When it comes to forward-thinking festivals, Austin’s South By Southwest takes the cake. And it’s just been unveiled that Sydney will be hosting this legendary festival in 2023.
Every year in March, the Texan city becomes Mecca for the world’s thinkers, innovators, inventors and creatives. They gather to talk ideas, emerging technology and what’s cooking in the gaming and film worlds, and the city puts on a show with live music and more entertainment you can experience in just one week. But, it’s going to be our turn very soon.
From Sunday 15 October to Sunday 22 October 2023, Sydneysiders are going to be spoilt with over 1000 sessions, screenings, performances, activations and parties across the Harbour City. And not just in 2023, either. Thanks to Destination NSW, will be the official annual Asia-Pacific instalment of SXSW.
To write up a list of influential speakers and artists who have graced a stage at SXSW would be a list of who’s who. From the Obamas to Anthony Bourdain, Dave Grohl to Billie Eilish, Mark Cuban to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Taika Waititi to Christiane Amanpour and so, so many more.
“Put simply, SXSW is the Olympics of events for the creator industries, and we are thrilled to bring this legendary festival of gaming, music, screen, tech and innovation to Sydney in 2023,” said Geoff Jones, CEO of TEG, event producer for SXSW Sydney.
Minister for enterprise, investment and trade Stuart Ayres said: “SXSW Sydney will provide significant benefits for the NSW visitor economy, with unparalleled opportunities to advance our tech and creative industries.”
Fun Fact: Although Twitter wasn’t launched at SXSW, it took off the following year when LCD screens tracked SXSW-related tweets for the festival.
South By Southwest is one of the biggest cultural events in the world and we’re flat-out excited that it’s going to be in Sydney in October 2023.
For more information, check out Destination NSW.