Music Festival & Conference
March 15–21, 2027
Access
1,000+
Bands
83
Countries
57
Stages
75+
Conference Sessions
150+
Mentor Sessions
250+
Speakers
For legends. For rising talent. For everyone in between.
From legendary performers to the most exciting new talent, the SXSW Music Festival & Conference brings together artists, industry professionals, creatives, and music lovers from around the world to make connections, elevate their careers, and celebrate the magic of live music.
SXSW Music Alumni
From Dolly Parton to Beastie Boys and powerhouse newcomers like Wet Leg and Peso Pluma, take a look at some of the legendary acts that have come through Austin, TX over the years.
Billie Eilish
Kendrick Lamar
Charli XCX
Cardi B
Fuerza Regida
Jon Summit
Amy Winehouse
Metallica
Past partners
From Fortune 500s to breakout startups, hundreds of brands have showed up to sponsor, activate, and build alongside the Music community.
Music Conference
The conference inside the festival.
The only conference in the world where the entire music ecosystem converges.
Music Clubhouse
Badge-holder home base. Programming all day, drinks at night, and the run-ins you’ll be telling stories about.
Mentor Sessions
One-on-one coaching by professionals. Within the 75-minute duration of Mentor Sessions, there will be five one-on-one meetings.
Demo Listening
Get direct feedback. Selected musicians get direct feedback from seasoned A&R’s and music production professionals.
Workshops
By section, by craft, by identity. The most concentrated industry hour you’ll spend all year.
Radio Day Stage, Global Stage
The perfect opportunity to catch some music between panels and workshops. Each year, we partner with some of our favorite radio stations for a series of performances, broadcast live from SXSW.
Participate
Step on the Stage.
Submit your work for 2027. Four paths to participate — applications open July through December.
Showcasing Artist Application
CLOSing november 20
Take advantage of career-advancing showcase opportunities and unprecedented access to a mix of influential industry participants.
PanelPicker
COMMUNITY VOTING CLOSES AUGUST 23
The official SXSW user-generated session proposal platform. You have voice in what sessions are programmed at SXSW each March!
Apply to be a Mentor
CLOSing DECEMBER 2026
Gain invaluable guidance and support from experienced industry leaders.
Music Video Application
CLOSEs OCTOBER 1
Submit your music video for consideration.
Demo Listening Submissions
COMING FEBRUARY 2027
An interactive format where attendees have the opportunity to play demos for music experts, sparking real-time feedback and meaningful industry connections.
SXSW Music Awards
Recognition for the artists, songs, and music videos that define the festival — voted by attendees, programmed by editors, and surfaced by the SXSW community.
The Grulke Prize®, awarded in three categories, was developed in honor of our friend and colleague Creative Director Brent Grulke, who passed away on August 13, 2012.
Attend
Badges for industry. Wristbands for showcases. Both get you in.
Music badges include conference, mentor 1:1s, and priority showcase access. Wristbands are showcase-only.
Save up to $900 off the walk up rate when you register by September 17.
Platinum
$1,395.00
For professionals who need full access — all conferences, all festivals, all events. The essential badge for marketers, tech leaders, brand builders, and cross-industry collaborators.
Full Access
- All Innovation Conference
- All Film & TV Festival & Conference
- All Music Festival & Conference
- All Clubhouses: Innovation, Film & TV, Music
- All Parties
Elevated Perks
- 10% Select Merch Discount On-Site
3 Reservations per day
Music
$550.00
For music industry professionals and explorers — here to discover rising artists, track industry trends, and find your people in the music community.
Festival
- Music Festival Showcases
- Radio Day and Global Stages
- Music Demo Listening
- Music Opening Party
Conference & Community
- Music Conference Sessions
- Music Mentors
- Music Workshops
- Music Meet Ups
- Music Clubhouse Access
2 Reservations per day
Music Festival Wristband
$149.00
Access to select Music Festival showcases after badgeholders.
Additional Information
Go to https://cart.sxsw.com/products/bandapp
You must have a SXSW ID account to fill out an application. Click “sign in” at the top right of the page, then either log in or create an account.
When you are logged in, click “Apply Now” to open the application.
Fill out all relevant information. Required fields are indicated with an asterisk.
Click “Submit Application”
On the next page, click “Checkout Now” to lead to the payment page.
Enter your payment information, read and agree to the terms and conditions, and click “Confirm Purchase”
On the next page, you must click “Complete Your Purchase” to finish the transaction.
A confirmation email will be sent to the person listed as the primary contact.
Visit the Showcasing Artist Application page for further information.
Please note:
The person listed as Primary Contact in your SXSW Music Festival Showcase Application should be someone who is authorized to respond on behalf of the act applying and frequently checks their email. Notifications from SXSW will be sent to the Primary Contact email address, and will require timely response.
Invited artists do not need to purchase a SXSW Music Badge to apply for or to perform at a SXSW showcase. Artists who are not selected to perform will be able to purchase SXSW Music Badges at the lowest available registration rate after notification of status, if they choose to do so. There are no refunds if you purchase a registration at a higher rate, or decide not to attend if you are not offered a showcase.
Within 48 hours of submission you will receive a confirmation email from SXSW. If you do not receive notification within 48 hours, please follow up by email to ensure your showcase application has been submitted properly and is under consideration.
To keep important SXSW emails from landing in your spam folder, add the following address to your contact list: musicfest@sxsw.com.
The SXSW Music Festival programming team reviews and evaluates applicants according to originality, technical ability, songwriting skills, and career trajectory. The goal of the SXSW Music Festival is to further the careers of artists, so the programming team also takes into account social media presence, streaming numbers, show experience and milestones such as release timelines and tour scheduling. Every application is evaluated by multiple parties, then invitations are extended to those selected to showcase. As SXSW receives a large number of applications each year, it is unfortunately not possible to invite and accommodate every great artist that applies.
The SXSW Showcasing Artist Badge provides the same access as a SXSW Platinum Badge (access to all SXSW events), plus special artist-only benefits.
An application is a request to be considered for an official showcase performance slot at the SXSW Music Festival.
A registration is a credential that allows the holder to attend SXSW events.
Band members do not need to purchase a registration to apply for a showcase. All applying artists, whether accepted to showcase or not, will be able to register to attend SXSW Music at the lowest registration rate after notification of status, if they choose to do so. If you purchase a registration at a higher rate or decide not to attend if you are not offered a showcase, refunds are not available.
Information about our policies regarding refunds and use of credentials can be found here in our terms and conditions. Please make sure to read and understand these before making any purchases.
The next SXSW Music Festival will be held March 15-21, 2027, in Austin, TX in several venues within the downtown Austin area.
