Sydney to host South by Southwest cultural festival for 2023

Highly regarded USA-based culture and music festival South by Southwest (SXSW) will head to Sydney over seven days in October 2023.

Secured in collaboration between live entertainment giant TEG and Destination NSW, SXSW Sydney marks a major coup for the city’s festival and major events strategy as it looks to recover from the affects of the pandemic.

SXSW Sydney will be the official annual Asia Pacific instalment of SXSW.

Announcing the staging of the event in Sydney, SXSW Chief Executive, Ronald Swenson stated “we couldn’t be more excited and honoured to work with TEG and the New South Wales Government via Destination NSW on an event that brings to Australia the professional opportunities and unexpected discoveries that make SXSW unique.

“The purpose of SXSW is to help creative people achieve their goals, and Sydney is the ideal city to serve as a home for the cross-collaboration that exists within the many industries we bring together.

“SXSW is an event without equal internationally that has launched the careers of so many creative professionals.”

Geoff Jones, TEG’s Group Chief Executive and event producer for SXSW Sydney, explained “through showcasing the creator industries of the Asia Pacific to the world, SXSW Sydney will establish a new SXSW touchpoint, enabling the international and cross-sector connections that deliver the most innovative products and content.

Colin Daniels, appointed as the Festival’s Managing Director, noted “focusing on the creator industries in the Asia Pacific region, SXSW Sydney will celebrate what’s next in culture, tech and the regions thriving creative economy.

“Sydney will play host to more than 1000 experiences across the city encompassing keynote speakers, inspiring panels and summits, product demonstrations, artists performances, screenings, live gaming sessions and a myriad of networking events and parties. Sydney will be alive with future focused activities like never seen before.”

NSW Tourism Minister, Stuart Ayres adding "it will put a spotlight on Sydney as the major events and creative industries capital of the Asia Pacific, as well as being its premier business and lifestyle destination.”

SXSW Sydney will run from 15th to 23rd October 2023.

Images: Facebook/SXSW.