Mon, Mar 16

As a rhythmic renovator of retro funk, Boogietraxx offers a lens into the discoverse that brought dance music to the masses but offers a uniquely soulful and modern twist.Born in Staten Island, NY and now living in Austin, TX for the last few years, Boogietraxx, is helmed by producer/DJ Brandon Keeks who brings an array of influences in his soundscapes that feature filter house, French touch, and filter funk.

Chalk is the project of award-winning musicians and filmmakerduo Ross Cullen and Benedict Goddard. An informed mix ofDublin's guitar band scene and the sweaty hardcore dancefloors of their native Belfast, Chalk are IDLES meets Daniel Avery,Death Grips meets Bicep - techno-infused industrial punk.Since forming in 2022, Chalk have had a rise like no other,quickly establishing themselves as an unmissable live act andunpredictable, ferocious songwriters. Their debut UK/IRE toursold out, and led to further bookings across Europe as word oftheir performance and guitar-melded techno spread via word ofmouth and support with national radio in the UK.These songs were collated into the Conditions Trilogy, a family ofthirteen tracks that combine gritty Irish and German-influencedtechno and dance music with gothic, post-punk and jaggedguitar riffs and vocal melodies. This unique blend earned themthe support and kudos of their peers in Fontaines D.C., IDLESand Sprints, all of whom handpicked the band to support themthroughout their tours.

DJ Dan is a pioneering American house music DJ and producer, recognized as a key innovator of the "West Coast House" sound since the late 1980s. Known for blending funk, techno, and breakbeats, he rose to prominence in the90s rave scene, co-founded the Funky Tekno Tribe, and launched InStereo Recordings.

Originally from Pittsburgh, KELS has been based in Atlanta for three years. She gained significant buzz when she went on a 52 show US Tour in 2023 independently with no management and no label. Her following grew by 5 times while she was on the road for 8 months on her own. Her fans funded the entire tour. KELS headlined the Atlanta Jazz Festival in May 2024, opening for Andre 3000. In 2024 and 2025 she went on another independent 55 show tour fully funded by her fans. With co-signs from both Big Boi and Timbaland, she is currently working on her debut EP in 2026.

Dubbed “UK music’s best kept secret” (Clash UK), drummer and producer Mackwood is rapidly emerging as one of the most exciting voices in the new wave of UK jazz and beyond. Cutting his teeth with Col3trane, Jim Legacy and ELIZA, and coming up through crossover projects like Silhouettes Project and Levitation Orchestra, Mackwood has carved out a distinctive niche between progressive jazz, beatmaking and alternative dancefloor rhythms. His sound fuses the pedigree of UK and international jazz with London’s new generation of player-producers, continuing the UK’s celebrated tradition of boundary-breaking crossover.

Artist & Activist, Thelonious Love is back with a powerful new sound. On his fourth studio project, with love, from JURNT Entertainment, lyrically at least, nothing is off the table for Love. His diary of songs range in themes from mental health, queer & black identity, addiction, relationships, social justice, and social media. Swaggering a unique baritone delivery, Love blends genres together while adding live instrumentation to deliver a unique Hip-Hop sound. Backed by his band and his boyfriend, Sean Maddox, Theo’s live show has evolved into on of Austin’s most memorable performances.

To a growing group of those in the know, the name SAMWOY signals epic, genre-warpingmusic that cuts through the Canadian landscape with rare force. Led by Montreal-based auteurSam Woywitka, the project has evolved into a powerhouse collective of the city’s mostadventurous musicians. SAMWOY’s tracks veer from ambient serenity and lush orchestration to explosive synths anddistorted rhythms, all anchored by Woywitka’s obsession with emotional extremes. Hissophomore album Even Sad Boys Like To Have Fun is out now and has become abreakthrough release, charting on Earshot for 48 consecutive weeks while earning nationaland international attention. Live, SAMWOY is a visceral experience volatile, beautiful, unpredictable. The project hasdelivered acclaimed showcases at POP Montreal and M for Montreal, as well as a standoutperformance at SXSW.Rooted in themes of chaos, catharsis, and redemption shaped in part by Woywitka’s near-fatalcar accident in his Vancouver Island hometown. SAMWOY’s music thrives on contrast:post-punk grit against electronic gloss, euphoria against collapse. It’s a world where nothing isoff limits and beauty is always carved from the wreckage.

Dr Dak is a groove-driven DJ and curator rooted in rhythm, movement, and collective energy. Refusing to be confined to a single genre, his sets weave disco, jazz, funk, and soul with forward-leaning electronic sounds, guided by mood, melody, and the feel of the room. His musical perspective is shaped by a deep, cross-generational listening background, spanning classic vocalists to experimental electronic artists.

Monsieur Van Pratt, founder of Super Spicy Records, is a prominent producerand DJ originally from Mexico City, whose influence on electronic music is widely recognized both nationally and internationally. With an impressive career that included more than 100 releases in digital format and 30+ on vinyl, which consolidarse him as a key figure in the Disco, Funk, and House scene. His music has been released by prestigious record labels such as Toy Tonics (coming in 2026), Too Slow To Disco, The Disco Express, Tropical Disco Records, Buddha Bar, his own label Super Spicy Records, among others, underlining his status on the global scene. With a musical style deeply rooted in Disco, Funk, andJazz, Monsieur Van Pratt combines classical elements with contemporarytouches, creating a sound experience that is both nostalgic and innovative. His work not only stands out for its technical quality, but also for its ability to connect emocional y with the listener, making him a central figure in the evolution of modern dance sound.

Japanese Super Loud Rock Band, Iscream Never Ground (commonly known as ING), was formed in 2017.

Spoon Benders is a three-piece punk rock band from Portland, Oregon, delivering raw volume, sharp hooks, and nonstop momentum. Stripped down and loud, the band thrives on a high-energy live show that feels just barely contained—fast, sweaty, and direct, with nothing wasted.Built on constant movement, Spoon Benders have spent years touring relentlessly, honing their sound on stages across the country and earning a reputation as a band that hits hard and never phones it in. Their music channels punk’s urgency and grit, powered by tight chemistry and an aggressive edge that only a three-piece can deliver.Now, Spoon Benders are preparing to release their highly anticipated third album, capturing the intensity of the road and the confidence of a band fully in its stride. With new songs on the way and the volume turned up, Spoon Benders continue to prove that three people are more than enough to make some serious noise.

Chris Dudley (born 4 January 1986), professionally known by his stage name Propain , is an African-American Rapper & Entrepreneur. He ranks amongst the short list of Rap Legends from the great City of Houston. Propain is widely respected for his consistency and ability to release consecutive bodies of work (Albums), all of which have been and will continue to be highly acclaimed and received in the music industry.

Psychedelic Punk in Spanish. Forced Jazz meditation.

Swapmeet are an Adelaide/Kaurna Country based four piece who are set to release their debut album in 2026. With indie rock foundations, characterised by sonic experimentation, and a punk spirit, Swapmeet are known in the local and international circuit for their playful, chaotic onstage presence.

The Haunted Youth is the band of Joachim Liebens and the biggest Belgian indie rock sensation of the last few years. After the release of the critically acclaimed and popular debut album Dawn of the Freak and touring almost non-stop, his sophomore album BOYS CRY TOO is set to release in May ‘26. Frontman Joachim Liebens blends dreamy guitars, nostalgic synths, and deeply personal lyrics into songs that, while dark in theme, offer comfort and connection. Since the release of their debut album Dawn of the Freak in November 2022, the band has toured relentlessly, playing to packed crowds from London to Madrid. Festivals like Rock Werchter, Pukkelpop, Lowlands, Sziget, and Iceland Airwaves eagerly welcomed them—The Haunted Youth came, played, and conquered.2025 marks the beginning of the next chapter in The Haunted Youth’s compelling journey, with the release of their highly anticipated sophomore album BOYS CRY TOO, set for February 2026. The album signals a bold step forward in both sound and storytelling, pushing the band’s emotional and sonic boundaries even further.

Werkha (aka Tom Leah) is a multi-instrumentalist, producer & DJ hailing from Manchester and Cumbria. He has been consistently releasing music and creating live experiences for over a decade. Werkha’s music fuses analogue jazz-funk vibes with the UK’s electronic, resulting in a number of releases nestled between the sounds of broken beat and cinematic moments. Deep synths and delectable drums ride alongside live horns and a wealth of string textures. Shortly after his track “Sidesteppin” was picked up by Gilles Peterson for his Brownswood Bubblers compilation, Werkha’s debut landed on the acclaimed Brighton imprint Tru Thoughts. He went on to sign to the Worldwide Award-winning First Word Records, releasing his self-produced sophomore album ‘All Werk Is Play’ in 2022. This featured collabs with MC Chunky (Eglo Records / Swamp 81), Ellen Beth Abdi (A Certain Ratio), Kemani Anderson (Secret Night Gang), Nick Blacka (GoGo Penguin) and Tom Driessler (Tom Misch / Jordan Rakei) amongst others. His vibrant energetic live shows include a selection of instruments, looped and fused with a mix of tightly packed samples that set the moment alight, blending beauty and dance.

Vibe coding isn't just for demos and landing pages anymore. In this hands-on workshop, the team behind v0 by Vercel will show you how to use natural language to build AI agents that actually transform how you work, inspired by agents already running in production at Vercel. You'll build your own and walk away with something real you can bring back to your team. No coding background needed. Just bring a problem worth solving, and we'll help you ship the solution.

Aging is often framed as an old person's problem. But millions of young people in America are already affected, with 3.6 million youth ages 15–22 caring for loved ones with little support, and over 7% of young workers’ earnings go to Social Security and Medicare, despite having minimal trust those benefits will be there for them as they age.

With deepfakes and synthetic media on the rise, the line between real and fake is razor-thin. A recent UK/US study found that most consumers can’t identify AI-generated fakes - only 0.1% of participants could accurately distinguish real from fake content. So, Unico’s Tech Advisor, Davi Reis explores how identity verification methods are now more critical than ever to fight fraud, detect synthetic media, protect users, speed transactions, while also building trust in the post-truth era. What if authenticity becomes the ultimate currency?

Advertising is evolving—from persuasion to public service. Marco Venturelli explores how brands like AXA and McDonald's are turning campaigns into agents of change, from securing housing in contract fine print for domestic violence survivors to lighting dark city streets with golden arches. Showcasing powerful work from across the globe, he reveals how marketing budgets can solve real problems—not just build brands but build solutions.

Can AI learn your unique voice? In this session, AI engineer & educator Harper Carroll (Stanford, Meta) fine-tunes an open-source model on her own X posts, and tests the result live.

Coral reef ecosystems are in crisis due to climate change, pollution, and overfishing, and traditional restoration methods are limited in scale. This panel explores how biotechnology, materials science, and synthetic biology are converging to give reefs a fighting chance. From lab-grown super algae to bioactive reef coatings, scientists and startups are creating new tools to restore reefs faster, smarter, and more effectively. To scale impact, they are also developing sustainable business models and innovative funding partnerships.

As cannabis becomes legal across the country, tens of thousands of Americans remain incarcerated for the same plant. This panel brings together advocates and directly impacted leaders to examine the state of cannabis legalization, expose how cannabis prisoners are being left behind, and offer solutions. From clemency to re-entry, the panel will share strategies to ensure justice is at the center of cannabis reform, not just profit.

Tired of surface-level networking and awkward pitches? You’re not alone—53% of professionals say making real connections is their biggest challenge. Join this interactive, no-pitch Connect 4 Speakeasy, a collaborative space for creatives to engage deeply through real conversations, problem solving, and discovering the four allies every creative career needs. Learn to navigate networking strategically at SXSW and beyond to grow your audience and elevate your brand while connecting with people, not positions, to build authentic bonds.

This panel cracks open a vault of 60+ anonymous confessions from marketing leaders all over the world who've survived the C-suite by honing a new set of under-the-radar corporate superpowers. They evolved, not by fighting the forces of doubt, but by flipping them—using ambiguity as leverage, tension as traction, and absurdity as armor. What they faced first, every role faces now.

Next time you’re nervous pitching to a client, ask yourself, “What’s my wrecking ball here?” It could be your tone, your brevity, or your charisma. FACT: Most creative folk don’t get proper pitch/prezo training. They wing it. What if you could learn to tell/sell energizing stories that sprinkle magic dust all over the client? Did you know this is an often-overlooked, age-old art form? Your workshop guide is keynote speaker & firecracker pitching coach Jon, and he’s spoken at SX 18 times & trained 1000s in 26 countries. He’ll prep you to deliver & destroy in boardrooms & on stages the world over.

A fireside chat with Jason Kim, CEO, and Brigette Oakes, VP of Engineering, at Firefly Aerospace. In 2025, Firefly became the first commercial company to successfully land on the Moon, and now the company is working towards a repeat in 2026. Firefly’s next lunar is bigger and bolder, set to land on the far side of the Moon for the first time in American history. This company is simultaneously launching rockets to fill a void in the growing satellite market while also preparing to orbit a constellation of spacecraft in support of in-space maneuverability, space domain awareness, and more. Jason and Brigette will discuss what’s next for the company and where the space industry is headed next.

Ever wondered what it’s like to accidentally start a global media empire from your uni group chat? In this live SXSW show, Lucy Blakiston scrolls back through the feed that is the Shit You Should Care About story. Expect internet reckonings, hot takes, a fangirl-to-SHE-EO pipeline, and behind-the-scenes SYSCA drama - all stitched together with honesty, humour, and a little bit of heartache. It’s like flicking through your favourite Instagram account, but in real life. No bullshit - just Lucy, the posts that changed everything, and what it’s like being a very normal girl trying to stay real in front of a very not-normal number of people.

AI is transforming how organizations learn and innovate. Microsoft shares a practical playbook for embedding AI skills across roles, accelerating skill development and fostering a culture of continuous learning . Discover actionable steps to map capabilities, launch adaptive learning journeys, and accelerate AI adoption, enabling your workforce to grow with the future of AI.

We could all use a little more real human connection in the creative industries right about now. This is a come-as-you-are gathering for passionate creative folk who work in advertising, marketing, or a creative field nearby. If you’re someone who makes things, shape ideas, and cares deeply about the work, you are one of us. Whether you’re here to meet new friends in the business, trade stories and insights, or let your network grow naturally, this is an ego-free zone. No sales pitches and no icky networking – just bring a coffee, a curious mind and positively lovely vibes.

At Amazon MGM Studios and Prime Video, AI is giving filmmakers, writers, and designers tools to move faster, think bigger, and take creative risks. We'll pull back the curtain on how AI is pushing the boundaries of what's achievable — and the story doesn't stop at production. Prime Video is harnessing AI to bring content to more people: localizing stories across languages and cultures, and enhancing the viewing experience so audiences connect more deeply with the content they love. This session will focus on what it means to build AI responsibly, with human creativity as the north star.

Join Canva CCO Rob Giglio for a fireside chat on the collision between AI and visual creativity. As evolving technologies like AI have helped democratize design and content demands skyrocket, Rob reveals how visual work is evolving from exclusive expertise to universal expression. Learn why the future isn't AI replacing designers--it's AI empowering everyone to think visually, communicate effectively, and create impact at scale.

When disruption hits, from AI to remote work, leaders face make-or-break moments. Control is out; trust is in. In this interactive workshop, you’ll discover the new rules for navigating change without losing your people. You’ll gain actionable tools and a proven playbook to steady teams, spark innovation, and keep your best people engaged—even when the future is uncertain. Real-world case studies and peer learning will help you transform uncertainty from a risk into your leadership superpower. Walk away ready to anchor your team, accelerate trust, and lead boldly through whatever comes next.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning, MedTech, Policy.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in MedTech, Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning, Accessibility.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Architecture, Future of Work, Storytelling.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Content Strategy/Production, "Diversity, Equity & Inclusion", Storytelling.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Storytelling, Marketing/Advertising/PR.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning, Future of Work.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Art, Sustainability, Food/AgTech.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Entrepreneurship, Storytelling, Architecture.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Business Development, Future of Work, Storytelling, Marketing/Advertising/PR.

The music industry is often categorized by sensationalized classes of either rich superstars or "starving artists" – and we often miss an opportunity to talk about its middle class who have learned to create a living from the craft they love. So what does the redefining of success in music looks like? We'll take you inside real case studies for you to learn how to build a sustainable, balanced career without selling out or burning out. Whether you're an artist, producer, or songwriter, the "middle class" can be achieved by staying focused on something that's real rather than in the rearview.

Across cultures, the healing power of the environment is undeniable. However, systemic barriers often dictate who can safely access these benefits. This interactive panel brings together leaders reclaiming nature and reshaping outdoor spaces into hubs of belonging and wellness. Through the stories of Camping to Connect and Girl Unleashed, discover the data behind the movement and hear how "nature walks" are becoming acts of empowerment and community care. This session moves beyond theory, offering data-driven insights and a roadmap for organizations to authentically diversify outdoor culture. Bonus: Start your day with us! Check the schedule for our "MORNING RESET: Hike" occurring earlier today.

Touch, breath, viscera, pulsing sound - XR can be much more than a trick of the eye. Meet 4 artists developing revolutionary work supported by the UK’s Immersive Arts.

Check out the SXSW Bookstore to browse the latest work authored by this year’s conference participants. Support your favorite speakers and find something you connect with to take back home. Open daily on the 6th floor of the Hilton Austin Downtown.

The future of live music is interactive, immersive, and powered by real-time technology. This panel explores how concerts are evolving across physical and digital spaces through XR platforms, Unreal Engine, virtual performance, and production design.

Fusion energy could transform civilization or remain perpetually out of reach. Some say commercially viable fusion is decades and billions of dollars away, one of the hardest problems humanity will solve. Others claim it's coming by 2028. Which is it? The gap between these predictions comes down to what “viable” means and which technical barriers matter most. This panel tackles the friction head-on with grounded discussion on fusion milestones, market economics, and fusion's role in powering AI and energy infrastructure. Expect hard questions and competing perspectives from people building and tracking the technology.

Historic workforce cuts at FDA, CDC, and NIH are gutting review desks and lab benches. Regulators now pin hopes on AI triage engines to keep drug approvals, inspections and outbreak models on track. With capacity math and pilot algorithms already in production, we'll discuss accountability when fewer humans oversee smarter tools. What’s the single most important question to tell if a regulatory AI is trustworthy or just a black box? Where do the FDA and CDC need outside expertise? How can orgs support, innovate or build partnerships without entanglement in ethical or bureaucratic red tape?

Imagine a world where Alzheimer's disease can be detected before memory fades. Would you want to know if you were at risk? For most Americans surveyed, the answer is yes: nearly 4 in 5 say they would want to know before it impacts their lives. This session explores emerging tools to diagnose Alzheimer's disease at the earliest stages, the challenges ahead, and what early awareness means for people, caregivers, and healthcare systems preparing for new approaches to proactive brain health.

Major League Pickleball and the PPA Tour are transforming pickleball into America’s next major pro sport. With 311% growth and investors like LeBron James and Tom Brady, the game is booming. This session features voices from across the sport, including the world’s #1 player, and MLP’s commissioner, to explore league building, athlete branding, sponsorship, and media. Attendees will get a full-picture snapshot of pro pickleball’s rapid evolution.

AI is becoming core infrastructure across every industry, but the biggest challenge is preparing people to use it with confidence, judgement, and trust. In this fireside chat, Justina Nixon‑Saintil, IBM VP and Chief Impact Officer, shares why AI readiness is key to performance and resilience. Drawing on IBM’s approach to responsible, human-led AI and its global work in education and workforce development, she’ll discuss what it takes to build a workforce that uses AI effectively and ethically.

AI models process vast signals; humans bring judgment and context. But who calls real-world outcomes better, and when? This session compares human and model forecasts on headline events, drawing on newsroom practice, product experience, and reasoning-centric AI research. We’ll map where models’ pattern breadth wins, where human context does, and why hybrids often work best. Instead of scoreboards alone, we’ll discuss how journalists and analysts should use uncertainty ranges, disclose methods and sources, and avoid feedback loops that can steer the story itself.

Feeling burned out, underpaid, or like your work doesn’t matter? You’re not alone. Most companies mean well, but outdated systems give too much power to bad actors, leading to misaligned incentives and broken cultures. This session introduces the Work Evolution Framework, a six-part roadmap that helps you identify where things have gone off track and how to fix them. Walk away with a clear diagnostic tool and practical steps to build a work culture where everyone can be successful and happy.

If an artwork is to be ours, it must be a product of our own vision. AI assistants are readily available. But how do we make sure we never give away so much to a virtual assistant that nothing we create feels like it is authentically ours anymore? How can we keep the joy, the purpose, and the power of our making while engaging AI to support the project of our work coming into being? This workshop will offer a series of core principles, plus meditation and journaling practices, designed to help participants intuit which parts of their project to do themselves and which to outsource.

On October 20, 1967, Roger Patterson captured 59 seconds of film showing a creature walking through the Northern California woods—footage that became the most analyzed and debated in history. Fifty-seven years later, a reel of 16mm film discovered in a safe changes everything. "Capturing Bigfoot" reveals the untold story behind the world's greatest mystery, told for the first time by Patterson's own son and the people who were there. This is a story about family legacy, broken friendships, and belief itself.

"Los Lobos Native Sons" is the definitive, authorized chronicle of one of America’s most enduring, genre-defying bands. Tracing Los Lobos’ rise from East L.A. streets to global acclaim, the film offers unprecedented access to their archives and an intimate look at the brotherhood driving their journey. Through electrifying performances and candid interviews—with Linda Ronstadt, Rubén Blades, Tom Waits, Dolores Huerta, Danny Elfman, Jackson Browne, Cheech Marin, Edward James Olmos, Peter Frampton, George Lopez, Bonnie Raitt, and more, the film celebrates their legacy as cultural trailblazers blending rock, roots, and Mexican traditions into a sound uniquely their own.

An action-packed thriller where five ballerinas, stranded in a remote forest, take shelter at an unsettling roadside inn. They must weaponize years of brutal training, turning grace, discipline, and even pointe shoes into tools for survival.

In the Dominican town of Cabarete, bachata is a way of life. While fans across the globe dance to it with fervor, on the island where it was born, Bachata is a spiritual fabric. With five years of filming, director Frank Pavich (Jodorowsky’s Dune) captures the coming of age of Dominican child musicians, their island and the music they are poised to inherit. Generations collide, and the children struggle for balance. Along the way, they’re mentored by Martires de Leon, a world-famous guitarist and teacher at a school devoted to the music that has become the Dominican Republic’s primary export.

Elyse Myers will be signing copies of “That's A Great Question I'd Love To Tell You” at the SXSW Bookstore.

Step inside the eye of the storm. "Stormbound" thrusts audiences into the heart of the world’s most powerful hurricanes with breathtaking, never-before-seen footage captured from within. As wind, water, and land collide, the film follows storm chaser Jeff Gammons, who for more than thirty years has pushed closer than anyone else to document every major hurricane to strike the United States. Now tested by a near fatal disease , Gammons continues his pursuit—revealing the personal cost of chasing nature at its most extreme and the larger environmental forces shaping our world. "Stormbound" is a high-stakes, immersive experience that places audiences face-to-face with nature at its most powerful.

In adopting artificial intelligence, news organizations are making starkly different choices about when and how to use the technology. Which is great, because we can compare and contrast each approach, to identify some early best practices. Zach Seward, who leads the A.I. Initiatives team at The New York Times, will present those findings across a wide range of compelling — and sometimes really terrible — uses of A.I. for journalism. He will also offer a look at how The Times is using A.I. to bolster the human expertise of its newsroom, while discovering new forms of reporting.

The Animation Professionals Meet Up is a chance to mix with animation industry folks and make some sweet connections. This event is hosted by SXSW veterans Craig Staggs and Steph Swope of Minnow Mountain, animators behind Tower (PBS), Undone (Amazon), and Apollo 10 1/2 (Netflix). Animation pros at any level are invited to join us for the third year of this epic exchange of business cards and social media profiles. Leave your mark on our huge live-drawing canvas featuring the amazing cutting-edge technology of a Sharpie. These are your people!

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Music Coordination.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Below the Line, Narrative Filmmakers, Producers/Production, Editing.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Color Grading.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Music Supervision.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Unit Production Management (UPM).

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Intimacy Coordination.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Sound Mixing/Sound Editing.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Film Editing.

Go behind the scenes of groundbreaking short films, The Bends and Pathways, developed under the Entertainment Technology Center, to explore how AI is reshaping the future of filmmaking. The Bends and Pathways both pushed the boundaries of traditional workflows using AI-integrated pipelines. In this panel, filmmakers and tech leads reveal how they reimagined VFX and production processes to deliver ambitious visuals without ballooning resources. This session offers an inside look at what’s possible when artificial intelligence becomes a central creative force in production.

Tech is rewriting medicine’s playbook. Dive into AI engines, brain-computer interfaces, and VR therapies transforming healthcare. Learn which disorders they tackle and the trends poised to disrupt diagnostics, workflows, and recovery. These tools feed on rich cognitive data to personalize treatment in real time. Explore innovative applications that convert living rooms into mini clinics. Discoveries in brain science ripple beyond neurology, inspiring smarter solutions across healthcare.

The CDC calls antimicrobial resistance(AMR)-when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and more stop responding to medicine-the next global epidemic, estimating 10M deaths/yr from AMR by 2050. Infectious disease expert Dr. Antoine Abou Fayad's new findings show that global conflict is greatly increasing the spread. Heavy metals left in soil by munitions are causing bacteria to become resistant in additional ways, and this version of AMR spreads easily via animals, humans, & even inorganic products. So, you may be far from Gaza or the Ukraine, but those conflicts are still very dangerous to your health.

Artificial intelligence is a highly disruptive technology that will challenge existing institutions in all industries and domains globally. Traditional approaches to creating value will become less and less effective as this technology spreads. On the other side, this technology opens up new potential to create exponentially expanding value but, to harness this potential, we need to become very creative in imagining and implementing new approaches to managing organizations.

When Jack Dorsey tweeted “Delete all IP law” and Elon Musk agreed, the music biz thought it was just provocative nonsense. But next thing you know, Trump fired the Register of Copyrights after she said AI companies need to pay up for music they're ingesting. Then music companies pivoted from suing AI platforms to making big deals with them. So what gives? Is copyright law too restrictive or even unnecessary? Mozart didn't need it to make music. Sure, but Mozart died penniless. A wise and experienced panel will explore both sides of this heated and fascinating issue, and keep it high level.

This interactive meet up is designed for fashion students, professionals, and creatives to connect through guided speed networking. Attendees will rotate through small groups for real conversations about careers, creativity, and community. Whether you're just starting out or have years of experience, this is your chance to build authentic relationships and meet others who care about where fashion is headed.

Yes. We’re failing at AI. But it’s not because the tools aren’t good enough. We’re failing because we’re designing for a system that’s already obsolete. The winners of the AI era won’t be the fastest tool adopters, but the ones who redesign how work is organized, value is created, and ecosystems are navigated.

A thriving news industry is essential—not only to democracy, but also as a powerful platform for marketers and advertisers. Yet concerns about brand safety have caused many to retreat from news content, often based on outdated fears and misinformation. In an era of rapid technological disruption—including the rise of AI and increasing cultural polarization— this panel unites marketers and media experts to challenge assumptions and champion news. We'll explore how advertisers can re-engage with journalism in ways that uphold brand values, build consumer trust, and deliver real business results.

We’re entering a defining time for sport with major global sport moments happening across North America on the horizon. How can this momentum spark a youth sport movement? This panel explores how championing play and movement can drive long-term systemic change by building community, fostering resilience, and supporting youth mental health at scale. Hear from leaders behind the MOVE Fund, a funding initiative reimagining youth sport in the U.S., and learn how cross-sector collaboration is powering the future of youth sport to move the world forward. Matt Geschke, Sr. Director of Americas Social & Community Impact at Nike, will provide a special introduction to this session and its speakers.

The future of health doesn’t come from one sector—it emerges when pharma, devices, clinicians, researchers, hospitals, and startups collide with bold ideas. This Meet Up brings together the full health innovation community to trade insights, surface real opportunities, and explore the technologies reshaping care. Hosted by a longtime SXSW Health & MedTech advisor, this is the room where emerging breakthroughs, future collaborators, and big conversations find each other.

Secret Mall Apartment premiered at SXSW in 2024. Though a festival smash the documentary did not get acquired by a distributor. Undeterred, filmmaker Jeremy Workman raised $100k independently to self-release the film in theaters. The documentary went on to gross nearly 1MM in box office, playing in nearly 250 cities for nearly 6 months, and was subsequently acquired by Netflix where it entered the Netflix Top 10 on its first day. Workman and his team utilized both traditional and innovative approaches to upend the playing field. Look behind the curtain and learn how they pulled it off!

In the highly competitive and tradition-rich landscape of college athletics, few brand partnerships have achieved the level of cultural impact and consumer engagement as the Pop-Tarts Bowl. What began as a straightforward sponsorship evolved into a standout case study in modern sports marketing, illustrating how creativity, cultural relevance, and bold brand identity can redefine the value of a naming rights agreement.

Breaking down the critical divide in AI implementation: the gap between those who design AI experiences, build AI systems, and develop humans to work with them. AI designers create experiences, developers build systems, talent leaders develop humans, UI/UX designers shape interactions—but they rarely collaborate. Result? AI implementations fail because they ignore human experience design and adaptation needs. We'll break down silos between these groups, creating the cross-functional alliance every organization needs but few achieve.

If you’ve ever been underestimated or overlooked you’ll know that success is the best revenge. Madison Tevlin (a trailblazer with Down syndrome who was told at birth by doctors she wouldn’t amount to much) and Ashley Callingbull (who is a First Nations Activist and the first Indigenous Sports Illustrated Model) will share stories of how they used haters, doubt, and being underestimated as even stronger fuel for chasing their dreams and creating change. This session is for anyone who believes in breaking barriers, redefining limits, and proving the seemingly impossible is in fact possible.

The website is dying. The mouse is next. In this bold fireside chat, Alex Hamilton and Suff Syed challenge everything we know about digital experience. From liquid brands that move across surfaces to voice interfaces that erase traditional UX, they’ll unpack what happens after design as we know it. What does it mean when a brand meets you, in your car, your watch, your fridge, your earbuds? What does design look like when it’s generated, optimised, and personalised in real time? Expect a thrilling look at the collapse of static web thinking.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Women in Music, Music Tech.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Women in Music, Sync/Licensing, Sales & Sponsorships, Emerging Technologies.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Entrepreneurship, MedTech, Accessibility.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Marketing/Advertising/PR, Storytelling, Content Strategy/Production.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Ethics, "Diversity, Equity & Inclusion", Business Development.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Contracts & Agreements, Management, Sync/Licensing.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in A&R, Publishing, Songwriting.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Business Development, Entrepreneurship, Content Strategy/Production.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Business Development, Ethics, MedTech.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Storytelling, Ethics, Entrepreneurship.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Music Tech, Startups, Sync/Licensing.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Content Strategy/Production, Future of Work, Immersive Technology, Storytelling, Coding, Marketing/Advertising/PR, Entrepreneurship.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Storytelling, Business Development, Product Management/Development.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in A&R, Publishing, Songwriting.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Marketing/PR, Women in Music, A&R.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Contracts & Agreements, Live Events, Streaming & Programming, Touring.

In a world of constant volatility, leadership isn’t just strategy—it’s meaning-making. This Core Conversation explores Narrative Intelligence as a practical skill grounded in psychology and neuroscience, helping founders and executive leaders create clarity, trust, and direction under pressure. Narrative is often mistaken for “good communication,” but it functions more like infrastructure—the framework people use to interpret events, assign meaning to risk, and decide what to do next. Together, we’ll anchor the discussion around pivotal turning points—the catalyst moments when something shifts internally and a new path becomes possible. Through guided conversation, participants will practice turning real scenes from their lives into clear lessons, actionable resilience tools, and stronger leadership presence. Attendees will leave with a sharper personal narrative, a more compelling way to translate complexity for teams and stakeholders, and a repeatable approach to leading with emotional depth—turning story into direction, and direction into results.

Neuroaesthetics is the science of how art, design, culture, and technology shape the brain and body, impacting emotion, connection, and behavior. Bringing together leaders in neuroscience, art, and technology this panel unpacks the rising field of neuroaesthetics as a new essential for the future of design. Through research, experiential and digital design work from leaders in the field, we’ll explore how this interdisciplinary field is redefining how we create, collaborate, and care, offering new tools to design for health, meaning, and human experience in an increasingly complex world.

A dysfunctional couple head to a remote cabin to supposedly reconnect, but each has secret plans to kill the other.

OPEN TO SXSW PANELPICKER EVALUATORS ONLY! Come meet your fellow SXSW PanelPicker Evaluators! This is your opportunity to network and chat with other professionals in our SXSW community who shape our Conference each year.

The circular water economy is reshaping how we manage water, energy, and resources. This session highlights how innovation, financing, and collaboration drive the shift from linear to circular systems while building the next generation of water leaders. It will also spotlight WEF’s Circular Water Economy 101 course as a model for advancing education and innovation.

AI, social platforms, and online communities have transformed how patients and doctors seek health information long before they meet at the point of care. But with endless answers comes a critical question: who should we trust? Join Reddit’s pharma lead, a patient advocate and former r/BreastCancer moderator, and Dr. Ania Bilski—an emergency medicine physician and VP of Clinical AI at OpenEvidence—for a candid discussion on trust, safety, and the future of care in an algorithm-driven world.

If you’ve ever hit “send” and immediately regretted it, you’re not alone. Communication isn’t just what we say—it’s how, when, and why we say it. That said, the music business often feels like guessing the vibe in a room you’ve never walked into. From making meaningful connections to recognizing when you’re overthinking, this panel will help you unpack how to implement the intangibles (personality, first impressions, etiquette, etc.) with purpose and clarity in the music industry. We’ll also explore the fine line between being overbearing and simply asking for help. No matter where you're at, this is about learning to show up with confidence and authenticity every time.

An extension of our popular Mentor Sessions, our Round Table Sessions not only allow attendees to learn from the industry experts that sit at each of the three tables in this session but they also allow attendees to learn from the questions and experiences of their peers as well. This Round Table Session will bring together industry experts and SXSW attendees for an enlightening discussion on XR Filmmaking.

Climate risks are often invisible in daily life: too abstract for action, too complex for traditional media. This session showcases how XR, digital twins, and immersive storytelling can transform risk perception from data to visceral shared experience. Panelists will share examples from wildfire-prone communities and coastal resilience projects, unpacking immersive media's unique power to overcome misinformation, bridge silos, and build trust. The session includes an interactive XR experience powered by inCitu AR.

Back for its seventh year, the SXSW Episodic Pitch-A-Thon presented by SeriesFest gives filmmakers a chance to take their series ideas to the next level—while audiences get a front-row look at the art of the pitch! Independent filmmakers selected for SXSW Film + Television 2026 will present their projects directly to top executives from television, news media, and digital platforms—on stage, in front of a live audience, and a panel of industry experts.

"The Ascent" is the inspiring true story of Colorado Springs bilateral-amputee climber Mandy Horvath’s record-breaking attempt to crawl to the summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro on her hands. At 21, Mandy lost both of her legs under mysterious circumstances—an event that shattered her trust in the world around her. As she pushes her body to its limits on Africa’s tallest mountain, Mandy must reckon with the unanswered questions of her past and learn to trust again if she is to succeed.

Attention is everything. It’s the gateway to memory, persuasion, and customer action. But in a hyper-saturated world, even the best content gets ignored. Cognitive neuroscientist Dr. Carmen Simon shares surprising findings from her studies of buyers’ brains, revealing what actually captures and sustains attention. This session busts myths ( attention spans aren’t shrinking!) and reveals four types of attention you must master to create effective campaigns. If you're building a brand, selling an idea, or designing a message, don’t just hope your audience is paying attention, design for it.

As AI reshapes how we work, fundamental questions about voice and individual expression are emerging. Rahul Vohra, Founder of Superhuman Mail, explores why the most powerful tools don’t replace human judgment or flatten individual expression, but expand what people are capable of doing. Grounded in his experience building Superhuman Mail, Rahul discusses how founders and builders can design technology that amplifies human capability while ensuring the work still sounds, feels, and belongs to the user.

Join the Guardian’s Football Weekly hosts Max Rushden and Barry Glendenning, alongside Senior editor, soccer Alexander Abnos, and special guest Brendan Hunt, co-creator and “Coach Beard” of Apple TV’s Ted Lasso for a live podcast recording. Football Weekly, the #1 soccer podcast, offers a uniquely balanced format - insightful enough for devoted followers, yet accessible and entertaining for casual listeners.

Revolutions don’t always begin in the streets. Sometimes they begin in the kitchen. Moderated by Kamila Avila-Salmon, Founder and CEO of Kas Kas Productions, this fireside chat features James Beard Award–winning chef Sean Sherman and explores how storytelling can confront erasure, reclaim identity, and build bridges across communities. They will dive deeper into how “The Sioux Chef,” Sean Sherman, has been at the forefront of reclaiming and mainstreaming Native American cuisine in the United States. Through his groundbreaking restaurant Owamni, his nonprofit North American Traditional Indigenous Food Systems, and recent NYT best-selling cookbook Turtle Island, he has reintroduced Indigenous ingredients, techniques, and foodways to national audiences, challenging colonial narratives about American cuisine and redefining what “American food” truly means. By centering pre-colonial ingredients and eliminating colonial staples such as wheat flour, dairy, and cane sugar, Sherman’s work is both culinary innovation and cultural restoration. This conversation asks us to see food not just as sustenance, but as a story—and to recognize that when we honor the origins of what we eat, we honor the people and cultures who have carried those traditions forward against all odds.

XR is booming… Or is it? How secure are business models in the interactive/immersive sector and how well do they support creators to have social impact? And how do you thrive - not just survive - as a creator, producer, developer of this type of work, right now? Acknowledging challenges and uncertainty but also highlighting opportunities, the panel reflect on their own journeys - including successes, challenges and startings-over - to explore alternative models and offer practical advice for creators and producers to make work that matters: including protecting your IP and your wellbeing.

Digital technologies have become indispensable in healthcare and wellness, touching every aspect of how we stay healthy and receive care today. As a community of innovators, we’ve already proven the viability of technologies such as wearables, telehealth, artificial intelligence, and mHealth. Join us in imagining how these technologies will look in the future and how they will synergize with one another in the digital health ecosystem of tomorrow. In this talk, we will discuss the latest advancements and policies that can accelerate the digital age of healthcare. We will delve more into specific technologies, exploring the promise they hold and the pitfalls we must watch out far as we use them to build the healthcare tools of tomorrow. Together we’ll learn how we build a digital future in which we live healthier and more fulfilling lives!

In 2021, the United States was designated as a global backslider in the International IDEA report, a designation that remains. Part of that finding was attributed to a lack of effective parliament (Congress), the insurrection on January 6, 2021, and election denialism. In the years since, the concerns have only increased. This session will focus on how we, the people, respond. It will include a discussion of how we can work together to galvanize communities and local, state and federal leaders to reverse this trend, and what’s at stake.

When the default expectation is dull, entertaining content is a growth hack. This panel gathers marketers from categories often considered ‘boring’ like sunscreen, hygiene, and language apps, who have proven that irreverence, humour, and showmanship drive disproportionate returns. Learn why the blandest brands can become the boldest entertainers.

Julia and Charlie, a volatile couple in Portland, Oregon, are at a loss for how to repair their broken relationship. Julia, an ambitious game designer, and Charlie, a struggling musician working in sound design to pay the bills, are pushed by Julia's friend into attending a couples-therapy seminar run by twin healers, the Tillies, who claim to fix relationships through energy work. The session triggers a karmic universal system that makes the state of their relationship affect the world around them. With earthquakes, the stock market, and entire nations at risk, Charlie and Julia must confront whether their love can survive amidst so much destruction.

Discover what true Space accessibility means at this groundbreaking SXSW panel. Experts—including the first deaf Asian female pilot and aspiring astronaut, the founder of the Blind Institute of Technology, and a Space leader championing disability inclusion—reveal what it will take to make Space open to all. Explore innovations in pilot training, zero-gravity research, AI-assisted interfaces, and adaptive prosthetics. Learn how inclusive Space design inspires broader accessibility on Earth, reshaping our vision of who belongs in the final frontier.

Down-on-his-luck drummer Mauro flees a trail of bad decisions and lands on his sister Isa’s couch in Boston. With no money and nowhere to go, he begins busking as a bucket drummer. As playing on the streets brings small wins, he falls back in love with the freedom and pounding momentum that made him chase music in the first place. But Mauro pushes his luck pursuing a secret relationship that endangers his bond with Isa, and bit by bit draws everyone else into his own feral shortcomings. Set to the rhythms of the street, DOWNBEAT is a raw, high-energy portrait of an artist using music as escape and the collateral damage left behind when movement replaces growth.

Julie Bonner will be signing copies of “Desert Dwellers Flash Cards” at the SXSW Bookstore.

"Leviticus" is the story of Naim and Ryan, two teenage boys living in a conservative Christian community in regional Victoria. When their attraction to each other is identified by the local pastor, the pair are subjected to a disturbing conversion ritual which unknowingly releases a violent entity that terrorizes the town. As Naim and Ryan attempt to survive the bigotry of their fellow town members, they must also defend themselves against the unleashed spiritual being that takes the form of the thing the boys desire most - each other.

Nora is late. Alice unceremoniously brought her partner, whose name no one can remember. Jayae doesn't want to be around "these" people...but came anyway? And Genevieve, the host, has put an unhealthy amount of pressure on this eviction funeral (kinda cringe, right?) to solve all of their problems. As they barrel through the evening, this disintegrating friend group, delirious from the heat and lack of food, desperately throws Hail Marys, caution to the wind, and lamb against the wall, trying to harness some semblance of what they used to have. ...and then their dead friend shows up.

In the summer of 2000, four pre-teen friends formed a band called X-Cetra and burned a homemade album onto a few CD-Rs. The following year, consumed by adolescent concerns of boys and drug store shoplifting, their labor of love was quickly forgotten.... Until 20 years later, when someone uploaded it online. At first, it garnered a small base of outsider-art fans, but soon it was discovered by record labels, sampled by mainstream artists, and eventually the subject of a Rolling Stone article. With their teen dreams of pop stardom coming true decades later, X-Cetra reunites to see if they can rekindle the unselfconscious girlhood they’d captured in the album those many years ago.

Returning stateside, Todd Gillis struggles to hold down work due to his condition and trauma from his time in Afghanistan . When his ex-wife sues for custody of his beloved daughter, Emmylou, Todd hits rock bottom. In an effort to impress his case appointed judge, Todd joins a pirate re-enactment crew that his daughter is fond of. Through a newfound community Todd begins a journey of healing he never expected.

Lucy Blakiston will be signing copies of “Make It Make Sense” at the SXSW Bookstore.

More than 8 million species share our planet. Until now, we’ve only understood the language of one. In this keynote, Aza Raskin, Co-founder of Earth Species Project, explores how AI is being used to decode the languages of other species—revealing complex, learned communication across the animal kingdom. For the first time in history, we can truly listen. The question isn’t if we’ll break the interspecies barrier. It’s whether we’ll do it in time to change everything.

This is a live broadcast of the session happening in the Hilton Austin Salon HJK. The Simulcast can be viewed in any of the following locations: Hilton Austin Downtown: Salon B Austin Marriott Downtown: Waller Ballroom C JW Marriott: Salon D The LINE: Topaz Ballroom 1-3 Omni Downtown: Bridge Ballroom AB Downright Austin: Capital Room ABCD Fairmont: Next Stage (Manchester Ballroom) Innovation Clubhouse Film & TV Clubhouse Music Clubhouse SP House

‘The Family Battenberg have perfected a filthy, fuzzy psychedelic sound that they’ve coined as “spider rock.” (The Face)The Family Battenberg's 'Anteater' single, released in April 2025, is an independent release by the Cardiff based four-piece. The track was written in just a day, and it was recorded at Tom Rees’ (Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard) studio while he was on holiday. To master the recording the group sought out long-time collaborator Eddie Al-Shakarchi (Boy Azooga, Loathe, Swim Deep.)

Sixty years & a million records ago, Robert Christgau invented Rock music criticism. Anyone who has ever read or written a Pop music review has been influenced by Christgau, who canonized legends from The Ramones to Public Enemy & infuriated icons from Lou Reed to Billy Joel. Now in his eighties, Bob is still at it—amazingly with the same vigor, wit, concision and craft that has defined his expansive career. But in a world where albums are irrelevant, where print is dead & where algorithms have eclipsed critics we are forced to ask: What happens next—for Bob, but also for all music criticism? Is this the end of something? Is Robert Christgau the last critic?

The AI news cycle doesn’t just move fast—it moves at the speed of culture. In this high-intensity, 25-minute live briefing, Monks takes their signature monthly innovation series from the screen to the stage. This isn't a lecture; it’s a no-nonsense sprint through the breakthroughs, the hype, and the real-world applications actually worth your time.

Artist Demo Listening Sessions, Presented by Discovr Radio, at SXSW are an interactive format where attendees have the opportunity to play demos for music experts, sparking real-time feedback and meaningful industry connections. You must be present to have your music in the running to be heard! SXSW attendees not having demos played are encouraged to attend and listen in on the fun! Each session will be followed up a social hour. Physical submissions will not be accepted at the door. Demo’s will be played on a first-come, first-served basis and attendees must submit their demo’s prior to the day of the session by 11:59pm. Please carefully read and fill out the form below to officially submit your demo: https://airtable.com/appYFNh7bkKd8nmwh/pagfBEWaVPizme5jr/form

What does it actually take to break a new act in 2026, without a legacy playbook?

Learn how to prepare your music for the modern licensing landscape across sync, creator campaigns, digital platforms, and emerging AI opportunities. This interactive workshop covers asset prep, rights setup, metadata strategy, pricing basics, and the steps artists and labels need to take to make their catalogs discoverable and revenue ready. You will leave with a clear roadmap and tools to support long term licensing success.

A number of specialty streaming platforms have been able to scale their audiences without needing to invest regularly in big launch stunts, massive advertising campaigns, and other means typical of the Hollywood machine. Hear from marketing heads at streaming services like Rakuten Viki, BritBox, and Hallmark+ about their secrets for leaning into fandom to build loyal audiences.

AI mastered Go, then human language—now it can write DNA. Glen Gowers, CEO of Basecamp Research, explains how his team trained AI on the world’s largest evolutionary dataset, spanning 1 million new species, to design a "beyond-CRISPR" tool for precise gene insertion—a long-standing challenge in genetic medicine. Microsoft’s Alicia Frame unpacks the AI advances enabling this scale, while UT Austin biophysicist Ilya Finkelstein explains the rigor required to turn AI-designed biology into safe, effective medicine.

What if buildings were designed not just around structure or code, but around human experience? As cities are constantly evolving, architect Eran Chen shares how architecture contributes to the built environment to benefit its community. Two of the guiding principles for his design philosophy, “form follows experience” and “porosity leads to prosperity,” are carried to ODA’s projects worldwide. The session will explore how an experience-centric approach can redefine design globally to create urban environments that challenge the boundaries of conventional structure and improve engagement.

Sustained user engagement is critical to the success of digital health interventions, particularly for chronic and long-term conditions that require patients to self-manage care over extended periods. But the prevailing design paradigm - adapted from consumer technology - often assumes continuous use as the marker of engagement. Real-world evidence demonstrates health behaviors are inherently intermittent. This presentation shows why & how “designing for intermittent use” is an essential strategy for improving user engagement and health outcomes.

Winning Gen Z/Gen Alpha means rewriting storytelling—yet most attempts feel like pandering. Hear from Grammy-winning EA exec Steven Schnur, TikTok gaming lead Tina Tran, YouTuber and Fortnite legend Sam “DuckyTheGamer” Hatch, and Emmy-winning Baobab Studio’s Content Chief Kane Lee on what works now. Roblox to TikTok: how trends start, why authenticity beats budget, and how to build worlds audiences actually live in.

This session will explore the evolving Chinese music industry, focusing on how AI is being used in production, the current industry standards, and how DSP platforms and labels are responding to these innovations. We will highlight real examples of cross-cultural collaborations and demonstrate how technology is reshaping music creation, distribution, and label strategies, offering insights for international artists and partners interested in China’s market.

Technology isn’t just accelerating progress, it's changing the very process of progress itself: product testing can happen virtually before building, clinical trials can be simulated before major lab investment, distribution can dictate where production happens. This session will change how you see every workflow in your business. You'll walk away armed with a practical framework that will help you learn how to identify inversions in your own industry. The future belongs to leaders who think in reverse.

As AI and blockchain mature in parallel, we are witnessing the emergence of two powerful networks: the Internet of Intelligence, where autonomous AI systems reason and act, and the Internet of Value, where tokenized assets and stablecoins move frictionlessly across borders.

Last summer, Congress went against the will of the American people by taking back dedicated federal funding for public television that helped PBS and member stations provide a unique and vital service to America. It was a big blow for the entire public television system that simultaneously forced PBS and member stations to make stark decisions and led to communities across the country stepping up to support the programming they know and love. For perhaps the first time, Congressional action showed the country that public television could be taken away — something viewers realized they wanted to protect. In this fireside chat, hear directly from Paula Kerger, the longest-serving president and CEO in PBS history, about how PBS offers what the commercial media can’t, and why that means the service is here to stay.

After 8 years on the road as a pop-up screening outfit, Austin’s Hyperreal Film Club put down roots at their single-screen theater in East Austin. Now a year-and-a-half into the experiment, join the creators of the club to talk lessons learned (so far!), meet other indie filmmakers to talk about creative exhibition opportunities and strategies; and dream up new ways to use film programming and community building to create the film community you've always imagined.

Amid relentless technological disruption, global uncertainty and shifting work norms, most leaders know innovation is essential. But few know how to switch from generating bold ideas to scaling them across complex systems and industries. According to Harvard Business School professor Linda A. Hill, one of the world’s foremost experts on leadership and innovation, the answer is clear: innovation isn’t a solo act, but a collective one. Drawing on her new book, “Genius at Scale: How Great Leaders Drive Innovation,” as well as a decade of global research with co-authors Jason Wild and Emily Tedards, Hill introduces three critical roles that enable leaders to turn ideas into impact. Identifying the roles as the Architect, who builds culture and capacilites for co-creation; the Bridger, who facilitates partnerships across organizational boundaries; and the Catalyst, who sparks movements that sustain innovation at scale, Hill & Tedards Hill demonstrates how leaders can harness digital tools, data and cross-sector collaboration to scale innovation and impact. Through powerful case studies spanning industries from technology to healthcare to hospitality, Hill demonstrates how leaders can harness digital tools, data and cross-sector collaboration to transform experimentation into execution. Leaders leave this session equipped with actionable frameworks and a renewed understanding of how to build environments where creativity thrives, collaboration flourishes and innovation becomes everyone’s job.

Healthcare is at an inflection point: soaring costs, regulatory uncertainty and public mistrust. All signs point to change, but what form will it take? This discussion brings together leaders from across healthcare, life sciences and technology to explore what meaningful disruption in healthcare looks like, and what it will take to rebuild trust, advance equity and deliver innovation at scale. Drawing from experience in emergency care, communications and technology, we'll imagine what a more connected future of care could look like and how those aspiring to improve it can bring it to life.

Anime isn't niche; it’s the fastest-growing global fandom in entertainment. Among Gen Z, 54% say they “like” or “love” it, placing anime’s cultural relevance alongside major sports and global icons. Its emotional power runs deep: 48% of fans have had a crush on a character, showing anime’s ability to build emotional worlds and deep connections. For Gen Z, it’s identity and community; for Gen X, nostalgia. With leaders from Crunchyroll, Twitch, and anime community voice Lena Lemon joining us, this panel explores anime’s rise and future.

Hate being on camera? You're not alone! But nowadays everyone is expected to be confident and camera-ready—for social media, conferences, and even meetings. Award-winning media expert Kim Rittberg, now a public speaking and video coach, spent 15 years in media at Netflix and PEOPLE Magazine and has trained thousands to not just stay calm but shine under the lights. In this lively session, Kim shares insider secrets to help you win over anyone—on stage or on video. You’ll leave with tangible on-camera and speaking tips, more confidence, and a roadmap to becoming a thought leader.

After a couple’s baby boy is taken, the desperate mother learns of a way to bring him back. However, her husband begins to suspect that what she returned with isn't their son.

Welcome to the era of intelligence on demand. Microsoft’s Work Trend Index introduces the Frontier Firm: built on abundant AI, where digital agents aren’t tools, they’re teammates. While some fear AI replacing jobs, the real risk is ignoring it. With 80% of employees maxed out and 82% of leaders betting on AI, the question isn’t if you’ll use digital labor, it’s how. Frontier Firms are rethinking org charts, hiring AI trainers, and managing human-agent ratios like headcount. This is your blueprint for building a business where AI scales work and where human judgment stays at the center.

The stereotypes between generations at work are old and tired, and they’re getting in the way of real collaboration. This Meet Up creates space for all generations to talk openly about communication, mentorship, and what working together should look like, while also exploring “friendtorship,” a collaborative, cross-generational relationship built on authenticity, shared learning, and mutual support.

More professionals than ever are combining business acumen with creative ambition, choosing careers that embrace both. This conversation explores what it takes to lead in corporate spaces and pursue creative passions with purpose. Hear from leaders who’ve scaled brands, launched movements, and redefined success—without “starting over.” We’ll share practical tactics for integrating creative identity into leadership and professional branding, and explore how corporate-to-creative leaders are reshaping success, innovation, and the future of work.

Join some of the most senior creative leaders from four of the most successful digital design agencies in the world as they discuss the current existential moment for creativity and innovation in agencies. They will discuss the current state of creative agencies, including how AI, emerging technologies, and ever-evolving client expectations are fundamentally reshaping the industry, and how they are reshaping their teams and how work gets done. Discover what's irrevocably changing, what remains constant, and perhaps even unearth a few trade secrets along the way.

This session dives into the making of "D-Day: The Camera Soldier", a documentary built from the ground up for Vision Pro.

Innovators dedicated to growing and connecting audiences know that inclusivity is simply an additive “And.” To add revenue, you must add customers, which means you must add new communities to your business strategy, and that means considering the experiences and culture of people outside your existing consumer profile. An “And” to understanding means and “And” to people, then an “And” to revenue. Leaders seeking market expansion can connect here to explore how they might better connect with LGBTQ+ communities to grow business opportunities while benefitting arguably the country’s fastest growing consumer demo.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Sync/Licensing, Music Tech, IP & Copyright.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Sustainability, Entrepreneurship, Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in MedTech, Product Management/Development, Entrepreneurship.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Marketing/PR, Women in Music, Management, Music Tech.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Fashion/Retail, Product Management/Development, Entrepreneurship.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Future of Work, Product Management/Development, Business Development.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in A&R, Songwriting, Management.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Sync/Licensing, Sales & Sponsorships, Music Tech.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Management, Marketing/PR, Streaming & Programming.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in A&R, Distribution, Education, Marketing/PR, Sync/Licensing, Touring.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Marketing/Advertising/PR, Content Strategy/Production, Fintech.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Health & Wellness, Sync/Licensing.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Entrepreneurship, Storytelling, Future of Work.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning, Product Management/Development, Entrepreneurship.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Entrepreneurship, Storytelling, Immersive Technology.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Future of Work, Marketing/Advertising/PR.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Contracts & Agreements, Distribution, IP & Copyright.

Exceptional storytelling that captivates, surprises, and excites.

As a career-defining chapter propels him into global stardom, musician Noah Kahan stands at a crossroads. In the wake of the breakout success of Stick Season—an album born from the quiet of rural Vermont and embraced around the world—Noah begins work on his follow-up album while facing the mounting pressure of what comes next. Over a whirlwind year of sold-out tours and unprecedented acclaim, he returns to his Vermont roots and family. Buoyed by his uncanny wit, he searches for a sense of home and creative inspiration as he confronts the deeply personal struggles that have left him out of sync with himself.

Romance as a genre transformed book publishing, but in an industry known for gatekeeping, this growth happened via indie authors & entrepreneurs in the creator economy. By building direct relationships with readers on platforms like Kindle, Patreon, BookTok, and internal email newsletters, these creators have scaled faster, marketed smarter, and reshaped book discoverability. This panel explores how creators and marketers across industries can apply these strategies to grow fanbases, monetize directly, and turn niche communities into powerful engines of cultural influence and business success.

Enterprise AI is getting more powerful, but for many users it still feels slow, awkward, and hard to trust. The problem is rarely the model or the data. It is the experience. Too many tools rely on chat interfaces that add cognitive load, cause prompt fatigue, and fail in high pressure workflows. This session explores why enterprise AI UX keeps breaking down and how cognitive design can reduce friction, rebuild trust, and make AI fit how people actually work.

An extension of our popular Mentor Sessions, our Round Table Sessions not only allow attendees to learn from the industry experts that sit at each of the three tables in this session but they also allow attendees to learn from the questions and experiences of their peers as well. This Round Table Session will bring together industry experts and SXSW attendees for an enlightening discussion on Screenwriting.

For decades, beauty marketing rewarded aspiration, perfection, and the impossible. But consumers — especially multicultural and Gen Z audiences — have rejected that script. They want relief. relevance. representation. And a brand that actually sees their lived reality.In this provocative session, Kimberly Hairston-Hicks, CMO of Gold Bond and founder of Good Beauté, argues that the most powerful force reshaping consumer behavior today isn’t the beauty industry — it’s the Belonging Economy.

How is HEINEKEN transforming itself into the world’s best‑connected brewer? Malcolm Gladwell and HEINEKEN’s Chief AI Officer, Surajeet Ghosh, sit down for a live episode of Smart Talks with IBM podcast to explore how the company is using data, AI and strong partnerships to create better experiences for customers and consumers worldwide. Hear how HEINEKEN is modernizing its digital backbone, empowering its people, and unlocking new ways to innovate in the future of beer.

The World Cup is the most-watched sporting event & ultimate proving ground for brands ready to think beyond borders & traditional playbooks. Yet, we persist in approaching this once-every-four-years opportunity with tired strategies. It's not about slapping logos on jerseys; it's about cultural fluency at scale. The next cycle brings unprecedented viewing fragmentation, creator-driven content & fans expecting authentic engagement across 20+ markets simultaneously. ADWEEK's William Bradley and top CMOs explore how to revolutionize global sports marketing for the next World Cup.

In an AI-driven world, mediocre is invisible. With access to the same tools, budgets, and tech, only bold, resonant, and risky content cuts through. Safe marketing and SEO-optimized blogs won’t win visibility anymore—because AI doesn’t rank what’s average; it ranks what connects. Andrew Warden, CMO of Semrush, reveals why even top marketers are struggling to break through in generative search—and what it takes to truly earn attention when LLMs are the new gatekeepers. Learn how to ditch the illusion of “safe” and unlock real visibility in an era where the algorithm is no longer your ally.

AI is rapidly reshaping how we work, create, and connect—yet at the same time, people are craving the tactile, the real, and the human. As AI-generated content floods our world, a new question emerges: where do we fit?

What if your most imaginative future was already inside you, hidden in your most cherished moment of childhood play? The LEGO Imaginarium is a hands-on foresight workshop where participants use LEGO bricks, storytelling, and memory prompts to reconnect with their inner child and build physical models of possible futures. Guided by futures thinking tools, the LEGO system in play, and inspired by the creativity of kids, this session blends strategic foresight with playful, hands-on exploration to unlock fresh perspectives on what’s next in the future.

This exclusive industry panel brings together major Korean music labels and data analytics leaders to reveal the strategies behind K-pop's global dominance—and what Western music can learn from it. Hear how Korean labels leverage data to make decisions about tours, content, and promotion across different regions. We'll talk about the distinctive "superfan" cultivation approach that prioritizes deep engagement through multi-platform content funnels over traditional radio-and-playlist reach, and examine their export-first philosophy: building global audiences from day one with multilingual content and culturally-adaptive campaigns rather than establishing domestic success first.

What if the next great tech lab wasn’t in Silicon Valley—but in Queens? This panel explores how cultural institutions like the Museum of the Moving Image (MoMI) — the first museum in the U.S. dedicated to the moving image—can lead public innovation. MoMI LAB, a bold new initiative, puts artists and storytellers at the center of exploring how AI, XR, and emerging tools can shape more ethical, imaginative civic futures. In one of the world’s most diverse communities, artists, technologists, and funders are working to shape technology around public values—not private gain.

Groundbreaking new research reveals for the first time that the skin microbiome – particularly the presence of Cutibacterium – is linked to lower stress and improved mood. In this solo session, Dr Samaras elucidates the link that was uncovered - via the skin–brain axis - and what it means for the future of beauty, mental health, and product innovation. Using advanced AI models, they decoded complex microbiome data to uncover patterns no human could detect. This is not just skincare – it’s a new frontier in holistic wellbeing. And imagine the unlocks when we add the power of quantum computing.

Urbanism, SXSW, and Austin are an inseparable pairing! In 2025 we kicked off the the urbanists meetup where dozens of architects, planners, and placemakers took a pulse of the most exciting urban ideas at SXSW. We also forged ties between SXSWers with local Austinites. The meetup features a round of self introduction, followed by some light, interactive networking activities. We will also discuss urbanism in Austin, and provide a platform for attendees to propose walks and outings to see new and historic projects that make up Austin’s urban fabric.

What if you could see your brainwaves turned into real-time art that reveals how you feel? EVE (The EEG Visualizer of Emotions) is a live emotional visualization tool that transforms EEG signals into dynamic, responsive visuals. Blending neurotechnology, AI, and art, EVE opens new ways to explore emotional insight, user experience, and live experience. It can create interactive & personalized sensory designs, drive immersive wellbeing experiences, measure mood, emotion & real-time neural responses, map emotional learning & deepen meaning.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Acting, Narrative Filmmakers, VR/XR Filmmaking.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in VR/XR Filmmaking, Doc Filmmakers, Producers/Production.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in VR/XR Filmmaking.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in VR/XR Filmmaking, International, "Sales, Acquisitions, & Distribution".

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in VR/XR Filmmaking, International, Producers/Production.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Development, Narrative Filmmakers, Publicity & Marketing, VR/XR Filmmaking.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Development, Doc Filmmakers, Funding/Artist Support, Narrative Filmmakers, Producers/Production, Publicity & Marketing, VR/XR Filmmaking.

KOJ is the sound of defiance rising from Liverpool, UK: a working-class voice turned outward, loud enough to cut through the noise, resilient enough to remain unshaken, and connected enough to represent a frustrated generation.

The unbelievable true story of the Cornbread Mafia, a group of Kentucky farmers who built the largest domestic marijuana syndicate in U.S. history. Sons of tobacco farmers, moonshiners, and bootleggers, they turned to pot to keep their families fed. What followed was straight out of Kentucky folklore: lion cubs on the farm, backroad police chases, and a code of silence that baffled prosecutors. Part true crime and part cartoon, the film blends community, the War on Drugs, and a whole lot of weed with the humor and heart of the folks who lived it.

"Do You Love Me" is a playful and personal journey through Lebanon’s audiovisual memory, composed entirely of archival footage. It is a love letter to Beirut, spanning 70 years of film, TV, home videos, and photography, exploring the Lebanese collective psyche - marked by joy and intimacy, destruction and loss. Through the eyes of citizens, filmmakers and artists, the film reconstructs a fragmented history in a country without a national archive, celebrating creative expression as both resistance, renewal and a way to preserve memory.

Loren Grush will be signing copies of “The Six” at the SXSW Bookstore.

Three people bound by non-disclosure agreements face extreme personal risk to expose how a simple intellectual property contract is weaponized to silence, manipulate and control.

Sometimes it takes the end of something to know what is really at stake. Joe, Giorgia, and Lorri are all grappling with the possible end of an intimate friendship at vastly different stages of life: a cross-country move, a mental health crisis, and a shift into empty-nesting have forced them each to reevaluate the support they need from those closest to them. Chronicling three different friendships over the course of three years, "One Another" brings together verite with a wealth of personal archives to intertwine their journeys as they search for what it really means for us to care for each other. The result is a story of change, heartache, and connection in this ode to platonic love.

Julia was fired three weeks ago. She also got sober three weeks ago. She’s starting over in a suburban rental, and doing a lot of online shopping to help make the space her own, fast. When packages she didn’t order start showing up at her door — a blender, a corkscrew, her signature shade of lipstick — they feel so unnervingly tied to her past that it starts to feel like someone is watching her. The shopping site Smirk denies responsibility. But increasingly paranoid, Julia tumbles down a rabbit hole to find the identity of her anonymous sender.

Mor Cohen and Polaris Banks did the impossible, made a movie with just two people, while camping, with a script based on their real arguments. Most couples would kill each other under those conditions. They were no exception.

When Jamie, ungovernable 40 something wild child collides with her venomous mother Anne, her life blows up spectacularly leaving her evicted and single. This sends Jamie on a pig in a hurricane journey for “home”; breaking into her Nana’s house to prove it should be hers, a rejected bid to move in with her van dwelling punk rock ex, and a stint in her best friends pied a terre, which ends with Jamie hooking up with her husband.

At just 23, Cardiff-born singer-songwriter Ben Ellis has become one of the UK’s most quietly magnetic new voices, blending intimate acoustic songwriting with the emotional depth of indie-pop. His upcoming third EP marks a pivotal moment both emotionally and musically. Written across two trips to Los Angeles in the aftermath of a breakup, the project explores the complexities of heartbreak, drifting between moments of clarity and confusion.

"Apolo" follows the journey of a family formed by a transgender couple, revealing the nuances of love, daily life, and the constant struggle for recognition and respect. The documentary offers an intimate look into their family dynamics, inviting us to rethink our notions of affection, care, and society itself. As we accompany Apolo’s pregnancy, we are led to reflect on the challenges and dramas faced by the couple — Isis Broken and Lourenzo Gabriel. The father is the one giving birth, and society is not yet ready for that reality. The feature-length documentary marks the directorial debut of actress Tainá Müller and trans woman and musician Isis Broken.

Set in the not so distant future when poor air quality leads to people living mostly virtually lives. Carol is a dissatisfied career mother, struggling to find connection within her marriage to Gary and her child. With the day to day familiarity of their home and lives feeling increasingly claustrophobic, and worried she could be heading towards divorce, Carol leaps at the chance to get her life back on track by signing up for "DreamQuil", an avant-garde digital wellness retreat. When Carol returns home however, she discovers her family has been living with "Carol 2", a robot the corporation sent designed to help in her absence, and things take a mysterious and sinister turn.

A dynamic mix of creativity and stylish visuals where music and storytelling collide.

"Serling" is an immersive first-person journey exploring the life and legacy of one of television’s most visionary storytellers, Rod Serling. Told almost entirely in Serling’s own words, drawn from never-before-heard recordings and personal dictations, the film captures the man behind "The Twilight Zone" in all his complexity. The film weaves archival material with atmospheric recreations that echo the eerie visual language Serling made iconic. As his unmistakable voice guides us, Serling emerges not only as a master of storytelling, but as a man grappling with the trauma of war, the moral compromises of fame, and the hope that America might one day live up to its own ideals.

Linda Hill will be signing copies of “Genius at Scale” at the SXSW Bookstore.

Artificial intelligence is transforming nearly every industry—but in healthcare, its impact is uniquely personal. The pharmaceutical industry stands at an inflection point: what once took a decade or more to move from scientific hypothesis to patient treatment is being fundamentally reimagined through AI, advanced computing, and automation. Yet in an industry where lives hang in the balance, speed must be matched with rigor, and innovation with responsibility. Join leaders from pharma and technology for a conversation about deploying AI at scale to accelerate breakthroughs while maintaining the highest standards of patient safety, governance, and compliance.

Join fellow founders, engineers, researchers, and product leaders who are building the next generation of AI products. This casual meetup brings together hands-on innovators to swap stories, share tools, and talk about what’s working (and what’s not) in the fast-moving world of AI. Whether you’re training models, shipping products, or scaling teams—come meet your peers and compare notes

Firmly established as an artist’s artist with the likes of Noel Gallagher, Sam Fender, Louis Tomlinson and Pete Doherty.Andrew Cushin is primed to rise to the next level with the May 2nd release of his second album ‘LoveIs For Everyone’. Building upon his acclaimed debut ‘Waiting For The Rain’. The 2nd album charted in the UK official top 40 album charts. Andrew recently teamed up with his local brewery Anarchy Brew Co to create his own L.I.F.E IPA beer,which is now available from their website. It represents his latest brand collaboration after being invited to headlineThe Soundcheck, the debut live event from the Aston Martin Aramco Formula One team, late last year. Andrew has played Italian, Dutch and British GP with Aston Martin F1 team in 2025.Andrew toured the full UK headline in May and October 2025 as well as EU . He is currently on his 3rd successive year of touring North American/Canada headline tour.In October 25th 2025 Andrew Cushin sold out his hometown show at Newcastle City Hall in front of 2500 fans.2025 has been a huge success for Andrew Cushin breaking through the top 40 and now firmly establishing himself as a firm favourite in the UK live scene.

UCB’s signature improv juggernaut is a live comedy show with an all-star cast of comedians from film, television, and your favorite streaming services performing improv inspired by true stories from a surprise celebrity guest. ASSSSCAT has played to critical acclaim and sold-out audiences across the country.

Some brands don’t just show up - they create cultural moments. Today’s most innovative marketers are blending bold brand activations with the power of music and star power to build emotional resonance and spark global buzz. In this lively discussion, hear from marketing leaders at the world’s most forward-thinking brands as they explore how to craft unforgettable experiences that connect with consumers on a visceral level, through sound, story, and shared energy. Learn how music-fueled campaigns are driving loyalty, elevating brand perception, and shaping the future of experiential marketing.

FromSoftware’s Sekiro is being reimagined as a hand-drawn anime built with an analog-first (hand drawn) philosophy, prioritizing craftsmanship, motion, and texture over shortcuts. Join director Kenichi Kutsuna, composer Shuta Hasunuma, and Crunchyroll’s Associate Creative Director and Host Lauren Moore, for a behind-the-scenes look at how Studio Qzil.la is bringing Sengoku Japan to life: from research and concept, to action choreography, background art, and sound.

Ozempic revolutionized diabetes treatment, inspired by Gila monster venom - proving nature holds answers to health challenges. This session explores how unique organisms like snails and cavefish can improve our quality of life. Panelists discuss the most exciting ways curious critters, genetic engineering and biomimicry transform human health and society through nature-inspired discoveries that could change our future.

Trauma isn’t stored in memory.Leadership isn’t built in theory.Both live in the body — and the nervous system that governs it.

Cultural backlash killed the ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) framework as a tool for motivating and measuring action on climate and social justice—proving that publicly traded companies are not going to drive us to a radically better economy. What is it? Nature-positive finance, a new approach that’s holistic, comprehensive, and resilient to political and stock market shifts. Three impact investing leaders illustrate the idea in practice, with a focus on finding scalable place-based strategies, spotting system change opportunities, and tying environmental impact to social impact.

Why? Because we can’t manage what we don’t measure, and most of us are flying blind.

Join renowned investor and philanthropist Mohnish Pabrai for a thought-provoking talk on the key mental models that have shaped major decisions in his life, from business and investing to philanthropy and personal growth. An avid follower of Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger, Pabrai has long embraced Munger’s call to develop a “latticework of mental models,” a multidisciplinary toolkit for thinking clearly and avoiding misjudgment. In this session, he will go beyond simply restating the classics. Instead, he will highlight the select models he has found most indispensable, the ones that have guided him in navigating uncertainty, spotting opportunities, and sidestepping avoidable errors. Pabrai will introduce new mental models of his own, distilled from decades of experience, hard lessons, and reflection. These additions help bring to light patterns of behavior and decision-making that he believes are critical for anyone seeking not just financial success, but a truly fulfilling life.

Do you wish you could predict the future? Come challenge our panel of futurists as they try to do it themselves!

AI hype is at a fever pitch. Every headline promises a venture-backed moonshot ready to upend entire industries. But that is not how most AI will scale. Private equity is quietly shaping what real adoption looks like inside operating businesses. Andrew Brooks, CEO of Contextual.io, makes the case that capital structure is one of the most overlooked forces in AI’s future. VC rewards urgency and outsized bets. PE rewards operational discipline, durable growth, and EBITDA performance. Especially in markets where transformation takes time. This session explores what actually changes when PE enters the picture and why the next phase of AI may favor staying power and measurable impact over speed. - How capital incentives shape AI product decisions and timelines - Why private equity’s performance discipline can create more sustainable AI businesses than growth-at-all-costs VC models - How PE alignment enables company growth without the pressure to chase hype cycles

Music’s digital evolution has unlocked unprecedented access for artists and teams—putting key decision-makers, pitch opportunities, and powerful connections within reach. But greater access brings new layers of complexity. In this panel, we’ll bring together the humans who have played on both sides of the digital music spaces you love. They’ll give a glimpse into the tech intricacies and communication behind closed doors leading to proper partnerships. More importantly, we’ll give tangible systems to how artists and teams can win through patience and persistence.

The explosion of virtual stories across platforms has seen an increase in the integration of real humans in immersive experiences. The evolution of stunningly realistic volumetric video now enables real human capture and integration in scenes that are life-like and spatially adaptive. The innovations that are now making the human more prominent in complex virtual narratives are being led by producers and toolmakers who are building a network of dynamic volumetric artisans. This session features leading developers of mixed reality, VR, and mobile AR that render virtual humans - not avatars.

Independent filmmakers are told to write small. But LED volume technology is unlocking worlds of possibility outside the Hollywood system, proving virtual production isn't just for sci-fi blockbusters. From queer horror-comedies to intimate dramas to stylized period pieces, we'll look at real-world case studies that show how accessible virtual production can be. Learn how to think about LED volumes, Unreal Engine, and more from script to budget without technical overwhelm—and discover how to make those 'impossible' scripts possible.

Scamming is a multibillion-dollar, transnational business rivaling legitimate enterprises. In actual offices, their workers labor leg to leg at long tables -- cubicles would actually be more humane. Scams are now a way for nation-states to steal the wealth of Americans, at speed and scale. These criminals are on a rampage, and those in power, in the US and abroad, aren't really focused on stopping it. Hear from a former prosecutor hell-bent on disrupting this prolific crime, an expert in deception, and a scam survivor and podcaster about how we can all fight back.

Explore the vital role birds play in our world. Not only do birds contribute to biodiversity and the stability of ecosystems, birdwatching carries psychological and emotional benefits – inspiring creativity, mindfulness, and a sense of wonder. By observing birds, we can learn about adaptation, social interaction, and survival strategies. Whether you are a seasoned birdwatcher or simply enjoy the cheerful songs outside your window, this session promises to deepen your appreciation for birds and their essential place in our lives, encouraging you to observe, protect, and celebrate our feathered friends.

A fast-moving, comedy experiment where performers, the audience, and Superhuman co-create live on stage. With sketches, music, storytelling, games, and surprises, the show writes itself in real time. Anything can happen. Chaos encouraged.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Storytelling, Business Development, Future of Work.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Music Tech, Marketing/PR, Women in Music.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Data Science, Entrepreneurship, MedTech.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Management, Marketing/PR, Media/Journalism, Music Tech, Songwriting, Streaming & Programming.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Entrepreneurship, "Diversity, Equity & Inclusion".

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Entrepreneurship, Storytelling.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Sync/Licensing, Education, Music Tech.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Business Development, Content Strategy/Production, Marketing/Advertising/PR.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning, Business Development, Storytelling.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Funding, Entrepreneurship, Business Development.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Sync/Licensing, IP & Copyright, Publishing.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Distribution, Streaming & Programming, Sales & Sponsorships.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Emerging Technologies, Music Tech, Contracts & Agreements.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Data, Marketing/PR, IP & Copyright.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Marketing/Advertising/PR, Storytelling, Ethics.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Audio/Production (Recording/Mixing/Mastering), Sync/Licensing, Women in Music.

From button-mashing to brain-driven play, neurogaming is set to rewrite the rulebook. This panel hosted by OpenBCI gathers neurogamers and more to show how real-time EEG/EMG decoding replaces sticks and keys with pure intent, unlocking worlds that respond to mood, focus, and micro-gestures. We’ll spotlight a live neurogaming case study, unpack further real-world examples, and sketch the roadmap toward a brain-driven future of play.

How can we design for a world where no two people experience reality the same way? This panel explores the science and power of perceptual diversity, how differences in how we sense, process and interpret shape identity, connection, and emotion. With expert voices from neuroscience, immersive design, and the arts and through the new lens of neuroaesthetics: we’ll explore how expanding perception can create more inclusive, empathetic, and visionary futures across art, health, and technology.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Producers/Production, Narrative Filmmakers, Development.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Narrative Filmmakers, Producers/Production, Screenwriting.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Narrative Filmmakers, Producers/Production, "Sales, Acquisitions, & Distribution".

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Development, Doc Filmmakers, Producers/Production.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Agents & Managers, Development, Producers/Production.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Development, Producers/Production, Narrative Filmmakers.

Meeting with this mentor is highly recommended if you're interested in Development, Funding/Artist Support, Producers/Production.

Psychedelic treatments are rapidly moving from research into clinical practice, signaling a potential transformation in how we treat mental health conditions. This session will explore how clinical innovation, care delivery models, and advocacy are converging to reshape mental health care safely and effectively for the millions who need better options. Attendees will gain insight into the steps required to bring psychedelic treatments into clinical settings, what patient access can look like, and how providers are navigating the evolving landscape as these treatments enter mainstream care.

An extension of our popular Mentor Sessions, our Round Table Sessions not only allow attendees to learn from the industry experts that sit at each of the three tables in this session but they also allow attendees to learn from the questions and experiences of their peers as well. This Round Table Session will bring together industry experts and SXSW attendees for an enlightening discussion on Legal.

Sober Space is a welcoming gathering place for people in all forms of recovery during SXSW 2026. This space hosts all-format recovery meetings for Friends of Bill and all SXSW attendees who are seeking a supportive meeting environment during the festival. Participants are invited to sit together and share experience, strength, and hope in a confidential, judgment-free setting. Meetings are facilitated by The SIMS Foundation alongside trusted leaders from the recovery community.

Brazilian Funk represents one of the most creative systems in modern music — built without traditional industry infrastructure, large budgets, or institutional support.This panel examines how Brazilian artists transformed acapellas into a scalable creative and economic engine. By separating voice from beat, funk enabled a modular, remix-driven ecosystem where DJs, producers, artists and creators across regions and continents could reinterpret the same vocal in dozens of cultural contexts.

When it comes to music for film and ad content, an original music track often becomes a romantic ideal – demo love. Halle Petro from Sonic Union, Rich Robinson from Warner Chapel Music, and artist Billy Corgan will discuss the top 10 licensed songs, the songwriter’s point of view, language and ideas as inspiration, and how to interpret originally, versus infringing upon what’s come before (including AI). How do we understand original music? This panel will offer best practices about musical creative ideations, and the insight and language to up your creative output and collaborations.

Everything that has come before us has set the stage for now. Our audiences are looking for new, innovative and fresh storytelling, with expectations based on what they have experienced previously. So, how can we make new moments of magic and keep surprising our audiences? With a lightning opening provocation from Sarah Ellis, Director of Creative Innovation from the Royal Shakespeare Company, Createch Frontiers examines how we can innovate ancient traditions of storytelling and keep our audiences engaged.

Join James Beard Award-winning chef Sean Sherman for an immersive exploration of the diverse Indigenous food systems spanning North America—from the peaks of the Arctic to the vibrant landscapes of Mexico. In Turtle Island, Sherman and co-authors Kate Nelson and Kristin Donnelly celebrate the beauty and diversity of Indigenous cultures while naming what’s lost when communities are cut off from their foodways. Discover how the act of reclaiming traditional ingredients serves as a powerful tool for cultural sovereignty and health. Whether you are a culinary enthusiast or a history buff, come learn how "decolonizing the plate" offers a sustainable path forward for our global food future. This reading is part of a larger movement to rebuild Indigenous food systems and bring culturally rooted, healthy foods back to Indigenous communities through imagination, creativity, and preservation of culture.

For founders, builders, and ambitious minds under 25. Whether you're starting a company, working on something big, or still figuring it out, this is your chance to connect with peers who are actually doing the thing. Featuring Cameron Van Der Berg, who quit his engineering job in 2018 to start Infravision and just raised $91M to build aerial robotics that transform power grid construction. Real talk about going all-in, building hard things, and what it actually takes.

A little over a year ago, Dr. Elisabeth Potter scrubbed out of an operating room to take a call from an insurance company and stepped into a national conversation about how our system is treating patients and healthcare workers. Time to scrub out again, and talk about the health of our $5.6 trillion system, the value of independent voices and the state of our healthcare workforce. She is joined on stage by Trina Spear, co-Founder and CEO of Figs, Inc. for a conversation, a pep talk, a call for assistance to creative innovators willing to take on a big, hairy challenge.

From wastewater to e-waste, the world is drowning in “garbage” that holds untapped value. But a new class of startups, scientists, and technologists is flipping the script by turning industrial runoff into rare earths, landfills into lithium banks, and toxins into trillion-dollar opportunities. This session will dive into how biology, chemistry, and data science are transforming global waste streams into the raw materials of the clean economy. Think of it as a startup gold rush just under our feet.

Your brand acts completely different on TikTok vs LinkedIn vs Instagram - but is that authentic multi-dimensionality or dangerous personality disorder? We'll diagnose real brands live, dissect epic platform fails, and teach the difference between healthy code-switching and brand schizophrenia. Through interactive challenges, learn why Gen Z can spot inauthentic adaptation from miles away, which archetypes can successfully platform-hop, and how to maintain consistent values while speaking each platform's native language fluently.

Nick Foster will be signing copies of “Could Should Might Don't - How We Think About the Future” at the SXSW Bookstore.

Hana Lili is on a mission to pursue her truth. For the Welsh artist, songwriting has always been a way to make sense of what words can’t quite hold. Her self-titled EP, Hana, marks her boldest step yet — an intimate collection that distils emotion into its rawest form. Blending confessional storytelling with the dynamic spirit of 90s and early 00s alt-rock, Hana craftssongs that balance vulnerability and power. Drawing inspiration from artists like Alanis Morissette, Radiohead and Gwen Stefani, she channels emotional honesty through soaring melodies and unfiltered energy. Each song feels like a conversation with herself — an exploration of identity, doubt, and the small moments that shape who we are.Hana’s music merges introspection with rebellion, turning personal chaos into connection. Raised in Wales and a first-language Welsh speaker, Hana’s sense of place runs deep. Her roots in the Welsh Eisteddfod tradition — a celebration of language, music, and storytelling — instilled in her a lasting belief in the power of creative expression.With a sound that bridges intimacy and universality, Hana Lili stands as one of alt-pop’s most distinct and fearless emerging voices.

Tim Molnar will be signing copies of “Date Smarter: A Strategic Guide to Navigating Modern Romance” at the SXSW Bookstore.

The Smiths have gathered once again on their quaint family farm to make the latest in a string of low-budget horror movies. No, the movies aren't particularly "successful." Some might even call them "bad." But at least the family is together, and that's what matters to Jack and Ellen. Their adult children, on the other hand - Trent and Ula - are working up the courage to leave this particular family tradition behind. Simmering family dysfunction turns to pure chaos when a real dead body shows up on set. Can they come together to keep the movie on track, or will this be the Smith family's final act?

Catch the best of the fest on one stage. SXSW Comedy brings you a curated powerhouse lineup featuring iconic voices and the must-see breakout performers you’ll be bragging about discovering first. Lineup coming soon!

Adult DVD, the Leeds based six piece have become known for their relentless output of euphoric hooks and grooves along with a relentless touring schedule that has taken them to Glastonbury, Greenman, End Of The Road and several European festivals this Summer.Formed by vocalist Harry Hanson and synth-player Greg Lonsdale, the project quickly expanded to a full band with Danny Blackburn (guitar/synth), Jake Williams (synth), Jonathan Newell (drums), and George Manson (bass). From the outset, their tongue-in-cheek lyrics, pulsating electronics, big choruses and unique production style (their releases are all self-produced) set them apart from the indie-rock landscape. Few songs capture the chaotic fun of Adult DVD more than their first release ‘Bill Murray’ - now a firm fan favourite and sing along moment at every festival set. First ‘proper’ single ‘Do Something’ from their 'Next Day Shipping' EP earned a spot on the BBC 6 Music B-list and support from BBC Radio 1, BBC Introducing and Radio X. Subsequent single ‘Because I Like It’ also landed onto the 6 Music B-list, and accompanying live performance from the BBC’s 6 Music festival.Adult DVD’s live shows are fast becoming legendary. From sold-out hometown headline gigs at Brudenell Social Club and Belgrave Music Hall (2 in the round shows in one day) to storming sets at The Great Escape, Deer Shed Festival, and Live at Leeds, their performances are high-energy and unmissable.Whether tapping into their love for chorus-centric indie or the influence of acid house floor fillers, DJing, or remixing their musical contemporaries their core appeal remains consistent: undeniable humour, bold danceable instrumentals and instantly memorable songwriting."

At a mall store, Apple leads a secret witch cult with coworkers Cherry and Fig. New hire Pumpkin questions their sisterhood, forcing them to confront inner darkness or meet violent ends.

The unsolved murder of Billy London, a gay adult film performer brutally killed in West Hollywood, was an urban legend for 33 years. A documentary intended to honor his life took an unexpected turn when members of the community joined forces to uncover overlooked clues, and seek a resolution to the mystery of who killed him. Drawing on a rare trove of VHS and personal footage, the film reveals a chilling overlap between the victim and some of the suspects who were captured on camera in films made in the narrow window of Billy's death.

Summer 2006, 14-year-old Sid is caught between her own burgeoning sexual curiosity and acceptance from an older group of girls. As she delves deeper into rebellion, she leaves behind a trail of destruction as she goes. Big Girls Don’t Cry is a love letter to all the women that still feel shame scars from this time of their lives; who did things they wished they hadn’t, or didn’t do things they wished they had; to hold up a mirror and say yes; that was f#&*ed up.

What does it mean to be a woman in a country where abortion is banned in all circumstances? In this lyrical documentary, women and girls speak about the challenges and consequences regarding unsafe abortion in the Dominican Republic.

Catch the best of the fest on one stage. SXSW Comedy brings you a curated powerhouse lineup featuring iconic voices and the must-see breakout performers you’ll be bragging about discovering first. Lineup coming soon!

Mickey spent the last ten years exploring her transition process within the conservative context of Sinaloa, Mexico. Through digital archives, artistic reenactments, and deeply personal encounters, the film moves between tenderness and rage, transforming memory into an act of freedom. An exploration of self-perception and a non-punitive confrontation with the past.

Exceptional storytelling that captivates, surprises, and excites.

Nola, a sous chef searching for stability, is barely holding her life together. After a brutal Friday night shift, she crashes her bike and wakes to find her estranged father, Cyrus, now unhoused, standing over her. Taking him in forces long-buried wounds to the surface. As past and present collide, Nola is pulled into a reckoning with grief, forgiveness, and the fragile possibility of repair.

Two sisters with a contentious relationship decide to rob a rural home in upstate New York. The simple robbery turns into a nightmare when one of them throws out her back and becomes immobilized on the second floor. The night spirals out of control as they embark on a painful journey to make it out before the homeowner returns.

Following a failed engagement, Louisa "Lou" Klaussner, an aspiring author who pays the bills by writing social media copy for a tortilla chip company, falls into a side hustle writing wedding vows for other people. When Lou reconnects with her college best-friend and long-time crush Warren, she is shocked to find he is the fiancé of one of Lou's wedding vow clients… putting Lou in the middle of a complicated love-rectangle.

After falling in love with Vietnamese cuisine during a life-changing trip abroad, Jerald—a self-taught chef from small-town Texas—arrives in New York City with one goal: to open his own restaurant. Juggling odd jobs and secretly perfecting recipes in a basement kitchen, he’s running out of time and money. When he meets Nhung, a sharp-witted Vietnamese waitress, their unlikely alliance sparks a bold culinary journey. From improvised street hustles to a hidden speakeasy, they fight to turn Jerald’s dream into reality. A story of passion, resilience, and unexpected friendship in the heart of the city.

"Manhood" follows Dallas entrepreneur Bill Moore as he attempts to make penis enlargement as commonplace as Botox. Along the way, an OnlyFans star and a father of five put their bodies—and their insecurities—on the line. Blending dark humor with unexpected empathy, "Manhood" examines shame, addiction, and the fragile myths of American masculinity. From Oscar-winning Executive Producer Sheila Nevins ("Citizenfour"), World of Wonder ("The Eyes of Tammy Faye"), Penny Lane ("Hail Satan"), Producer Kerry Mack ("Proof of Concept"), and Director Daniel Lombroso ("White Noise").

Lance, Clay, and Darby have spent their childhoods drinking, wreaking havoc, and filming crude stunts in their small town. Everyone hates them. Wanting to finally prove their lives have meaning, the boys set out to make a “real movie” and in the process are forced to confront emotions and experiences they’ve never considered: love, loss, and ultimately, what it means to grow up.

A first person horror film. Sean and his fiancée, Grace, enter a remote forest to find Sean’s missing father, Paul, who vanished after the death of his youngest daughter, Lilly. Returning to the site of Lilly’s death forces Sean to confront his inner demons, which begin to materialize externally. Their search takes a terrifying turn, revealing Paul’s secret. He’s been conducting experiments, aimed at resurrecting Lilly. The forest is now inhabited by cannibalistic little girls, each a clone of Lilly, battling to prove their identity as the 'real' Lilly. As Sean and Grace uncover the grim truth, they face terrifying creatures and grapple with unsettling questions about life and death.

DJ AG is a genre-shifting DJ and producer whose influence sits at the crossroads of Black British culture, global pop and contemporary electronic music. His sets move from grime and UK rap to afrobeats and alternative soul without losing pace or purpose. This approach has made him a trusted name for artists and audiences who want more than a standard club experience. AG has shared stages with and played for artists including Ed Sheeran, Will Smith, Burna Boy and Skepta. His profile continues to grow as he brings his sound to live shows, brand events and cultural moments that pull in diverse crowds. Known for reading a room with accuracy rather than hype, AG builds environments where every transition feels intentional. His work has been covered by a range of platforms and press titles reflecting his reach across culture, style and music. Coverage includes features and appearances in GRM Daily, Complex, Notion, Trench, Mixtape Madness and BBC platforms which have positioned him as one of the most versatile names emerging from the UK scene.

Kurt Maloney, Jacob Wysocki, Vic Michaelis, Oscar Montoya, and Scott Passarella from Dropout TV take on long form improv in this special live show.

Elijah Delgado is a 23-year-old singer-songwriter from Austin, Texas, creating what he calls Indie Rock Lullabies — a blend of cinematic energy, textured guitar work, and raw emotion. Since releasing his debut EP When I Was On Cloud 9 in 2021, which surpassed 700,000 Spotify streams, Elijah has emerged as one of Austin’s most compelling young voices.

After learning his brother’s death may be murder, Ethan returns to Las Vegas to uncover the truth, and confront the violent past he buried. Once a street kid, he’s now living the good life in L.A., engaged to his dream girl and working for her father’s real estate firm. But when he gets a text saying his brother overdosed, the promise he made to never return home shatters, pulling him back into the world he thought he’d escaped.

JLQ (aka the Julie Lowery Quartet) is a quartet on Austin’s Flak Records known for its lush vocals and catchy melodies. The band features Austin music veterans Julie Lowery (lead vocals, acoustic guitar), Andy Maguire (bass), David Mider (percussion) and Jenny Smith (violin) playing and singing dreamy, four-part harmony ear worms.

Jordan Walsh is a percussionist, producer, and educator based in Austin, Texas. A proponent of electronics and theater in music, he strives to perform the most absurd music with the most genuine fervor. Jordan's recent work includes esteemed composers including Elainie Lillios, Aida Shirazi, José Martinez, and Louis Raymond Kolker. Frequently engaged as a solo performer, Jordan has appeared at the SEAMUS conference, the New York City Electroacoustic Music Festival, Percussive Arts Society International Convention, New Music Dublin, and the Bowling Green State University New Music Festival.

Kim Ho has escaped the clogged streets, blinding lights and noise of central Hong Kong to the region’s northern mountains. Heartbreak and disillusionment are on her heels.

Mai Anna is a Japanese and Puerto Rican Alternative - R&B artist born and raised in Queens, New York. Blending soulful sounds with her multicultural roots, she is part of a new wave of artists redefining the genre with intention and depth.

Indulge your cravings for horror, gore, and dark comedy.

Mika Häkki is more well known as one of the three members in the band Monolord, who have been playing all round the world since 2015. In 2020 Mika Häkki started releasing music under his own name. What started out as a personal outlet in a singer/songwriter shape, soon switched gears as he started playing live shows and collecting musicians on the way, who started performing under the name Dark Yonder. In 2025 Mika Häkki & Dark Yonder entered a recording studio with the producer Kristoffer Ragnstam to record a full album. "Let Me Take You For A Ride", which will be out on Ella Ruth Institutet in the spring of 2026, was recorded live in just three days to capture that creative energy that the band has together. The first single "Times Are Easy" will be out on all digital platforms on March 6th.

Talise is a Canadian songwriter rooted in old-time, blues, and Americana. Accompanying herself on banjo and guitar, she writes and performs with a spare, intimate sound and a deep, dark-toned voice, carrying songs shaped by honest storytelling and the stark beauty of the northern landscape.Outside of music, she spends much of her time learning and practicing bushcraft and traditional land-based skills, a way of life that continues to shape her perspective and writing.

Wesley Wolffe is a multi-instrumentalist/songwriter based out of New York City.

Amor Vincit Omnia is a pop-project created by producer Baldur Skúlasonand singer Erla Hlín Guðmundsdóttir. The band name, translating to LoveConquers All, encapsulates their humouristic approach to serious subjects,since the name is to them, both beautiful and a bit ridiculous at the sametime. Amor’s music is best described as playful and eccentric, with anIcelandic sense of carelessness. Their sound is inspired by people who pushthe boundaries of pop music, such as Björk, Jockstrap and Kate Bush.In 2024, Amor released their debut EP, brb babe, earning them ReykjavikGrapevine’s ‘One to Watch’ and the Kraumur Awards. Since the release, theyhave played at one of the biggest festivals in Iceland ‘Aldrei fór ég Suður’and collected over 30 performances around the country. This year they willbe playing at the iconic Iceland Airwaves off-venue showcase,demonstrating that they are now ready to take their infectious beats abroad.

Sage Bava is an artist, writer, and creator. Her debut “deeply soulful” (LA Times) album, 'In Whose Eyes' , arriving spring 2026, features Christian McBride, Braxton Cook, Larry Goldings, Anthony Wilson, and more, and is co-produced by Sage and Larry Klein. Recent festival performances include Burning Man and BottleRock. Raised on Odonata, an animal rescue and nature preserve, her mantra, “We are nature, and the more we sever ourselves, the more we harm,” is central to her creativity. She began performing, acting, and writing at age ten, was mentored early on by Les Paul, and went on to earn a master’s degree in Production and Contemporary Performance from Berklee. A passionate storyteller, Sage published the poetry/prose collection 'The Taste of Pomegranate Seeds' and is also dedicated to journalism, with several published articles covering music, culture, and wellness.

Based in Los Angeles, wilter is the solo project of Will Durkee. The work functions at the intersection of traditional folk songwriting and IDM-informed production, occupying a liminal space somewhere between Neil Young and Aphex Twin.

Jenna Cole is a Newcastle-based Afrobeats artist, songwriter and producer creating globally-minded music from the heart of Whitley Bay. Blending warm vocals with infectious rhythms and soulful melodies, her sound moves between Afrobeats, R&B and Pop, delivering records that feel both intimate and energetic.

'One of Austin's best songwriters' has a new album, Mind How You Go, out on Flak Records. Larry's killer band includes Jon Sanchez (Flying Saucers, Roky Erickson), Andy Maguire ( Spoon, Dogzilla), Ray Flynt (2020), and Jenny deWulf Smith (JLQ).

RAKEL is an Icelandic artist working in song, memory, and atmosphere. Her music folds together voice, field recording, and emotion into layered compositions that feel intimate and expansive. She has become a quietly singular presence in the Icelandic music landscape, performing with artists like Nanna (Of Monsters and Men), Axel Flóvent, and Kaktus Einarsson. Her debut album - a place to be - was released on Ólafur Arnalds’ OPIA Community in October 2025 and garnered widespread acclaim from top Icelandic and global media alikel, with The Line of Best Fit calling her “Iceland’s next breakout star” and writeups in Billboard, Exclaim!, SPIN, London Standard and more. She dominated the Iceland Airwaves festival in November 2025, with the festival awarding her the prestigious “PLUS Award”, granted to one artist each year that is ready to take over the world.

Jersey-born Maria Crawford has been paving her way through the Nashville independent music scene since 2014. Now Brooklyn-based, she continues to capture listeners with her fiercely vulnerable songwriting and compelling live performances. Wilby’s debut single “Bad” (2020) gained immediate attention, followed by "Translucent Beauty” (2021), drifting between bedroom pop and indie rock. Her sophomore EP, “Happiest Woman” (2023), marked a shift toward showcasing a full-band production, mirroring the force of Wilby’s live sound. Wilby’s debut album, “Center of Affection” (2025, via Hit the North Records), explores both the cathartic side of indie-rock and the vulnerable side of twangy folk. Wilby has been featured in FLOOD Magazine, Luna Collective, and Ones To Watch, named an Artist to Watch by Atwood Magazine, with support from Seattle’s KEXP and Nashville’s WNXP and Lightning 100.

“I do it with my heart on my sleeve,” Pierce sings on Blouse, the lead single and closing track of Chatterton’s latest EP, Tiny Empire. It’s the first release from the Oxnard, CA-based duo, consisting of Brock Pierce and Logan Scrivner, since 2024’s debut Fields of This, the album which earned them a slot on Pitchfork’s Best Rock Albums of 2024. The lyric embodies the new EP well—especially coming from a pair who often prefer to keep things abstract rather than confessional. Pierce may grumble that “everything has changed” on “Punching Bag,” yet Tiny Empire stands as a testament that sometimes change can work in your favor.

Babatunde Akinboboye is an internationally celebrated Nigerian-American baritone and the pioneering force behind Hip Hopera—a bold, genre-defying fusion of classical opera and hip-hop. With a powerful operatic voice and magnetic stage presence, Babatunde merges centuries-old vocal mastery with the cultural pulse of modern Black music, creating a sound that is as revolutionary as it is resonant.Born of Nigerian descent and classically trained in Western opera, Babatunde’s unique cultural and musical background fuels his mission to make opera more accessible and culturally relevant. His breakout moment came in 2018 when he went viral for blending Rossini’s Largo al Factotum with Kendrick Lamar’s HUMBLE—a performance that amassed over 10 million views and earned global media coverage from TIME, MSN, and Classic FM.

Cardinal Bloom is an Indie Rock Band from Salt Lake City Utah, one of the birth places of the modern Indie Rock genre. Cardinal Bloom's debut album “The Only Place I’ve Ever Known” released September of 2024 marking a new era of their music while still holding true to the sound they've carved as their own. Cardinal Bloom’s music encapsulates the nostalgic and bittersweet feeling of ‘better days,’ yet leaving you a notion there is still so much life ahead of us to be lived.

Darkness and chaos abound. Come blow like a leaf through these wild winds and hyper-fixate on said chaos with Chelsea Peretti, Natasha Leggero, and Sabrina Jalees. Show includes a cold-read of a scene written specifically for this show, and beautiful, au courant stand-up.

DD Island is a Brooklyn-based folk-rock band, formed in 2023 over a shared love of analog recording. Drawing on the familiarity of '60s and '70s West Coast country and psychedelic rock, DD Island still pulses with a brightness and grit that is grounded in present-day New York. The band’s debut LP, “Setting Sun” is due in Spring 2026.

Born and raised in the small city of Shreveport, Louisiana, I’ve carved out my lane as a DJ in just four years—moving fast, working hard, and building my name from the ground up. Within my first six months behind the decks, I hit the road on tour with ill Manner Shows and artist Big Jade, setting the tone for a career that would take me city to city and state to state.

Under the name DUUNES, Harrison Cohen delivers sly, high-voltage alt-rock shaped by the chaos of NYC—gritty, resilient, and emotionally charged. With explosive choruses and raw vocals, DUUNES channels the spirit of The Killers, Young the Giant, and Kings of Leon. DUUNES is more than music—it’s the 4 AM clarity that wrecks your sleep, the rush hour traffic in your head. After going viral with a cover of “Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked” (25M+ views across TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram), DUUNES hit the stage at The Bowery Ballroom, opened for Joe P at WFUV’s Racket NYC showcase, sold out gigs in New York and Boston, and landed “Delusional” on Spotify’s Best of Fresh Finds Rock 2024, with multiple radio spins on NYC’s WFUV. Now he’s gearing up to release his debut album in 2026 while hitting the road playing shows across the North East, East Coast dates in the Mid-West.

Julie Nolen is a Texas-based singer-songwriter whose music blends raw storytelling with the grit of rock & roll. Born under the wide-open skies of West Texas, her songs carry the dust of desert highways and the resilience of those who call them home. A proud voice in queer country, Julie brings authenticity to a genre rooted in tradition, proving that country music is for everyone.

KUOKO is an artist from Hamburg, Germany, known for her unmistakable voice and pop music shaped by her own electronic production. With millions of streams to her name, she brings brand new music to SXSW- expect a live set made to both dance and drift.

Growing up in Staghorn Flat, Victoria, Lucky burst onto the scene in flurry of fuzzy guitars and captivating storytelling. Blending the raw energy of alternative rock, with the dreamy haze of modern indie, her music captures the nuances of life's everyday moments and dives deep, putting you right at the centre of her world. Having supported the likes of The Belair Lip Bombs, Hockey Dad, Armlock and Dear Seattle, the Melbourne based artist is set for an exciting 2026 - following the release of her single ‘Lady Beetle’, Lucky is building a devoted audience who are eagerly waiting to see what’s in store next.

Oya Noire (she/they) is a stunning Haitian-American singer and songwriter from Brooklyn, NY. An undeniable force and artist, Oya started off as a backup vocalist for 2x Grammy winner, Timothy Bloom. Now, as an independent artist, Oya Noire channels her New York City roots fusing high-energy with Neo-soul and Jazzy rhythms that linger long after the song ends.

Hailing from the fields and the farms and the line dances of rural Iowa, Paisley Fieldsnow stands — in snakeskin cowboy boots — as one of New York City’s queer countryleaders. Though his East Village Cxntry Club residency at Lucinda Williams’ new honkytonk and dive bar, as well as through his musical mentorship work through TheRecording Academy, Fields shows that country music is fun and for everyone.On his fourth LP, On Are U Mad At Me, the singer, songwriter, and pianist proves thatgenre is as fluid as sexuality. The 12-track album saunters across country, pop, disco,grunge, and classical with ease, with bangers like lead single "parTy girl" and the two-

If there's one thing Panic Shack know, it's how to have a good time. Comprised of Sarah, Meg, Romi, Em and Nick, the band formed in 2018 as a middle-finger to the “members-only club” atmosphere of indie and punk scenes – not just because they’re male-dominated, but because they make playing music seem out of reach or, even worse, boring. This carefree approach gives Panic Shack’s music the same effect as popping a bottle of Prosecco – explosive, intoxicating, and delightfully chaotic. With barely any music available online, they built a word-of-mouth following off the back of their live shows, which have been praised for fusing “thrashy early LA-style punk with choreography that owes something to the Go-Go’s and Iron Maiden all at once” (The Guardian).Released in 2022, their acclaimed Baby Shack EP bottled the lightning they have on stage, cementing their ability to blend killer hooks with a contagious sense of humour.

Ruido Selecto is a musician, producer, and sound engineer from Medellín, Colombia. His music focuses on Caribbean rhythms such as Cumbia, Salsa, Electronic Dub, and Afro-diasporic styles that have traditionally reached Colombia through the Picó Soundsystem culture. Ruido defines his sound as "Caribbean Bass." Since 2015, he has released two studio albums and several collaborations and EPs (Secret Lab 2015, Piratería Caribeña y Contrabando 2019 Equador 2022, and Cumbia Soundsystem EP 2025). In 2024, he released a series of remixes of iconic tracks from the legendary Colombian label Discos Fuentes, titled 14 CAÑONAZOS EN DUB, an audiovisual production that was highlighted by the specialized media outlet Gladys Palmera. He has toured nationally and internationally in Mexico and Central America, with additional performances in the United States and Europe. Ruido Selecto has participated in festivals such as Altavoz, África Futura, and Invazion Fest, sharing the stage with artists like Mitú, Afrotronix, Ghetto Kumbé, Systema Solar, Alligatorz, among others. He has worked as a producer and mastering engineer for Discos Fuentes , Folcore Barcelona and No Sabes.

Somewhere among Brooklyn’s slurry of slayers, WifeKnife emerged in the spring of 2022. Sarah Hamilton’s vocals cradle then convulse the crowd, her lyrics poetic and evocative. This combined with sludgy metal/grunge-influenced riffs and hard-hitting yet danceable drum beats, makes for an experience and sound that melts faces and defies expectations.

Hailing from the cultural city of Yogyakarta, Indonesia, Grrrl Gang is a rising force in the independent music scene with their infectious melodies, anthemic songs, and electrifying live performances. The power trio, composed of Angeeta Sentana on guitar and vocals, Akbar Rumandung on bass, and Edo Alventa on guitar, has been making waves in the Southeast Asian music scene since their formation in 2016. Grrrl Gang's music is a celebration of their collective roots and a testament to the power of pop music to connect people across cultures and borders. Their lyrics touch on themes such as feminism, mental health, and relationships with a raw honesty that speaks to a generation of young listeners. With their infectious energy, socially conscious lyrics, and unique sound, Grrrl Gang is poised to take the global music scene by storm and become a voice for a new generation. Their full-length debut album, Spunky! is the sound of a band not content to rest on its laurels, despite gathering an impressive list of achievements since Grrrl Gang first got together in 2016 and proceeded to take the local, regional, and international indie scenes by storm.

Joe Patitucci is a multi-media artist and pioneer in the field of plant music and bio-sonification, uniquely blending his background in music, design, and environmental advocacy. His innovative work creates immersive sonic environments that bridge natural and digital worlds, resonating with audiences' intuitive connection to Earth.

Camille Schmidt is a Brooklyn-based songwriter who writes with the kind of emotional clarity most people spend their lives avoiding. Her songs are known for their near mythic ability to turn confession into something communal.

A woman inherits her childhood home, seeking solace from a chaotic city life marked by addiction and debt. Unbeknownst to her, a psychotic neighbor becomes disturbingly obsessed with her due to a haunting resemblance to the neighbor’s deceased mother. As the fixation turns violent, her friends begin disappearing one by one, drawing her into a perverted, blood-soaked Christmas nightmare she may not survive.

amri fuses her Indian roots into putting a spin on her much-loved Soul and R&B to create a fresh, new, jazzy, colourful sound. Branching into a range of sounds built in Carnatic melodies, amri balances relatable lyrics to a fun, fresh groove. Born and primarily brought up in London alongside Guernsey, she draws from these experiences in her writing. With so many inspirations she branches from, her soulful, sweet melodies will surely hold a piece of something you love and play over in your head!

South North SouthWest, the enigmatic alias of VAL, is a multifaceted artist whose work weaves a vibrant tapestry of sound, style, and cultural introspection. Born in the soulful crucible of Detroit, Michigan, VAL’s moniker encapsulates the dichotomies she navigates—regional roots, personal transformation, and a fearless fusion of genres. A sonic alchemist, she dances effortlessly between the raw pulse of hip-hop, the ethereal currents of alternative soul, and the avant-garde edge of experimental couture.From her early days in Detroit the grassroots performances, VAL has sculpted a magnetic presence that defies categorization, captivating audiences with her genre-defying artistry. Her breakout single, Scorpion, featuring That Mexican OT and Jesus Smokes, is a testament to her lyrical prowess and electrifying charisma—a bold declaration of her ability to command both the mic and the moment. As South North SouthWest, VAL crafts art that transcends boundaries, channeling the spirit of her city while speaking to a global audience. Her creations-whether through music or style—are a radiant bridge between north and south, east and west, always pulsing with unapologetic heart and vision.

The Eric Hisaw Band is a roots rock’n’roll trio based in Austin, Tx. The 2025 Flak Records release Otra Vez draws on influences ranging from John Lee Hooker, Jerry Lee Lewis & Link Wray filtered through a 1960’s Nuggets era garage rock sensibility. The bulk of the material was developed while Hisaw was laid up with a gunshot wound from a wayward bullet that entered his family’s southeast Austin home. Using small Fender amps, lots of tremolo, Silvertone & telecaster guitars, Hisaw, drummer Shawn Peters and bassist Ron McRae create a rough and tumble, driving sound to support Hisaw’s literate tales of outsiders living on the fringes of the American dream. Since McRae’s departure to Eugene, OR, bass duties have been filled by Jimmy Pettit (of the great 80’s Joe Ely Band) who has brought his own unique raw power rock’n’roll spirit to the band’s live show. Look for lots of regional shows & new music from the band coming soon.

Nick (Jai Courtney), affable heir to a wealthy rural landowner, discovers his fiancée, Kori (Emily Browning), is cheating on him and wants nothing more than to just fix the problem. One night, he captures a rogue Fox (Olivia Colman), and she offers him a trade-off: if Nick lets her live, the Fox will help him save his relationship. All he has to do is push Kori into a magic hole with the power to change her into the perfect partner. Nick follows the Fox’s advice and the Kori who re-emerges seems to be everything he ever wanted. Until her strange new quirks make him question his decision.

Taking over sweaty New York venues and curbside congregations, bloodsports has become an undeniable force with their latest lineup—Sam Murphy (guitar/vocals), Jeremy Mock (guitar), Liv Eriksen (bass/vocals), and Scott Hale (drums)—finding solace in sonic strain where angular sedition collides with economical melodies that ease the weight of self-destruction. Their long-awaited debut album Anything Can Be A Hammer marks a bold evolution, embracing a more dynamic, mature approach as the band balances experimentation and curiosity with rhythmic blows and emotional depth; fragile yet abundant, the record leans into patience and interior tension, with Murphy’s lyricism blurring the line between what we know and what we think we know—it’s an album with blood in its veins and a finger on the pulse. The release quickly caught fire with praise from Stereogum, Vice, Alternative Press, Consequence, and more, leading to a support slot on They Are Gutting A Body of Water’s sold-out album release show and performances alongside Starcleaner Reunion and Brutus VII. In 2026, the Brooklyn four-piece is set to take their hard-hitting live show to SXSW, across the country, and around the world.

According to his mother, when E.M.E. (born Emmanuel Nwaneto) was baptized, the presiding reverend declared that the child would be a star. Two decades later, he's now fulfilling the reverend's prophecy as an up-and-coming Afrofusion artist based in Denver, Colorado. With over 1.5 million views on his videos and 2 million streams on Spotify and Apple Music, E.M.E is rapidly rising to meet his goal of bringing Afrobeats from Nigeria, to Colorado, and now to the world.

Noel, also known as “The Golden Boy” raised on Detroit’s east side has been releasing music for over 5 years now. His sound blends melody and rap in a special way from singing on hooks to rapping bars on verses. Apart of Sick’Em Records and CrowdFreak Noel has a couple of projects in the works right now. Expect something soon in 2026.

At just 24, Jamie Duffy has emerged as one of Ireland’s most compelling new artists, blending folk, classical, and contemporary influences into a sound that’s both intimate and cinematic. His debut single Solas became the most streamed debut by an Irish artist since Hozier’s Take Me To Church, with over 135+ million streams on Spotify, 27 million YouTube views, and 7.3 billion views on TikTok.

In 2022, five young men from Iceland, unsure of where their life was going formed a rock band, with the goal of bringing style, fun, dance and catchy songwriting back to Icelandic rock music. Spacestation has in the past couple of years gained a reputation as the country’s most exciting new rock group and its most proliferate live band.

Emerging from the heart of New York City’s underground music scene, Stare Away is the brainchild of Ben Nelson, a project that fuses post-punk intensity with a retro-coded aesthetic inspired by the dark alternative icons of the 1980s. Haunting melodies and brooding soundscapes channel the spirit of goth-driven acts from that era, offering a sonic journey steeped in existential reflection and melancholic beauty. A true embodiment of modern dark romanticism, Stare Away continues to captivate audiences seeking meaning in the shadows.

After Gloria and Nick break up, Gloria takes us through Nick's dating history, untangling his web of ex-girlfriends through details she can find online. But when she discovers Kaylinn, the hottest most basic ex-girlfriend to ever exist, Gloria not only loses herself, she loses control of the story she's been telling. Basic is a comedy that blends the magical-realism of jealous paranoia with the magic of falling in love.

CDSM a.k.a. Celebrity Death Slot Machine is a “freakout post-punk group” (FLOOD Magazine) based in Atlanta, GA. Their stylish sonic onslaught is anchored around dancey rhythms, atypical synthesizer work, timely saxophone growls, as well as goth rock-esque melodies that serve to recount bizarre humor-laden tales from a derelict parallel universe. Since forming in 2021, the band has toured North America and Europe, sharing the stage with likes of The KVB, Bodega, Sheer Mag, Iceage, and Model/Actriz, while also taking part in events such as SXSW, Treefort Festival, Art Rock Festival, Hopscotch Festival, and M for Montreal. CDSM’s introductory EP, Hell Stairs (2022), was both glamorous and bleak, swanky and derelict, uplifting and crushing, described by the band as “hedonism clinking in your glass, change jingling in the pit of your chest.” Atlanta’s hot new commodity followed with a slew of music videos – “GOGO” (May 11th, 2023), “Entertainment” (2023), “DOM” (2023), and “SHADY” (2024) – amidst a stretch that saw them bring their sweaty live set to the very best underground venues the United States, Canada and Europe have to offer.

Dramos is a New Jersey based DJ and producer redefining Latin club music through an East Coast lens. Rooted in Puerto Rican heritage, his sound blends Latin club rhythms, house structure, and global dance energy into a modern expression of diaspora identity. His performances are immersive and rhythm-driven, built as cultural experiences that connect tradition with forward-thinking electronic production.Working at the intersection of ancestral rhythm and contemporary club architecture, Dramos moves fluidly between salsa-house hybrids, Latin tech grooves, percussive house, and broader Latin club influences. Live percussion textures, melodic phrasing drawn from classic Latin music, and driving low-end foundations sit at the core of his sound, creating records and sets that feel intentional, kinetic, and emotionally charged rather than trend-driven.His releases have appeared on internationally respected labels including Dim Mak, Armada, Enhanced, and Stealth Records. With a growing catalog of original productions and hybrid Salsa-House and Latin club records, Dramos is carving out a distinct lane within global dance culture that centers identity, movement, and evolution.

A live stand-up show from Dropout, hosted by Jacquis Neal, where the audience is the main material. Full lineup coming soon!

Joyeria (pronounced Joy-ah-ree-ah) is a London-based outfit led by a Canadian-Polish songwriter who famously spent years quitting bands at their peak to keep his creative soul intact. Now a staple of London's underground scene, the group is a vehicle for "working in the dark"—a shape-shifting project that prizes sincerity over polish.

Born in Texas and raised in Northern California, Marley Hale’s musical influences followed: Texas’s deep, country and western swing roots met San Francisco’s folk and rock legends. The result: classic country tropes, turned on their heads through a switching of roles or a repossessed identity; delicate, revelatory explorations of what it means to be a friend, lover, or neither; and second person addresses to herself that offer both an onlooker’s and her own perspective. After California, Hale spent time in Austin, TX and Portland, OR before relocating to Brooklyn, NY, where she recorded her debut EP, By My Own Ways, released July 2024, and began touring the US and Canada. After spending the better part of three years on the road, she moved back home to Austin, where she now resides.

"A voice that stops you in your tracks" – BBC Radio 1

P.H.0 [P-H-"zero"] is a NYC-based SILKPUNK quartet reshaping the city's underground. Fusing the raw, intense metal riffs with the haunting cry of the traditional Chinese erhu and techno-dystopian synths, they craft sounds that are at once chaotic and controlled, futuristic and ancient. Their live shows—referred to as "rituals"—transform ancient Taoist traditions into ear-crushing soundscapes that defy time, crashing into chaotic mosh pits under visceral strobing lights to create what some describe as a rave in an abandoned shrine from Cyberpunk 2077.

On their intoxicating new album, Thank the Lord...it’s The Pink Stones, Pinkston and his bandmates do precisely that, offering up a joyful, adventurous take on ’60s twang that blurs the lines between cosmic country, folk, bluegrass, soul, and psychedelic rock. Recorded once again with co-producer/engineer Henry Barbe (Drive-By Truckers, Deerhunter) in the band’s hometown of Athens, GA, the collection showcases a more deliberate, mature side of The Pink Stones’ sound, one that reflects all the personal and sonic growth that’s defined the last few years for the hard touring five-piece. The songs on Thank the Lord... are humble and timeless, full of wry, sardonic wit and rich, evocative storytelling, and the performances are easygoing and amiable, with an effortlessly natural feel that belies the masterful craftsmanship behind them. The result is a record that wears its influences proudly on its sleeve, even as it a subverts expectation, a work of poignant longing and playful humor that tips its cap to everyone from Merle Haggard and Earl Scruggs to Don Williams and The Byrds as it looks both forwards and backwards all at once.

For the past 10 years, Theo Lawrence has been making a name for himself as France's favorite songbird. A truly one-of-a-kind country singer and genuine keeper of the flame, Lawrence came into his own on his Austin-made 2023 LP release, Cherie, and on his all-acoustic album, Pickin' & Singin'. His most recent release, a duet All Fifty States (with Melissa Carper), is a playful back-and-forth about two people in love who don’t always see eye to eye. It's a perfect showcase of storytelling, connection, and the artistry Theo brings to every song.

With combined streams of over 100 million and a dedicated online following, Morgan is doing things her way. Morgan began performing at just three years old and by eighteen she’d joined Rudimental as a globally-touring vocalist. Her solo debut ‘My Year’ spotlit her brand of sparkling pop, before a collaboration with Ebenezer (‘Mulholland Drive’) earned her over 10 million streams. Her subsequent EP ‘Alien’ referenced golden-era pop. That same year, ‘ADCT’ (written when she was 17) soared to the #1 spot on both TikTok Trending Sounds and the UK Top 50, earning over 30 million streams. Morgan also co-wrote and featured on Rudimental & Digga D’s ‘Be the One’, Sigma’s ‘Adrenaline Rush’ and Purple Disco Machine's most recent album. She’s been writing for some of the biggest K-pop artists (including NCT’s Jaehyun, TWICE & Aespa).

Girl Tones, of planet Earth, are a high-energy rock duo brought to life by two sisters named Kenzie and Laila. Both classically trained musicians, Kenzie transitioned from cello to guitar and Laila from piano to drums in an effort to electrify sentient beings from this galaxy to the next. Their debut releases were produced by Brad Shultz of Cage The Elephant and released via his label Parallel Vision in partnership with Big Loud Rock.Their first offerings have earned the praise of Rolling Stone, VICE, Consequence, PAPER, NME, DORK and many others with Flaunt saying, “Their sound is fluid, and yet with each release, they evolve as a harmonious group, developing their unique sound as one.”Girl Tones has toured with Cage The Elephant across the globe, as well as The Velveteers, hey, nothing. and Silversun Pickups in North America. Making their unignorable festival debut at Lollapalooza, Shaky Knees, Austin City Limits and more, Rolling Stone said, “While the White Stripes — their most obvious comparison — were about controlled energy, Girl Tones are proudly imperfect.”As the band jumps into 2026, they have no shortage of new music and new tour dates up their sleeves.

Born in the new millennium, Luke Tyler Shelton makes soul-soothing rock-and-roll with all the ineffable charm of a faraway time. With a profound gift for dreaming up heavenly melodies and fantastically loose grooves, the Los Angeles native found his sound as part of a close-knit scene of young musicians and artists—a DIY-minded community whose spirit and sensibilities recall the near-mythic creative hotbed of early-’70s Laurel Canyon. Produced by Shooter Jennings (Brandi Carlile, Tanya Tucker) and Jonathan Wilson (Father John Misty, Angel Olsen), Luke’s debut body of work merges country-rock, folk-pop, and Southern soul into songs that immediately transport the audience into a state of enchanted ease.

Marni carries a down-to-earth and authentic energy. The indie rock band formed in Los Angeles, California, in 2022, and consists of Nicolas Lara (vocals, guitar), and Michaela Gradstein (vocals, guitar). The project began as Lara’s solo work in Palm Springs, where he released the debut album Whiskey Girl, before evolving into a full band the following year.

Que the Boy is a Detroit-bred hip-hop artist and founder of the World Members collective, blending cinematic visuals with motivational Midwest grit. His music reflects independence, strategy, and storytelling rooted in Detroit resilience.

When the ooligan vanishes from Bella Coola, its absence remains like a scar, pointing to a history that reaches far beyond the river. From ramshackled Nuxalk Radio, voices rise through crackling airwaves to trace the forces no one was meant to uncover. What begins as a local broadcast becomes an awakening as testimony, watercolour animation and rare archival weave a story of survival, return and the quiet revolution of an Indigenous Nation that refuses to disappear.

Power trio Parker Woodland plays joyous rock-n-roll for a world on fire. The female-majority band is known for justice activism, infectious melodies and uplifting energy, with singer/bassist Erin Walter's physical performance an invitation for audiences to let go and jump on stage to dance with the band.

Rosa Anschütz is a musician and sound artist whose practice merges composition, installation, and performance. Her sound blends the dark ambience of post-punk and cold wave with ethereal polyphony and synth-driven melodies. She has released three LPs: Votive (2020), accompanied by nine clay sculptures inspired by votive offerings; Goldener Strom (2022), which was staged at the Deutsche Oper Berlin; and Interior (2024), featuring nine tracks, each accompanied by a sequined landscape hand-stitched by Anschütz. Her new album, Sabbatical, was released on September 26, 2025, on Heartworm Press, US.

Called “the quintessential modern composer” by the ​London Independent​, Austin-based composer-bandleader-improviser Graham Reynolds records and performs music for film, theater, dance, rock clubs, and concert halls. He recently scored Richard Linklater’s He recently scored Richard Linklater’s Blue Moon (Sony) with Ethan Hawke and Margaret Qualley, Hit Man (Netflix), Happy Jail (Netflix), Stop Hitting Yourself (Lincoln Center Theater), Out of Her Mind (BBC), Grimm Tales (Ballet Austin), and a multi-year commission from Ballroom Marfa, The Marfa Triptych, culminating in his Creative Capital Award winning project Pancho Villa from a Safe Distance. Amidst his many other projects, Graham also serves as the Artistic Director of the new music focused non-profit Golden Hornet. In 2020, Graham signed with London-based record label Fire Records and released his original score for Alfred Hitchcock’s silent classic, The Lodger. His most recent release with Fire, Mountain (March 2025), is a full-length solo album that draws from the full breadth of his musical career.

Jamie Dred is a UK-born DJ and event producer of Jamaican descent, based in Austin, Texas, for over 10 years.The son of legendary sound system selector Lippy and Greensleeves artist Princess Black (of Capital Letters), reggae has been the foundation of his musical upbringing from day one.Raised in England through the '90s and 2000s, he was shaped by the UK's dynamic music scene. After running a successful record label and managing multiple artists and producers in the UK, he relocated to Austin to DJ, produce events, and build community.He produces and manages events with AllTheVibesEnt., where you can expect Soca, Reggae, Dancehall, Amapiano, Drill, Grime, Hip-Hop, Afrobeats, and beyond. He also creates learning opportunities through Dub Academy.Jamie holds a residency at Soho House Austin and has played everywhere from London (Carnival) to One Fest (Canouan) and Salibou Fest (The Gambia), plus Miami, New York, Denver, Vegas, Oakland, and more.

Attalie is a California-based music seamstress whose sound lives at the intersection of jazz, alternative R&B, and neo-soul. Her music serves as a sanctuary — a space where listeners are invited to let their guard down, look inward, and reconnect with themselves, empowered to be and become in spite of societal norms.

When Jessica Lipki discovers a severed human finger in her bowl of chili, she recognizes an opportunity to seize control of her stagnating life. Jess blackmails the regionally-beloved fast-food chain for $100,000 in return that she and her blissfully ignorant husband, Ron, keep quiet about the incident. Unbeknownst to Jess, her stunt has caught the attention of "the" Blake Junior, the plutocratic founder behind the "Blake Junior’s" food empire. He recruits his ex-marine buddy, Dave, to investigate Jess and discover the truth behind the chili finger...

Deloyd Elze, aka Jacob Henry Allen, is a genre-blending artist and poet from Jacksonville, Florida, whose music fuses traditional American songwriting with experimental and electronic textures. Over the past decade, Deloyd has tinkered with soundscapes that meld twangy guitars, lo-fi drums, dissonant synths and rich acoustic textures into ‘digital twang,’ a sound that seamlessly weaves between country, indie and electronic. The name Deloyd Elze honors his great-grandfather, a resilient man whose legacy of grit and defiance inspires his artistry. Like his namesake, Deloyd’s music is rooted in authenticity, reflecting the complexities of the human experience. Now based in Los Angeles, he’s creating music that speaks to life’s many layers, drawing from his family’s history and his own journey of self-discovery and survival.

With the rock’n’roll panache of a dive bar matador and the emotional force of a knife in the guts, Hemi Hemingway makes music that thrills, spills and breaks hearts. The effortlessly slick New Zealand star has a connoisseur’s ear for the finest parts of musical history, sweeping 60s rock, 50s sheen and 80s romanticism into the present day, refurbishing and refashioning them into something new and fresh. At home in the spotlight, he’s a showman in the best troubadour traditions, but one with real depth, showcasing swagger and vulnerability in equal measure.

Lightbath explores sound, space, and form through generative processes that treat the machine as collaborator. In the composer-as-gardener spirit, improviser and sound designer Bryan Noll plants musical seeds and guides them into pieces that unfold in the present moment.

THE WAY WE MOVE is a feature-length documentary about Amber Galloway, a star ASL (American Sign Language) interpreter who specializes in live music interpretations. Amber teaches her art to share her life’s mission : making music accessible to the Deaf community. Armed with her astounding teaching skills, she will take her struggling new recruits on a one-of-a-kind journey, hoping they have what it takes to join her at Austin City Limits music festival. As the film unfolds, we learn about Amber’s painful past and about the lives of her recruits, Julian Ortiz and Angela "AV" Vilavong, as they come together and forge life-long bonds. A film about music, Deaf culture, connection and resilience.

Hailing from the heart of Harlesden, North West London,“The Fresh Prince ofHarlesden” aka “BIG ZEEKS” is an independent, universal dancehall lyrists, whois an undisputed, talented artist, who consistently sets the bar high withcontinuous growth and versatility.Firmly cementing his place as a pivotal figure within UK dancehall music withhits: #Happy, YO, It’s a lot of money, BIG ZEEKS has built much of his notorietyby building a cult following, bridging the gap between UK Rap and JamaicanDancehall merged to create a sub-genre: UK Dancehall.BIG ZEEKS has gained much of his notoriety by building a sound reputationworking with some of the most critically acclaimed artists such as Dexta Daps,Chronic Law, Spice, Shensea, Kranium and WSTRNHis roaring talent has allowed him to sell out his own headline shows, touredthe world as a supporting act globally, and had the amazing opportunity ofperforming at various international festivals including the reknownedinfamous Glastonbury, City Splash+ more. Not only is Big Zeeksbuilding an organic following, he has managed to accumulate over 5,000,000streams on Spotify alone with the continuity of numbers rising daily.

Change doesn’t ask for permission; it disrupts and transforms. For Louie Lee, this truth began early. Growing up in a trailer park outside Detroit, he witnessed his mother working three jobs to make ends meet, instilling in him an unyielding work ethic. Battling a hearing impairment while soaking in the diverse sounds of metal, hip hop, rock, pop, and country, music became his escape and means of expression. The loss of his grandfather marked a turning point, igniting a new honesty in his songwriting that earned him Song of the Year at the Detroit Music Awards in 2022. Louie Lee's unique sound, labeled Country Hop & Roll, combines modern 808 basslines with country twang, crafting music that feels both grounded and dynamic. His lyrics delve into rarely explored emotional territories, balancing high-energy anthems with heartfelt ballads. Louie’s live performances forge deep connections with audiences, transforming shows into communal experiences where fans actively participate. As a storyteller, Louie is reshaping country music’s landscape, inviting non-country listeners to the genre while redefining its essence. His journey of creation through truth is just beginning.

One of France’s most distinctive a cappella acts, Les Itinérantes turn three voices into an immersive, ritual-like live experience.

The Ramona Flowers channel the airtight interplay, undeniable chemistry, and uncontainable energy of four close friends jamming in a room into anthems that are as cinematic as they are catchy. As such, the UK quartet—Steve Bird [vocals], Sam Dyson [guitar], Dave Betts [keys, guitar], and Ed Gallimore [drums]—infuse pop with the personal and tactile touch of live instrumentation, lean songcraft, and lush organic production. In essence, the group ignite a fresh and fiery sound the old-fashioned way.

A film that everyone is talking about, and audiences need another chance to see it.

A film that everyone is talking about, and audiences need another chance to see it.

Exceptional storytelling that captivates, surprises, and excites.

A wandering medium, Airi spends her life guiding restless spirits out of the world of the living. Summoned to an isolated country house, she comes face to face with a grotesque apparition with powers that defy Airi’s experience. As she digs deeper into the house’s past, a secret comes to light — and Airi finds herself hunted by a far more unpredictable force. For the first time, her greatest adversary is not the supernatural, but the living.

Victoryland is the Brooklyn-based project of musician Julian McCamman. His label-debut, My Heart Is A Room With No Cameras In It, out January 23, 2026 via Good English, is a triumphant, despondent, and ultimately fun experimental pop-rock album. Victoryland started in Philly 2023 with the release of tape, Sprain, which echoed more of what the Philly scene was dishing out: lo-fi, tape-recorded rock with a capital R. It was the collaborative efforts of producer Dan Howard that brought the new vision and sound into full focus.Dan and Julian previously worked on Julian’s now-defunct Texas-to-Philly based band, Blood’s Loving You Backwards LP, a collaborative effort between six bandmates. That experience pushed Julian toward a more personal process of recording, starting with home demos and then bringing them to Dan to shape into songs. This relationship ultimately led Julian to move to NYC.

The Dumes sound developed as a reaction to the increasingly strange, toxic and cyclical world around them. Frustration and aggression give way to a lighter antagonistic attitude from song to song or even section to section. The Dumes recorded their debut EP with Joe Chicarelli at Sunset Sound and worked up their latest material with Rob Schnapf at MANT. After being immersed in the LA scene for years, they’ve found a new home in Portland, Oregon. They are currently releasing songs from the new "benched EP" and have shared the stage with artists like The Warning, Sheryl Crow, Peter Frampton and toured supporting Louis Post of Veruca Salt.

RickfromTexas is a Central Texas artist entering a new chapter. After early success, he stepped back to reshape his sound and vision into something more honest and more him. He’ll debut the new direction at this year’s SXSW.

Alien Chicks are a trio hailing from the streets of South London, known for their electrifying blend of punk, rap and jazz. They create a sound that is raw and innovative, capturing the spirit of London's underground music culture. The line-up features the vocals and sharp guitar work of Josef Lindsay, the pulsating basslines of Stefan Parker-Steele and the explosive drumming of Martha Daniels. Whether delivering rapid-fire rap verses, intricate jazz-inspired bass riffs, or thunderous punk rhythms, Alien Chicks continue to push boundaries and defy expectations, drawing praise from The Independent, NME, Rolling Stone, and Radio 1.

Angela Autumn is a songwriter and banjo player from a forgotten steel town. Strongly tied to the buried stories of her childhood, her dark country songs reinvent folk tradition through the lens of eco-feminist transcendentalism. The singer’s straightforward lack of pretension speaks from the vantage point of the outsider— and, often — the sounds of the unspoken.

Bubba Lucky is a project created by Taylor Lumpkin initially performing solo with a drum machine, now the band has six members, including members from Gus Baldwin, and the sketch, whisper, commercial breaks, and late wife. Taylor Lumpkin is originally from Louisiana but has spent over a decade Participating in the Austin music scene.

A brave girl and her friends must escape a kids television show.

DeMaciiio is a Detroit-based multidisciplinary artist, rapper, live painter, DJ, and founder of NonStop Hip-Hop — an independent cultural platform connecting music, visual art, and community. Known for blending high-energy performances with live painting and curated festival experiences, he has performed over 50 shows annually across the U.S. and internationally, including activations in Mexico City and upcoming European programming launching with Paris Fashion Week.

eydrey is a 26-year-old bilingual artist emerging from the U.S.–Mexico border cities of El Paso, Texas, and Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua. Shaped by a bi-cultural upbringing, her music reflects the fluid exchange of language, rhythm, and identity that defines the region. Proudly Latina and proudly Mexican, eydrey draws from her roots to create music that reflects both her vulnerability and strength.

Singer-Songwriter John Ondrasik is a Grammy nominated, multi-platinum recording artist who performs under the hockey moniker Five For Fighting. With over two billion streams John’s songs “Superman”, “100 Years”, “The Riddle”, and “World” have become part of the American Songbook. Along with Cayley Tull, he is also Co-Founder of Let Music Fill My World, a nonprofit dedicated to expanding access to music education and ensuring young people have the opportunity to create, learn, and thrive through music.

Greyson Turner has a soul older than his twenty-seven years of age would tell you. As a singer/songwriter in Austin, TX, he has made waves in the Austin music scene since arriving in 2021. Combining a powerful, old-school, gravel-laden voice with emotion invoking, heart-hitting songwriting, Greyson has been wowing audiences with just his voice and his guitar since he was a kid.

haha Laughing is an Austin-based experimental noise rap project consisting of long-time local musicians Jay Dilick and Aby Oviedo. The duo blends elements of hardcore rap, free-jazz, distorted electronic music and punk energy into 3 minute explosions of catchy catharsis. The chaos they curate is driven home through their live shows where Dilick and Oviedo's back and forth vocals, noise breakdowns, sample flips, and sense of playfulness create a must see live performance that is energetically engaging and delightfully disorienting. haha Laughing has released multiple EP's and singles since 2021, and released their first album "LOSING TEETH DREAM" in May of 2025. Their follow up EP "BIG WHATEVER" is set to be released Spring 2026. haha Live. haha Laugh. haha Love.

Jovi Greene is an 18-year-old breakout country artist from Maryland with more than 7 million streams. He’s already opened for Jake Owen, Riley Green, Aaron Watson, Whiskey Myers, and more. Jovi has earned a loyal following through his cinematic, self-produced content and a performance style that turns first-time listeners into real fans.

Little Wilderness is a dynamic, homegrown rock band that draws inspiration from the rugged landscape of Southwest Colorado, blending the raw energy of rock 'n roll with the unique environmental influences of the Four Corners region. Formed in 2011, the band has become a key player in Durango's music scene, with a lineup that includes Paul Henderson (guitar/singer), Dan Szabo (lead guitar), Juan Lopez (bass), and David Sachs (drums).

Montclair is the Austin, Texas-based, independent folk-rock project resulting from four friends’ expression of joy and curiosity for life. Montclair's sound explores themes of self-discovery and emerging adulthood, from the beloved surf rock groove of “Pastel Lies” to the forlorn folk guitar wave in “Passing Through”. Their debut album, “Heart is Alive!” explores their musical potential and emotional range, both on full display in the first two singles, the titular and upbeat “Heart is Alive!” and the enigmatic rock powerhouse “Coming to the Rescue”. With a dynamic range of music, Montclair’s live performances are energetic and engaging, and they are known to have a strong crowd pull in Texas. Montclair has been invited to play onstage to crowds at festivals and iconic Texas venues such as House of Blues Houston, and a sold-out Antone's Nightclub, with nationally touring acts like Echosmith, The Brook and The Bluff, Dayglow, Giant Rooks, The Wldlfe, Briscoe, and many more. They look forward to the release of their debut album and the adventures and inspirations that await them ahead.

In a world devastated by a contaminated water supply, Kai, a lost soul, finds herself living out of her car after a bad breakup. Each day is a struggle until fate intervenes and leads her to a hidden utopian lake, where the water is pure and life flourishes. At this secret haven, Kai encounters a band of eccentric misfits each with their own stories of loss and hope. Among them is Mallory, an enigmatic and wealthy pregnant woman living out an escapist fantasy. Despite their vastly different backgrounds, Kai and Mallory are drawn to each other, and a sudden, passionate romance ignites. As their bond deepens, Kai begins to uncover the layers of Mallory’s life and the secrets she harbors.

In 2010, reports began surfacing of a masked vigilante in a black-and-gold supersuit stopping crime on the streets of Seattle. His name is Phoenix Jones. Armed with pepper spray, a taser, and a team of costumed crime fighters, he quickly becomes an international media sensation. But when his true identity is exposed by the Seattle Police, the heroic image begins to unravel and his team abandons him. Ten years later, as protesters seize six blocks of Seattle and declare a no cop zone, Phoenix reemerges amid legal trouble and public skepticism. Is he a hero, or a con-artist hiding behind a mask?

Catch the best of the fest on one stage. SXSW Comedy brings you a curated powerhouse lineup featuring iconic voices and the must-see breakout performers you’ll be bragging about discovering first. Lineup coming soon!

A post-punk project out of Brooklyn NY, Two-Man Giant Squid has earned acclaim in the New York City underground for their ability to fuse dance-punk, garage, and psych influences into fierce live shows and ambitious recordings (KEXP, SPIN). They lean on an eclectic mix to produce their sound including matter-of-fact vocal delivery, intricate synth design, and lately- a theremin. Their most recent LP was unveiled at last year’s SXSW festival and later charted at #89 on National Indie Radio charts. With a slate of releases & tours planned for 2026, Two-Man Giant Squid brings their signature creativity and DIY spirit to the forefront of the post-punk revival.

Unsafe Space Garden is a genre-bending outfit from Portugal known for their chaotic, theatrical and deeply immersive live shows. With a sound rooted in neo-psychedelia, experimental rock and a touch of surreal humour, the band pushes musical boundaries with fearless creativity and a clear artistic vision.

Swapmeet are an Adelaide/Kaurna Country based four piece who are set to release their debut album in 2026. With indie rock foundations, characterised by sonic experimentation, and a punk spirit, Swapmeet are known in the local and international circuit for their playful, chaotic onstage presence.

With the help of his family, a comedy writer battles PTSD after the tragic death of his sister.

Born where the dust bowl never died. Raw West Texas dirtgaze.

Born and raised southwest Detroit artsist want to use my voice for my people in these moments. I want to show them to be proud of who we are and to be proud of our dreams and chase them.

Victoryland is the Brooklyn-based project of musician Julian McCamman. His label-debut, My Heart Is A Room With No Cameras In It, out January 23, 2026 via Good English, is a triumphant, despondent, and ultimately fun experimental pop-rock album. Victoryland started in Philly 2023 with the release of tape, Sprain, which echoed more of what the Philly scene was dishing out: lo-fi, tape-recorded rock with a capital R. It was the collaborative efforts of producer Dan Howard that brought the new vision and sound into full focus.Dan and Julian previously worked on Julian’s now-defunct Texas-to-Philly based band, Blood’s Loving You Backwards LP, a collaborative effort between six bandmates. That experience pushed Julian toward a more personal process of recording, starting with home demos and then bringing them to Dan to shape into songs. This relationship ultimately led Julian to move to NYC.

Formed in 2020, Bristol’s melodic alt-indie four-piece Adult Leisure have fast become one of the UK’s most promising new bands. After making an instant impact with debut single ‘Things You Don’t Know Yet’ and acclaimed EPs ‘The Weekend Ritual’ and ‘Present State of Joy and Grief’, championed by BBC Radio 1, Under The Radar Magazine, Wonderland Magazine, The Telegraph, Jake Gosling and RTE, the band now arrive with their debut album ‘The Things You Don’t Know Yet’, released on October 3rd 2025.

Primed to be the next group from the UK jazz underground to break out, Azamiah draw on jazz roots while touching on everything from James Blake’s production techniques to dubby low-end, taking the listener on a journey across moody and light landscapes. Their 2023 debut album ‘In Phases’ won praise from The Skinny and CLASH and received plays on BBC 6Music and NTS. A bridge between first album, and second, their recent EP ‘Two Lands’ released in May 2025 resonates with emotional honesty and is played with a fresh intensity. The band has played on stages across the UK and Europe including Latitude Festival, Jazz on Wick, Hidden Door, Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival, Brick Lane Jazz Festival, JAZZMI (IT) & North Sea Round Town (NL). Having recently completed their first UK headline tour in October 2025 to electric audiences in Glasgow, London, Bristol, Manchester, Leeds and Brighton and flooded with requests for a re-press of 'In Phases', a dedicated fanbase is making themselves known.

Singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist Daniel Fears knows that music is more than just sound. It’s a journey, capable of taking us to places we’ve never been or bringing us closer to who we really are. With every note, every chord, every lyric, Daniel strives to create something that feels authentic and grounded.Since his debut in 2020, he’s been nominated for “Best R&B” at the Austin Music Awards, opened for internationally-touring artists like Mac Ayres and BLK ODYSSY, had his music featured in an NAACP Image Award-nominated short film, and toured with Latin Grammy Nominee Gina Chavez for the American Music Abroad program.

Gernot Bronsert and Sebastian Szary hardly need an introduction. Since the early 2000s, the East Berlin duo has evolved from local techno innovators into a globally established force. Along the way they founded Monkeytown Records, a creative hub that now spans their own releases and an eclectic roster of artists across genres.

SUUVI is a Cuban-Chinese composer, producer, and multidisciplinary artist whose roots in electronic cello-driven performance inform a bold, genre-fluid sonic vision. After 15+ years appearing internationally as a classical soloist in venues such as Carnegie Hall, La Fondation Louis Vuitton, and the Berlin Philharmonie - and touring as the solo cellist in Hans Zimmer’s live show - she expanded beyond the stage, blending cello, electronics, and storytelling to craft immersive works that reflect her multicultural background and social-impact mission. She has composed and produced original music for theater, dance, and film/TV, working across genres from contemporary classical to electronic, hip-hop, and pop, with artists like D-Smoke, Teyana Taylor, FAVE and many more - earning recognition for her boundary-pushing artistry and emotional depth. Her debut album, Dark Therapy, pushes post-classical music into avant-garde electronic and cinematic realms, inviting listeners into a space of introspection, healing, and sensory immersion.

Trophy Wife is unapologetic. Based in Brooklyn, this trio bares all through a hazy, distorted lens. With the 2024 release of their debut album Get Ugly, McKenzie Iazzetta’s confessional lyrics, Christian Pace’s riff-like bass lines, and Michael Martelli’s pounding drums transform raw diary entries into cathartic anthems for the parts of ourselves that are best swept under the rug.

Sosocamo is a North Carolina–born rapper whose blend of Southern rap and self-engineered production first gained traction in underground circles through a series of early SoundCloud uploads created throughout his teenage years. After introducing himself with his debut EP SCREENS in 2023, sosocamo released his debut album No Service in 2024, a 13-track hyper-regional exploration of North Carolina rap, released off the back of back-to-back hit singles in "keep steady" (82M+ streams) and "soulless" (43M+ streams). Recording primarily in his parents' basement shortly after signing his first distribution deal with Broke Records, sosocamo began expanding his audience through consistent single releases, one-night-only performances, and viral moments that led to connections with 76ers guard Jared McCain and streamers Rakai, Jynxzi, and Ray. No Service established the foundation of a world built around rural isolation, emotional range, and understated vocal experimentation, leading to his first 7-stop nationwide headlining tour and back-to-back one-night-only shows in New York City and Los Angeles.

Brenton M. Freeman, better known as B Free, is a dynamic artist and songwriter from Detroit, Michigan—blending Hip-Hop and R&B into an electrifying sound. Inspired by his city’s rich musical legacy, he channels raw energy, emotion, and versatility, making waves on and off the stage.

Waco, Texas-born, now Brooklyn-based alt-folk indie artist and producer Meredith (mer) Marcum has emerged into the New York City scene. Trading her small-town roots for Brooklyn’s bustling music scene, mer set out to carve her niche and make authentic art in many forms, which comes through in her singular and introspective music characterized by evocative, lyrical intimacy underscored by fresh production.

2charm☆ blends indie house heaven pop techno dubstep baile to make magic ☆Sticky and playful vocal hooks abound, pairing beatific production with beautiful vocal melodies, delivering something that’s equal parts ecstasy and transcendence. 2charm’s music could be likened to the sparkle that bounces off sheened cheeks under dingy club lights, in the same way the Balearic sea shines in July ☆

AKA BK is an alternative indie project based in Los Angeles. With influences from bands like The Pixies, The Yeah Yeah Yeahs, and the Breeders, their live show plays like nerves exposed: charged, joyful and disarmingly human, turning their vulnerability into sharpened momentum. The band closes the distance between their fans, both literally and figuratively, inviting them to join in on their tongue-in-cheek moments of mushy playfulness and feverish moshing.

Casmalia is a producer, DJ, songwriter, and live vocalist based out of Los Angeles who has taken the west coast house music scene by storm. A classically trained musician with a degree in audio engineering, Casmalia has been consistently churning out club weapons since her freshman EP in 2017 on Hood Politics Records. She has since earned affiliations with Insomniac Records, mau5trap, CUFF, Night Bass, and many more. In November of 2025, her track "Don't Tell Me How To Rave" was the #1 trending song in the United States in all genres on SoundCloud, and was the subject of a billboard campaign in Times Square. She was also featured as one of Beatport's "On Our Radar" artists for August 2025. Her tracks have seen support from David Guetta, John Summit, Patrick Topping, FISHER, Solomun, AC Slater, Green Velvet, Jamie Jones, Marco Carola, and many more across both the EDM and tech house worlds. She has performed at EDC Las Vegas, the DoLab stage at Coachella, Zamna Festival and Splash House, and has provided direct support for Kyle Watson, Noizu and Diplo on tour. Casmalia's sound can be described as bass-heavy with detailed percussion and can range in style from minimal to melodic.

Home Counties return with their second album 'Humdrum', a sharp, dance-driven evolution produced by Al Doyle of LCD Soundsystem and Hot Chip. Trading guitars for restless grooves and twitchy synths, the band dissect the chaos of modern life with wit and precision. Dual vocalists Will Harrison and Lois Kelly explore jealousy, self-doubt and overthinking across ten hook-laden tracks that balance melancholy and euphoria. Already acclaimed for their electrifying live shows, Humdrum cements Home Counties as one of the UK’s most inventive new bands.

"Pain is a fine knife sharpened by love." So says Joudy frontman Diego Ramirez when reflecting on the NYC group's latest endeavors. This emotional clarity and exposed honesty is a hallmark of the band's most vital, intense era yet. Set aside are the evocative lyrics and lush soundscapes of their earlier releases. In their place, lyrical and sonic directness is embraced on the unvarnished and love-torn upcoming album Permanent Maintenance (out DATE on Trash Casual). This is a record that distills Joudy's soaring rock into something simply shorter, louder, and stronger.

The experimental art-rock collab of multi-instrumentalist creators Sam Maloney and Desiree Das Gupta, Kali Horse blends fantasy and harsh realism, colliding genres with reckless abandon. Production that dips between the best of alt-rock and avante-pop spheres, Kali Horse is a celebration of intentional genrelessness. Digital and live drums under emotional harmonies, swimming guitar enveloped by foley samples make the live band ripple with eccentricity. Their avante-pop whimsicality channels Björk, their soaring anthemic moments reflect their rock roots. The combo of Sam's feathery vocal and Des' powerhouse belt has their voices in conversation with one another - a hypnotic connection. The debut record 'Some Type of Electric Lagoon' (2023) is a vibrant metaphorical swamp journey, an opus. The new EP '2099' veers into industrial soundscapes - a bold snap back to reality. More bite and grit, with a higher polish than ever thanks to Emmy-winning foley artist Brandon Bak (Possum, OOZ). The live act lit up festivals like NYC’s New Colossus and Ontario's River & Sky, opening for and somehow making sense with SUUNS and Ruby Waters alike. Hypnotic. Psychedelic electronic. artrockbeats.

MT Jones is a British soul singer and songwriter from Liverpool, England. Known for his rich, soulful voice and timeless songwriting style, he blends influences from 1960s and 1970s soul with modern R&B and jazz.Jones began playing piano as a child and started busking on the streets of Liverpool in his early teens, gradually building his skills as a performer and songwriter. His early releases, including “I Won’t Ever Say Goodbye” and “Feeling Lonely,” gained attention from BBC Introducing and helped establish him as a rising artist on the UK soul scene.His music has received airplay on BBC Radio 2, BBC 6 Music and Jazz FM, and he has toured internationally while also writing songs for other artists. In 2026, Jones continued to grow his profile with singles such as “Why I Cry,” “Gentle Reminder,” and “I Don’t Understand,” leading up to the release of his debut album Joy.

Passion Pit is an American alternative indie pop band formed in 2007 in Cambridge, Massachusetts, primarily acting as the moniker for singer-songwriter and producer Michael Angelakos. Initially a solo project, the band gained fame for, high-energy, synth-driven pop, with hits like "Sleepyhead" and "Take a Walk".

Rafa Parra, cantautor/productor originario de la Ciudad de México. Experimentando con nuevas formas de expresión dentro del pop urbano, mezclando letras románticas con ritmos irresistibles como el dembow y el merenguetón. Su estilo fresco yemocional invita tanto a bailar como a enamorarse.Con canciones como “A Besos Si” y “Olaya <3”, Rafa ha comenzado a llamar la atención por su forma únicade contar historias de amor con flow, ritmo y mucha sensibilidad. Su música suena a momentos reales:mensajes no enviados, fiestas que terminan en confesiones y corazones que laten más fuerte.Rafa crea canciones que se sienten cercanas, con hooks pegajosos y melodías que se quedan en lacabeza. Su propuesta es emocional y pensada para conectar con quienes viven el amor con intensidad,entre el reggaetón lento y las composiciones.

Rehash is an indie-rock band from South Florida that began with two high schoolers making music in their bedrooms. In June 2023, they wrote and recorded their self-titled debut album “Rehash”, cementing themselves as one of the most exciting emerging acts on the East Coast. To date, everything has been written, recorded, produced, mixed, and mastered by the band. Their latest project “mock” has been a favorite of fans since its release in June of 2025. With more music on the way, Rehash is gearing up for their biggest year yet.

Catch the best of the fest on one stage. SXSW Comedy brings you a curated powerhouse lineup featuring iconic voices and the must-see breakout performers you’ll be bragging about discovering first. Lineup coming soon!

On their debut EP ‘The Weight,’ the Lafayette, Louisiana, four-piece reaches full definition, distilling themes of desire, insecurity, and disconnection into five tightly wound, melody-driven songs released by Julia’s War Recordings, the legendary Philly label founded by Doug Dulgarian of TAGABOW. Across the EP, bandleader Kylie Gaspard’s deeply direct vocal delivery cuts through dense riffs, grounding their songs with her gritty, emotional lyrics. Having recently shared stages with genre titans like Dinosaur Jr., Whirr, Nothing, and Narrow Head, Cashier are building a reputation for a massive sound that resonates far beyond their bayou home.

Asaka The Renegade is a Detroit-born, genre-blending artist carving his own lane in today’s music landscape. Known for his fearless fusion of trap, R&B, funk, dancehall, and hip-hop, Asaka delivers music that’s emotionally charged yet undeniably powerful — sound rooted in survival as much as ambition. His work lives at the intersection of pain and perseverance, pairing high-voltage performances with sharp, introspective songwriting that connects deeply with listeners.

Hania Derej (20) - composer, pianist, arranger and conductor. Student of the Conservatorium van Amsterdam (jazz composition and arrangement) and the Music Academy in Kraków (symphonic conducting). Author of over 130 compositions she creates music in a variety of styles, including illustrative, jazz, chamber, film or electronic music. She has won multiple composition and performance awards including the Grand Prix of Energa Ladies Jazz Festival in Gdynia, Main Prize in “Sanki” 2025, music contest of “Gazeta Wyborcza” newspaper (the new hope of the polish music scene), the Main Prize of the first “Jazz Talents” competition within the 21st edition of Jazz Spring Zakopane 2025, Triton Award for the greatest artistic personality of the 54 th edition of FAMA Festival 2024 in Świnoujście, a special award for compositions and arrangements at the Junior Jazz Festival 2023 in Wadowice, and the “Young Composer 2023” award funded by the Polish Composers’ Union in Warsaw during the International Piano Forum in Sanok. Within this Piano Forum, Hania also received piano awards, such as a distinction for the performance of a concert with the National Polish Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra and a concert with the Lviv Chamber Orchestra “Academy.” As a conductor, Hania has had the opportunity to lead concerts with the National Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra (Poland), Elblag Chamber Orchestra (Poland), Lviv Chamber Orchestra “Akademia” (Ukraine) and the Moravian Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra (Czech Republic), among others. Hania also participates in international music projects and conferences in Europe, such as European FAMES Orchestra (Macedonia), The Playground Residence (Germany, The Netherlands), International Sync Camp (Poland), International Jazz Platform (The Netherlands, Norway, Poland), Music Export Academy in Poland, Global Conservatory and Eastern European Music Export Academy (Ukraine), “Iceland Airways networking mission”, ESNS Showcase Festival & Conference networking mission (The Netherlands) and Jazzahead 2025 (Germany). Last but not least - in the JAZZTOP 2024 music critics’ survey of the international magazine JAZZFORUM, Hania Derej won the “New Hope” award for her solo work and came 5th in the “New Hope - Ensemble” category (for her work as Hania Derej Quintet). In April 2025, Hania was awarded a distinction in the nationwide “Young Promoter of Poland” Contest, under the Honorary Patronage of the Wife of the President of the Republic of Poland, for young Poles whose activities contribute to the popularization of knowledge about Poland and building a positive image of Poland in the world.

Nightbus are a brooding, cinematic two-piece (4 members live) blending post-punk, trip-hop, and late-night electronica into something dark, hypnotic and unmistakably their own. Formed in Manchester UK in 2023, their music captures the anxious beauty of city life after hours—dripping in atmosphere - bass-heavy and emotionally raw. With haunting vocals, reverb-soaked guitars, and minimalist beats, they echo the ghosts of The Knife, Portishead, early Cure, Chromatics and the XX, all while carving out a space all their own.

Experiencing Sex Mask live is all gas, no brakes. The band’s artsy, electric fusion of proto-post-punk and writhing no-wave cool leaves little room for breathing space – and not least of all because shirtless frontman Wry Gray will often find himself directly within the immediate peripheral of anyone close to the front.

When FEET self-released their debut album in 2019, the group offered up a particularly oblique title: What’s Inside Is More Than Just Ham. But once listeners delved into the record, they found sloshing’s of guitar music that careered wildly between indie, psych, and subtle shades of new wave across an exciting and unpredictable 35 minutes. Since then, FEET have seen prominent live shows have seen them supporting the likes of Inhaler and even The Rolling Stones at their huge 2022 Hyde Park shows. The bands second album "Make It Up" garnered further critical acclaim with the band being invited to perform a BBC 6Music Live session off the back of the single releases Greasy Boy, Why Would I Lie and The Real Thing.

Maru Haru is a gaggle of musical misfits amplifying Asian American and queer experiences through bombastic anthems, intimate strings, and personal stories of heart and strife. Their projects are community driven, collaborating with multimedia artists, Asian American and LGBTQ+ vendors, and cultural centers throughout Austin, TX for not only concerts, but also films, food festivals, and celebrations. No matter the occasion, Maru Haru is motivated to share affirmation, empathy, and joy through their music.

Rising singer, rapper, song writer out of the Midwest. Known for my confident sound relatable lyrics & storytelling. Blending a healthy balance of R&B & HipHop!

Introducing Buckets: The Los Angeles-based fearsome foursome are a powerhouse of nostalgic indie punk. Piecing together shredding guitar, screaming gang vocals, and dynamic extremes from track-to-track, or even verse-to-verse, the Southern California outfit aren't shy about who they are or what they're all about. Consisting of members from across North America, Tanner Houghton, Sasha Massey, Mitch Rossiter, and Hiram Sevilla pull together their shared DIY ethos and vast experience in music to craft an emotionally powerful performance. From the studio to the stage, the group never disappoints.

Couch Dog is Maxwell Ferrer (lead vocals + guitar), Tasha Lee (bass), Pablo Acosta (lead guitar) and Liam Reece (drums). The band originally formed in San Luis Obispo, CA, and are currently based out of Los Angeles. The Dogs aim to push the boundaries of indie and garage rock with every release (whether it’d be glitchy electronics, gazey ambiance or stripped-back instrumentation). Unraveler, their latest EP, is Couch Dog’s most sonically diverse release to date. The project excels at retaining their classic and beloved sound from 2023’s “How to Ruin Your Life Fast”, distinguished by energetic guitar riffs, driving rhythms, and earnest lyricism, but elevates it with left field experimentation, song writing from different members and new textures.

Austin-based four-piece Glaze delivers a heavy, hook-driven take on alternative shoegaze. Armed with distorted, catchy guitar lines and a reputation for captivating live shows, the band has steadily won over audiences from Vancouver to Monterrey. Following a more recent East coast tour opening for Mass of the Fermenting Dregs, Glaze is bringing their road-tested energy back home for SXSW. The band is currently setting the stage for the release of their debut LP, with plans to release in Summer 2026.