The SXSW 2021 festival goes virtual at sxsw.com on Tuesday-Saturday, March 16-20, 2021. It’s a film/music/comedy festival, and one of the places where people go to see what’s new and to be seen.
In normal times, many international artists go to SXSW and then come to New York City. That won’t be happening much this year, but since the season is virtual, we can all get in on the fun.
Some people attend these conferences just for the selfies, but for creatives, the networking is key. SXSW seems to have found a way to move mentorships and conversations online.
And it’s a good time for that. Once we get the pandemic behind us, it’s going to be wild. It’s going to be the Roaring Twenties again. Be ready with your game, and SXSW can help you up your game.
SXSW 2021 Film Festival
This year’s film festival presents 75 features including 57 world premieres. Screenings are U.S. only.
The headliners have a musical bent. They are: “Demi Lovato: Dancing with the Devil” 🇲🇽, “Alone Together,” and “Tom Petty, Somewhere You Feel Free.”
SXSW 2021 Music Festival
In response to the COVID-19 shutdown of music venues across America, the festival has invited presenters to showcase local talent.
Official presenters from New York include SOB’s Sound of Brazil.
SOB’s lineup includes
- Nathy Peluso 🇦🇷
- DDG & Special Guests
- Phony PPL
- Lion Babe
- YEИDRY 🇩🇴
- Los Rivera Destino 🇵🇷
- Lonr.
- Souly Had
- Domino Saints 🇵🇷
- J’Zapal, Rombai 🇺🇾
- Villano Antillo 🇵🇷
- Nani
- Sessi
- Nino Man
- JFAB & Paola Fabre
- Moreno ITF 🇩🇴
- JACQUE 🇵🇷🇧🇴
It’s all hosted by AJ “El Kallejero” Ramos 🇸🇻 and Miabelle (Hot 97) 🇭🇹. It’s pretty cool to see all the flags. That’s New York in the house.
SXSW 2021 Comedy Festival
This is a response to the COVID-19 comedy club shutdown. It was no joke. So SXSW is giving presentations from comedy clubs across America. We just get a bigger stage.
Official presenters from New York include Gotham Comedy Club and The Stand NYC.
After all laughter is the best medicine.
What It All Means
This all normally takes place in Austin, the Texas state capital and home of UT, the University of Texas. Austin’s Sixth Street is the center of the “Live Music Capital of the World.” It’s a street of bars so popular that at 2am, mounted police use a line of horses to clear the streets. You get the idea.
But Austin is also a technology capital anchored by Dell Computer, so you get this interactive sophistication.
Last year’s SXSW was cancelled just days before showtime by the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown. So this season is a testament to the spirit of recovery.
Where are you going? SXSW 2021