It’s getting to be that time of the year again, when the streets of downtown Austin are transformed into pop-up music venues, all corners of the town enveloped in a continuous flow of strings and drums.
Some of us got our first taste of life in Austin at SXSW, which tends to bring in music, film and culture-loving folks from all over the world. To truly get the most out of your time at the famous festival, you need a bit of a game plan of sorts, and the more pre-show planning you can do, the better.
Tickets have been on sale for months, and there is still time to snatch up a wrist band or badge in time for the festival. But hurry, the prices go up and up as the big date approaches.
Music, movie and gaming fans will be happy to know that SXSW 2015 spans between March 13 – 22, giving you more than enough time to connect with your favorite music, film and interactive events.
Starting with Interactive and Film portions of the festival on March 13, you can try your hand at some of the newest media on the market. Then the real fun starts on March 17 when you can see your favorite bands take the stage. Hold onto your badges, kids, this year is going to be a great one!
Interactive (March 13-17)
Technophiles open up the week with presentations from some of the most up-and-coming technology leaders on the market. We’re talking video games, apps, you name it — SXSW has it. This is your chance to pick the minds of some of the greats regarding the future of many of our beloved technologies, with keynote speakers like Paola Antonelli from MoMa and Astro Teller from Google[X].
Interactive also has a ton of inspiring and educational workshops for your learning pleasure, like classes on how to measure media and ways to launch your brand.
Film (March 13-21)
With the crowds thoroughly primed and awaiting primo entertainment, SXSW is quick to launch into the Film portion of the festival, which showcases fledgling films and movies from the newest writers and directors in the world. Here is where many of the greats were found and fostered, like Lena Dunham and her 2010 release of Tiny Furniture.
Movie heads with an eye for the web can also listen and learn in one of the many sessions that are set to go down during the week — like interviewing infamous YouTube stars on their growing success and learning the fine art of 3d printing for movies.
Music (March 17-22)
Everyone I know looks forward to SXSW for one reason: the music. We are in the Live Music Capital of the World and this is the time of year when the streets of Austin are transformed into colorful stages worthy of big acts, like Marina and the Diamonds, Best Coast and Ghetts, along with literally thousands of other bands looking to make a splash during the big week.
With the chance of getting discovered and signed to a major record label, most musicians bring their talents to the Lone Star State with big hopes. It makes for a very energetic and riveting week, indeed.
You can find a complete list of these bands on the SXSW website, or follow them on Twitter to find the most up-to-date news about their shows (and after hours parties) direct from the source.
Plan out your week, bring your fanny packs with plenty of sunscreen and we’ll see you there!
Flickr Creative Commons image by Lotus Carroll.
