For decades, we watched in envy as the world’s greatest minds and creatives flocked to South By South West (SXSW) in Austin, Texas to showcase their talents on the world stage. That was until last year, when, for the first time in its history the festival expanded to Sydney.
After a soaring attendance of 287,014 and playing host to countless luminaries including Chance the Rapper, Nicole Kidman, Queer Eye’s Tan France, and Black Mirror’s Charlie Brooker, the festival is back for 2024. Despite it being a tough act to follow, the current lineup appears to be up for the challenge.
So far, the organisers of SXSW Sydney have made three huge lineup announcements. Already featuring some of the world's most brilliant minds, disruptors, and creatives across the pillars of music, games, film, technology, and innovation, the 2024 edition of SXSW Sydney is looking very appetizing.
Plus, with three months still to go until it all kicks off, the Aussie SXSW lineup will only continue to grow. Whilst it may all seem a bit overwhelming right now, we’ve got you sorted. Keep scrolling for everything you need to know about the SXSW program for 2024.
- SXSW Sydney Conference: Keynotes And Feature Speakers
- SXSW Sydney Music Festival
- SXSW Sydney Gaming Festival
- More SXSW Sydney: Film, Tech, And Innovation
- SXSW Sydney Badges: How To Attend SXSW Sydney
- SXSW Event Schedule
SXSW Sydney Conference Keynotes
Image credit: Jennifer Robinson | Supplied
The 2024 edition of SXSW is currently set to feature over 700 speakers across 300 panels. Hosted by a range of influential individuals, these speakers will ignite thought-provoking commentary on a host of issues, from technology to human rights to wellbeing, and everything inbetween.
The first keynote speaker to be announced was New York Times best-selling author, Johann Hari. The Scottish author's work, including Magic Pill and Stolen Focus: Why You Can’t Pay Attention have been acclaimed by the world over. The latter of which earned Hari a shelf of awards and, a Book of the Year nod from the New York Times.
Hari will be joined by pre-eminent human rights barrister, Jennifer Robinson. Currently practicing at the esteemed Doughty Street Chambers in London, Robinson specialises in international law, human rights law, and media law. Former clients of Robinson’s include Amber Heard and Julian Assange, whom she recently assisted in returning home to Australia.
Other recent additions to the 2024 lineup also include Australian race car driver and pioneer, Molly Taylor, Luke Hemsworth, Heartbreak High multi-hyphenate, Ayesha Madon, Mortal Combat director Simon McQuoid, Aussie astronaut Katherine Bennell-Pegg, and many more.
Then, there's award-winning pianist Chad Lawson, TikTok’s head of marketing Sofia Hernandez, Rolling Stone India’s senior editor Peony Hirwani plus a stable of other interesting speakers. However, with many more set to be announced over the coming months, this is a space that needs to be watched!
Read more about the SXSW Sydney Conference here.
SXSW Sydney Music Festival
Image credit: Jorja Smith | Instagram
Featuring the best new talent you’ve never heard of; the SXSW Sydney Music Festival is an almost mandatory part of attendance. This is where you’re basically given the golden ticket to discover tomorrow’s superstars. In its history, SXSW has hosted Katy Perry, Amy Winehouse, PinkPantheress, John Mayer, and more just before they blew up. So, I mean, how could you not?
More than 40 talents have just joined the stage roster for SXSW 2024, including the soulful Grammy- nominated UK artist, Jorja Smith.
Smith joins a range of both international and local talent who will also be featured at the festival. This includes rising Auckland rapper Brandn Shiraz, Thailand singer-songwriter PYRA, Canadian singer Aysanabee, and the UK’s Submerse. These acts also join a vast array of homegrown talent including Aussie rockers A. Swayze & The Ghosts, The Grogans, The Buoys, RINSE, Beckah Amani, CLEWS, Friends of Friends, Mannequin Death Squad, Vetta Borne, and more.
Read more about the SXSW Sydney music festival here.
SXSW Sydney Gaming Festival
Image credit: SXSW Sydney | Supplied
SXSW Sydney 2024 will also host a Games Festival. Celebrating the future of the gaming industry, the festival marks an unprecedented opportunity for gaming professionals and game lovers alike to taste what's next. Attendees will be able to throw themselves into an array of gaming events, including hands-on demos, performances, product launches, and live play.
In 2024, Fortress Sydney will be hosting the Gaming Festival, serving as the location for awards nights, networking functions, and parties. Plus, who knows, it might be the birthplace of the game we’re all addicted to next year.
Read more about the SXSW Sydney Games Festival here.
More SXSW Sydney: Film, Tech, And Innovation
Image credit: Saltburn | Instagram
Also on the program, is the SXSW Sydney Screen Festival which unites the finest screen creatives within the Asia-Pacific region. There you might find Baz Luhrmann rubbing shoulders with the Wiggles, rubbing shoulders with rap group OneFour. With the program set to feature TV premieres, shorts, music videos, XR, and feature films, the SXSW Sydney Screen Festival is a celebration of all forms of moving image.
The Screen Festival is also set to host speaker sessions from acclaimed local and international filmmaking talent. Warwick Thornton (The New Boy, Samson and Delilah, Sweet Country) will present a live director’s commentary session, breaking down one of his critically lauded features. LuckyChap Entertainment producer Josey McNamara will discuss the company's recent output: Barbie, Saltburn, and Promising Young Woman.
Then, there's the SXSW Sydney Technology & Innovation exhibitions showcasing emerging tech and ideas that will soon change the way we live our lives. You’ll hear from business leaders throwing out the rule books, and disruptors set to take on the world.
The expo also includes the Startup Village, Discovery Stage, and zones dedicated to areas such as entertainment, health and wellness, education, social impact, and more. Here you will be able to get up close and personal with leading business and industry professionals making big moves in their respective sectors.
SXSW Sydney Badges: How To Attend SXSW Sydney
SXSW Sydney ticketing uses a badge system. Badges grant access to the week-long conference, expos, festivals, and networking sessions, with different badge types granting a different level of access. You can browse the selection of badges and purchase them here.
So set your calendars, it’s going to be the most dizzyingly wonderful time of your life between Monday 14 October and Sunday 20 October.
The full SXSW schedule of events is now live here.
The Details
What: SXSW Sydney
When: Monday 14-Sunday 120 October 2023
Where: Sydney CBD and surrounds
Now, read our chat with SXSW co-president and chief programming officer Hugh Forrest.
Image credit: SXSW Sydney