South by Southwest Festival (SXSW) concluded this past Saturday in Austin, and organizers are already announcing changes for next year’s event.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the 2026 festival will be two days shorter and eliminate the weekend dedicated to music. Participation in the music part of SXSW has been dropping steadily since its peak in the 2010s. Just over a thousand bands were showcased this year.
SXSW will focus on the film and television part of the festival moving forward.
Austin music reporter wrote on Facebook, “For years, it’s been impossible not to notice how parking woes, hotel prices, traffic, etc., drop off considerably when SXSW Music begins. The town empties out considerably the Wednesday AM after tech/film ends.”
Artists at this year’s event included John Fogerty, Tom Morello, Benson Boone, Khalid, Larkin Poe, Koe Wetzel, George Birge, Ashley Cooke, Brittney Spencer, Aiko, Big Freedia, and Jurassic 5 rapper Soup.
Barrett Media produces daily content on the music, news, and sports media industries. To stay updated, sign up for our newsletters and get the latest information delivered straight to your inbox.
