SXSW starts today!

The 2025 South by Southwest (SXSW) Conference & Festivals has arrived and it is set to take place from March 7 to 15, in Austin, Texas. The SXSW annual event is very popular, this year’s estimated number of badge holders takes off for more than 45,000. The festival is well known for its entertainment itinerary, this year will not be any different from the past prestigious event. The SXSW attendees will participate in a music, film and technology schedule. Austin will be fostering a rich environment for networking, innovation, and entertainment.

This year’s lineup consists of an impressive array of keynote speakers:

• Jay Graber, CEO of Bluesky Social, will discuss the evolution of decentralized social media platforms.
  
• John Fogerty, the legendary musician, is slated to share insights from his extensive career in the music industry.
  
  
• Arvind Krishna, CEO of IBM, will explore the convergence of artificial intelligence and quantum computing.

Film and TV 

The SXSW Film & TV Festival will feature a wide range of talks and screenings. Notably, the festival will see the premiere of the sci-fi thriller “The Astronaut,” starring Kate Mara. The movie follows astronaut Sam Walker as she returns from a space mission and runs across unexplained things.

Music Festival

The music segment of SXSW continues its tradition of highlighting both emerging and established artists. This tradition of curating an original lineup has very interesting results, the event becomes a great music experience. The initial lineup includes performers such as Yasmin Williams, Twin Shadow, and Shiho Yabuki, offering attendees a wide range of musical genres and styles.

Interactive Conference

SXSW’s interactive section consists of talks about emerging technologies and how they affect society. Topics include virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and the future development of social media platforms will be discussed in the sessions. Bluesky Social’s Jay Graber, for example, will discuss the creation of decentralized social media standards. 

Free Events and Community Engagement

SXSW 2025 offers numerous free events accessible to the public. Attendees can enjoy concerts, art exhibitions, and brand-sponsored gatherings without the need for badges or wristbands. Highlights include free music showcases, wellness markets, and fitness classes hosted by local venues and brands. Some of the free events will take place in the convention center while others will happen at the auditorium shore.

These are the themes, dates and locations of the free events that attendees without a badge can still take part in, according to KVUE abc:

• Radio Day Stage (March 10-15 at Rivian Park)

• International Nights (March 10-15 at Rivian Park)

• Austin Industry Day (March 12 at convention center)