EXPANDS MUSIC FESTIVAL LINE-UP FOR OCTOBER 2023
INCLUDING 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), SONGER (UK), WALLICE (USA)
DR MARTENS HOUSE AND HOUSE OF VANS DEBUT AT SXSW SYDNEY
PLATINUM & INDUSTRY BADGES ARE ON SALE NOW
PURCHASE EARLY BIRD BADGES HERE
SXSW SYDNEY MUSIC & SCREEN FESTIVAL SUBMISSIONS CLOSE ON MAY 14
SUBMIT YOUR SXSW SYDNEY MUSIC FESTIVAL PERFORMANCE APPLICATION HERE
SUBMIT YOUR SXSW SYDNEY SCREEN FESTIVAL APPLICATION HERE
SXSW SYDNEY™
OCTOBER 15 – 22, 2023
SYDNEY NSW, AUSTRALIA
IN COLLABORATION WITH THE NSW GOVERNMENT VIA DESTINATION NSW,
TEG & SXSW®
Sydney, NSW – Wednesday, May 3: Today, futurist conference and festival, South by Southwest (SXSW) Sydney™ expands its inaugural 2023 event, revealing the first list of local acts who will perform at the Music Festival alongside a growing list of international talent. Additionally, the event unveils its newest Featured Speaker as Chris Lee, a.k.a. Sung-su Lee, Chief A&R Officer and former CEO of one of Korea’s largest entertainment companies, SM Entertainment, and new SXSW Sydney 2023 music partners, Dr Martens and Vans.
Sydney will be the first city outside Austin, Texas to gather the world’s most inspired thinkers, creators and innovators in the Southern Hemisphere. From Sunday, October 15 to Sunday, October 22, 2023, SXSW Sydney will see the world’s pre-eminent creative industries come together across content pillars of Tech and Innovation, Gaming, Music, Screen and Culture within a stacked week-long program. To access what SXSW Sydney has to offer, you need a badge. Platinum and Industry badges are now available at Early Bird prices HERE.
From Sunday, October 15 to Sunday, October 22, 2023, SXSW Sydney will see the world’s pre-eminent creative industries come together across content pillars of Tech and Innovation, Gaming, Music, Screen and Culture within a stacked week-long program. To access what SXSW Sydney has to offer, you need a badge. Platinum and Industry badges are now available at Early Bird prices HERE.
SXSW Sydney 2023 Music Festival
As announced earlier in 2023, the SXSW Sydney 2023 Music Festival will take over dozens of live music venues in the SXSW Sydney event precinct, where official showcasing artists will perform in front of industry reps, media and thousands of fans and fellow musicians from across the globe.
Today, the festival reveals Dr Martens and Vans as two new partners, who will make their footprint with the respective Dr Martens Presents and House of Vans performance hubs. Both brands are renowned for throwing legendary parties at SXSW, with past line-ups including the likes of Denzel Curry, The Stooges, Alex G, ODESZA, Wolf Alice and many others.
Claire Collins, Head of Music, SXSW Sydney says:
“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.
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.”
Featured Speaker Announced
Today, SXSW Sydney unveils its next Featured Speaker appearing as part of the event’s Music Industry Conference track.
Chris Lee a.k.a. Sung-Su Lee is Chief A&R Officer and former CEO of SM Entertainment. Recently named as one of Billboard’s International Power Players for the second consecutive year, Lee is credited with popularising many K-pop stars, including SHINee, EXO, Red Velvet, NCT, aespa and more. Lee will be a must-see speaker at SXSW Sydney.
First Local Music Artists Announced
From regional and major corners of the country and spanning genres from hip-hop and dream-pop to indie-house and alt-punk, SXSW Sydney is also excited to reveal the next crop of rapidly-rising stars populating the inaugural Music Festival program, with many more to be announced across the year.
In alphabetical order on the local line-up:
1tbsp, a dance project from Maxwell Byrne, explores sample-laden sounds in a new direction from previous work as Golden Vessel.
Alt-pop collective Alter Boy join the line-up, with theatrical imagery and avant-garde costuming to accompany their dream pop come visual storytelling. A fresh take on musical production, the band welcome the audience into their out-of-this-world presentation.
Seven-piece Yolngu Funk act Andrew Gurruwiwi Band bring their high energy set from the beach Birrtjimi and the dirt of Yirrkala, in north-east Arnhem Land. A mix of Yolngu Mathu and English, Yolngu Funk is a new genre of funk and reggae, embraced by the band’s shy-but-extravagant, blind, keytar-wielding Yolngu elder who has a passion to make people dance while sharing his culture.
Meanwhile, Western Sydney via New Jersey’s Ashli brings R&B and pop with real purpose to SXSW Sydney with relatable stories. A trained vocalist, Ashli was nominated ‘Next Big Thing’ at the FBi SMAC Awards, received widespread praise from critics and radio alike for her debut EP, Only One, and kicked off 2023 by performing at SXSW in Austin.
Descended from the Gugu Yalanji and Birrigubba people and the Matabele Zimbabwean people, the Brisbane-born singer and songwriter Dean Brady nods to Motown and R&B with his off-kilter beats.
From Perth, DICE bring their uplifting alt-rock to the East Coast with high anticipation. The four-piece sold out their national debut EP tour before placing themselves on triple j’s Ones to Watch list in 2023, who files their sound next The Strokes and Arctic Monkeys.
Newcastle quintet Dust offer a contemporary take on Australian post-punk, fusing intricate sounds with flecks of electronica and experimental jazz. From their beginnings in 2020, the collective has continued to prove an onstage presence that is as urgent as it is mesmeric.
Tokyo-born and Melbourne-based, Elle Shimada’s multifaceted artistry comes to life across her talents as a vocalist, violinist, producer, DJ and curator. Shimada’s blend of masterful violin and ethereal vocals, entwined in cinematic new-jazz and electronic compositions, have entranced audiences on tour across Australia, Europe and Asia.
Born and raised in Manjimup, rural WA, producer, singer/songwriter GO-JO has blended his own distinctive sound, inspired by elements of guitar-driven Pop, R&B, and Hip Hop. His ear worm melodies have racked up millions of views across TikTok.
The 20-year-old fellow Perth artist and hip-hop breakout act, Mali Jo$e jets across the country following a string of supporting performances with the likes of Baker Boy, and a collaborative track with Kobie Dee.
New York City-via-Sydney Darumbal Murri and Tongan vocalist, Mi-Kaisha joins the SXSW Sydney 2023 Music Festival with her honeyed vocals. Now completing a music degree at NYU, Mi-Kaisha’s childhood soundtrack of her childhood spanned soul and her father’s Koori Radio hip-hop show, Island Hopping.
Crafting intimate songs swirling with cathartic introspection, Mikayla Pasterfield’s brand of soulful, indie-folk is intimate and measured – yet, commanding in its ability to unite audiences through deeply personal connection. From the outskirts of Camden in regional NSW, 21-year-old Pasterfield’s songwriting continues to resonate with millions in the online world.
Eora/Sydney-based art-pop and indie rising star, Milku and touring guitarist for the Middle Kids will appear at the festival. Milku brings his rubbery disco, rap-speed verses and was named triple j Unearthed’s Feature Artist.
Hailing from the cultural melting pot of West Melbourne, PANIA is set to bring her inimitable blend of romantic and nostalgic 2000s-inspired RnB to the stage. From selling-out two headline shows and supporting megastar Kehlani, to commanding crowds at Listen Out and gracing red carpets at both the ARIAs and NGV Gala Ball, PANIA promises an electrifying performance as she stands at the cusp of global domination.
The alt-pop project of Phoebe Go offers heartfelt and full-bodied acoustic works to SXSW Sydney. After the success of her high-school band, Snakadaktal, Go now finds her voice as a solo artist.
Newcastle four-piece Rum Jungle bring their relaxed reggae-rock to the festival, following a national tour in June and past stints touring with Lime Cordiale, Peking Duk and the Hilltop Hoods.
Joining the list are juice-box punk-pop Adelaide two-piece Teenage Joans, after a successful SXSW in Austin in March. Having won a record-breaking seven awards at the 2021 South Australian Music Awards, the duo spent 2022 on tour supporting Ball Park Music, Violent Soho, The Chats and more.
Also, from Western Sydney is the witty and rising emcee Vv Pete. From her first self-written track at age 9, Vv has risen to perform at the Sydney Opera House bolstering her intense live vocal deliveries.
On the international line-up is Tokyo’s CHAMELEON LIME WHOOPIEPIE. A solo act formed by Chi-, CHAMELEON LIME WHOOPIEPIE wears orange hair and performs with their sidekicks, Whoopies No.1 and Whoopies No.2. CHAMELEON LIME WHOOPIEPIE has gained fans locally and overseas outside of Japan following early support from RADAR: Early Noise 2021.
Joining the overseas ranks is fast-rising New Zealand-based, Korean singer-songwriter hanbee, who has built an organic following with her buttery and melancholic indie-pop sound. Her debut album Seashell Cassette served as a poignant curtain raiser, garnering TikTok vitality and over 3M streams in just a few months.
The rise of fellow Korean-New Zealander Hans. has been nothing short of meteoric. Breaking through with his single “Froyo” – featuring indie-pop sensation Clairo – the Auckland-based alt-hip-hop act continues his ascent, with support slots for Billie Eilish, Rejjie Snow and Easy Life under his belt.
HYPNOSIS THERAPY are an exciting new electronic duo based in Seoul. Made of rapper/vocalist Jjangyou and producer J flow, the outfit pair left-field dance-pop production with high-energy bars, and have been turning heads the world over with their explosive 2022 debut self-titled album.
London’s Nuha Ruby Ra brings a provocative and upbeat repertoire. After touring with the likes of Yard Act, Viagra Boys and King Gizzard and The Wizard Lizard, Nuha Ruby Ra has built a global following.
Bringing their infectious brand of hazy guitar-land indie-pop across the Tasman are New Zealand four-piece, Soaked Oats. Their endearing performances and live shows have granted them access to tours and festival appearances throughout the UK, America and Australasia.
From Reading, appears up-and-coming rap artist Songer. A unique storyteller and voice within the UK underground, he has collaborated with the scene’s legend, D Double E.Los Angeles-born and raised, future alt-pop singer songwriter Wallice appears at the festival after supporting The 1975 on their most recent Australian tour. Her brooding work is fuelled by a long finesse of classical guitar and an upbringing heavily influenced by her Japanese mum.
For further artists looking to showcase at the SXSW Sydney Music Festival, applications close on May 14. Don’t miss the last chance to submit your project for consideration HERE.
How to attend SXSW Sydney
A SXSW Sydney badge provides access to the week-long conference, expo, festivals and networking sessions, with each badge type granting varying levels of access. Platinum and Industry badges provide core access to more than 1,000 ground-breaking events and networking sessions with some of the world’s leading thinkers, performers and industry professionals, and are available for Early Bird purchase now. Platinum badges secure the holder primary access to all programming, while Industry badges secure priority access to all conference events and industry-specific festivals, talks, workshops and parties. Learn more and buy your badge today at https://sxswsydney.com/.
Sydney is the leading connector to innovation and creativity in the Asia-Pacific; the events and theatre capital of the region, and ranks second in Asia for fin-tech development and sixth globally*. Further SXSW Sydney conference, festival, exhibition and event line-ups will be revealed across 2023, with opportunities to attend over 1000 sessions, screenings and performances, immersive activations, unforgettable parties and dynamic networking events across the city. This October, discover the unexpected ideas and diverse discussions SXSW Sydney makes possible when creative people come together.
SXSW SYDNEY™
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DESTINATION NSW
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TEG
WEBSITE | LINKEDIN | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER
SXSW SYDNEY™
IN COLLABORATION WITH THE NSW GOVERNMENT VIA DESTINATION NSW, TEG & SXSW®
OCTOBER 15 – 22, 2023
SYDNEY NSW, AUSTRALIA
PLATINUM & INDUSTRY BADGES NOW AVAILABLE AT EARLY BIRD PRICES HERE
SXSW SYDNEY MUSIC FESTIVAL SUBMISSIONS ARE NOW OPEN, CLOSING MAY 14
SUBMIT YOUR SXSW SYDNEY MUSIC FESTIVAL SUBMISSION HERE
SXSW SYDNEY SCREEN FESTIVAL SUBMISSIONS ARE NOW OPEN, CLOSING MAY 14
SUBMIT YOUR SXSW SYDNEY SCREEN FESTIVAL SUBMISSION HERE
Famous for its sparkling harbour and golden beaches, Sydney is Australia’s most diverse and inclusive city and is home to a thriving arts and culture scene and buzzing 24-hour economy. As the gateway for international arrivals and major events capital of the Asia Pacific – there is no better city than Sydney to host SXSW’s next chapter. For more information on the host city of SXSW Sydney and things to see and do in Sydney, visit www.sydney.com. Share your favourite Sydney experiences on social media using @sydney #FeelNewSydney
SXSW SYDNEY, SOUTH BY SOUTHWEST SYDNEY and other SXSW, LLC marks used under license
We acknowledge the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation as the Traditional Custodians of this land we now call Sydney, where this event will take place. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging for their continuing connection with cultural, spiritual and educational practices, and extend this respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. Always was, always will be.
