SXSW Eliminates Music Festival Segment, Shortens 2026 Event

SXSW Eliminates Music Festival Segment, Shortens 2026 Event

The organizers of South by Southwest (SXSW) have reportedly decided to eliminate the music portion of the annual festival, marking a major shift in the event’s format. According to the Austin American-Statesman, this change will result in the 2026 edition being two days shorter than the 2025 festival, which took place from March 7 to March 15. The upcoming event is scheduled to run from March 12 to March 18, 2026.

This decision marks the first time in the festival’s nearly four-decade history that the weekend traditionally dedicated to music performances and industry conferences will be removed.

Declining Music Participation

SXSW has been experiencing a gradual decline in participation in its music segment over the years. During the peak of the 2010s, the festival featured an average of around 2,000 bands performing. However, this number has steadily decreased, with the 2025 edition featuring only 1,012 showcasing artists.

Local music journalist Andy Langer, a veteran attendee of SXSW since its inception in 1987, highlighted this shift in a widely shared Facebook post. He noted that the festival sees a noticeable decline in congestion, including parking difficulties, high hotel rates, and traffic issues, once the tech and film portions conclude.

The Rise of Film and Television at SXSW

In recent years, SXSW has placed a growing emphasis on its film and television segments, attracting prominent figures from the entertainment industry. The 2025 edition featured appearances from Michelle Obama, who recorded a podcast with her brother, college basketball coach Craig Robinson, as well as Chelsea Clinton. Several high-profile Hollywood stars, including Nicole Kidman, Paul Rudd, Blake Lively, Anna Kendrick, Issa Rae, Ben Affleck, Jon Bernthal, and Seth Rogen, attended to promote their respective film and TV projects.

Impact on Austin and Venue Changes

Adding to the transformation, SXSW will also face logistical adjustments due to the planned four-year renovation of the Austin Convention Center, a central venue for the festival. Beginning in April 2025, the event will be spread across various locations throughout Austin for the foreseeable future.

SXSW’s Global Expansion

Despite the restructuring of its Austin-based festival, SXSW continues to expand internationally. In 2023, the festival launched its first edition in Australia, and in June 2025, it will debut in London, further cementing its global presence in the cultural and entertainment landscape.

The elimination of the music portion at SXSW marks a historic shift for the festival, raising questions about the future of the event and its impact on the music industry in Austin and beyond.