With just under three months to go, SXSW Sydney has added over 60 new local and international artists, alongside three massive international speakers to its impressive and growing lineup.
Coachella CEO, Paul Tollet, Slack Co-Founder, Cal Henderson, and Queer Eye star, Tan France, will be joining previously announced keynote, futurist and AI expert, Amy Webb.
“With just under three months to go, this is the first time we’ve been able to hint at the scope of the inaugural SXSW Sydney,” said SXSW Sydney Managing Director, Colin Daniels, in a press release.
“Never before have this many entrepreneurs, artists, futurists, innovators and titans of every industry all been in Sydney at one time.
“As we pull together over 1,000 events and experiences, our team are still searching for a poster big enough to reveal it all.”
The legendary Texan ‘festival of festivals’ is leaving its home of Austin for the first time this October, with Sydney as its new spiritual base in Asia-Pacific. It’s billed as the ‘launchpad for what’s next’ and is where cultural change-makers like Uber, Billie Eilish, and Everything Everywhere All At Once first emerged.
“South By Southwest is known globally as a key incubator of bold and exciting ideas,” NSW Minister for Arts and Music, John Graham, said.
“The list of internationally renowned tech and creative industry leaders – visionaries in their fields – joining the inaugural SXSW Sydney program provides a fantastic opportunity to jump-start the conversation on how we foster the development of these sectors in NSW.”
Far more than your typical music festival, SXSW is a city-wide creative space where music, futurism, the latest games, film, TV, technology, and a line-up of world-changing speakers come together.
The inaugural SXSW Sydney will include over 1000 events, speakers, and musical acts over eight days. Here’s who has been added to the lineup.
SXSW Sydney Lineup
Speakers
Over 700 world-leading speakers and industry leaders have already been announced as part of more than 300 panels and sessions covering topics including brain-computer interfaces, the future of lab-grown meat, ethical living with robots, AI fluency, Big Tech transparency, re-imagining news media, First Nations knowledge in design, how recruitment will become more like online dating, venture capital in 2050, when music videos meet AI, the future of love and more.
Paul Tollett
Since its inception more than two decades ago, Coachella has become a cultural phenomenon. The man behind it all is Goldenvoice CEO, Paul Tollett. Beginning his career as a rock promoter in the ‘80s, Tollett knows the music industry like the back of his hand. He’ll be taking part in a ‘fireside chat’ with the SVP of Global Touring at AEG Events, Michael Harrison.
Tan France
Fashion designer, best-selling author, content creator and life-changer, Tan France, has worn many hats. From humble beginnings to leading the fashion department on the Emmy-winning show Queer Eye, he’s making America fabulous again. France is a New York Times best-selling author, co-host of Next In Fashion, and has his own gender-neutral clothing line: Was Him.
Cal Henderson
Not many people around the world can claim they have changed the way we work, but that’s exactly what Cal Henderson has done. As the Co-Founder and CTO of messaging platform Slack, Henderson is an expert in web scalability and created the basis for frameworks that changed the face of the internet. Few are better placed than Henderson to speak on the tech that’s building the future.
These innovators are joining a range of world-leading speakers and industry leaders including: Motion Picture Association CEO, Charles Rivkin; Google Australia MD, Mel Silva; Reddit CMO, Roxy Young; broadcaster, Osher Günsberg; advertising icon, David Droga; and World Surfing Champion, Layne Beachley.
Music
100 music acts have so far been confirmed out of a lineup that is set to include over 400 performers. Artists are mainly drawn from the Asia-Pacific region, with a big focus on Australian and New Zealand acts. A few UK and North American artists will also be making the trip across.
SXSW Sydney looks to create a space for you to discover your next favourite artist and amongst the lineup so far we have:
Australia: 1tbsp, Alex Mather, Alter Boy, Andrew Gurruwiwi Band, Ashli, Babitha, Baby Cool, BARKAA, bella amor, BESTIES, Big Words, Caitlin Harnett & The Pony Boys, Chanel Loren, Charley, Darlinghurst, Dean Brady, Death by Denim, DICE, dust, Dylan Atlantis, Elle Shimada, FRIDAY*, Girl and Girl, GO-JO, Grievous Bodily Calm, Gut Health, IJALE, Isaac Puerile, Kobie Dee, Mali Jo$e, Mia Wray, Mi-Kaisha, Mikayla Pasterfield, Milku, Miss Kaninna, Mitch Santiago, Nick Ward, PANIA, Phoebe Go, POOKIE, Rum Jungle, Shady Nasty, Skeleten, STUMPS, South Summit, SUPEREGO, Teenage Joans, Trophie, Tulliah, Ūla, Velvet Trip, Vv Pete, WILDFIRE MANWURRK
New Zealand: 0800, 33 Below, ASHY, Daily J, Fazerdaze, Hanbee, Hans., JessB, Jujulipps, Mazbou Q, MELOWDOWNZ, Mim Jensen, Miss June, Molly Payton, Mousey, Paige, PARK RD, Proteins of Magic, RIIKI REID, Soaked Oats, There’s a Tuesday, WHOSHOTSCOTT
South Korea: ADOY, Hypnosis Therapy, Lil Cherry & GOLDBUUDA
Japan: CHAMELEON LIME WHOOPIEPIE, Otoboke Beaver
Indonesia: G.A.C., Grrrl Gang, Isyana Sarasvati
Malaysia: Lunadira
UK: Connie Constance, Los Bitchos, Nuha Ruby Ra, Sorry, SixSaidIt (also USA)
USA: almost monday, Flyana Boss, redveil, Rett Smith, Wallice
Canada: EKKSTACY, Hotel Mira
Music and speakers are just a tiny part of the festival, so head to the SXSW site for full details.
Related: A Regularly-Updated Guide to What’s On in Sydney This Winter
Related: The Platform Formerly Known as Twitter Has Begun Its Rebrand and Users Aren’t Happy
Read more stories from The Latch and subscribe to our email newsletter.