Inner West Council collaborates with SXSW Sydney to launch inaugural festival

Sydney’s Inner West Council is partnering with South by Southwest (SXSW) Sydney, in association with Century Venues to launch the inaugural ‘Fest by Inner West’ presented by Inner West Council and SXSW Sydney on Sunday 20th October 2024.

This exciting collaboration will bring the vibrancy and energy of SXSW Sydney’s conference and festival, to the heart of Sydney's Inner West, showcasing the region's thriving arts and music scene on an international stage.

Following the success of the Enmore Road Special Entertainment Precinct, the first such precinct in the state, the satellite event reinforces the Inner West’s reputation as the capital of live music and arts in Sydney.

The festival will showcase a dynamic mix of local and international artists across free, multi-stage events at iconic local venues, including the Enmore Theatre, Duke Hotel, Enmore Hotel, Trocadero Room, Vic on the Park and the Factory Theatre.

Council has allocated $200,000 in support of the event, which will feature a line-up comprised 50% local talent from the Inner West, alongside selected international and domestic artists from the SXSW Sydney line-up.

‘Fest by Inner West’ will drive economic development and increase visitation to the Inner West, benefiting local businesses and the community. It will secure the Inner West's place as the premier destination for live music, arts, and entertainment in NSW, and is the latest initiative of the Council to support local artists, vibrancy, and tourism.

Inner West Council aims to attract both national and international visitors, further positioning the region as a key destination for cultural and creative industries.

SXSW (South by Southwest) is the world’s largest festival of its kind, originating in Austin, Texas, and expanding to Sydney for the first time in 2023. The annual event celebrates the convergence of the tech and innovation, screen and music industries, offering a platform for creators to showcase their work and engage in discussions on innovation and culture.

In 2023, SXSW Sydney attracted over 297,000 attendees and hosted more than 1,000 events over eight days. 2024 promises an even more expansive line-up, making this partnership a unique opportunity to showcase the Inner West's cultural vibrancy and the Council's commitment to making the Inner West the heart of live music, arts, and culture in NSW.

Colin Daniels, Managing Director of SXSW Sydney enthused "we are excited to bring a taste of our huge music program to the Inner West for all Sydneysiders to enjoy, as well as supporting the local venues and artists that contribute so much to the culture and make a global event like ours possible".

Sam Nardo, COO of Century Venues added "we are thrilled to be working with Inner West Council and SXSW Sydney on the inclusion of Enmore Road - NSW's first Special Entertainment Precinct - in this year's festival.

“We look forward to inviting visiting guests and the local community to The Factory Theatre, The Enmore Theatre as well as all of the wonderful live music venues in between, for a showcase of the great local talent, venues and culture we have in the area.”

When: Sunday 20th October, 12 noon to 7pm

Where: Enmore Theatre, Duke Hotel, Enmore Hotel, Trocadero Room, Vic on the Park and the Factory Theatre

Artists: Middle Kids, The Buoys, Enny (UK) (pictured), O. (UK), Steam Down (UK), Sycco (Melb), Chxrry22 (US) and many others