SXSW MUSIC FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

GENERAL

When and where is the South by Southwest Music and Media Conference held?
SXSW Music takes place in Austin, Texas each March.

What is SXSW Music?
SXSW Music is a conference, exhibition and festival which occurs each March in Austin, Texas.

Why Austin?

How old is SXSW Music?
Twenty years old. Some of us still remember 1987.

Where do the daytime events occur?
All SXSW Music Conference daytime events including the panels, workshops and the Exhibition take place at the Austin Convention Center, 500 E. Cesar Chavez Street. The main entrance for SXSW events is at Fourth and Trinity.

What kind of people attend SXSW Music?
Musicians, label representatives (both indie and major), venue owners, producers, engineers, talent buyers, managers, attorneys, publishers, retailers, digital service experts, editors, publicists, writers, and photographers register for SXSW. All aspects of the business converge here in a unique setting.

ATTENDING SXSW MUSIC

Why should I register for SXSW?
Whether you are a newcomer to the music industry, a well-established veteran or an avid music fan, SXSW Music provides a great opportunity to network with people who can help you move your career to the next level and educate you on how the industry works.

Which benefits do I receive by registering?
A SXSW Music registration badge is the only way you can attend all the panels, the workshops, the mentor sessions and the Trade Show Exhibition. In addition to receiving the Registrants' Directory/Program Book and the Big Bag of goodies, SXSW Music registrants also get priority entrance to SXSW Music Festival venues. You also gain access to the Online Registrants' Database, a version of the conference Registrants' Directory complete with e-mail addresses, to assist in your business contact needs throughout the year.

PANELS, DEMO LISTENINGS, MENTOR SESSIONS

What is a panel? / What is covered in panels?
Panels are moderated discussions among speakers with experience and a willingness to share their views of the music profession. Topics concerning all aspects of recorded music and live performance are covered.

What are the Wednesday Crash Courses and Music Biz 101 panels?
Panels on Wednesday March 15 are designed to provide entry-level information in plain English to aspiring music professionals on a wide variety of topics. A series of one-hour Crash Courses run simultaneously with the seventy-five minute Music Biz 101 panels.

What is a Mentor Session?
Registrants may sign up for ten minute sessions with selected panelists, who represent a wide variety of professions within the music business. This is a great opportunity to meet one on one with established professionals and get straight, personalized advice.

What is a Demo Listening Session?
Registrants may bring a CD of their music to the conference, where our listening panels, comprised of professionals who listen to music in their jobs, randomly draw music, listen to it, and give their unvarnished reaction. These popular sessions are offered to illustrate how music is assessed by A&R reps and venue buyers.

SHOWCASING AT THE SXSW MUSIC FESTIVAL

MORE INFORMATION & CONTACTING SXSW MUSIC

How can I get more information on SXSW Music?
Peruse the SXSW Music web pages.

How can I contact SXSW Music?
E-mail us at sxsw@sxsw.com or call our office at 512/467-7979.

AUSTIN

What can you tell me about Austin?
The dome of the Texas Capitol was intentionally built twelve feet higher than the dome in Washington DC. Barbecue is much better in country places where the health inspectors are more lax. It's totally entertaining to hang out at Barton Springs Pool and watch people freak out at how cold the water is. Austin in March is deceptively pleasant. If you consider moving here because of the great time you had at SXSW, remember that the months of May through September are hot, hot, hot. For more information about Austin, check out the Austin Convention and Visitors Bureau.

What kind of weather can I expect during SXSW Music?
Although spring weather in Austin can be unpredictable, the weather is usually in the 70s during the day and in the 50s and 60s at night. Murphy's Law of Meteorological Events dictates that if you bring an umbrella, it probably won't rain.