SXSW to launch London edition in 2025
The Texan arts festival, South by South West (SXSW), is set to launch a new edition in London next year.
SXSW is planning to takeover Shoreditch in East London and will be taking place in several venues across the area of the capital next June for a week. The festival has previously rolled out an edition in Sydney, Australia, which began in 2023.
In a statement, Randel Bryan, managing director of SXSW London said: “As a lifelong fan of SXSW, I truly believe that it’s more than an event – it’s a movement, a platform where the world’s greatest minds, musicians and motivators come to share their passion and their vision of the future.”
Bryan continued: “SXSW London will build on Austin’s incredible legacy, presenting an event that underpins why SXSW is the go-to destination for professionals and creatives seeking meaningful connections, unexpected experiences and ideas that can help shape the world.”
The managing director went on to say how the inaugural edition of SXSW London “will also provide a platform for the next generation of creative talent, and we will be working hard to ensure that opportunities for learning, employment and community uplift are at the heart of everything we do.”
SXSW began in Austin in 1987, it has become a cultural institution that showcases new talents and also has provided a platform to notable figures such as Barack Obama, Steven Spielberg, Dave Grohl and Bruce Springsteen, who have previously given keynote speeches.
Jann Baskett, the co-president and chief brand officer of SXSW, said of the festival’s first European venture: “We couldn’t be more excited to bring the SXSW experience to London. Following the success of SXSW Sydney, this is an incredible new opportunity to highlight the elements that make SXSW unique in one of the most vibrant cities in Europe.”
Notably, this year’s event in Austin was shrouded in controversy with many acts withdrawing from the line-up due to SXSW’s partnership with the US Army.
The boycott was led by singer-songwriter Ella Williams, who performs as Squirrel Flower. Taking to Instagram, Williams explained of her decision: “I am pulling out specifically because of the fact that SXSW is platforming defence contractors including [RTX] as well as the US army, a main sponsor of the festival.”
In total, over 80 artists withdrew from SXSW, including rising stars such as Cardinals, NewDad, Kneecap, Lambrini Girls and Enola Gay.
In response, SXSW said: “We are an organisation that welcomes diverse viewpoints. Music is the soul of SXSW, and it has long been our legacy. We fully respect the decision these artists made to exercise their right to free speech.”
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