SXSW: South by Southwest

Every March in Austin, Texas, South by Southwest (SXSW) takes place as an incomparable combination of film festivals, interactive media events, and music conferences. With a single event pass granting access to the entire gathering of activities, SXSW provides unprecedented opportunities for those interested in multimedia entertainment.

In 1987, South by Southwest, Inc. saw an opportunity to promote Austin's diverse music scene, and thus the inaugural South by Southwest (SXSW) Music and Media Conference was born. Professionals in the industry were welcomed with open arms as 700 people attended this inaugural event!

The festival's popularity skyrocketed over the years and garnered international recognition. Organizers estimated that in 2010, more than 12,000 attendees were captivated by 2,000 musical acts on 80+ stages!

During the musical portion of the festival, lasting five days, there are meetings and panel discussions regarding independent labels, technology advancements in music production, copyright law information for artists, and promotional techniques to help them succeed.