July 1, 2022 | By Bronwen Largier | Image: A conference session at SXSW 2022 in Austin Texas on NFTs | Credit: Lauren Hartmann
Sydney is getting its own iteration of the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival, which has become a global cultural phenomenon for Austin, Texas, where it originated and continues to take place annually.
The Sydney version of the festival, set to take place October 15-22, 2023, will be the first time the SXSW concept is delivered outside North America.
According to the website for the Sydney event, it will see the “convergence of innovation, music, screen, tech, gaming and culture”. The original SXSW includes film, music and comedy festivals as well as a conference focused on technology, film, culture, and music. The 2023 SXSW conference in Austin will have 21 different tracks on topics from advertising, and the media industry to the tech industry, climate change, civic engagements and psychedelics.
“SXSW Sydney is the biggest event to come to Australia since Vivid,” said the NSW Minister for Enterprise, Investment and Trade, Tourism and Sport, Stuart Ayres.
“SXSW Sydney will provide significant benefits for the NSW visitor economy, with unparalleled networking opportunities to advance our tech and creative industries.
“The very best of the creative and tech industries in the Asia Pacific will be on display during SXSW Sydney, while also drawing thousands of people from around the world to enjoy our spectacular Harbour City.
“It will put a spotlight on Sydney as the major events and creative industries capital of the Asia Pacific, as well as being its premier business and lifestyle destination,” he said.
The Sydney event will be produced by TEG, an Australian live events company headquartered in Sydney but which operates globally.
“This is the Olympics of events for the creator industries and SXSW Sydney will highlight what’s next in culture, music, screen, gaming, tech and innovation,” said TEG CEO Geoff Jones.
“The city will come alive with over 1000 experiences including keynote speakers, inspiring panels and summits, live gaming sessions, screenings, product demonstrations, artists performances and countless opportunities to network at parties and dedicated events.”