Music Industry News

SXSW Sydney has today announced more than 500 new speakers, workshops, artists, screenings, games and experiences for this year’s event, taking place October 14–20. This is only the beginning, with more than two-thirds of the program still to be revealed.

SXSW Sydney Chair and TEG Group CEO Geoff Jones said, “SXSW Sydney’s uniqueness lies in the breadth of content, topics and experiences on offer, and this October we are excited to welcome a diverse group of speakers and talent from a range of industries to the SXSW Sydney stage.”

Following a phenomenal response to Session Select, which calls on the global community to submit their ideas to be part of the 2024 program, SXSW Sydney Conference is thrilled to release its latest round of panels, talks and workshops. Leading the charge of international thought leaders appearing is Reed Jobs, Founder of venture capital firm Yosemite, which has raised more than $200 million to finance innovation in cancer care. Badge holders will also hear from Google DeepMind AI researcher Clare Bycroft, Managing Director of Bunnings Mike Schneider, Founder of BuildClub Annie Liao, Deputy Associate Dean Education, UTS Business Dr Amanda White OAM, Founder and Lead of the first National Indigenous Space Academy (NISA) Professor Christopher Lawrence, CEO of Andromeda Robotics Grace Brown, and many more.

Newly added sessions:

The Genomic Transformation of Medicine | The field of medicine is undergoing explosive change, driven by exponential advances in three fields: genomics, which generates high-resolution data on the human body; data science, which uses that data to understand disease; and therapeutics, which enables increasingly precise molecular changes to prevent or cure disease. This panel discussion involves world-leading experts in each of these three fields, chaired by genomic medicine and child health advocate Sarah Murdoch, genomics expert Daniel MacArthur, DeepMind AI researcher Clare Bycroft, and stem cell therapeutics developer Enzo Porrello. The panel will discuss the current state and future opportunities for these transformative technologies, and grapple with the impending challenges of cost, data privacy, and equity in the genomic era.

Betting Big on Bio — Why the Future of the World Will Be Defined By Biotech | Technology and AI are changing the way we live our lives, but there’s also a lot of big problems remaining — disease, ageing, climate change, biodiversity, food security… that tech alone can’t solve. Or can it? In this session, Reed Jobs, Emily Casey and a panel of biomedical experts examine how and why the future of the world, and business, rests on the shoulders of biotechnology.

The Plausible Future of Trust | A discussion with Managing Director of Bunnings Mike Schneider, interviewed by Nadine Parkington from Think Nimble. As the leader of one of Australia’s most trusted brands, how is Mike thinking about the future of trust? How do you approach building on earned trust in a time of fast evolving technology and social changes? And for those trying to win back or start from scratch — what are the core principles and learnings that stand the test of change that we can draw upon?

Move Fast and Fix Things: Tech Driving Thoughtful Social Impact | Australia’s most successful founders and tech businesses are consciously — and with urgency — using their resources for maximum social impact. Hear how the tech community’s thoughtful donation of time, profit, equity, and product is transforming the lives of people experiencing disadvantage and the planet. Moderated by Antonia Ruffell (StartGiving), along with impact experts including Tash Keuneman, (Keuneman Foundation).

Democracy Under Fire: The Threat of Deepfakes, Disinformation and Fake News on a Global Scale | Hear from leading experts as they take you through the social, political and economic implications of deepfakes, disinformation and fake news, and the impact they’ll have in 2024’s record-breaking year for global elections. Featuring Australia’s e-Safety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant, National Security expert Dr Miah Hammond-Errey, Associate Professor Marian-Andrei Rizoiu and Sophie Farthing.

How Changing Your Clothes Can Change Your Life | How we dress has the power to change the course of our life. Join Fashion Profiler and multi-Emmy Award-nominated TV journalist, Kathryn Eisman, and celebrated journalist, television presenter, and fellow fearless fashion lover, Jessica Rowe, as they discuss the fascinating truth about our clothing choices and their profound influence on our subconscious mind.
Pioneers and Prodigies: The Next Generation of Venture Capital | Join Co-founder of Blackbird Niki Scevak, Founder of BuildClub Annie Liao, alongside Paul Naphtali, and Mitchell Hughes in understanding the future of venture capital and what role different generations of investors play. This panel will uncover the dynamics between experienced investors and newcomers, discussing their coexistence in the art of investing into startups, and the question: should young investors should even have a seat at the table to begin with?

X Marks The Spot: Incentives Fuelling Innovation | The XPRIZE initiative has driven some of the fundamental changes we have seen in the world such as the creation of the commercial space industry and the commercial lunar landing capability. This session moderated by Prof Catherine Ball will discuss technologies that map the ocean floor, creating a tricorder, and how robots are becoming our avatars. Current problems being tackled include fighting wildfires, reversing ageing, creating freshwater for the world, and promoting new quantum computing applications.

Astral Oddities: Exploring the Universe’s Worst Vacation Spots | From planets that smell like flatulence to stars attempting to destroy their planets’ atmospheres, audience members might leave this un-travelogue of cosmic locations, not on anyone’s vacation bucket list, with a newfound appreciation of our habitable Earth. Go on a galactic journey with astronomers Dr Benjamin Montet, Professor Melissa Ness, Associate Professor Sarah Martell & Dr Sven Buder.

Abi: Your Best Friend out of the Box | Join Grace Brown, CEO of Andromeda Robotics, as she introduces Abi, the humanoid companion robot ready to be your best friend straight out of the box. Learn about the innovative technology behind Abi and how she’s transforming companionship in our modern world. This session will delve into Abi’s development, features, and real-world impact.

Will Generative AI empower education? Exploring the impact on student learning, assessment and wellbeing | Hear from Associate Professor Dr Amanda White OAM (Deputy Associate Dean Education, UTS Business), Professor Cath Ellis (Academic Director, University of Sydney), Professor Danny Liu (Cogniti AI), Kane Murdoch (Macquarie University) as they discuss the impact of generative AI on student learning, the usefulness (or uselessness) of various approaches to assessment, what is misconduct in a GenAI age and how might we detect it, and how we could use GenAI to provide care and support.

Beyond the Buzz: Navigating the New Frontiers of Trend Analysis | The terms cultural strategy and trends have become tropes as of late with conflicting hot takes. Moderated by Brandwatch and with perspectives from social researchers at Meta, Google and Reddit, this will be an exclusive opportunity to hear leaders from such distinct companies discuss how they personally study human behaviour at scale, make sense of social change, and how trends (should and should not) inform strategy.

View the full list at schedule.sxswsydney.com where you can start building your schedule. Stay tuned for more announcements.

Other Sessions announced today include Milk, The World’s Most Controversial Superfood, Renowned Chef & Farmer Matthew Evans explores the unbelievable story behind this ubiquitous liquid; Love, Sex, and Intimacy In the Age of AI, an examination of how technology is reshaping the very fabric of human connection with the world’s leading authority on sextech, Bryony Cole; Of Beauty Rich and Not so Rare: Stepping Up on Smart Places, a discussion on creating smart cities; Indigenous Futures in STEM, Professor Chris Lawrence reveals how Indigenous peoples and their ways of knowing, being and doing are not separate to STEM – but strongly intertwined; Pictures of You: How You’re Being Watched Everywhere From Your Couch To Your Car, an exploration into the cost of convenience with political economist Jathan Sadowski, consumer advocate, Kate Bower, and security director Jacqui Kernot; Where is my Mind? The Coming Wave of Neurotechnology and What it Means for Humans, hear from experts Lorraine Finlay, Kate Bower and Kiley Seymour on the science and delve into the human rights issues presented by neurotechnology; Māori Knowledge & Education Through Video Games, 4Phase Games delve into the captivating realm of Indigenous futurism and Māori storytelling; Signals in the Noise — Why is Cyber and Data so Hard with Victor Dominello, Michelle Price, Lesley Seebeck and Paul Rush; and more.

Newly added workshops include From Idea to Reality: Building a No-Code Augmented Reality Prototype in 30 Minutes or Less with award-winning XR designer Sarah Tan, The Power of Scent in Immersive Experiences with experience designer Tammy Burnstock and perfumer Jocelyn Fullerton, and Competitive advantage and intellectual property – protecting your investment with Lisa Cohen & Julie Wheway from IP Australia.

SXSW Sydney Music Festival
Today, SXSW Sydney® Music Festival has revealed over 60 new additions for the stacked 2024 artist lineup. Artists announced so far hail from Australia, Colombia, India, Indonesia, Japan, New Zealand, Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan and the UK. Curated by the SXSW Sydney programming team Reg Harris and Ruby Miles from 1200+ submissions, highlights from this announcement include: the first Indonesian band to ever play Glastonbury, Voice of Baceprot; Tāmaki Makaurau all-stars Phoebe Rings; Taiwan-based experimental pop group I’mdifficult; indie darling of the Philippines Clara Benin; dynamic surf-rock band The Grogans, Obongjayar-cosigned East London rapper JESHI; NSW indie favourites, The Buoys; underground dance music hero, Mincy; Hatchie bandmate and cult shoegaze talent, RINSE; Central desert rockers and KISS tourmates, Mulga Bore Hard Rock; 16-year-old bedroom pop artist ixaras and four-piece Bangkok post-rock outfit Death of Heather. View the full list sxswsydney.com where you can start building your schedule.

SXSW Sydney Screen Festival
The SXSW Sydney Screen Festival has announced a selection of exciting additions to the music stream of its program. Feature Films just added include The Most Australian Band Ever!, documenting the rise of 80s Aussie punk band the Hard-Ons, S/He Is Still Her/e: The Official Genesis P-Orridge from trans activist and AGAINST ME! Singer, LAURA JANE GRACE, Alien Weaponry: Kua Tupu Te Ara, capturing a band on the edge of greatness in this touching coming-of-age-portrait from debut filmmaker Kent Belcher, and Slice of Life: The American Dream. In Former Pizza Huts, A contemporary portrait of America, told through a collection of stories observed within the walls of former Pizza Hut buildings across the country. With a focus on trailblazing Aussie artists, 24 music videos will also be showcased, including ‘Stay Blessed’ from Genesis Owusu, ‘U Should Not Be Doing That’ from Amyl and the Sniffers, ‘See You Tomorrow’ from BAD // DREEMS, and ‘Settle Petal’ from The Buoys. Finally, Wellington-based animation studio Floating Rock will conduct a live Commentary Session on Kyoryu, the viral trailer which garnered 1 million views within 10 days, with creator and animator Benjamin Mulot. View the full list at schedule.sxswsydney.com where you can start building your schedule.

SXSW Sydney Games Festival
SXSW Sydney 2024 has revealed the first half of the 2024 Games Festival Showcase, with studios hailing from 16 different countries. The lineup includes HORSES, Wild Bastards, and Fishbowl, and is filled with dozens of other singular games that challenge the boundaries of genre and narrative. Driven by its mission to empower creative communities, SXSW Sydney is thrilled to again welcome developers and investors to the Games Investment Forum. Offering matchmade pitch sessions, networking events, workshops, and mentoring sessions, it’s the best possible platform for developers and studios to take the next step. Publishers and funding bodies in attendance include Raw Fury, Null Games, Team17, Whitethorn Games, Playside Publishing, Critical Reflex, Astra Logical Games, Landfall Games, PQube, Headup Games, UltraPlayers, Fellow Traveller and WINGS Interactive, with more to be announced. Exclusive to Platinum and Games Badge Holders, this event will take place on Thursday October 17 and Friday October 18. View the full list at schedule.sxswsydney.com where you can start building your schedule.

SXSW Sydney 2024 Badges are now on sale at the second release rate. Learn more and purchase your badge here.

SXSW Sydney is an annual gathering of visionaries, thought leaders and emerging talents from the Asia-Pacific region. The week-long program is stacked with more than 1,000 events and networking sessions across the key pillars of Tech & Innovation, Games, Music and Screen. The event seamlessly integrates art and entrepreneurship, cutting-edge advancements and fostering a collaborative ecosystem where ideas are exchanged, and partnerships are forged.

SXSW Sydney is supported proudly by the NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW. Plan your SXSW Sydney 2024 trip now, visit sydney.com.