South By Southwest Is Expanding To Sydney, Leaving North America For The First Time

The world's most iconic and futuristic festival of ideas and music, South by Southwest has today announced its expansion outside of North America for the very first time ever, bringing its renowned celebration of creativity and innovation to Sydney, Australia from Sunday the 15th of October to Sunday the 22nd of October. 

SXSW Sydney will gather the world's most inspired thinkers, creators and innovators for an exploration of the best ideas in contemporary music. Sydney will be abuzz with over 1000 sessions, screenings, performances, activations and parties across the city. 

The Sydney edition of the festival will be the official annual Asia-Pacific instalment of SXSW, which has included speakers and artists including Barack Obama, Jordan Peele, Dave Grohl, Michelle Obama, Taika Waititi, Brené Brown, Steven Spielberg, Mark Cuban, Lady Gaga, Christiane Amanpour, Esther Perel, Jennifer Doudna, Prince, Michelle Yeoh, Ava DuVernay, Maria Ressa, Amy Webb, Billie Eilish, Melinda Gates, Elizabeth Warren and Snoop Dogg. 

Geoff Jones, CEO of TEG, event producer for SXSW Sydney says: “Put simply, SXSW is the Olympics of events for the creator industries, and we are thrilled to bring this legendary festival of gaming, music, screen, tech and innovation to Sydney in 2023.

"I want to thank the NSW Government and Destination NSW for their support. I would also like to thank Thea Jeans-Cochrane and Tony Cochrane from Cochrane Entertainment for their vital support and determination in bringing SXSW to Sydney.”

CEO and co-founder of SXSW, Ronald Swenson stated, "We couldn’t be more excited and honoured to work with TEG and the NSW Government via Destination NSW on an event that brings the professional opportunities of SXSW to Australia.

"Sydney is the ideal city to serve as a home for the cross-collaboration that exists within the many industries we bring together.”