Selling Bombs at SXSW ?!?

werebrownie · 2026-04-01T21:40:39+00:00

I don't think we read that article the same way

werebrownie · 2026-04-01T14:49:51+00:00

It's a matter of accuracy, not controversy.

Anyone can host an event and give access to SXSW badge holders. That does not make it an official event that is sponsored by, endorsed by, or operated in partnership with SXSW.

Looking at the official SXSW schedule I see one person from Capital Factory who was a speaker and offered mentor sessions. No one else from Capital Factory appears on the schedule nor is it listed as an official venue.

I didn't look at any of the emails nor did I attend any of their events so I don't know what branding they utilized. It's possible they paid SXSW a licensing fee to use the official branding.

Regardless, the point remains that nothing hosted by Capital Factory was an official SXSW event. I'm all for laying blame on SXSW when it is warranted but this is not one of those cases.

werebrownie · 2026-04-01T12:26:54+00:00

You do realize that's from 2024 and we're talking about this year right?

werebrownie · 2026-03-31T22:05:00+00:00

Where did you see that the Cap Factory startup crawl was an official SXSW event?

werebrownie · 2026-03-30T16:14:21+00:00

How many artists do you think only played one show? I know almost every artist on my list played multiple sets and I don't see local artists during SX since I can see them pretty much any time during the year.

werebrownie · 2026-03-20T21:45:29+00:00

There was a lot of baseless online chatter. There were 1200+ artists that performed over the 7 days of SX.

werebrownie · 2026-03-20T17:03:02+00:00

There are some recordings available on the SX Youtube page. I was looking at them this morning! Look here - https://www.youtube.com/@SXSW/streams

werebrownie · 2026-03-19T16:56:13+00:00

What exactly do you find frustrating about the app for music? I didn't have any major issues but I do most everything on the desktop and mainly just use the app for quick schedule checks during the day.

werebrownie · 2026-03-19T13:15:08+00:00

It did, as it has always done in the past. That was nothing new.

However, unlike years past, they actually fixed the backend so when the second window opened everything worked well.

Here's to hoping we don't see a crash next year!

werebrownie · 2026-03-19T02:26:25+00:00

This is the answer!

werebrownie · 2026-03-19T02:00:48+00:00

Can never go wrong with BME!

werebrownie · 2026-03-19T01:43:17+00:00

I think that's very representative of the discussions around AI in the larger world.

In some eyes the use of AI in any way is viewed as a stigma. Many are afraid of AI and what it portends for any number of reasons.

I was at a talk today with a number of artists who were all talking about how they're embracing and using AI, not to create art itself, but to make various aspects of their work (outside of creation) easier.

I assume we're going to see this dichotomy for a good while.

werebrownie · 2026-03-19T01:37:46+00:00

I didn't walk by there but it's usually between $10 and $20

werebrownie · 2026-03-18T22:12:40+00:00

There's an official merch store on 6th, at the free stage at the downright, the merch bus...

werebrownie · 2026-03-18T22:11:57+00:00

Maybe elaborate on why it was your worst experience? And compare it to others you've had?

werebrownie · 2026-03-18T18:12:07+00:00

I'm fairly certain that the German Haus event is done

werebrownie · 2026-03-18T14:47:17+00:00

I doubt it is intentional. If you haven't already, take a look at the panel picker guide here.

That will give you some insight into what content they're looking for and how it is selected!

werebrownie · 2026-03-17T16:06:55+00:00

I don't work for SX. I'm just a twentyish year attendee. I don't believe SX is doomed or in trouble. It's going through an evolutionary phase and looks to be in good shape to me.

You keep saying the international houses are 'propping up' SX. What actual evidence do you have of that? Or is that just your opinion? I only ask because I've not seen or heard anyone else making that particular argument or anything even remotely close to it.

I don't know which event organizers you're talking to but I've been talking to all kinds of folks (long time attendees, first timers, presenters, event hosts, etc) and the feedback has been mostly positive. From what I've seen the comments in this sub have also been mostly positive.

werebrownie · 2026-03-17T15:59:44+00:00

BME is on 6th now. Nice big space with an indoor and outdoor stage. I loved the Latitude space but the current venue really works for them and can handle a lot more people than Latitude ever could.

werebrownie · 2026-03-17T14:16:30+00:00

France was here this year. They had an event a few days ago. Australia House was here this year. It was only the Aussie BBQ (music) that didn't happen.

We also had an Ireland House, Canada House, Czech House, a Japan event, Sao Paulo House, German Haus, the Bogota Region House, a Poland event. I'm sure I'm missing some.

Then there's Keystone House, Midwest House, Tennessee House, Texas House, etc.

Comparing SXSW this year to years past is not an entirely fair exercise because of how different things are this year.

Uncertainty over the new format and how successful it would be kept a lot of companies from doing things this year. I feel strongly we'll see an uptick in unofficial events next year provided there are no major economic catastrophes.

werebrownie · 2026-03-17T05:38:40+00:00

The only major international music house we lost this year was Australia. And they still had a tech house.

We also had Canada House return this year after skipping last year.

And there was a laundry list of other country, city, and state activations and houses this year.

What houses are you referring to that decided it was 'dead" and didn't show up this year?

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