SXSW – A week not quickly forgotten but.. I need to have a detox
As the vibrant city of Austin once again transformed into a global stage, SXSW 2025 showcased an eclectic mix of musical talents, reaffirming its commitment to cultural diversity and artistic innovation. From March 10 to 15, artists from around the world converged to deliver performances that spanned genres and traditions, reflecting the festival’s enduring spirit of inclusivity.
But while SXSW 2025 delivered the magic (And Tequila) we’ve come to expect, big changes are coming next year. The festival is set to shrink from nine days to seven, running March 12-18, 2026. This shift is tied to the upcoming demolition and rebuild of the Austin Convention Center, meaning organizers are having to rethink the festival layout. Despite the changes, SXSW has reassured fans that the iconic music showcases aren’t going anywhere—in fact, music programming will be spread across the entire festival rather than crammed into specific days. Plus, badge prices are dropping in 2026, making it more accessible for fans who want to catch the action without breaking the bank.. Which is fairly welcome, as it can be an expensive weekend.
Here’s what we loved over the week, plenty of opportunities to enjoy tacos, great music, meet old friends and explore innovation and music from all over the world.
Confidence Man
Just absolutely epic.. If you’ve never caught a live perfomance from Confidence man before, I can’t recommend it enough. They bring so much energy to the show it’s simply ridiculous. Even in the sweltering texas heat, they put in a massive effort to the performance. Absolute 10/10
Cloudy June
Explicitly cool, alternative-indie-pop from Berlin. Effortlessly cool and dark and a great way to start the week, a stunning way to get over jetlag. Berlin-artists are always very well represented at SXSW and Cloudy June is an absolute star of the future
Sir Jude
Energetic alt pop from the UK via Australia – A potent hangover cure on the Saturday of the music weekend. A powerful mix of alt-pop and electronica. One to watch.
Laurence Guy
Always keen to see electronic music represented as SXSW and Laurence Guy is an absolute personal favourite. Performing at Stubbs, one of Austin’s legendary venues – a bit of a boogie is always appreciated and when it’s to the sounds of blissful house, electronica and funk.. We’re all for it.
John Summit
Not usually our cup of tea but it was fun to see the U.S doing their EDM thing.. One of the worlds most revered and successful producers John Summit closed out the weekend with a headline slot at Billboard’s “The Stage” ampitheatre. Big vibes.
Final thoughts..
Exhaustion but a serene feeling of emptiness now that week is over. I sincerely hope that next year’s changes don’t affect too much of what brings the heart and soul to the festival. For now though, see you in London!
Photo credit –
| Stephen Olker for SXSW |
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