8 May 2024 – South by Southwest® (SXSW®), the world’s leading festival celebrating the convergence of creativity, culture and technology, is launching in London in June 2025.
Through its multidisciplinary conferences and cultural festivals, SXSW has become a global platform to celebrate new ideas, propelling the careers of innovators and creatives across sectors, from start-up founders to independent artists and filmmakers.
SXSW London expands the footprint of the world’s leading and most sought-after cultural platform created over almost four decades in Austin, Texas. Every year, hundreds of thousands of creatives converge at SXSW to discuss and debate some of the most challenging issues of our time, with innovation in technology and science presented alongside the world’s biggest music and entertainment stories. From AI to climate change, politics to society, and the first outings for game changing start-ups such as Twitter and Airbnb, SXSW has been at the forefront of ideas and providing platforms for the world’s most critical and impactful voices.
Since 1987, SXSW has welcomed the world’s leading speakers and participants across a multitude of disciplines, including Christiane Amanpour, Deepak Chopra, Mark Cuban, Melinda Gates, Dave Grohl, Sadiq Khan, Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, Steven Spielberg, Dr. Lisa Su, Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex, Tilda Swinton, Taika Waititi, Elizabeth Warren, Amy Webb, Michelle Yeoh, and Mark Zuckerberg.
SXSW also creates unrivalled showcasing opportunities for new musicians and filmmakers, with a roll call of firsts that has helped propel global cultural icons like Amy Winehouse, Billie Eilish, Dua Lipa and Ed Sheeran, and other influential artists such as Skepta, Stormzy and Wet Leg.
SXSW London will bring its own distinctive personality, driven by London's internationally renowned cultural life and creativity, its status as a global meeting place, and its proximity to other major creative and tech centres in Europe. Over the course of a week in June, SXSW London will take over dozens of venues, galleries, clubs and other spaces in Shoreditch, east London, renowned as a vibrant centre for creativity and technological innovation, as well as for its diversity, energetic youth culture, global cuisine and nightlife.
SXSW London will build upon London’s place within the community of over 20 million people working in the creative and technology sectors across Europe. In the UK alone, the cultural and creative industries contribute £125 billion, with London contributing more than half of the UK’s entire creative industries economic output.
In addition to inspiring and challenging keynotes, music showcases, and innovations in tech, gaming and screen, SXSW London will introduce boundary pushing visual arts, design and fashion programming, with exhibitions and interactive and immersive experiences in public spaces across its east London campus.
As SXSW’s European edition, SXSW London will have a particular emphasis on creative talent from across Europe. SXSW London will continue to encourage the convergence of creativity and culture, unexpected discoveries, and connections between visitors, creating opportunities for attendees, performers, and the broader London community to collaborate and innovate. SXSW London will also continue to develop Austin's focus on climate action and sustainability, with the ambition to drive positive change for future generations.
More details about the SXSW London 2025 programme will be announced in the coming months, with badges due to go on sale in October 2024. Register your interest for the most unmissable event in the 2025 European creative calendar at sxswlondon.com.
Randel Bryan, Managing Director of SXSW London, said:
"As a life-long fan of SXSW I truly believe that it’s more than an event - it’s a movement, a platform where the world’s greatest minds, musicians and motivators come to share their passion and their vision of the future.
"SXSW London will build on Austin's incredible legacy, presenting an event that underpins why SXSW is the go-to destination for professionals and creatives seeking meaningful connections, unexpected experiences and ideas that can help shape the world.
"SXSW London will also provide a platform for the next generation of creative talent and we will be working hard to ensure that opportunities for learning, employment and community uplift are at the heart of everything we do."
Jann Baskett, Co-President and Chief Brand Officer of SXSW, said:
"We couldn’t be more excited to bring the SXSW experience to London. Following the success of SXSW Sydney, this is an incredible new opportunity to highlight the elements that make SXSW unique in one of the most vibrant cities in Europe. We look forward to forming deeper connections with our overseas community and bringing the conversations that start in Austin all the way to London."
The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said:
"I am delighted to welcome SXSW to London for the first time ever - confirming our place at the heart of Europe’s tech and creative sectors and as a global capital of culture.
"When I was part of SXSW in Austin in 2018, I saw first-hand the electric atmosphere of innovation SXSW creates and I can’t wait to be part of it again. This is a historic opportunity for London to once again bring the world’s most exciting talent together as part of our mission to build a better and more prosperous London for everyone."
Culture Secretary, Lucy Frazer said:
“Festivals have been a vital part of British culture for decades and a key part of the reason why the UK is known the world over for creative excellence.
“From film and TV to fashion and music, London is a global hub for cultural and creative talent, so it’s fantastic that SXSW is coming here to bring together innovators from across these sectors and demonstrate why the UK’s creative industries are the envy of the world.”
Read quotes from Sir Peter Bazalgette, Co-Chair, UK Creative Industries Council, Dr Jo Twist OBE, Chief Executive, BPI, Darren Henley, Chief Executive, Arts Council England, Naomi Pohl, General Secretary Musicians’ Union, Priya Lakhani OBE, Founder and CEO, CENTURY TECH, Skinder Hundal MBE, Director, Arts, British Council, Karen Palmer, the award winning XR creator and futurist, Tom Kiehl, Interim Chief Executive, UK Music, Sally Davies, Managing Director of Abbey Road Studios, Lawrence Montgomery, Managing Director, Rough Trade Retail (UK), Jessica Driscoll, Director of Immersive Technology, Digital Catapult, Adam Cole, who presented his work Kiss/Crash at SXSW 2024 in Austin, Caroline Rush CBE, CEO British Fashion Council and Chair Creative Industries Trade and Investment Board, Professor James Bennett, Director CoSTAR National R&D Lab for Creative Technologies, Crispin Parry, CEO, British Underground, Ed Jenkins, CEO Volumetric Video Ltd and Dr Hayaatun Sillem CBE, CEO, Royal Academy of Engineering and Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering Foundation here.
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About SXSW
SXSW dedicates itself to helping creative people achieve their goals. Founded in 1987 in Austin, Texas, SXSW is best known for its conference and festivals that celebrate the convergence of tech, film and television, music, education, and culture. An essential destination for global professionals, the annual March event features sessions, music, and comedy showcases, film and television screenings, exhibitions, professional development, and a variety of opportunities to meet and connect with people. SXSW proves that the most unexpected discoveries happen when diverse topics and individuals come together. SXSW 2025 will take place March 7-15 in Austin.
SXSW’s expansion into the Asia Pacific region, with SXSW Sydney starting in 2023 and Europe with SXSW London in 2025, provides new possibilities at this iconic experience. These events, each with their own distinct flavour, make South By an indispensable three-stop tour for the global creative community.
Panarae
Panarae is a private investment company with a focus on the financing and development of global enterprises. The company has a diverse investment and partnership portfolio – ranging from financial and professional services to media and entertainment. SXSW London is produced under license from SXSW LLC by Panarise, a live entertainment company established and owned by Panarae.
TAIT
TAIT partners with artists, brands, and institutions to bring culture-defining, never-before-seen experiences to life. With a legacy of innovation spanning over 45 years, TAIT has grown from pioneering in rock ‘n’ roll concert staging to setting the global standard for extraordinary live events and experiences through cutting-edge technology, precision engineering, and creative design, as well as producing high-stakes, high-touchpoint moments around the globe. TAIT’s 20 global offices have developed iconic productions and experiences in over 30 countries, all seven continents, and even outer space for renowned performers, theme parks, exhibits, and venues across the globe, including partnerships with Snap Inc., Taylor Swift, Cirque Du Soleil, Warner Bros. Discovery, Royal Opera House, Nike, NASA, Google, Disney, Beyoncé, Bloomberg, and The Olympics.
Press queries:
Ben McKnight: press@sxswlondon.com / 07716 778 850
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