Advertising, promotion, marketing, selling... finding the right exposure for artists is expensive and it can be difficult to know when the money is well spent. Who do you need to reach? Critics? TV and Radio programmers? Talent buyers? Distributors? Retail? Wouldn't it help if they were all in one place, all at the same time?
They are at SXSW, joining thousands of other business people and artists each March to share in the art and business of music. The SXSW Music Festival and Conference has been bringing music business professionals together for 22 years now, and its reputation for presenting superb music in an engaging and enjoyable business setting has been well earned and is respected internationally. As a cost effective way of exposing music to an influential audience it's hard to beat.
Here Are The Reasons You Should Participate At SXSW:
SXSW Is The Most Effective, Varied & Crucial Music Event You Can Attend
As a registrant, you get priority entrance at night to several hundred concerts featuring top acts and emerging talent from around the world. During the daytime, you get entry into the Convention Centre where a series of more than 75 seminars and panels take place as well as a trade exhibition with more than 150 companies taking out stands. And of course, being able to network with over 15,000 like minded music professionals as well as partying with them is pretty cool.
But even before you arrive in Austin, you can experience the online Registrants' Database using the username and password sent in the confirmation letter. Tap into the conference early by contacting other registrants to set up meetings or share tips. The handy notes feature allows you to keep information about your SXSW relationships in easy reach... as long as you have access to the web. A special IRC allows SXSW registrants to participate in real-time exchanges over the internet.
Plus you get advance promotional and logistical support from your regional reps at IMMEDIA! who have advice and tips in how best to maximise your time and minimise your expense at this event through their extensive experience with representing and guiding AustralAsian contingents at SXSW, MIDEM in Cannes / Hong Kong / Miami, New Music Seminar in New York and other international trade fairs or conferences.Music Professionals Get Incredible Value From Speakers & Seminar Panels
SXSW Music's 75+ seminars over four days offer a rare opportunity to hear thought-provoking discussions and learn about the opinions and passions of the personalities who are driving the future of the industry. One-on-one interviews, mentor sessions, demo listening sessions, and receptions add intimate experiences often unavailable in traditional music industry conferences or festivals. Find yourself embroiled in discussions with people passionate about the same issues you are as you meander the halls at the Austin Convention Center.
-
The SXSW Music Trade Show Offers Stands of Commerce & Content
The labyrinth of stands for three days is the hub of daytime activity & features 100+ companies from all areas of the music community. Exhibitors carrying over from the SXSW Film/Interactive Trade Show offer a unique glimpse into the growing convergence of entertainment mediums and allow registrants to explore the options. An Acoustic Day Stage spotlights showcasing artists in a preview of nighttime showcases. Daily performances begin at 12:30pm. A Web/Email Center is also located in the Trade Show. So, you can stop by, check your email or surf the web!
Australian and New Zealand participants who want to exhibit at their own stand can buy space and decorate it with whatever materials they wish, sell CDs, give away promotional items or use it as a meeting space in addition to a publicity venue. There have also been government and industry sponsored stands as well. For details see our Australian & NZ stand page.
-
For Artists, It's The Showcase Capital of the Music Industry For Labels & Media...
If you want to play at one of the official featured showcase slots across more than 50 venues, you can apply to SXSW directly in Austin as many AustralAsian Artists have done over the past ten years. The advantages are the incredible array of rabid music media writers and talent scouts looking for the next big thing, but it's a big event with 900 slots and takes a lot of preparation and strategy to rise above the masses.
Playing SXSW gives the opportunity to do other showcases or touring in North America on the way over and back--even in Canada--and it's a great time to get to students in the vast college market as well.
Invited bands will have the option of receiving a complimentary registration package or a cash payment for their performance.
-
For All Levels of the Music Industry (& Film, TV & Interactive Businesses), There is So Much To Do!
Admission to the Music Festival & Conferences comes with more than just a laminate, priority attendance at concerts and admission to seminars plus the trade fair. A massive showbag contains a wealth of publications--from the local Austin Chronicle street press with info on what's happening over the week, to crucial overseas music magazines and trade publications. The show bag also contains CDs, merchandise, propaganda and other goodies to which Australian and NZ companies or artists can add their contributions-though it will take over 7000 items to fill them all!
You'll also get the South by Southwest Registrants Directory which contains all the contact names & addresses you need to get back to the world of music professionals you meet or miss. An Artist's directory gives information on who's playing and a venue guide gives each night's performance times. It's also jammed full of information on how best to plan your time in Austin with complete schedules of performances, a wrap up and times of all seminars, panels, keynote speeches, mentor sessions and more. Maps make it easy to plan your days and night. Plus there's a guide to the trade fair and plenty of other information to make your South by Southwest productive.
Preceding and overlapping the music side of SXSW, there's also a Film Festival and Conferences with showings of docos, special features, music videos, music films and much more. The Interactive and Games side is also catered to with its own event, making for a huge number of participants in parallel industries.
But below we have links to interesting articles on the event for your perusal:
A Musician's Perspective of SXSW 2003 is a valuable guide for those intending to showcase or attend
An excellent article on how to use Conferences & Festivals with a particular analysis of SXSW
From a US PR, comments and an article on how to take full advantage of all the SXSW opportunities