Aussie Acts Give Update On SXSW 2020 As Companies Continue To Withdraw

A petition calling for this month's SXSW to be cancelled has continued to garner thousands of signatures as major companies around the world are pulling out from their involvement in the 2020 event due to the global threat of coronavirus.. 

While the petition has been signed by almost 50,000 people, Variety reports that Apple are the latest company to withdraw from the annual tech/music/film conference following cancellations by the likes of Facebook, Twitter, Netflix, Tik Tok, Vevo, IMDB and Amazon. 

Apple was set to premiere some new Apple TV Plus originals, including a Beastie Boys documentary by Spike Jonze.

SXSW organisers appear committed to going ahead with the 2020 conference, scheduled to start on 13 March, today even announcing its comedy festival line-up despite the multiple withdrawals.

The latest update on the status of this year's event came on 2 March, with organisers saying in a statement posted to the SXSW website, "SXSW is working closely on a daily basis with local, state, and federal agencies to plan for a safe event.

"As a result of this dialogue and the recommendations of Austin Public Health, we are proceeding with the 2020 event with the health and safety of our attendees, staff, and volunteers as our top priority."

Meanwhile, according to Billboard, Concord are the only music company to drop out of SXSW, with a spokesperson confirming its annual happy hour event will not be going ahead.

Central conference venue, Maggie Mae's, has also said it will ensure "everything is sanitised" in all areas of the bar.

When contacted by The Music today Sounds Australia, which presents THE AUSSIE BBQ showcase each year, confirmed that they are still scheduled to head to Austin.

The Music has contacted Australian artists invited to SXSW 2020. See below for the status of the invited acts (updates coming):

• Alex The Astronaut - confirmed
• Shady Nasty - confirmed
• Cable Ties - confirmed
• Ali Barter - confirmed
• Didirri - confirmed
• Alice Skye - confirmed
• Flyying Colours - confirmed
• Pub Choir - confirmed
• San Mei - confirmed
• Alexander Biggs - confirmed
• The Lazy Eyes - confirmed
• Mo'Ju - not attending due to scheduling conflicts
• Vlossom - not attending due to other US commitments
• RVG - not attending due to supporting Pixies' headline tour starting next week