SXSW 2023 Music Festival Recap
The South by Southwest (SXSW) music festival is always a highlight of the year for music fans around the world.
This year's event took place in Austin, and the SXSW music dates ran from March 12th-March 21st, 2023. It was one of the best yet with big-name music acts to up-and-coming talent, there was something for everyone at this year's SXSW. Let's take a look at what made this year so special.
All about this Year's SXSW Music Festival
This year's SXSW music festival featured over 500 performances across a variety of venues in Austin. For the music portion of the festival the headliners included some major artists in the music industry like Chance the Rapper, Selena Gomez, Cardi B, and Billie Eilish. Of course, there were also plenty of smaller act crowd pleasers and unsigned artist showcase 2023 that stole the show as well.
Fans also had access to daytime events such as panel discussions on topics ranging from songwriting to industry trends. Additionally, there were special exhibitions dedicated to exploring different aspects of culture and society through art installations and interactive experiences.
Headliners
Drawing hundreds of thousands of fans each year from all around the globe, SXSW is known for its eclectic lineup of music acts that range from up-and-coming indie bands to established superstars. Let’s take a look at some of the biggest acts and songs that were scheduled to appear at SXSW 2023.
One of the headliners for this year’s music event was the alternative rock band The Killers. Formed in Las Vegas in 2002, The Killers have become one of rock’s most successful groups with a string of hit singles including “Mr Brightside” and “Somebody Told Me”. Rock fans were given an energetic first set from lead singer Brandon Flowers and his bandmates as they brought their classic sound to life on stage.
Another act set that performed is rap superstar Drake. After taking a break from touring in 2020 due to the pandemic, Drake had been preparing new album material which he debuted at SXSW 2023. His unique blend of hip hop and R&B has made him one of the biggest names in music over the past decade and fans were excited to see the new sounds from his upcoming album this year.
Last but not least is pop sensation Lady Gaga performed her latest single “Stupid Love” live at the South by Southwest (SXSWK) 2023 music venues. Lady Gaga has become one of the world’s most recognizable entertainers with her outrageous costumes and powerful vocals that never fail to captivate audiences everywhere she goes. This will be her first show since releasing her sixth studio album Chromatica last year so it sure was an unforgettable music experience!
Aside from great live music and a variety of performers, there were also plenty of opportunities for attendees to network with other like-minded individuals in their respective fields. There were meetups for entrepreneurs, creatives, marketers and more!
Plus, there was even an area dedicated solely to startups that showcased innovative products and services from some of the hottest new companies in tech. Every evening ended with a spectacular fireworks show that lit up the sky above downtown Austin and provided an unforgettable grand finale to each night’s festivities.
Startups
The South by Southwest (SXSW) music festival has always been a venue for innovation and creativity. Every year, startups from around the world descend on Austin, Texas, to showcase their products and services at SXSW. This year was no different.
AtlasVR: AtlasVR is an immersive virtual reality platform that allows users to explore the world in ways they never thought possible. With its cutting-edge technology and intuitive user interface, AtlasVR makes it easy to transport yourself to distant lands or delve into historical events as if you were there.
It's also perfect for businesses who want to create unique experiences for their customers without ever leaving their office.
Wonder Dynamics AI: the future is here with Wonder Dynamics AI, and attendees of the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival in 2023 had a chance to experience it firsthand.
Wonder Dynamics, a pioneering AI start-up, showcased their latest tech at the annual event in Austin. Their talk revolved around the ways in which AI is changing the filmmaking industry and cinematography.
Wonder Dynamics AI's presentation was titled "The Future of Cinematography: Innovation and Automation with AI." They began their presentation by highlighting the various ways in which filmmakers can incorporate AI in their workflow to save both time and money. For example, AI can be used to create hyper-realistic CGI environments and characters, reducing the need for expensive location shoots.
ArcRider: ArcRider presented at SXSW. It is a startup that is helping people live a more sustainable lifestyle. They provide affordable and eco-friendly electric bikes as an alternative to traditional transportation in urban areas. Blending local delivery with their own custom folding bike, ArcRider offers a solution to the global problem of traffic congestion and pollution. This bike is also highly affordable, costing less than a month of gas for most vehicles.
RapidSOS: RapidSOS empowers individuals in emergency situations to initiate the help they need. The startup has developed emergency tech that automatically provides critical data to 911 and emergency responders. When a user triggers the RapidSOS mobile app, location, medical history, and other important data is transmitted directly to emergency response teams. RapidSOS draws on partnerships with public safety software providers to ensure that their tech idea is integrated into emergency responder systems across the country.
Black Box VR: Black Box VR is a pioneer in the virtual reality fitness experience, offering users an intense and immersive workout. The startup's focus is on promoting physical fitness through virtual reality gaming. The workout integrates full body tracking and resistance-based training to create a uniquely stimulating experience. The game features a live leaderboard for competition, and users can customize their workout experience. This startup is definitely one to keep an eye on for the future of fitness.
Keynotes Speakers at SXSW
Every year, SXSW attracts a diverse range of professionals from across the tech industry to discuss current trends and share insights into what’s coming next. This year, SXSW hosted some of the industry’s most influential keynote speakers. Here’s a quick look at who was listed to attend.
Jack Dorsey - CEO of Twitter & Square
Jack Dorsey is one of the most iconic figures in the tech industry. He is best known as the co-founder and CEO of two of today's biggest companies - Twitter and Square.
As one of the early pioneers in social media, Jack will be speaking about its evolution over time and how it has changed our lives for better or worse. He'll also be discussing how he's using his influence to help shape our digital future through both Twitter and Square.
Susan Wojcicki – CEO, YouTube
As YouTube's CEO for more than five years, Susan Wojcicki has been instrumental in transforming the company into one of today's most powerful platforms for content creators around the world.
Her keynote speech will explore important topics such as censorship, algorithmic bias, and user privacy. She'll also be discussing how she plans to continue innovating on behalf of YouTube's users while maintaining its commitment to free speech.
Satya Nadella – CEO Microsoft
Satya Nadella, one of the featured speakers, has been at Microsoft since 2014 when he took over as CEO after Steve Ballmer retired. Since then he has led Microsoft into an era of innovative new products such as HoloLens, Azure Cloud Computing Services and Office 365.
In his keynote address Satya will share his vision for tech going forward with a focus on artificial intelligence, cloud computing services and augmented reality/virtual reality technologies that are transforming how we interact with tech today.
2023 SXSW Art Program
The 2023 SXSW Art Program delivered on it's promise to be a diverse and captivating showcase of innovation, creativity and artistic performances.
Reimagine Reality
The theme for this year's SXSW showcase is "Reimagine Reality," challenging artists to explore new frontiers in immersive technologies, augmented reality, and virtual reality. The works on display will seek to stimulate the senses, provoke the mind, and challenge the boundaries between what's real and what's not.
Neon Jungle
One of the most anticipated works in the 2023 SXSW Art Program is "Neon Jungle," an interactive light installation by the renowned artist team of Mattia Casalegno and David McLeod.
"Neon Jungle" is a art performance that consists of a massive array of LED lights that pulses to the rhythm of the surrounding environment, creating an immersive and hypnotic experience for viewers. The installation aims to highlight the story of tension between nature and technology and raise questions around our relationship with our environment.
The Cave of Wonders
Another exciting showcase in the 2023 SXSW Art Program is "The Cave of Wonders" by the Dutch artist collective, Studio Drift. "The Cave of Wonders" is a large-scale audiovisual installation that explores the relationship between humans and machines.
The installation invites viewers to enter a dark and mysterious cave, where they'll encounter a mesmerizing and otherworldly display of light and sound that challenges their perception of the world.
The Cave of Wonders on YouTube
Assemblage
One of the groundbreaking works in the 2023 SXSW Art Program is "Assemblage," a collaborative virtual reality experience by the artists Anicka Yi and Jon Rafman. "Assemblage" allows viewers to enter a hyperrealistic world where they can interact with a range of surreal and unsettling creatures. The experience aims to explore the intersection of artificial intelligence and human consciousness and raise questions around the ethics of technology.
In addition to these works, the 2023 SXSW Art Program will feature a diverse range of art installations, exhibitions, and performances that explore themes such as identity, social justice, and innovation.
The Sonic Garden
Other notable works to watch out for include "The Sonic Garden" by the Japanese collective Daito Manabe, "The Other Self" by Sonia Boyce, and "The Spinning Helix" by Jake and Dinos Chapman.
SXSW Comedy Highlights
South by Southwest is one of the biggest events in the world of entertainment, where people from different fields come together to showcase their talent. This year's SXSW comedy shows were no exception.
With a lineup of talented comedians, audience members were in for a real treat. In this post, we'll be summarizing some of the best comedy shows that took place during SXSW 2023. So buckle up, grab some popcorn, and get ready to laugh out loud!
Hasan Minhaj
To start the festivities, the opening act was none other than the witty and charming Hasan Minhaj, who kept the audience on the edge of their seats for over an hour. His edgy humor, relatable stories, and impeccable timing were a hit with everyone. From politics to pop culture, he held nothing back and reminded us that laughter is truly the best medicine.
Ali Wong
Next up, we had Ali Wong, who left the audience in stitches with her hilarious and raw stand-up comedy. The pregnant comedian talked about everything from motherhood to sex, and people couldn't get enough. Wong's stage presence and captivating storytelling kept everyone entertained from start to finish.
Taylor Tomlinson
One of the most talked-about comedy shows of SXSW 2023 belonged to the up-and-coming comedian, Taylor Tomlinson. The young comedian delivered a memorable set with her witty observations about the millennial generation. She had a fresh take on topics like social media, dating apps, and relationships, and left the audience wanting more.
Jimmy Kimmel and Kevin Hart
In addition to the SXSW headliners, there were also surprise appearances by a few notable comedians who brought the house down. Comedian and talk show host Jimmy Kimmel made a surprise appearance and performed some of his most famous bits, and Kevin Hart brought laughter and lightness to the stage with his energy and humor.
Jimmy Kimmel and Kevin Hart on Wikipedia
Amy Schumer
To wrap things up, we have to talk about Amy Schumer, who took the stage by storm with her signature style of bold and unapologetic humor. She had the audience roaring with laughter from the first joke to the last. From personal stories to societal issues, Schumer tackled it all with a refreshing dose of comedy.
SXSW Music Festival Highlights
South by Southwest (SXSW) 2023 Music Festival was truly something special! It combined all the best elements of live music with unique cultural experiences and networking opportunities for everyone who attended—all while taking place in one of America's most iconic cities.
If you missed out on this year’s live music event don't worry; next year's SXSW music festival will be here before we know it! Until then we'll just have to reminisce about all the amazing memories we made this time around.
Why visit Austin?
Festival and Events: Austin hosts several music festival's and events throughout the year, in addition to the famous SXSW and Austin City Limits festivals. The Texas Book Festival, the Austin Film Festival, and the Trail of Lights are just a few of the events that make Austin a city worth visiting year-round.
Natural Attractions: Austin is surrounded by beautiful natural attractions. The Barton Creek Greenbelt offers miles of scenic hiking and biking trails, while the Lady Bird Lake Trail provides a peaceful escape in the heart of the city. The Hill Country, just outside of Austin (Texas), offers stunning views and wineries for those looking for a day trip.
Food Scene: Austin's food scene is a delicious blend of southern comfort cuisine and international flavors. From the famous breakfast tacos to the food trucks that line the streets, there is no shortage of delicious food in Austin.
For a more upscale experience, visitors can try restaurants like Uchi and Franklin Barbecue, which have received national recognition for their culinary excellence.
Listen to the latest episodes of the Lone Star Plate Podcast here.
