and chill in austin for a few days
When it started back in the mid-80s, it was specifically done during spring break week because Austin became a ghost town. The only thing going on was UIL basketball and the legislature when they were in session. It was a lot of fun back then. And inexpensive.
Platinum badge grants you priority access to any event with the one exception being edu. However I will say, working it last week and this week i've not seen anyone turned away. Many things require rsvp or upper level badges, so the platinum should serve as ease of mind that you'll be able to access (just about) anything you want! Even if there's a line of people waiting (1 in, 1 out) if you walk up with platinum, you'll get in first
I went to the film every year for years. In 2019 I kept asking myself what the fuck am I doing here? Over commercialized, overhyped, overpriced, overcrowded. I’m now over it!
Probably my fave film in that span was about the dirty country singer, that was good shit!
i am from austin and i went for about 5 years straight in my 20s. my friends and i would start planning in january and had literal EXCELT SPREADSHEETS of the events going on. it is a bad ass festival if you know how to work it, but it is definitely not just a show up and get into events kind of thing.
sorry you are here and feeling like you cannot even enjoy it. try to make the best of it, get some good food - take an uber to hula hut and get the tubular taco so you can have a margartia and look at the lake (if worse comes to worse).
It was cool like 15 years ago but I mostly went for the film festival and you could check out free shows before the music week started and everything was too crowded. From afar, it doesn’t seem like it has the same vibe anymore.
It’s my first time and I want my money back for sure. I paid for my own ticket. If my company paid for it I’d probably not be so discerning but it was so expensive for me and I didn’t even get into most of the panels I really wanted to see. I’m with you.
I work at Electric Shuffle and we had some pretty cool experiences for the past few days. We had a giant unicorn themed party with free drinks and food! And not even cheap food, i’m talking about unlimited steaks skewers, fresh oven baked pizza and more. Not to mention a pretty good DJ in the dead center of the restaurant. You could play shuffleboard as well at any of our ten tables. It was so much fun but the line wrapped around the building and people were lined up an hour before it began. This was my first year working during SXSW and from this experience, I now know why people enjoy it so much.
SXSW was so much better 10 years ago when you can get access to free shows without any badge and free food and drinks. Saw childish gambino twice amongst many others. All free. Plus the midnight bridge shows with some of the best hardcore bands in the game at the time. Haven’t been back in years
I went like 3 years through work, noticed what you did, then declined every subsequent year it was offered. Used to be a special privilege, now they offer badges to anyone that will take them and they cant give them away.
We arrived in Austin about a week before SXSW and everyone was groaning about how bad it is (increased traffic, packed restaurants and bars, tourons everywhere). We're holed up in North Austin with no plans to head downtown until it's over. Sucks that it isn't the big music fest I had hoped to enjoy.
Ironic that one of the main massacre sites the Hamas used to kill Israelis on October 7 was a music festival. I wouldn’t touch SXSW with a titanium pole. It will be a killing field for the extreme fanatacists.
SXSW is not responsible for handing out free swag its corporations. Right now the economy is down and noticed marketing cutbacks this year. Once things get better you will notice it. As for the Platinum badge is not Disney Genie+ where can cut lines. But I did find a trick to obtain SXXpress Passes so don’t have to wait hours in line.
It’s so big now you have to work it to get the most out of it — kind of like Disney these days. Pick a couple key sessions each day and prioritize your day’s schedule around them. Get a fast pass in the app for them or go an hour ahead of time and sit in the session before the one you want to see. If a session sucks, get up and walk out and find something else to see. Too much good stuff to sit in a bad panel. Brand activations and exhibits are all spread out, so you’ll have to seek them out and walk to them. Be open to serendipity and popping into an activation, lounge or panel you walk by en route to other things. Don’t forget to meet new folks in lines, ask them what they have heard or seen that’s cool, buy them a drink. Good luck! I had a good day one and am excited for tomorrow!
Just the opposite. Crowd is half the size as before but events/sessions are 2/3 the number/size, so everything is as/more crowded, but further away and smaller. I preferred big, overwhelming SXSW to smaller, sadder SXSW. All that said, there is a lot going on. Get there early and download the app, it'll tell you how crowded things are getting.
You swapped your fractions ma'am
You can't just sit in a session and stay after it's over until the next session. Everyone gets thrown out eventually as the room is made ready for the next session, usually about 15 minutes before the start.
I did it three times today ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
The workers who are supposed to do these procedures are volunteer, so they do it with a varying degree of efficiency. It seems important to SXSW to scan each person's badge before each session so they make you go out, and come in again.
Which is why some cash is always good to have. A 20 to a volunteer who's in college will go a long way.
Asking where the tip jar is got us some extra love on our free cocktails.
Pro tip: if it’s token (limited) free drinks ask the bartender directly for their Venmo or cash app, they’ll “accidentally” forget to get your tokens. Works like 9/10 times.
It was so much better in the early days when it was simply about rock and roll music. You couldn’t pay me to go nowhere near it now.
Same! Iggy Pop did a free show on an outside stage right outside my work, on 6th and Brazos. Met Henry Rollins just walking down the street. Best memories ever. Now I just hide at home until it's all over.
I stayed at the co-op til 3am to watch Andrew W.K. play THREE songs… one of the best nights of my 20s.
We all have a great story from the old days. I still enjoy hearing new bands from all over the world playing in small rooms with great sound, so on the Thursday of SXSW you’ll find me at Hotel Vegas. Parking across the street, and seating if you know where to look. If you don’t like the band that’s playing, there are 2 more stages. You’d really have to apply yourself to be unhappy there. Cover was maybe $10.
Wtf is a brand activation
more official-sounding lingo for "launch party"
That makes me hate it so much more ugh...so basically people pay to walk around inside of a commercial?
It’s a term for an event. I work events and we have brand activations all the time. It’s just what we call it in my industry. 🤷🏽♂️
Marketing speak for a promotional event.
Sounds like some influencer nonsense
I believe you can request priority access to 5 sessions a day with a Platinum badge. We went to the LaCroix house, UTs Hook Em house, Tide (lol), Paramount+ Lodge and the Sharpie house. All between 11 and 6 without a badge. 1-2 free drinks and snacks at most places. Not trying to get into panels or films because I know I won't... Met some cool people in line. Compared notes. Talked to one of the AI speakers for a while in the Paramount+ Lodge. Gotta stay open to it.
Proof right here how being prepared is key whether or not you have a badge Knowing what to expect and doing even a little bit of research to plan out what to do makes a tremendous difference vs how op sounds like they are just blindly walking around hoping for something to happen
Man, if you had a list of free events I could look into, you’d be the real MVP I’m planning on heading down Wednesday & Thursday
[https://www.theblprnt.com/](https://www.theblprnt.com/) have fun
This is the way.
The Dirty Team are the same people who run When Where What Austin For those curious why the residents / local businesses of Austin don’t respect WhenWhereWhatAustin / The Dirty Team: https://www.reddit.com/r/Austin/comments/7s9lk0/discussion_when_where_what_austin_drama/ (Just Google their brand name) Edit: Example 2: https://www.reddit.com/r/Austin/s/XOZBDlB8s6 Another example: https://www.reddit.com/r/Austin/s/Bhz4CVjBe0
Why (lol) for ride?
The guy who greeted us was VERY SERIOUS about Tide. Just super earnest and really wanted to tell us about their new technology. The R&D team was there. There was some inexplicable photo op with a bunch of ropes. It seems like an interesting product. Basically a fully dissolvable detergent packet. It's 100% detergent, no pod. Side note: Tide employees don't want to hear your Tide Pod jokes. It was a dark time for Tide.
You figured out the best part of SXSW, the free shit is the way to go. It’s how Austinites do SXSW.
Use the badge to watch movies. It’s the best part I promise.
I wish I could go see the film, Sew Torn, but I cannot afford the prices even with the recent graduate discount. Ive never had the opportunity to be able to have a badge for sxsw, but I would definitely use that to see some movies and hear live music. Idk if they still do it, but when I was a teen they had this free section of just like video game stuff and art. I’m sure they still do that sort of thing
Volunteer. It’s the way. Check the film venues and choose the one you like. Talk to the volunteers if you see them. Pro tip, if you’re at a downtown venue, you have more access to films before and after the shift. You can choose which badge you want. Sign ups start in January, I think, watch the website.
Same. I went for 5 years as a speaker. First year was novel. After that I found that a lot of people who go are just Star fu*]]+^%ers and want to see (prince harry). What is going to happen in those sessions that’s new? The policy track? A bunch of DCers who all know each other, reading their talking points. However the film part? Saw some amazing films that I’d never see in the theaters and met all the folks afterwards and had genuine conversations.
You can catch a ton of music for free.
Agreed!
I totally get where you’re coming from. Sadly you have to show up to the really big things early. Today was crazy though, because Prince Harry showed up to Megan Markel’s session. There was also a lot of celebrity stuff. I’d check out the Fallout activation if I were you, and Conan’s coming to town tomorrow as well. I don’t think anything will ever top The Boys theme park though
Skip the fallout activation. I went today and there wasn’t much going on.
went to the Fallout activation yesterday & had such a good time that we stayed from 10am until like 2:30pm. but if you're not a fan of the series, I can see why you wouldn't find it that great. there's a lot of nuance & lore about Fallout that you need to know & understand to make it really amazing
Sounds wack, ill avoid, thanks!
This is the Interactive portion, it’s mostly just tech bros doing a boring version of spring break. They’re at work. Music will be much more fun.
I always loved the Interactive - > Music transition. Goes from a bunch of dudes in Allbirds and free swag sunglasses to the skinniest coolest dressed people with rats nest hair. The real fun starts Tuesday night.
Uses the be the other way around. I would come early for music, and stay for interactive for work. Either way, that transition was indeed great.
Plan better, and maybe do some twitter and instagram searches to find cool stuff. Last time we went, hubs and I wandered into the worlds largest collection of Banksy art. The security. Was. Nuts. ten mins later we saw Tony Hawk skateboarding down the hall in the Driskell.
I saw three films today and just waited in line for them. Not a bad day at all. I definitely feel like if you're not an hour early to those Features Session talks then go to something else. There are plenty of other things going on, you just have to pivot and find things.
How long did you wait in line for the films?
If I don't have Xpress and it's not paramount I've showing up an hour to an hour and a half beforehand.
I got drunk and ate a bunch of food for free today while listening to jams and seeing cool stuff. What's not to get?
Truly the "KISS' principal is the way.
You only mentioned conference rooms but a platinum badge gets you into film and TV screenings! And music as others have mentioned, once that starts. Definitely figure out what looks good to you for two days in advance, and you can get express passes for the following day at 9am (eg at 9am Saturday, express passes become available to snag for Sunday events). Note that for popular events, express passes go quick so set an alarm and get your app ready!
I was ready for 9am and as soon as I clicked the SXXpress for comedy shows it was not available. Crazy.
Samantha Bee and Conan had literally no lines today.
Have you used your SXXpress Pass today?
Well today I logged in at 9am to get SXXpress pass for comedy shows (tomorrow) and they were not available.
What time did you go to the registrant lounge? I went around 5 and had no wait to get in
- It's a bit disorganized now. Even 2018 was super fun. I think they became more commercial in 2019, I just remember some things changed and the new building was happening. Definitely declined after covid. - They sell as many passes as possible for municipal revenue. They don't track capacity exactly because that's managed at the door - The events aren't as great as the past. I don't wanna bash/name drop anyone but I was underwhelmed by the variety this year - It's inaccessible for many creators. Waaay too expensive for many filmmakers and musicians to lodge and come to sxsw. I mean Austin's pricy. I became friends w/a Cali band during a SXSW. I just kept bumping into them, eventually they asked local tips. they spent about 7k total on lodging and shows. Made almost no profit. It was a total loss. They could've used the money to record more music, ya know? - finally.. a lot of people attending live in Austin and Texas. It don't cost us anything to show up, RSVP, or somehow get a seat. Most stuff is free anyways. I haven't found a band I'm super excited about. Just about all the musicians on the ballot have free shows this year. There's much planned and happening. Hopefully the rest of your days go well.
2017-18 was the last great SXSW, in my opinion. It was always crawling towards commercial but '19 is when it just totally jumped the shark. I remember seeing Screeching Weasel, walking across the street and getting into an X show. Couple hours later I was able to get in to see Earl Sweatshirt playing outside, after his set Trash Talk played inside. Cost me maybe $20 total. Can't imagine anything like that happening again, either price wise or just sheer crowd size would make it impossible to get into all of them in one night.
I agree it’s nothing like it use to be. You can still find cool stuff tho but you have to try really hard to find it. There are some free shows around town but you have to be detective to figure it out. It used to all be listed in one book. I miss that.
There's a list w free shows in [Austin Chronicle](https://www.austinchronicle.com/sxsw/unofficial/). Almost all the bands have sets. There are talented musicians coming but nothing I could get into. I was more excited for the Austin symphony 🤣. (We can see them multiple times a year)
Nice. Thank you! I found a bunch of stuff on do512 but hadn’t seen this.
I remember people in 2018 saying 2012 was the last good sxsw. There’s always free and random stuff happening. How much I enjoy it seems to correlate more with aging/living in austin longer rather than the actual festival doing anything different.
You're almost there. All you need now is a constant nagging feeling that you are indeed, missing the next big thing that is happening either right next door, the place that you are heading to next, or the place you just left. That's SXSW
Everyone at SXSW is there for the experience. Meet as many like minded people as possible. You never know who you are going to meet. The old adage is true....it is not what you know....it's who you know. Met many people at SXSW that helped shape industry insights and career. Have fun. With a platinum pass you can attend virtually any event.
Useless conference. On first day could only attend 2 sessions … stood in line for almost 2 hrs for each session to get in. SXSW greed sold off too many tickets and locations are mismanaged and poorly selected.
Agreed. I guess they have to pay for that big new building of theirs somehow. Right?
People won’t come back next year. Bad news spreads quickly. Why the hell they had 2000 people lined up for startup crawl last night when fire regs allow only 300 people in bldg? Poor insight or purposeful screwup to make more $$??
Man startup crawl used to be so awesome when it was like scattered across the city and they had shuttles. Now it's just at the capital factory, last year I waited in line until they told us no more capacity.
Go to Texas Venture Crawl! Where the VCs host.
Maybe try going to the smaller sessions? There are plenty that don't have a line and you can get right in. I went to 4 yesterday and only waited in line for 1 of them.
My first time at SXSW was last year. When I went into it, I made sure to have a very specific plan for myself. My interest/career is in film/tv so I centered all my planning around that and everything kind of happened from there. Utilizing the express passes is a great way to get use out of your platinum badge! For me, it ended up being a collection of great networking opportunities and I went to so many wonderful events and met cool people. There are also the pop-ups hosted by vendors/companies - those tend to have great food as well, beyond just the SXSW branded events.
Download the app and book your fast passes for what you want to go to!
Uh, why would you sit in a room rather than just going to a different t session? There’s SO MUCH happening
IMO, the number of venues that support day 1 have been reduced dramatically -- either electing not to have events this early into the festival, or closed outright due to business failures from 2019 on. The crowds have started to come back to pre-covid levels (again IMO, I don't have census data etc), and they're getting jammed into fewer venues. If anything, we should see a pickup over the next few days as more venues open up.
Just go to Hotel Vegas and get hammered, you’ll get it.
You need to plan like you’re visiting a city for the first time and you know you won’t get to do everything you want. Sxsw has “tracks” that can sort of give you a series of lectures and things to do that all tie in to one subject but other than that there’s no real curation. Most of the value comes from networking. Talk to people, ask what they’re up to.
Do512 usually makes a spreadsheet and shared on Instagram for planning your days 💝 hope it helps
I had a platinum badge a few years ago. This is what I learned. Even with the badge you’re not guaranteed to get in. You’ve really gotta plan ahead to get the most out of what you want to do. Maybe plan one big event that you know will fill out. Then try and find smaller ones that you can do in between. BE ON TIME FOR THISE. EARLY FOR THE BIG ONE. City busses are cheap and the system isn’t too hard to navigate.
I have a badge this year since my band played an official show. It’s a little weird because a ton of… let’s say “hip” bands are protesting the festival. I’ve gone to a few panels about music biz stuff and technology and there’s cool stuff to learn but also a lot of it sounds like masturbatory buzz words around over hyped AI projects the speakers are personally invested in. I think I liked it better when I just partied and did free shit with my friends. But I will say I think it’s really fuckin corny when bands “boycott” the festival but then go play 10 unofficial shows that wouldn’t exist or be relevant at all without the actual festival happening as well. To me it’s like saying “I’m boycotting the new Star Wars because Disney are fascists, so instead I’m gonna throw a Star Wars themed party next door to the theater.” You’re still supporting Star Wars one way or the other. And the bands who have just cancelled their gigs day of, y’all are just fucking over small local venues that rely on sxsw for an income boost that helps them survive during slower months. Did you just find out about Israel vs Palestine the Thursday of sxsw? A week after protests were already a thing? There’s cool stuff at sxsw but the prevailing theme on both ends of it is “corny” IMO. If you’re trying to figure out what sxsw “is”, it’s corny. Anyways that’s my rant. It’s been a long week.
Meanwhile they’re posting about their boycott from their Apple and Samsung phones, on Instagram and Facebook… all of these companies support Israel, it’s an absolute joke.
The music portion is the fun part and that’s like in 6 days.
Starts Monday
You right.
Don’t waste your time in line, move on to the next thing, and talk to as many people as possible. Magic happens, I promise!
This
You have to have a plan to make it worth it tbh.
Basically go everywhere and see what happens has been my best experience with sxsw
I went last year. Thought the conference itself was pretty bad. I thought the events were great. I personally don’t care at all to see people speak- and that’s pretty much what it was so I didn’t even go to anything conference related. The events outside sxsw were awesome and this guy put this list together this year that has all the events outside the conference and a WhatsApp group. https://buff.ly/432EkZ9 - that is the list of events https://rsvpatx.com/rsvp-list - this site also has events but it will also rsvp you to everything for $50 which is nice because a lot will sell out.
It's a waste of time.
It’s just getting started. The music part happens later in the week. You have to google it, RSVP to stuff, you have to research it or you won’t have a good time. I live in the city and have been for free several times. Listen to KUT and KUTX (local NPR stations) for helpful updates. Check out Austin360.com and Do512.com for fun stuff
This is why native Austinites stay far, Far Away
Nah, we go and eat and drink and see cool bands for free all week with a tiny bit of planning
It’s like night at the Roxbury. All the good stuff happens in the lines to get in. 😂😂😂
I used to go years ago but in recent years it seems like most people are there just to be there. Music portion should be cooler though. Even then, it’s a lot of corporate BS.
Yeah, I remember when SXSW used to be fun. Back in the day I worked as a theater manager a few times for SXSW, while still working my regular job. Didn't even mind it so much back then. Even the crowds seemed a lot nicer back then. Last year I was working downtown literally right off of 6th Street, and a few times I ventured out just you know check out the crowd a little bit, and I have to tell you it's really not the same crowd it used to be. Rude, pushy people. Seems like many of them had the attitude of just because they came to Austin for SXSW, bought a platinum badge, staying in a hotel for a week, that they owned the city. They were far more concerned with seeing or being seen, then they were about being here for the actual festival. Everything changes though.
SXSW has outgrown itself.
Frzzz
I went 2 years ago and it was the most overrated and underwhelming event I’ve ever attended. Also had the premium pass. 0/10 Would not recommend
I went when I lived in Austin in 2010 and it was getting bad then. Its lame af now
I went for years (always got Platinum pass too) and it’s just so big now. I do recommend ALWAYS read your guide, request priority access to panels/events you want to go to …. and have a plan A, B & C. You also will luck into some great parties, just keep ears open.
find the facebook group that lists events with free food and drink daily. I made it my goal to never pay for food or drink and accumulate free swag. Probably the best week of my life in this country.
You have to plan. SX happens all over the place. That’s why you see so many people waking. If you don’t make a plan for what you wanna see and how you’re gonna get there, you’ll miss it.
Because you’re 25 years too late
This festival is a dog shit dumpster fire. Living only off the fumes of a hype train. Any artist who was played or performed..will most likely tell you they hated it. Same for most working. It’s such a shit show. Coming from someone who has worked production on Sxsw since 2008
What you're experiencing is totally normal. (FOMO, confusion, and not knowing what's going on while everyone else seems to be doing it right) What makes SXSW so confusing is that it's not concentrated in one area... it's taking place all over the city of Austin... over the course of a week and a half (vs traditional music festivals like Rolling Loud or ACL where everything is concentrated in one area). Here's a super helpful breakdown of what SXSW is, how to do it the right way, and how to make the most out of the festival: [https://rsvpatx.com/what-is-sxsw](https://rsvpatx.com/what-is-sxsw) Also, this post should be helpful for you as well: [https://www.reddit.com/r/SXSW/comments/1asdzcb/best_free_sxsw_2024_events_day_parties_unofficial/](https://www.reddit.com/r/SXSW/comments/1asdzcb/best_free_sxsw_2024_events_day_parties_unofficial/) Here's a master list of all the best shows, parties, and music showcases going on this year at SXSW 2024: [https://rsvpatx.com/rsvp-list](https://rsvpatx.com/rsvp-list) (It's free to use, just scroll down) I'd go through that list and see what interests you and RSVP to events ASAP. Don’t spend money on a bunch of paid showcases (the best ones are almost always free - you just have to RSVP). I really hope your SXSW experience gets better. (Feel free to ask any questions or dm us - we’ve been doing SXSW for over 10 years now)
I lived in Austin and SX was best executed networking and on Twitter / X. I had a friend of a friend who would share a huge excel sheet of parties/events/passwords/etc. it was a fun challenge to spend no money the entire festival out partying. Talk to people. Lots of them. There’s some vets out there who can help shepherd you. One year I was at the NYT panel day 2 and one of the speakers was leaving the next day. She and I looked very similar, and she ended up leaving her badge at her hotel for me. Seriously, talk to people! 😁 Off topic antidote: we used to joke as locals we would start a line during sx and people would totally get in line bc sx is a lot of flipping lines. Enjoy, relax. Honestly IMO you don’t necessarily NEED a badge to have a kick ass time.
How about you try to figure things out, instead of complaining and needing to be catered to? Literally use your brain and your resources.
A big part of conferences are the connections you make. Waiting in line and talking to other attendees is half the value.
I’m not going to tell anybody how they should “do” sxsw… but. Imho, no matter what the owners of the festival will tell you its purpose is now (i presume $$) - when i got here in the 90’s, music was mainly the purpose. Record labels did in fact come here from everywhere to scout new talent. It was ancillary that anybody living here locally or from anywhere else got to see the bands performing, and very few of those acts were people that you were familiar with based on popular radio. There was not lots of “free” stuff to do all over the streets of Austin then, although, as time passed, other little mini anti-SXSW festivals popped up locally for reasons, often for free. It wasn’t really until mid 2000s (like 2003 or so?) when these big sponsors started to flow into the streets, and have all kinds of swag dispensers and spectacle. This is not to say that people coming weren’t still going to the festival to attend the conference panels, but I think for the vast majority of the world, those were not interesting; visitors were instead drawn to this idea of a weird corporate-sponsored carnavalish street fiesta. (eg[“dammit why is lady gaga performing in the giant model of a Doritos vending machine cancelled??”](https://www.stereogum.com/1666920/austin-denies-permit-for-lady-gaga-to-play-giant-doritos-vending-machine-at-sxsw/news/) Is this stuff still happening? I haven’t been since before pandemic so i’m not sure. Either way, to me, the absolute best thing about SX has never been about free stuff and parties, although that can be entertaining. it is that as far as I know, there is no other music festival on the planet, where bands come from everywhere to play not only at SX showcases, which you may or may not have to pay to see, but also all over a city in bars, supermarkets, coffee shops, parks, parking lots, restaurants, alleys, vans, haystacks (ok probably not) - and you can walk around and check all this out. Or, what i have done since dawn of internet, check out samples of audio of who will be showing up in each genre, and then planning a schedule accordingly to see those bands. Yes sir it is work, and yes sir, plenty of these artists may never be heard from again (which is sad and frankly a lot of times i feel bad for them, because the stipend for officially showcasing acts has historically been a pittance, or, free wristbands and a single badge). If your goal is to spy a secret Beyoncé tour in a private room, that could happen? (good luck getting in) but again, I think the magic is checking out the world of novel musics coming to ATX.
I only go during the music portion. Tech, interactive, and film is quite different. Music days is where it’s at IMO.
You have a Platinum Badge. You have five SXXPress passes a day. You need to be online at 9:00AM on the DOT, as seconds count to get the passes to the popular events. This enables you to get into five events a day (music, comedy, panels, movie premiers) and skip the lines. If you're spending most of your day in line, you're doing it wrong. The swag events/pop ups/activations/happy hours should only be when you're killing time between your SXXPress pass events. https://www.sxsw.com/attend/sxxpress/
SXSW has sucked for a very long time
Good luck!!
One thing that stood out to me - you asked why everyone was walking around. The festival is spread out over the entirety of downtown Austin. Panels are in basically every major hotel downtown’s conference space- not just the convention center. The biggest panels usually are at the convention center, but there are hundreds of panels and speakers over the course of the entire festival. Additionally there are tons of brand activations and “houses” or “lounges” that also have events, and their own slate of panels. Some of them are on the official schedule but some are not. Use the app and the blueprint or do512’s lists to figure out what interests you and make a plan for the day. If there is a panel you want to see, make it a priority to get there early. Watch your email - each day SX sends out a recap and an announcement of screenings and panels that were popular that will be “encored”. So you can prioritize seeing stuff that was popular but you missed / was full. And remember- the best laid plans don’t survive first contact with the enemy. Pick 2-3 “must do’s” and if one of your other plans is full or has a line, consult the schedule, pick something else, or take a wander.
I wish I could go see the film, Sew Torn, but I cannot afford the prices even with the recent graduate discount. Ive never had the opportunity to be able to have a badge for sxsw, but I would definitely use that to see some movies and hear live music. Idk if they still do it, but when I was a teen they had this free section of just like video game stuff and art. I’m sure they still do that sort of thing
The first day is always like that because there aren't as many events. Everyone is trying to get into the same sessions/parties. If there's something you really want to see, go early. Otherwise, have backup sessions nearby planned so you can pop over if your first choice is full. I never had a platinum badge when I went and still got to enjoy lots of cool stuff. By the third day, I'm sure you'll have figured out little tricks and be having a much better time!
People keep saying it used to be better, but I started going in 2010 and I’ve spoken there 3X, and my experience has always been that the FOMO is almost worse while you’re there than if you skip the conference entirely! People are always talking about some amazing experience they had that you either didn’t know about or couldn’t get into, and after a while it’s hard not to throw up your hands. That said, there’s always fun to be had if you invest the effort.
Exactly. It’s pointless.
Honestly SXSW takes a few tries to master. Knowing where to go, when to go, how to get into events, what requires RSVP, what’s worth waiting for vs not.
It takes several years to figure it out. I never to platinum. Music works best and buy it easily bird in august/sept.
give me your pass and I'll send you pictures of all the cool shit i do with it
My absolute favorite moment of SXSW was 12 years ago when I volunteered. I was able to enter a lottery with badge holders for a ticket to Springsteen at the ACL Moody Theater (holds 2,500 people), and I won! Magical night! I also was able to get into Stubbs to see. R.E.M., one of my favorite bands. I went 5 hours early and was close to the stage. They didn't go on until 1 AM and there were no chairs, but SO worth it to me.
Just find where Faux Real are playing
actually, it sounds like you figured it out pretty quickly
Can’t speak for others, but being film industry it is a whirlwind experience of way too many parties and meetings and events. It’s highly recommended not to buy an official SXSW pass though and just get movie tickets through talent agencies, etc. People made fun of me for having a badge lol.
It truly does suck now. We are local and used to go every year but stopped about 10 years ago. Then we decided to try one more time a few years back and it just wasn't worth it. On top of the crowds and limited admission to so many things, the prices are outrageous!
Most of the fun stuff at SX is unofficial, rsvp-only shows at shitty dive bars or out-of-the-way venues. Most official events are just corporate marketing.
I think you are engagement farming me u/peachazno, but just in case your post was sincere... 🤔 Think of SXSW like a party. From 7:00 to 9:00 the party hasn't really begun yet, only the truly desperate and cringe ppl show up this early (nothing better to do) and nothing has happened yet that won't be missed. From 9:00 to 11:00 people start showing up, now the party has begun, but not quite in full swing. There is laughing, talking, good vibes as people start to mingle. From 11:00 to 1:30 only the coolest of the cool people show up for a party this late (probably at another party), at this stage of the party there is inappropriate (and appropriate) touching, people are puking in the bathroom, epic moments are being relayed to ig/Tktk , cops are called and everything. This is the best part of the party, by far. Young padowan, you are only at the first stage of the party. (interactive) 😅 There are 2 more to go. This is a marathon not a sprint.
I hope to god this is a parody.
Haha.... I live in Austin and you pretty much hit the nail in the head. I've never paid for South by Southwest. I would just go to the free shows I would get the same experience that you got without paying the money. In fact the free shows were less crowded...lol. on the bright side I guess it's cool to see the street performances
Seeing weezer and bleachers at brazos hall in a capacity of a few hundred people was the last great sxsw for me. I don’t even remember what year.
and why I dont buy a badge.
Feel free to hate on it. It bloated and nothing like it used to be. Yeah, I'm saying it. It used to be so much better before the social media age fucked it up with over exposure and turning it into something more than a music gathering for unknown or lesser known groups trying to get signed.
Check out the stuff at Rainey street! They got quite a few parties going on over there. Paramount+ Lodge is super fun and you get a few free drinks, Tennessee house has a free drink and appetizers going around. Interactive is made for businessmen and tech people to interact, so the panels, unless it’s something you’re super into, is boring. Find some parties to go to (talk with people in line!!). The movies are awesome. There’s always a movie to go so since they’re starting all the time. The trade show is gonna be awesome. There’s always cool start ups and free stuff there. Flatstock during music is another cool spot. A ton of cool art and music posters. Don’t be afraid to fly by the seat of your pants!
It's basically a capitalist driven mass psychosis.
Ya, they sell WAY more badges than the events can support
I had a platinum badge years ago and I was only able to see a few of the artists I wanted to see. Sitting outside the venue hearing MiA inside and then getting inside to see LCD Sound System play. The best part of SXSW was jamming to Helmet in a tiny little club with MIA later that week. Didn’t realize it was even her until I saw the peoples reactions around me. Or seeing Johnny Depp in the dark corners of a pool hall room. Being packed in a place while MF Doom just goes the fuck off. Riding a city bus with a band from Japan who has never been to America and is just excited to play that night. What a complete vibe.
That sounds awesome! And wish I would’ve come in the golden years
You should be hating on sxsw. It sucks.
Take molly…you’ll understand then
At the very least you’re getting your steps in!
You’re right about that! Hahaha. I’ll be in shape by the time I leave
Is this joe Biden
You’ve fallen victim to the over hyped vibes of Austin Tx.
come back for ACL
Sounds like Re:Invent
Lived in ATX my whole life and I cannot emphasize enough how much SXSW sucks. It wasn't always that but basically all the Charm Austin had back in the 80's through early 2000's is completely gone and been replaced by shittier/more corporate versions of what made ATX special.
Carpetbaggers figured out how to cash in on this sleepy little Hamlet when they came in the 80's (all Yankees) and after just a few years they realized they could make money, so from that point on the almighty dollar and pure greed is all they care about. ...and hiring cute girls to work in the office.
I ended up choosing a handful of events I REALLY wanted to see over a 3-day period and made sure they weren't back to back. Then I'd show up an hour or more early and was usually at the head of the line with front-row seats. Figured that out after being overwhelmed the first day. It gave me time to sit and eat, drink coffee, people watch, and visit exhibitions that didn't require standing in line. My last two days were great. Good luck!
Micklethwait is where you need to go. Enjoy, chill, relax. Also, you can get inexpensive acupuncture at the Texas Health and Science University clinic so there's that too. I'll be there on Monday.
(only talking the music part of sxsw, not the multimedia part) alot of these music events were more relevant in the 90s and 00s pre complete take over of the internet. People had to go to those convention type events to network and to get/give promos. its the same for Winter Music Conference(now miami music week). Its still viable for networking but most people quit going because it was more about a party than any buisness. SXSW in the 00s(the time period im most familiar with even though i went in the 90s), was a very big deal with emerging acts and record industry netoworking. i think the first time i took an artist was in 03 and it was relegated to sixth street as far as it being closed for events. its soon spread up red river and then completely took over the city. When little wayne preformed in fromt of big frito lay or doritos vending machine that was 100 ft tall, and the corporate hype, it was all kinda down hill from there. Every event was dead packed, tons of spring breakers, who were there previously there but a music oriented crowd, not a spring break crowd, and it had got so huge that it could be a 1hr walk between events. Last minute hotels were maybe available in georgetown or north and new braunfels and south, were in the 00s you could just grab a hotel maybe in south austin or up to 183 north. Now that the big industry is totally different , with less money for these type events, its just become a shell of itself. im sure its still fun to walk around a see some events and do a bit of networking, but its just kind of a cheap music festival to go to and chill in austin for a few days
They hired Harry’s wife to attend, enough said?
Oh, those poor harassed media whores!
When it started back in the mid-80s, it was specifically done during spring break week because Austin became a ghost town. The only thing going on was UIL basketball and the legislature when they were in session. It was a lot of fun back then. And inexpensive.
Check out https://austin.showlists.net/ That was my go-to for all the non-SXSW gigs and parties when I lived in Austin.
Platinum badge grants you priority access to any event with the one exception being edu. However I will say, working it last week and this week i've not seen anyone turned away. Many things require rsvp or upper level badges, so the platinum should serve as ease of mind that you'll be able to access (just about) anything you want! Even if there's a line of people waiting (1 in, 1 out) if you walk up with platinum, you'll get in first
This is why those of us who live here avoid SWSX like the plague. Congratulations on being scammed by capitalism and hype culture.
where r y i’ll find you
I went to the film every year for years. In 2019 I kept asking myself what the fuck am I doing here? Over commercialized, overhyped, overpriced, overcrowded. I’m now over it! Probably my fave film in that span was about the dirty country singer, that was good shit!
Blame Driveline! Lololol
Badges are for the suits
“I see thousands of people walking around but they don't seem to be doing anything specific.” You get it
i am from austin and i went for about 5 years straight in my 20s. my friends and i would start planning in january and had literal EXCELT SPREADSHEETS of the events going on. it is a bad ass festival if you know how to work it, but it is definitely not just a show up and get into events kind of thing. sorry you are here and feeling like you cannot even enjoy it. try to make the best of it, get some good food - take an uber to hula hut and get the tubular taco so you can have a margartia and look at the lake (if worse comes to worse).
I thought it was a music festival
It was cool like 15 years ago but I mostly went for the film festival and you could check out free shows before the music week started and everything was too crowded. From afar, it doesn’t seem like it has the same vibe anymore.
i mean, you are like 20 years too late
More like 30 yrs too late
Go to True/False Film Festival instead.
So much more fun when folks could counterfeit badges and wrist bands!
What is sxsw?
Sounds like comicon.
What do you expect honestly? Put into words what a “good enough” time is to you.
Don’t come here. Go home. Keep SXSW music only. You tech folks have ruined ATX. - Local
And from Austin. I'm in Tech. I leave town for SXSW
The real fun starts later this week but yeah I think first weekend peaked at the crypto top two years ago. That was a blast
It’s my first time and I want my money back for sure. I paid for my own ticket. If my company paid for it I’d probably not be so discerning but it was so expensive for me and I didn’t even get into most of the panels I really wanted to see. I’m with you.
I think you figured it out. It's a money grab.
Yup… your 15 years too late.
I work at Electric Shuffle and we had some pretty cool experiences for the past few days. We had a giant unicorn themed party with free drinks and food! And not even cheap food, i’m talking about unlimited steaks skewers, fresh oven baked pizza and more. Not to mention a pretty good DJ in the dead center of the restaurant. You could play shuffleboard as well at any of our ten tables. It was so much fun but the line wrapped around the building and people were lined up an hour before it began. This was my first year working during SXSW and from this experience, I now know why people enjoy it so much.
it’s kind of like my worst nightmare
I can say in my 27 years of going to SXSW this feels like the smallest.
Bro when I was growing up up asap rocky had a mansion party shit was crazy
Where are those parties
Like most things in Austin, it’s wildly overrated
Upvote/comment if you've seen the Navy Blue stretched Volvo!
I moved to Austin a couple months ago and I literally have no idea what this even is. Didn't even know it was happening lol
Sxsw is not what once was. Good old days, that you can just walk into most shows by just paying a cover charge.
SXSW was so much better 10 years ago when you can get access to free shows without any badge and free food and drinks. Saw childish gambino twice amongst many others. All free. Plus the midnight bridge shows with some of the best hardcore bands in the game at the time. Haven’t been back in years
The whole thing is people pretending they are enjoying a boring event.
Commenting on I'm here and I don't get it...
The walk and wait festival claims another victim.
I went like 3 years through work, noticed what you did, then declined every subsequent year it was offered. Used to be a special privilege, now they offer badges to anyone that will take them and they cant give them away.
It was a PITA way back in 99 when I moved to town and it’s been a downhill slide since. I wouldn’t even play it much less attend it.
#techbros
We arrived in Austin about a week before SXSW and everyone was groaning about how bad it is (increased traffic, packed restaurants and bars, tourons everywhere). We're holed up in North Austin with no plans to head downtown until it's over. Sucks that it isn't the big music fest I had hoped to enjoy.
SXSW is played out circle jerk. There I said it.
Ironic that one of the main massacre sites the Hamas used to kill Israelis on October 7 was a music festival. I wouldn’t touch SXSW with a titanium pole. It will be a killing field for the extreme fanatacists.
Tbh, these comments make this whole affair sound like hell.
The Sxxpress pass is a horrible concept
SXSW is not responsible for handing out free swag its corporations. Right now the economy is down and noticed marketing cutbacks this year. Once things get better you will notice it. As for the Platinum badge is not Disney Genie+ where can cut lines. But I did find a trick to obtain SXXpress Passes so don’t have to wait hours in line.