SXSW Sydney Unveils First Round Of Local Artists On 2023 Line-up

South By Southwest (SXSW), the mega music conference, is heading to Sydney this October, and today, it announces the first round of Aussie artists to perform at the showcase.

Sydney will be the first city outside of Austin to gather at SXSW as a collection of the world's most inspired thinkers, creators, innovators, and artists gather for the first time in the southern hemisphere. 

For its inaugural year, the full-week program will run from Sunday, 15 October, until Sunday, 22 October 2023.

The SXSW Sydney Conference will feature over 400 keynotes, presentations, panels, workshops and mentor sessions. 

Notably, the SXSW Sydney 2023 Music Festival will take over multiple live music venues in Sydney, where official showcasing artists will perform in front of industry reps, media, and thousands of fans and fellow musicians.

The local artists joining SXSW Sydney include the seven-piece Yolngu Funk act Andrew Gurruwiwi Band, Alter Boy, Teenage Joans, Dean Brady, PANIA, Phoebe Go, and more. You can view the full announcement of Aussie artists heading to Sydney this October below.

On the international front, Japan’s CHAMELEON LIME WHOOPIEPIE, New Zealand-based, Korean singer-songwriter hanbee, Korean-New Zealander Hans, Seoul’s HYPNOSIS THERAPY, LA’S Wallice and more will be coming down under.

SXSW Sydney has also unveiled a new Featured Speaker to be a part of the Music Industry Conference, Chris Lee aka Sung-Su Lee, a Chief A&R Officer and former CEO of SM Entertainment.

Recently named one of Billboard’s International Power Players for the second year in a row, Sung-Su Lee is credited with popularising many K-pop stars, including SHINee, EXO, Red Velvet, NCT, aespa and more.

Claire Collins, the Head of Music at SXSW Sydney, said about Lee’s booking, “We are thrilled to welcome Mr Lee as a Featured Speaker. Mr Lee has during his time at SM Entertainment played a leading role in shaping the global K-pop phenomenon, helping to introduce Korean music and culture to audiences around the world. 

"With SXSW Sydney's focus on the opportunities in APAC, Mr Lee's participation will be invaluable in helping attendees understand and capitalise on the potential of this dynamic region.”

Collins continued, “We are also excited to announce the second round of artists playing at the inaugural event. The line-up features an essential array of styles, ranging from post-punk, jazz, and experimental pop to club-tinged hip-hop, R&B, and indie folk. 

"It is a vibrant snapshot of the undeniably exciting next wave of talent from across the globe, from Western Sydney to the Top End, South Korea to the UK and beyond. We can’t wait to reveal more in the coming weeks and months.”

Platinum and Industry badges to attend SXSW Sydney are now available at Early Bird prices HERE.

SXSW SYDNEY

FIRST LOCAL ACTS (IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER):

1TBSP, ALTER BOY, ANDREW GURUWIWI BAND, ASHLI, DEAN BRADY, DICE, dust, ELLE SHIMADA, GO-JO, 

MALI JO$E, MI-KAISHA, MIKAYLA PASTERFIELD, MILKU, PANIA, PHOEBE GO, RUM JUNGLE, TEENAGE JOANS, VV PETE

+ CHAMELEON LIME WHOOPIEPIE (JAPAN), hanbee(NZ), HANS. (NZ), HYPNOSIS THERAPY (S. KOREA), NUHA RUBY RA (UK), SOAKED OATS (NZ), WALLICE (USA)