South by Southwest Festival — AKA SXSW Sydney — is about to kick off. So here’s a little cheat sheet on all the kewl, hip and innovative events that’ll take place throughout the month so you don’t suffer from major FOMO.
For folks who are not familiar with SXSW, it is a festival that originated in Austin, Texas and is used as an opportunity to spotlight and celebrate all the cool shit that’s happening in music, film, television and technology. The event is also known for its amazing thought-provoking panels that feature amazing guests and speakers.
Last year, Sydney copped its first-ever SXSW Festival and the lineup was packed to the brim with outstanding artists across all categories the festival covers. This included folks like Chance the Rapper, Per Saari, Baz Luhrmann, Nicole Kidman, Charlie Brooker, The Wiggles and more!
And to get ya hyped up, this year is no different because the lineup is just chef’s kiss. From the 14th of October to the 20th, Sydney will transform into a ‘yuge festival hot spot jam-packed with amazing gigs, remarkable panels and flicks that’ll make you feel all of the emotions. And, of course, a little cheeky activation will pop up around Sydney for festivalgoers looking for a little treat.
So without further ado, here are some of the things you don’t wanna miss at SXSW Sydney 2024.
Music
Jorja Smith
Jorja Smith has honestly been the voice of my summers for many years. For folks who don’t know, Jorja Smith is a UK-based artist known for her silky vocals and dance-inducing tracks. Unfortunately, allocation has been exhausted for her SXSW gig, but if you’ve managed to nab a spot, you’re in for a treat.
When: Tuesday, 15 October at 7.30pm.
Where: ICC Sydney, Sydney Theatre.
Ayesha Madon
Although most folks know Ayesha Madon for her iconic role as Amerie on Netflix’s Heartbreak High, real ones know her for her music! If you follow Ayesha on TikTok, you will often find the amazing actor belting covers and her OG tunes.
When: Wednesday, 16 October at 9.00pm.
Where: The Lord Gladstone, Main Room.
Nick Ward
Nick Ward is a rising star hailing all the way from Western Sydney (hell yeah) who exploded on the scene after his tracks were spun on triple j Unearthed. One of my favourite things about Nick Ward is that he’s also a part of music collective Full Circle which consists of a bunch of Area muso baddies including FRIDAY*, SOLLYY, Breakfast Road, Zion Garcia and Dylan Atlantis. If you’re frothing some good ol’ bedroom pop, be sure to check Nick. You won’t regret it!
When: Wednesday, 16 October at 6.30pm.
Where: Pheonix Central Park, Main Room.
Voice of Baceprot
Voice of Baceprot is an Indonesian metal trio made up of Widi (bass), Siti (drums) and Marsya (guitar and vocals). “Baceprot” translates to noisy in their native Sudanese language and represents the type of tunes they like to pump out! The band first clocked the world’s attention through their song “The Enemy Of Earth Is You” and since then they’ve played in a variety of spaces including Wacken Open Air and Glastonbury. If you’ve got time to headbang and listen, Voice of Baceprot is something you gotta lend your ears (and hair) too!
When: Thursday, October 17 at 11.30pm.
Where: The Underground Sydney, Main Room.
Film and Television
Like My Brother
Like My Brother follows four Tiwi Island Indigenous girls and their dreams of AFLW stardom and how they reach those goals with the support of the community alongside the social and physical obstacles that shake their paths. The documentary was filmed over six years and it’s truly an inspirational watch. I recommend bringing tissues if you’re like me!!
When: Tuesday, 15 October at 10.15am.
Where: Palace Central Cinemas, Cinema 1.
Dead Talents Society 鬼才之道
In light-hearted spooky fun, Dead Talents Society is a Taiwanese horror comedy that follows a new ghost who has 30 days to revive a haunting legend before she disappears for good! I mean, if you’re gonna leave Earth forever, might as well leave with a bang, amirite?
When: Wednesday, 16 October at 9.15pm.
Where: Palace Central Cinemas, Cinema 2.
Tales From The Void
Calling all Redditors! To keep the theme of all things spooky (duh, it’s Halloween month!) Tales from the Void is an anthology series based on r/NoSleep. For normies, r/NoSleep is a viral subreddit where folks share some pretty ‘ucked stories from paranormal encounters to close calls with stalkers.
Those stories have now manifested into a series that’ll surely keep you awake! I guess you could say Tales From The Void is that me espresso.
When: Thursday, 17 October at 8.45pm.
Where: Palace Central Cinemas, Cinema 3.
Look Into My Eyes
Another one to get your waterworks going. Look Into My Eyes follows a bunch of New York City psychics who conduct “deeply intimate readings” for clients which leads to journeys involving connection, healing and explorations of loneliness. Yep. I’m already tearing up thinking about the readings.
When: Friday, 18 October at 12.45pm.
Where: Palace Central Cinemas, Cinema 3.
Panels & Seminars
“Culture and Technology Intersection” – Scaling opportunities across India and Australia
In this exciting seminar, folks can expect to delve into the world of culture and technology across India and Australia. Discover how technology lends its hand to cultural diversity and how “cutting-edge innovation” is helping build opportunities between nations.
When: Tuesday, 15 October at 2.00pm.
Where: Rogue Sydney, Main Room.
“Normalising Blackness in Australia” – True Representation on Our Screens, Stages, and Pages
“Normalising Blackness in Australia” aims to unpack the difficulties of being black in a space that lacks representation, visibility, advocacy and support. One thing about this panel that definitely drew me in was its about page and how impactful it was.
“Being Black, our culture is often ‘up for grabs’ in society. In some ways, it’s become trendy to be like me. Taking the parts of Black culture that people love but then being silent when we want to talk about racism and representation — especially in influential media and cultural settings,” it reads.
Definitely a discussion that needs to be amplified not just in SXSW Sydney, but across the globe.
When: Monday, 14 October at 2.45pm.
Where: ICC Sydney, C2.5 & C2.6 – Short Talks.
Tech and Tonics: A Spotlight On Women Shaping The Digital Age
It’s no secret that the world of technology can be such a bro fest. So, to help ease in newcomers, this panel aims to help other women who are looking to take on all things tech. According to the SXSW Sydney website, this panel aims to demystify emerging tech like AI and Blockchain, support women in tech and help others get started.
When: Friday, 18 October at 10am.
Where: ICC Sydney, Next Stage.
Experiences
Primeville Sweet Spot
If you’re fiending for a sweet treat after nerding out with your faves, head to Prime Video’s sweet spot! Here, SXSW festival goers can make their own pick’n’mix and venture into a variety of different spaces for photo opportunities and treats.
The spaces include Hannah Howard’s desk from the new and exciting Amazon Original series The Office and The Forge from Middle-Earth which will feature real costumes from The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. There’s even a spot surrounding Despicable Me 4 which is perfect for the little ones (me).
When: Tuesday, 15 October to Sunday, 20 October.
Where: Fratelli Fresh, Darling Harbour.
Tim Tam Cafe
Craving a Tim Tam slam after all the yapping, watching, crying and singing? Well head to Harbourside Cafe for a cheeky chocolate treat all!
When: Monday, 14 October to Friday, 18 October.
Where: ICC Sydney, Level 2 — Harbourside Cafe.
We’ve only tapped the iceberg of what’s to come! But if you’re fanging on one of these events or looking to buy a badge to access all things SXSW Fest, you can head to the official event website, right here.
Image: Getty Images
The post SXSW Sydney 2024 Has Arrived So Here’s A Guide To The Best Events To Avoid Being Burned By FOMO appeared first on PEDESTRIAN.TV .
