SXSW 2013 Announce First Round Of Music Panels

Texan super event South By South West (SXSW) has announced its first round of panelists, including over 40 presentation featuring several first-timers.

The festival, which combines music, film and interactive media, will take place in Austin, Texas and run over 10 days starting March 8th, 2013.

Focused heavily around both the music and creative media industry, the festival attracts revellers from across the globe, with many creative artists including musicians and filmmakers applying to showcase their talents to over 20,000 attendees at the event.

The first announcement includes specialist in fields such as global trends, marketing, self-promotion and live music practices.

Festival organizers last year showed strong interest in their trans Pacific brethren, with 37 Australian artists ending up in Austin playing multiple shows to 19,000 music industry attendees. This year looks to be even bigger for Australian acts, with 60 Aussie bands having already put their hand up to attend.

Bands were given the opportunity to apply for the 2013 event earlier this year, with applications closing early November. Submissions will be accepted past November 7th.

While the bands and the acts that occupy Austin are an exciting part of SXSW, the industry side of it is equally engaging, and now organisers have announced the initial batch of key speakers for the 2013 event. The mix of panelists contains a devilish combination of exuberant guests, with many new topics and newbie presenters, most chosen by SXSW’s Panel Picker process.

Hyperbot has released the list of fortunate first round panelists, including names such as Jules Parker, (PRS for Music) who will focus on breaking into the UK band scene, and Brian Hirsh (Echo Creative Group), who will give attendees a full run down on how to make profit (legally) from musical Apps.

One of the major draw cards is undoubtedly the SXSW hosted interview with legendary engineer and producer, Ken Scott. The rock and roll curator was one of five masterminds behind the Beatles’ works and produced David Bowie’s iconic pop rock album,​ Ziggy Stardust.​

Scott will no doubt be reminiscing publicly about some of the famous memories, featured in his newly christened memiors, Abbey Road To Ziggy Stardust.

The mix of panelists contains a devilish combination of exuberant guests, with many new topics and newbie presenters, most chosen by SXSW’s Panel Picker process.

The Panel Picker Concept is an online tool generated to give attendees the power of choice in selecting panelist. The initiative also gives punters a chance to become a greater part of SXSW, not only by submitting programming ideas, but also by reviewing, commenting and voting for those ideas they most want to see become a part of the event.

The SXSW website provides some useful tips on the unique concept, with special comments from the event board.

Ronald Swenson, SXSW Managing director, said “the PanelPicker interface is a natural extension of the creative intermingling that takes place during the festival itself”. He also added “We are excited that we can provide a forum for new ideas to debut and flourish year-round.”

However, while voting from the community is important, these totals are not the only factor in deciding SXSW programing. Also playing a large role in the decision-making process is the SXSW Advisory Boards and the SXSW staff. Fans will receive a 30% share of the final say, which another 30% dedicated to the SXSW staff, with the SXSW Advisory Boards making up the remaining 40%.

This year, voters have so far landed on:

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