News and Updates

How To Apply to Showcase at SxSW From A Foreign Country

5th June, 2009

The South by Southwest Music Festival and Conferences happen March 18-22, 2009 in Austin Texas with over 1500 bands showcasing in 60+ venues over five nights. Submission to showcase takes place online only at http://www.sxsw.com starting in August and terminating in late October. You do not apply to the Australian rep, all materials are to be directed to the website.

A set of Frequently Asked Questions which we suggest you review are online at http://2008.sxsw.com/music/showcase/faq but here are some basic bits.

More than 9000 artists from around the world applied in 2008, 200 from Australia and 40 from New Zealand. Only 60 artists from Australia and New Zealand were invited and only 40 were able to play. It is highly competitive, you MUST have a US visa (approximately US$2500-$3500 per band), you must arrange all your own transport, accommodation and instruments and you get one hour to set up and play before the next band in the night's lineup at that venue takes over the stage.

An excellent article on the state of play with US visas was published in the Boston Phoenix June 23 2008 at http://thephoenix.com/Boston/News/63473-Immigrant-song which I urge you to read if you are not familiar with the labyrinth of visa applications.

It is not for the unprepared, nor for frivolous submissions. You should only apply to showcase at SxSW if you already have the funds necessary (Figure $20,000 for a four piece) and if you are at the right point in your career to benefit from playing there. Going up against 1500 other artists means you must have resources to be heard above the noise, have recordings, airplay and market recognition in your home country to be appropriate and also have the backup of management and other support to take advantage of the opportunity.

Generally we suggest either the manager or a key band member go to SxSW the year before applying to understand how it works, how competitive it is and how the Australian and New Zealand artists, managers and labels work the event from the showcases to the national stands in the trade fairs and through publicity or promotion.

You'll find further information on the Australian/NZ SxSW website at http://www.themusic.com.au/sxsw/showcase.php.

Best of luck.

PHIL TRIPP--Representative for Australia & New Zealand.