SXSW 2026

tips for SXSW

how to thrive and survive

Cinema Hearts at Lazarus Brewing, SXSW 2025. Photo by Kate Atkinson.

Are you ready for SXSW?

If you’re able to make the trip, I absolutely recommend going to SXSW. You’re in “the room” with everyone of the music industry.

However, I only recommend making the trip once you have established yourself in your own local scene. You need solid recordings that are comparable in quality to the big artists of your genre (A demo album is not going to work). If you’re able to headline and sell tickets to a venue show in your hometown, you may be ready for SXSW.

Don’t waste your time, money, and energy trying to sell your act before it’s ready. It took me 10 years of songwriting, recording, rehearsing, and performing before I made my first trip to SXSW.

It’s like being at a DIY show house party. You’ll make a lot of new friends from all over the world. Some folks travel to SXSW each year and it becomes like a family reunion.

Be prepared to get messy (literally). Unofficial showcases can take place in parking lots, backyard, patios, and bars. It’s dusty, sweaty, and people will smoke at the outdoor venues. In March, Austin is hot during the day and chilly at night. Wear sunscreen during the day and a jacket at night.

I only recommend SXSW to bands who are “big fish” in their own local small ponds. But when you come to SXSW, you’re no longer the big fish; now you’re the small fish in the ocean.

Cinema Hearts’ first unofficial SXSW showcase in 2024 was a homemade stage near a dumpster under a highway. On this same trip, we played another unofficial showcase that was featured by Rolling Stone. That’s the duality of SXSW.

Gear Tips

• Most unofficial showcases will have a backline drumkit and guitar/bass amps available.

• Guitarists & bassists, bring your own 1/4” cable and be prepared to lose it.

• Drummers, bring your own cymbals, snare, and bass pedal.

• If you have a keyboard or other “unusual” instrument, bring the gear to amplify it (amp, DI box, specialized mic, etc.)

• If you have more than one guitarist, you might need to bring an extra guitar amp or coordinate with another band to borrow.

• Almost every venue, bar, restaurant, coffee shop, boutique, small business, etc. hosts live music during SXSW week. Even if they don’t have a showcase announced, you can reach out and ask if you can play. 

• Almost all unofficial showcases are unpaid. You can sell merch and collect tips.

• A lot of DIY unofficial showcases are finalized in February. If you’re serious about SXSW, book your travel & accommodations first before waiting on a showcase confirmation.