While we’re not entirely sure what exactly SXSW is going to look like this year, one thing we are sure of is that we’re stoked it’s finally back! We’ve rounded up a handful of both official and unofficial South By events going on that we’re putting on the top of our lists.
COLLiDE On Rainey
COLLiDE on Rainey is returning to SXSW this year, with multiple brands, events, and an expansive multi-genre artist lineup; including Black Lips, Dawn Richard, MUNA, The Black Angels, The Aquadolls, Surfbort, Phebe Starr, Eli Fola, and many more. COLLiDE on Rainey is the festival within the festival, previously called Culture Collide, that is known for some of the buzziest activations at SXSW for the past 10+ years, produced by COLLiDE agency. Taking place March 15-18, you’ll find a variety of innovative brands, including Dr. Martens, International Fresh Produce Association, and the Portland Pickles, taking over multiple venues with fun activations featuring impressive lineups spanning all music genres. All events will be free/open to the public with RSVP and/or SXSW badge.
Samsung | Billboard The Stage
Announcing an exclusive lineup of concerts from Billboard in partnership with Samsung Galaxy dubbed ‘Samsung Galaxy + Billboard Present THE STAGE at SXSW®‘ from March 17–19. The Stage will feature three consecutive evenings of chart-topping headliners at the Moody Amphitheater at Waterloo Park. The concert series kicks off on Thursday, March 17 with headliners Gunna and Young Thug. On Friday, March 18, Palm Tree Crew Presents DJ/Producer Kygo, supported by Frank Walker and Forester. On Saturday, March 19, Shawn Mendes and Sebastian Yatra will close the legendary concert series. Additionally, DJ Rosegold and DJ VRYWVY will keep attendees energized and dancing throughout all three nights of concerts. Space has been reserved for SXSW Music Badges, Platinum Badges , and Music Festival Wristbands on a first come, first-served basis, capacity permitting.
Shell House At SXSW
Shell House at SXSW will share how business, government, and society can collaborate to achieve net zero. Guests can sit in on talks, ask experts energy questions, relax in the Recharge & Refuel Lounge and participate in an interactive experience that highlights how decisions about home and travel can impact the US reaching net zero by 2050. Guests can expect challenging conversations, insightful revelations, and an interactive experience that brings them into a potential energy future. There will be engaging content shared all day long, but for information on specific events inside the Shell House have a look at the schedule here. And of course, it wouldn’t be SXSW without good food, drinks, and live music. Shell House takes place March 14 and 15 and is free and open to the public.
Samsung | Billboard Galaxy House
Samsung and Billboard teamed up to bring you the The Samsung | Billboard Galaxy House, a free interactive content studio that will host an exclusive line-up of programming and creator-focused experiences. From March 17–19, festival attendees will be able to experience engaging panel discussions, exclusive one-on-one interviews, creator resources, and unique photo-worthy rooms highlighting the powerful camera capabilities like Nightography and Portrait mode of the new Samsung Galaxy S22. Panel topics and participants include:
- “Feminism in Rock” with Sunflower Bean, Nova Twins, and Little Quirks
- “Yoruba Tech Soul 101 Masterclass” with DJ Eli Fola
- “Music Creation and Identity” with KALI and Cartel Madras
- “Superstar” panels with Kygo and Sebastián Yatra
South By San José
South By San José returns for the 21st year to the Jo’s Coffee and Hotel San José parking lot March 16–20. The lineup is new but the best part remains the same—it’s always, and forever free. They’ll announce set times daily on their Instagram stories—and not a moment before. Music starts each day at noon.
A Peak Inside The Mind Of Meow Wolf
Meow Wolf is an arts and entertainment company from Santa Fe, New Mexico that creates giant immersive art experiences. Wieden+Kennedy is a global creative agency from Portland, Oregon that creates advertising for the world’s biggest brands including Nike, KFC and Old Spice. This is the story of how the two creative powerhouses combined their different flavors of weird and soaked the traditional marketing playbook in battery acid to create a surreal brand of marketing that blurs the line between art and advertising.
Join Meow Wolf’s Emily Montoya and Chadney Everett along with Wieden+Kennedy’s Jason Kreher and Alex Romans on March 12 starting at 2:30 p.m. at the Austin Marriott Downtown, as they discuss the launch of Omega Mart in Las Vegas, as well as their newest brain-bending experience in Denver. Platinum and Interactive badge holders will get priority entry, followed by Music and Film badge holders.
Austin Chronicle’s Hair Of The Three-Legged Dog Day Party
The Austin Chronicle SXSW day party is back at Hotel Vegas! Party like a local and check out performances by Austin-based bands, cure your hangover with complimentary drinks, grab some brunch, and party with the Chronicle staff. Don’t miss performances by Chief Cleopatra, Surfbort, TC Superstar, and Yard Act. Inspired by the Chronicle’s tri-paw office dog, Hank, the “Hair of the Three-Legged Dog” party is open to 21 and up RSVPs and SXSW badge-holders.
GLOW Neon Party – Greenbelt Botanicals
Get transported to another dimension as you step through the doors of Greenbelt Botanicals during their GLOW Neon Party on March 19 and 20. Lights off and UV on! Watch live glow painting by local artist Joe Hermosa. Get psyched and cool down with infused ice cream that glows under the UV or get weird with an infused glow jello shot. All infusions are mastered with either CBD or Delta 8 and are free for the journey. Get creative and take up your skill in the smoke lounge and make a “PLUR’ glow bracelet. The first 100 people in the door will get a free pre-roll! This is an Unofficial SXSW event and is free to the general public.
Prime Video’s “Superheroes and Superstars” Experience
Prime Video will kick off SXSW with a pair of experiences that allow fans to enter the worlds of “Superheroes and Superstars.” For all superhero fans in attendance, Prime Video will be bringing the world of The Boys Season Three to life with a VoughtLand installation, where guests can enter the VoughtLand castle to find Queen Maeve’s Inclusive Kingdom. There they can grab a bite to eat at Vought A Burger, kick back at Homelander’s Red, White, and Booze Bar, or take a ride on Starlight’s Carousel of Dreams. For fans seeking out superstardom, Lizzo’s Watch Out for the Big Grrrls will be giving attendees the opportunity to prepare for their moment in the spotlight with a positive affirmation tunnel, choreography instructions, Lizzo-inspired cocktails at the supersized Juicebox bar, and other engaging, interactive activities on-site, such as a salon for a relaxing glow-up, complimentary swag, and more. It’ll take place March 11 – 14 at 604 Driskill Street (entrance located at the corner of Driskill St. & Red River St.)
Free Week At Neighborhood Goods
Neighborhood Goods is hosting six free events between March 11th – 20th. Located on South Congress, these events are perfect for those wanting to be involved in SXSW without getting stuck downtown! Event highlights include Bumpsuit x Erth Pop Up, Smudge Crystal Bar, Flower Peddler Bouquet Pop Up, and DS & Durga’s Bistro Waters Launch. Find the whole Neighborhood Goods free week lineup here. All events are free and open to the public.
