By Nicole Elphick
For the first time, SXSW will be held outside of the US.Credit: SXSW Sydney.
Save articles for later
Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time.
Since launching in Austin Texas in 1987, South by Southwest has positioned itself as introducing attendees to what’s happening on the cutting edge of cool. Now for the first time, the futurist festival is happening outside the United States with the inaugural SXSW Sydney running from October 15 to 22. With a mammoth program of more than 1000 events across technology, music, gaming and film, here are our picks for the 10 must-sees.
Chance the Rapper and more
Chance the Rapper is coming to Sydney.Credit: AP
SXSW has pulled out the big guns with the creatives they’ve lined up as headline speakers to talk about their insights on innovation. Chance the Rapper holds forth on 50 years of hip-hop, while Black Mirror creator Charlie Brooker and Future Today Institute founder Amy Webb have also signed on as keynote speakers. ICC Sydney, various dates
Big Questions
Listen to a budget-friendly free panel with comedian Adam Spencer chatting with brainy types such as science commentator and author Karl Kruszelnicki and other SXSW Sydney participants for a freewheeling discussion sure to get the brain buzzing. Tumbalong Park, October 15 and 21
Screen Festival
The documentary Hot Potato: The Story of The Wiggles will premiere at SXSW.
Film buffs can settle in with a packed program of feature films, documentaries and shorts including the Australian premiere of Kitty Green’s mystery The Royal Hotel and Emerald Fennell’s thriller Saltburn and the world premiere of music docos Hot Potato: The Story of The Wiggles and OneFour: Against All Odds. Various locations, October 15-21
Session Select
Planning for the festival’s conference was a democratic process with 1400 session ideas suggested and 100,000 votes from the public as to what should be programmed. Hear what was chosen with talks on topics including how to achieve net zero emissions by 2030, AI in songwriting and the secrets to work-life balance. Various locations, October 16-21
Music Festival Opening Night Party
American hip hop duo Flyana Boss.
SXSW is renowned for breaking acts who go on to be big names on the charts. For the launch of the music strand of the festival they’ve tapped American hip-hop duo Flyana Boss and Canadian indie rock songwriter Ekkstacy to play at a floating celebration on a docked boat. Darling Harbour, October 17
Games Festival Opening Night Party
The gaming portion of SXSW Sydney kicks off with in-demand American voice actors Troy Baker and Anjali Bhimani performing songs from local release Stray Gods: The Roleplaying Musical alongside pop talent Montaigne. Fortress Sydney, Oct 17
Expo
The SXSW Sydney Expo is the chance for attendees to get hands-on with exhibitors showing off their products and services, including a start-up village for entrepreneurs and a discovery stage where businesses will do show-and-tell sessions. ICC Sydney, October 18-21
Young Henrys Rock & Roll Circus
Singer-songwriter Dan Sultan.
This long-running gig series has musical acts tackling their favourite rock covers. At the free SXSW iteration catch Dan Sultan, Wallice, Ben Marwe, Hayley Mary, Tyne-James Organ, Jamie Timony and more backed by the all-star YH House Band at what has been described as “karaoke on steroids”. Tumbalong Park, October 18
Touchdown Under
Indonesian singer-songwriter Isyana Sarasvati.
Chinese music fest Concrete & Grass has collaborated with Asian label YEG Music to curate a free two-day concert of emerging artists from Asia and the Middle East. Hear sets from multi-instrumentalist Isyana Sarasvati, indie rocker Hindia and songwriter Nadin Amizah. Tumbalong Park, October 19-20
Encore Showcase
Gamers get one last chance to take over the controls at a showcase spotlighting all the works shortlisted for the SXSW Sydney Games Awards with attendees invited to play the top picks. Mercure Sydney, October 22
Find out the next TV, streaming series and movies to add to your must-sees. Get The Watchlist delivered every Thursday.
To read more from Spectrum, visit our page here.
Most Viewed in Culture
Source: Read Full Article
