SXSW Sydney Details Week of Free Events, Announces Celebration of Indian Culture for 2024

SXSW Sydney is set to host a week of free events in the heart of Darling Harbour this October, the details of which were announced this morning.

Revealed at a press conference at ICC Sydney, the event juggernaut’s managing director Colin Daniels, as well as NSW arts minister, John Graham, took to the podium to note Tumbalong Park will be the central gathering place of the second annual SXSW Sydney.

“Sydney truly is a creative city, almost an untold story in some ways,” said Minister Graham. “It’s not often how we talk about Sydney, but it is the truth. When you’re talking about music production, screen production, and literature production, all those things in Australia happen in Sydney.

“[…] This program, in particular, is very special. Having free programming at Tumbalong Park and welcoming the public into the SXSW experience is really important […] I congratulate Colin and the whole team.”

Photo Credit: Paul McMillan

Free public events at SXSW Sydney

Over seven days and nights, over 100,000 people are expected to visit the precinct to enjoy 60+ hours of free entertainment.

The Tumbalong Park Main Stage will see Ben Gillies (musician, songwriter and Silverchair co-founder) unite with futurist Johannes Saam and Tushar Apte (producer and songwriter) for a live demonstration session and performance.

Meanwhile, “The Dome” stage presented by The Growth Distillery will feature ‘Meet the Speaker’ sessions throughout the week, giving attendees the chance to meet Conference speakers such as astrophysicist, Kirsten Banks.

On Thursday, Oct. 17, Tumbalong Park will host the Innovation Showcase, seeing tertiary institutions present the latest developments in Rocketry, Robotics, Engineering, Mechanics, Science and Technology.

Elsewhere, attendees can catch the ZERO Australian 100% electric bike showcase, which will feature prototype ZERO SR/X; the Australian Premiere screening of The Endless Summer 60th Anniversary, and an afterparty with live music from SXSW Sydney Music Festival acts BALTHVS and Touch Sensitive.

The Acer Predator League Academy will crown its first champion at Tumbalong Park on Saturday, Oct. 19, as part of the free Games Festival programming. The event features the only high school Fortnite competition in Australia and New Zealand, with Team PWR and Fortnite icons Lachlan and Loserfruit presenting the trophy to the winning school.

“When SXSW Sydney was announced, we made it clear that it would be accessible to everybody,” said Daniels. “There will be an entry point at SXSW, whether you are a kitchen table startup in tech, a young artist trying to make it, a filmmaker, or a young gamer, this is why we have the free events. The free events are designed to give you a taste of what SXSW is.

“It’s an opportunity to network, meet industry professionals, and connect with creators because SXSWs mission is to help creative people achieve their goals,” he added. “So stay tuned.”

A single-day showcase festival of Indian creative culture

Also announced this morning was the addition of +91 Calling!, a free day of Indian music, food, tech, culture and screenings on Sunday, Oct. 20.

The live music offering will feature six acts from India and the Indian diaspora with genres spanning hip-hop, pop, R&B, club and neo-classical.

“It’s going to be an incredible day to celebrate not only the fantastic Indian communities we have in Sydney but also the global focus on India right now,” said Daniels.

“India is growing at an incredible rate, particularly in tech and innovation. Its music scene is thriving, and, of course, it is one of the countries with the largest film outputs in the world.”

The full Sunday program of +91 Calling! will land in the coming weeks.

Attendees at the press conference this morning were as varied in expertise as the conference is shaping up to be.

Futurist Johannes Saam, Silverchair’s Gillies and hit songwriter Tushar Apte were in the room to hint at their collaborative AI music project which will come to life as part of the free programming. Meanwhile, indie rockers The Buoys and astrophysicist Dr. Kirsten Banks were also present.

With SXSW Sydney hosting more than 1,000 events, sessions and experiences between Oct 14-20, expect new announcements every week until launch.

Tumbalong Park is open from 12pm to 10pm daily, during SXSW Sydney.