Interested in Learning About How SXSW Started in Austin, TX?
For decades the city of Austin has shut down every March to welcome bands and music lovers from all over the world to participate in the most unique music festival in America. Austin has long been dubbed the “Music Capital of the World” for its vibrant music scene that originated with musical talents like the Winter Brothers, Janice Joplin, the great Willie Nelson and later on, Stevie Ray Vaughn. Call it Cosmic Cowboy music, call it Country Outlaw; whatever you want to call it, it brought the city together.
When you hear people say “it brought the people together”, they usually mean that in a vague and unidentifiable way. The truth is, SXSW actually brought the cowboys and the hippies that lived in Austin, TX, together. These two groups of people, that traditionally don’t get along, both really liked the new sound created by acts like Willie Nelson. This new type of music that was born in the 60’s and 70’s right here in Austin truly did unite a previously divided musical scene into a new thriving cultural hub.
Where Did Austin’s Music Scene Start?
The soul of Austin was born with these great acts that performed in venues that are still thriving today, like the Vulcan Gas company, the Broken Spoke, the Continental Club and the venue that started it all, Scholz Garten. This beer garden was a cultural center for the Germans that migrated to Austin, TX during and right after the Civil War. It is one of the oldest continuously operating businesses west of the Mississippi River. This beer garden has long been a place to grab a beer after a UT game, or a gathering spot for Texas Congressman to grab a drink and have a political discussion after meeting at the Texas State Capitol.
These great musicians and musical venues have laid the foundation for SXSW. Without this long, rich musical background, SXSW would not have had the grassroots it needed to take off. Folks from all over the world flock to 6th street in downtown Austin to catch shows put on by musical talents both known and unknown. This year, you can catch major acts like The Black Keys and Bootsy Collins, along with showcasing groups you probably haven’t heard of coming from as far away as Tokyo, Japan, such as hip-hop/alternative rock, singer songwriter Ako.
How Did SXSW Start?
The festival started out as a way for bands in the South and Southwest region of America to get their name out there. Previously, bands from this area were unable to get representation in the music industry and had to go to either New York or LA to land a big record deal. Founders Roland Swenson, Louis Jay Meyers, Louis Black, and Nick Barbaro knew that the music talent in their area was as good as any in the world; if only there was a festival in their area that could showcase these new faces. Using the pre-existing music scene, and the fact that Austin was a cool and somewhat undiscovered town at the time, would be a major draw for people as time went on. SXSW would be able to grow exponentially over the years.
When is SXSW in Austin?
The founders of SXSW knew that they could use the weather to their advantage. Texas has a really small window of time where the weather isn’t miserably hot, and mid-March is the best time of year to visit. They strategically set the dates for their music festival to this time of year and invited bands from all over south, southeast and southwest America to the very first SXSW in 1986. After that first year, people loved the music scene and, more importantly I would argue, the city of Austin, so much that the second year saw a huge increase in registrants. It continued to more than double every year until it saw slow and steady growth throughout the 90’s.
Who Got Their Start Because of SXSW?
Some major national acts blew up after SXSW like Kid Cudi, John Mayer, Amy Winehouse, Odd Future, M.I.A, James Blunt, Ellie Goulding, and Grimes to name a few. However, in recent years, local Austinites have claimed that SXSW has lost its touch and has catered to the commercial crowd by inviting huge headliner acts that are already very well known in order to continue to draw big crowds. No matter how you feel about the direction the festival is heading, SXSW will do what it has to do to compete with other big name music festivals like ACL, Coachella and Bonnaroo.
Who Helps With Putting on the Event Every Year?
The local movers here at Sarver Movers have always helped various production companies that come from out of town who need event services and event labor to set up their equipment for SXSW shows. Our moving services in Austin can handle any event, from staging equipment to transporting tables and chairs. Many of these events need to be taken down when the show ends at midnight and be completely cleared out and ready for the next show by 8am the following morning.
We are one of the few moving companies that can provide professional moving services in Austin after midnight. This is why most of the production companies that come into town want to work with us; we will do whatever it takes to make sure your event goes well. If you’re looking for more information on who to contact for your upcoming SXSW event, reach out to our event planning team at Sarver Movers so we can go over your event’s needs and see how we can help. We also set up for weddings, birthday parties and any other type of event you can think of.
Is SXSW Just Music, or Can I Also See Comedy and Film Related Events?
You can catch the first half of SXSW, the “Interactive part”, that offers insights on what’s new in the film industry by showing film and TV screenings. You could also attend conference sessions that have daily keynote speakers presented by industry experts that talk about industry trends in workshops, meet-ups, and mentoring sessions. These could be very valuable for young professionals who want to learn more about their field of work.
These events might also be interesting to film nerds who want to hear their favorite directors and actors speak about projects both present and past. These conference events take place from March 8th to the 15th, while you can catch the Film and TV Screening portion of the festival from March 8th to the 16th.
When Can We See the New Artists at SXSW?
Are you tired of seeing only the big acts at music festivals and are ready to see some new faces? The new bands that are hoping to catch their big breaks can be seen from March 8th to the 16th with purchase of the all encompassing SXSW badge, or you can go for the much cheaper music wristband. These bands are the core of what SXSW has to offer. Though they may not draw big crowds, at least not yet, they represent the original reason SXSW exists, showcasing new bands to the music industry.
Is it True That SXSW Now Has a Comedy Festival as Well?
Yes, they have recently added a comedy portion to the festival. Since comedy is so popular these days, they have added several comedians to their already packed schedule. Not a big comedy head? No worries, you can catch live podcasts, sketch comedy, and improv as well. This goes to show that they are doing what they can to expand their horizons to offer as many forms of art as possible. The comedy portion of the festival is held from March 8th to 12th.
Do I need a badge to see SXSW shows?
You actually have quite a few different options when it comes to attending these events. You can head over to the SXSW website to browse the various prices of badges and wristband options they have available. Prices will range from $130 for a music wristband if you buy one early and only want access to the music portion of the festival, all the way up to several thousand dollars to purchase the all inclusive badge that gets you free drinks, food, and access to every corner of the entire event.
Then there’s the way of the local - Austinites know that there are plenty of free shows during SXSW that aren’t associated with SXSW at all. They’re called unofficial shows and they can be found all over the city. Many times, some of the bigger name bands will book free shows at these unofficial events simply because they are in town and want to perform. It’s a way for artists to give back and show some local love to the city of Austin.
