SXSW '10

First Wave of 35 Australian and New Zealand Artists Set to Showcase at South by Southwest Music Festival

Twenty five Australian and 10 New Zealand bands are the first wave of acceptances from a total of 56 artists that were invited to play the world's largest and most prestigious music event, South by Southwest in Austin Texas March 17-21, 2010. List at end of email. A dozen more will be invited.

It's a far cry from the five bands in 2002 from our end of the world who played the huge industry showcase festival, conference and trade fair in Austin-The Live Music Capital of the World.  But 2010 looks to be attracting the best, brightest and biggest acts out of 200 Australian artists that applied and 35 New Zealand acts who submitted. Some major artists are yet to confirm shows.

It will be no easy gig with over 1800 bands from around the world competing in one-hour sets within 85 venues in the heart of Austin over five nights.  In the lead up from early August when bands could submit for the coveted showcases, over 10,500 artists applied of which over 2000 were from outside the US and Canada before submissions closed November 5. But though each artist has only one 'official' showcase, almost all play private parties, national concert events (like the Aussie BarBQ which features a dozen bands in one afternoon) and side shows in everything from record and book stores to the giant Whole Foods Market outdoor stages. It's not unusual for a band to play up to ten shows a day trying to catch the eyes and ears of decision makers and talent scouts.

The South by Southwest Music Festival and Conferences, which also includes a massive trade fair exhibition in addition to the showcases at night and seminars during the day, attracts over 15,000 global music business professionals which includes 250 from our two countries, way up on the 20 who braved their way over in 2002. That's why so many bands invest heavily in presenting themselves in front of labels, publishers, agents, managers and promoters as well as over 2000 media looking for the next new thing. It's not a public festival, though a lot of free shows abound, it's for the music industry tastemakers and talent scouts.

Because we sing in English, take no prisoners in performing and are rock-centric, Australia has amassed a series of successes with each year seeing bands signed to overseas labels, top booking agencies and snaring festivals or tours. Because both the Australian and New Zealand governments have invested in stands, private events, advertising, promotion and assistance with airfares in some cases-as well as some progressive state governments like West Australia, Victoria and New South Wales-bands making the long trek also pick up gigs on the way over and back, often touring the US, Canada and the UK/Eruope as part of whirlwind world tour centering on SxSW.

With at least a dozen more artists from Australia to be invited in the next few weeks, the following have already accepted. But there are several  major Australian & NZ artists who have been invited and are yet to confirm. They will announce their program shortly.

28 AUSTRALIAN ARTISTS INVITED & ACCEPTED 

(14 left to confirm more TBA)

  • Art vs Science
  • Beaches
  • Bliss & Eso
  • The Blow Waves
  • Shannon Bourne
  • The Chevelles
  • Children Collide
  • City Riots
  • Dappled Cities
  • Dash and Will
  • Dead Letter Circus
  • Hungry Kids of Hungary
  • Paul Dempsey
  • Nathan Gaunt
  • Darren Hanlon
  • Karnivool
  • Love of Diagrams
  • The Middle East
  • The Temper Trap
  • Oh Mercy
  • Philadelphia Grand Jury
  • Sherlock's Daughter
  • Summer Cats
  • The Temper Trap
  • Vasco Era
  • Via Tania
  • Washington
  • Whitley
     

11 NEW ZEALAND ARTISTS INVITED & ACCEPTED

(three more to be confirmed TBA)

  • Bang Bang Eche
  • The Brunettes
  • David Dallas
  • Die Die Die
  • Kids in Space
  • Kingston
  • Mr Sicc
  • Steriogram
  • Surf City
  • Miho Wada
  • Young Sid

For those wanting to attend as delegates, exhibit in the trade fair or be a part of SxSW March 17-21, the Australian rep is IMMEDIA! on (02) 9557 7766 or .  The SxSW local website is www.themusic.com.au/sxsw and the official site is www.sxsw.com.

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