SXSW 2015 to see biggest Australian footfall yet

South by Southwest has seen its biggest number of first-week applications from Australian delegates in its 28-year run.

Registrations opened on Monday (August 4) for the 29th annual event in Austin, Texas next year; within 24 hours over 70 paid registrants had signed up and to date more than 110 have registered.

Phil Tripp, 12-year veteran representative of SXSW said “a few dozen bands” have already submitted for showcases.

“It’s the largest opening day and week we’ve ever had,” said Tripp. “When I started there were only 20 delegates and five bands; in 2014 we had over 730 registrants across all three shows, 72 bands invited of which over 50 played and four major trade show stands split between music and interactive clients.”

More than 75,000 industry professionals from 80+ nations are estimated to take part in the music, film and interactive festival and conference.

Last year, a total of 240 Australian bands applied, with more than 1000 Australians contributing to the 72,000+ overall footfall.

Tripp has arranged two free SXSW Meet ’n’ Greet events in Melbourne (August 12) and Sydney (August 13) next week. He will moderate a Q&A session at each event with SXSW regulars and representatives.

SXSW 2015 takes place in Austin Texas from March 13-22.