Festivals Are Dying — So How Is This One Going Ahead With Over 200 Acts?

4 days ago

With festivals in Australia on the brink of extinction, it can be hard to fathom that a festival—only in its second year—can bring together over 200 artists and pull it off. Therein lies the strength of SXSW Sydney

Of course, SXSW Sydney isn’t wholly comparable to the festivals we’ve lost. It’s the Australian iteration of a hugely popular festival in Austin, and its music pillar is only one part of how the event operates (alongside film, gaming and technology).

But, within the industry, SXSW Sydney has become one of the most important events in the Australian music calendar year. Partly because it’s one of the only events where artists, industry players and fans can connect in person over music, but also because it’s a festival where new, up-and-coming acts are the heroes. Sure, global superstars Jorja Smith and The Kid LAROI are playing, but at SXSW Sydney, they’re but a drop in the ocean of vast talent, and so much of it is homegrown.

If there’s one thing the programming team behind SXSW Sydney want you to know, it’s that they know the lineup is enormous. But, SXSW Sydney’s Music Festival Program Manager Reginald Harris tells me that the biggest challenge in curating this year’s lineup wasn’t trying to fill the lineup—it was the opposite.

“Ironically enough, one of the main challenges this year was the even more enormous number of incredibly talented artists from across the globe that applied to showcase,” Harris tells The Latch.

“It took the music team hours of listening and looking through artist submissions to get to the final program.”

Reg also shouts out SXSW Sydney Festival Programming Executive Ruby Miles in particular, who “had her headphones on around the clock for the first half of 2024, working through thousands of submissions.”

Those thousands of submissions are a direct result of the festival’s first year, which felt like a real magnetic moment in a scene where things are usually turbulent. Being in the room with people who are working against the tide to keep the music industry alive was electric. There are no casual fans or floaters at SXSW Sydney.

In my experience, everyone at SXSW Sydney is invested in what they’re seeing. At last year’s opening party, where viral hip-hop duo Flyana Boss took over a boat in Darling Harbour, everyone had eyes and ears glued to the talent. I’ve been to enough events with industry folk where people couldn’t be less interested in the performer or the artist. SXSW Sydney is not that.

But there are still plenty of takeaways any level of punter can take from SXSW Sydney’s music lineup. The biggest one? “Discovering your new favourite artist,” Harris says.

“Be adventurous and check out something you’ve never heard before.”

But what do these new favourite artists look like? We asked Harris for his picks, and why.

DEVAURA

“A Sydney-based artist who blends elements of hip-hop, jersey club and R&B. They have a wildly magnetic stage presence, fierce vocal style and will be playing at SXSW Sydney with a full band.”

SPECIAL FEELINGS

“Vibrant ‘apocalyptic jazz/fusion’ (their own very apt description) collective headed up by Poli-Pearl and Naomi Robison, originally from Boorloo/Perth and now based in Naarm/Melbourne. They’ve put out their awesome debut album, [insert title], on Rhythm Section International last year.”

WET KISS

“Is Wet Kiss frontwoman Brenna O the last *real* rock star? It’s a redundant question, but she could be the closest thing I’ve ever seen to a real-life cult leader. They’re glam, punk, freak-folk, noise-pop and more. I don’t know what to call it, but you should see it in the flesh.”

So if you’re considering heading to SXSW Sydney this year, try and let Reg’s words echo in your mind: “Be adventurous.” You won’t be disappointed.

5 Aussie Songs That Made The Cut

While the Aussie music industry might be struggling, Aussie music itself is flourishing.
Here are 5 songs released by Australian artists from the past month I think you’ll love.

Beckah Amani – ‘Superstar’

Beckah Amani says ‘Superstar is “about being confronted with the choice to trust that someone is actually serious about you—that they aren’t like the person who came before and that they aren’t wasting your time.”

It’s a scary jump we all make, but it sounds a lot less daunting with the coastal flecks of acoustic guitar and that woozy sample-led melody. Pair this with an Aperol Spritz and a debrief with your friends in the park.

Carla Wehbe – ‘Life’s an Awful Mess’

The frankness of the title of Carla Wehbe’s latest single features in every single element of her songwriting. But that doesn’t mean she can’t subvert expectations. ‘Life’s an Awful Mess’ bounces playfully–maybe sadistically–between self-aware analysis and hyperbolic catastrophising, building to a big-band-adjacent final run of its chorus.

Royel Otis – ‘Til The Morning’

By now you’re all across Royel Otis, who has gone viral multiple times this year alone. But, with their latest offering, the Sydney duo are more introspective than ever. It’s got the cruisy, spotlit feel the band has become famous for, with a complexion of late 90s teen nostalgia. Basically, it’s last dance at formal vibes.

Coldwave – ‘The Ants’

Adelaide outfit Coldwave just sound like the next big thing. Their post-punk feel is ready for dingy dive bars and packed stadiums. With ‘The Ants’, the band reminisce on childhood–what’s familiar and what’s not–complete with booming brass that completely elevates the track.

Hugo Basclain – ‘Echoes’

Woozy and sun-drenched, ‘Echoes’ feels like the perfect hello to longer days and balmy nights. Completely fluid and oozing of bittersweetness, don’t let the warmth of ‘Echoes’ detract from Basclain’s devastating lyricism. If this song is an attempt to soften the blow of heartbreak and a relationship’s end, then mission accomplished.

5 Australian Gigs You Should Attend This October

We all need to do our part to help restore the live music scene to its former glory. I’ve curated 5 must-see Australian tours for the month of October so you can discover, or re-discover, your new favourite act. This month, we’re keeping it all SXSW Sydney-themed.