2016 SXSW submissions open this month

PRESS RELEASE:

In its 30th year, SXSW Music Festival invites Australian contemporary musicians and bands to apply via Sonicbids (http://www.sonicbids.com/find-gigs/sxsw/ opens Monday June 29) for a critical showcase slot. Showcasing at SXSW means performing in one of Austin's famous live music venues, for over 30,000 industry representatives and fellow musicians combined, plus nearly 3,000 media members and thousands of fans in attendance. Apply for the opportunity to play with acts from all over world. Of the 2,200-plus showcasing artists in 2015, nearly 600 international acts performed, representing 62 different countries. By opening the application process earlier, we aim to give more attention to each applicant and notify bands of their status sooner than in previous years.

SXSW Music has been a major global launch platform for Australian bands to the world with 47 official artists from Australia in 2015 out of more than 250 applied and 70 invited. Each played one 'official' showcase in addition to the many daytime label, brand and special event parties as well as the famous Aussie BBQ two-stage concert with 22 artists promoted by SoundsAustralia. Additionally there were over 750 paid delegates for the Music, Film and Interactive Festivals and Conferences making an Australian contingent of over 1050 including musicians and crew–the largest number of Australians in one place at one time since the 1996 Olympics in 1996.