The Energy, The Sound, The Experience: Reliving SXSW 2025

For years, critics and naysayers have speculated about the so-called decline of SXSW, but this year’s festival completely silenced the doubters. SXSW 2025 made a statement that the festival is alive, thriving, and continuously evolving to match the ever-changing landscape of music, tech, and entertainment.

A Week Full of Networking, Performances, and Innovation

SXSW has always been about more than just music—it’s about connections, innovation, and pushing creative boundaries. This year, we had the privilege of attending some of the most impactful events, which brought together industry leaders, emerging talent, and music lovers from all over the world.

One of the standout moments for us was attending BMI’s signature event, a staple of SXSW that continues to highlight top-tier talent and bring music professionals together under one roof. Another major highlight was Rolling Stone’s Future of Music showcase, which featured some of the industry's biggest and most promising names. Seeing Benson Boone and REMA command the stage was an experience we won’t soon forget. The energy was electric, and it was clear that SXSW is still one of the most influential platforms for artists to showcase their craft.

Billboard’s activations were also a massive success, with sold-out events featuring artists like Koe Wetzel, Grupo Frontera, and John Sutton. It’s always impressive to see how Billboard curates a lineup that perfectly balances mainstream appeal with rising stars, giving festival-goers a mix of familiarity and discovery.

A Citywide Experience at Iconic Venues

Beyond the big-name showcases, what truly makes SXSW unique is the atmosphere that spreads throughout the city. Austin’s legendary venues played a massive role in making this year’s experience one to remember. From Empire Control Room and ACL Live to Vulcan and Antone’s, every venue brought its own unique vibe to the festival. Each location was packed with fans eager to catch both established artists and rising talents, creating an environment where music, culture, and community intersected beautifully.

The Perfect Balance of Work and Play

As much as SXSW is about business, networking, and discovery, it’s also about taking a step back to enjoy the moment. With a jam-packed schedule, we prioritized finding a little leisure time, and Holey Moley Golf Courseprovided the perfect escape. An hour of laughs, competition, and pure fun made it the cherry on top of an already incredible week.

Debunking the False Narrative: SXSW is Expanding, Not Shrinking

There’s been a lot of misinformation circulating about the future of the music portion of SXSW, with some falsely claiming that it’s being scaled back or even phased out. Let’s set the record straight with factual information straight from the source.

Brian Hobbs, a monumental figure behind SXSW for years, has officially confirmed that music will not only remain an integral part of the festival but will actually be expanded in 2026.

“We will be programming music across all the dates next year. Music, Film, and Interactive will all be running concurrently for 7 days.” – Brian Hobbs

This means that instead of limiting the music showcases, SXSW is expanding opportunities for artists, industry professionals, and fans. With all three major elements of the festival—Music, Film, and Interactive—running side by side for a full seven days, artists will have an even larger and more diverse audience to perform in front of.

This is a massive win for the music industry, as it allows artists to showcase their work to an audience that spans multiple disciplines, including film professionals, tech innovators, and business leaders, all bringing unique opportunities for cross-industry collaboration.

SXSW 2026: Bigger and Better for Artists

Far from deteriorating, this expansion solidifies SXSW as one of the most important music festivals in the world. The extended programming ensures that artists have more opportunities to be heard, with an audience that extends beyond just music lovers. This opens doors to licensing deals, film placements, brand collaborations, and more.

So let’s put the false rumors to rest—SXSW isn’t going anywhere, and neither is its commitment to music. If anything, it’s growing, and 2026 is set to be one of the most exciting years yet.