SXSW issues statement following reports of scaled back music programming

SXSW — two BrooklynVegan shows at Mohawk included — wrapped up its 2025 edition on Saturday (3/15), and has announced its dates for 2026, when it’ll undergo some changes. SXSW — which collectively includes the tech fest, the film & TV fest & the music fest — will be two days shorter than usual, running from Thursday, March 12 – Wednesday, March 18. A presale already launched, and as you can see on the checkout page, the Music portion will now take place on the exact same dates as Film & Tech. Usually there is some overlap, but music starts later and ends after Friday & Saturday events, but now that final weekend of music is gone, which at a minimum feels weird (and means venues now only have one weekend total of SXSW events instead of two). After the presale launched, Austin American-Statesman posted an article yesterday suggesting that the music festival was being scaled back, pointing out declining participation in it — this year it featured 1,012 bands, compared to previous years with 2,000 or more. The article started rumors that SXSW Music was dead. Lillian Park, SXSW VP of Communications, denied cuts to the music festival in an official statement which you can read here:

We are really excited about the plans for SXSW 2026. With the Austin Convention Center closing down for three years, we believe it’s a great opportunity to put new ideas into action.

A shorter SX gives attendees more of a chance to be here for the entire run. With the Conference, Film & TV Festival, and Music Festival all taking place concurrently over seven days, everyone will have the chance to experience the whole of SXSW.

This gives music fans an opportunity to enjoy seven nights of showcases instead of the six we’ve had for several years. It also allows us to continue the work the Music Festival programmers have done over the last decade in paring down the numbers of showcasing artists while spreading the shows out over a greater part of the event. This creates a more curated experience for attendees and artists while retaining the discovery that the music festival is known for.

We also know that post-pandemic attendees want more personalized experiences, and we’re excited to explore new ways to bring people together.”

On background: Per other reports, there has never been a dedicated Music Festival weekend as the Film & TV Festival has always run throughout the entirety of the event.

Conference details are still being worked out but we will go back to having separate access and sessions for Interactive, Music, and Film & TV.

Numerous artists dropped off SXSW in 2024 in protest of the festival’s ties to defense contractors and in support of the Palestinian people. For 2025, SXSW said the US Army would not be sponsors.

While the convention center is shut down for renovations, the festival is “taking this opportunity to reinvent spaces for our community by creating industry-specific hubs to enable new ways to connect and bring the SXSW community together, all while delivering the stellar programming we’re known for.” They’re also discounting badges in the presale that is happening now.

Thanks to everybody who stopped by the BV shows Friday & Saturday at Mohawk, and maybe we’ll see you next year!