Photo Credit: Tico Mendoza
SXSW organizers will shorten the music weekend of next year’s festival. That’s because the Austin Convention Center is closing on April 1, 2025 for a four-year redevelopment project. As such, SXSW 2026 will be two days shorter—cutting into the live music fest held since 1987.
Without the convention center to host the massive festival, SXSW 2026 will take place across Austin. “We’re really excited about the plans for SXSW 2026,” an organizer said speaking to The Hollywood Reporter. “With the Austin Convention Center closing down for three years, we believe it’s a great opportunity to put new ideas into action.”
Participation in the SXSW music weekend by bands has been dropping steadily since 2010. The festival operates on an invitation-only policy, with many artists expressing that the application fees feel exploitative since they do not receive full access to the festival in exchange for their performance.
Musicians have been pushing for better compensation for performers—while other artists have boycotted SXSW over its partnerships and sponsorships. SXSW 2025 saw around 1,012 bands showcasing this year.
While music has always been a focus for SXSW, the film and television aspects of the festival are overshadowing the music weekend. Nicole Kidman, Paul Rudd, Blake Lively, Andra Kendrick, Issa Rae, Ben Affleck, Jon Bernthal, and Seth Rogen were on hand at the festival this year promoting their TV and film projects. Meanwhile, music acts who played at this year’s festival include John Fogerty, Tom Morello, Benson Boone, Khalid, Larkin Poe, Koe Wetzel, George Birge, Ashley Cooke, Brittney Speners, Aiko, Big Freedia, and Soup.
“For years, it’s been impossible not to notice how parking woes, hotel prices, traffic etc. drop off considerably when SXSW Music begins,” writes Andy Langer, a veteran journalist who has covered the festival since 1987. “The town empties out considerably the Wednesday AM after tech/film ends.”
Content shared from www.digitalmusicnews.com.