Showcase FAQ

All artists interested in performing at SXSW 2009 must complete an online application, either through the SXSW e-commerce system at sxsw.com or through Sonicbids.

If you apply via the SXSW website, you will be assigned a SXSW Artist Info webpage. You will need to upload mp3s, a photo, a biography, and a press kit to this site. You will receive details on how to access this page once you submit your initial application.

If you have a Sonicbids account (or wish to create one) and apply via Sonicbids, you will not be assigned an Artist Info webpage. Instead, we will use your Sonicbids EPK (electronic press kit) to access your music and information. Make sure your Sonicbids EPK is current and complete.

Application fees and deadlines are the same (see below) whether you apply via sxsw.com or Sonicbids.

Click the Music Festival Showcase Application link on this website. This will direct you to the SXSW e-commerce system. You will need to create a username and password to access the system. Once you log in, click the Music Festival Showcase Application logo. A popup window will open. Make sure to fill out all of the required fields and to click through all of the "next" buttons.

After entering all the requested information, the popup window will close and your application will be listed in your e-commerce shopping cart. Make sure to click the big green CHECKOUT button. (If you have a coupon, click the “Redeem Coupon” link and enter your coupon number.) Add your credit card information and click "Purchase Now." (See below for showcase application fees and deadlines.) Your application will be listed in your E-commerce shopping cart with the word "submitted" in the status column.

If you have to stop to retrieve or check information while you are filling out the application, you can click the cancel button at any time and return to the form later. The popup window will close and your partial application will be listed in your Shopping Cart with an "Add Assignment Info" or "Change Assignment Info" link (depending on how far along you get) by it.

Your application is not complete until you enter your payment information and see the word "submitted" in your shopping cart status column.

If applying via the sxsw.com website, you will need to provide the following:

• Details about the applying act (hometown, number of performers, URL of act's website, etc.)
• A designated Primary Contact. Make sure the Primary Contact is someone who has regular communication with the artist (preferably either the artist or artist's manager) and that the email address is functional and frequently checked. SXSW will be sending all correspondence to the Primary Contact. Be sure to set email spam filters to allow mail from sxsw.com.
• Information on the number of the shows the act played in the past year.
• If applicable, name/address/phone/email for the act's record ' representative and/or booking agent
• A valid credit card

Once your online application is submitted via the SXSW e-commerce site, your Primary Contact will get an email with instructions about how to access your unique SXSW Artist Information Page to upload music (MP3 files), a biography, photo, and a press kit to the SXSW server. There are instructions at your Artist Information Page to guide you through the uploading process.

Only applicants using the SXSW E-Commerce system will receive information about a SXSW Artist Info Page. If you apply through Sonicbids (see below) the procedure is different.

Please note that SXSW will only accept applications electronically -- do NOT mail SXSW any CDs or printed materials.

If you have a Sonicbids account, you can apply to SXSW by logging into that account and clicking the SXSW link in "Top Opportunities." The cost to apply is the same as on the SXSW website. You'll need to complete some SXSW-specific questions about label and booking representation and that's it. Once done, your Sonicbids Primary Contact will receive an email from SXSW confirming receipt of your application. The next SXSW email your Primary Contact can expect will be your status notification (by February 1, 2009 at the latest). You'll only hear from us before that time if we encounter a problem or require more information.

SXSW will use the information and music on your Sonicbids page to evaluate your application, so make sure it is current and complete. All you have to do is complete a single application and you're done.

Sonicbids applicants WILL NOT receive an Artist Info login. You will NOT have to upload mp3s or press info if you apply through Sonicbids.

The deadline for international artists is October 24, 2008. The deadline for US artists is November 7, 2008.

To be considered for a showcase, you must complete your application and, if applying through the sxsw.com website, upload your music and press materials by the appropriate deadline. We strongly recommend you complete your application and upload materials sooner rather than later.

SXSW accepts music and associated materials only electronically. Do not mail SXSW any CDs or printed materials.

The early application cost is US $25 (through September 26, 2008). The cost increases to US $35 from September 27th until the final deadline. SXSW accepts payment via Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Diner's Club. Please check Sonicbids for the payment methods they accept.

NOTE: SXSW advises you to be wary of any other companies or individuals who offer to help you get a SXSW Music Festival showcase for a fee. The only ways to apply for a SXSW Music showcase are via our online application, through Sonicbids, or through an official representative of SXSW. The only cost for applying for a showcase is the application fee, listed above. If you or your representative is not dealing directly with the SXSW Music Festival office in regard to your show, it is unlikely that it is an actual SXSW Music showcase.

Only applicants applying via the SXSW E-Commerce system need to upload materials. If you apply via Sonicbids we will access your music and information through your Sonicbids site.

If you apply via the SXSW website, the application confirmation email we will send to your Primary Contact will have instructions on how to access your unique SXSW Artist Info webpage where you will upload music (MP3 format files only), a biography, a photo, a press kit, and touring information to the SXSW server. You'll find instructions at your SXSW Artist Info webpage to guide you through the uploading process.

DO NOT MAIL CDs and press kits to SXSW. By uploading materials to our server, you'll know right away if we've received your music and press information.

Only applicants applying via the SXSW E-Commerce system need to upload materials. (If you apply via Sonicbids we will access your music and information through your Sonicbids site.) You should upload any mentions, reviews, notices, or articles about your band that have appeared in newspapers, magazines, etc. We can accept .doc, .pdf, .txt, .jpg and other file formats noted.

You may also provide up to 10 links (in the special "add URLs area") for any mentions and reviews that exist online (for example, on a newspaper's or magazine's website).

You also need to upload ONE .jpg format photo (even if photos appear on other websites).

Each time you upload a file; you'll see a progress wheel tracking the upload. When the entire file has been received on our SXSW server, the progress wheel will disappear and you will see the file name listed as a link to the right of the upload button.

If you have applied via the sxsw.com website, we suggest you upload your music and press info sooner rather than later. You can revise any information you enter, so if you get a rave review after you apply, you can add it to your SXSW Artist Info webpage.

SXSW showcased over 400 international acts last year, so please apply. Our deadline for international artists to complete applications is October 24, 2008. You can apply via Sonicbids or the SXSW e-commerce system. If you apply through the SXSW website, your music and materials must be uploaded by the October 24th deadline date. We are aware of stringent visa and travel requirements, so we prioritize processing of international band applications.

Yes. You must submit a separate application, either via the SXSW website or Sonicbids, and pay a separate entry fee for each artist. If applying via the SXSW website, you will need to upload music and press materials on each artist's unique SXSW Artist Info webpage.

First, submit separate applications for each act and if applying through the SXSW website upload appropriate materials for each act. Then, send an email to musfest@sxsw.com with this Subject line: Label Showcase Request for [Add The Name of Your Label Here] Be sure to list your acts in the body of the email (along with any other pertinent details). We receive a huge volume of email. If you do not use the above subject line, we may miss your request.

Absolutely. You may resubmit yearly, and we have invited many bands that have applied and been turned down in the past.

Yes. If your act is selected for a SXSW 2009 showcase, you can choose to receive either cash OR a SXSW Music registration package (one Music Festival band badge per act plus artist wristbands for band members ONLY - no managers, label representatives, crew, etc.). If accepted, you will receive details about both options in your notification email.

An "application" is the way to be considered for a showcase performance slot at the SXSW Music Festival. A "registration" is the badge purchased by individuals to attend the various SXSW Music events (music conference panels, workshops, mentor sessions, the Trade Show, Music Festival, Softball Tournament/BBQ, and other special activities).

You do not need to purchase a registration badge to apply for a showcase, and if you are offered a showcase, you may choose cash or a registration package as payment for your showcase.

All applying artists, whether accepted to showcase or not, will be able to purchase registration badges at the lowest registration rate AFTER notification of status, if they choose to do so. There are no refunds (and no exceptions) if you purchase a registration at a higher rate or decide not to attend if you are not offered a showcase.

A badge enables you to attend daytime music panels and SXSW special events. It also gives you first priority access to all SXSW music showcases. Artist wristbands provide access to the Music Festival trade show, Music Biz 101 panels, and night SXSW showcases. (Please note: entrance to all SXSW activities is on a space available basis.)

Acts who complete applications AND if applying via the SXSW website, upload music and materials by our deadlines (October 24, 2008 for international artists, November 7, 2008 for US-based artists) will be notified of showcase status by January 30, 2009. Your notification will come via email to your Primary Contact.

We will try to notify you sooner rather than later. International artists have an earlier submission deadline so you can be notified in time to facilitate obtaining visas and making other travel arrangements.

Due the large volume of applications received (over 10,000 last year), we ask that you do not call or email the SXSW office to inquire about the status of your showcase application. If you have not heard from us by January 30, 2009, please 1) check your email spam filter to see if our mail has ended up there, and if necessary, 2) email musfest@sxsw.com. (Phone callers will be directed to email, so save a step.) Do not contact with questions about your status until after January 30, 2009.

Some spam filters and gray listers may filter out automated communications. Please add the following email addresses to your spam filter's list of approved senders to be sure our messages reach you: webmaster@sxsw.com, musfest@sxsw.com, sxsw@sxsw.com.

SXSW has a committee of people who listen to and grade recordings according to originality, technical ability, songwriting skills, career establishment, and overall artistry. Every recording is graded at least twice, then those with the highest scores are reviewed again and invitations are extended.

Opportunities for performers do not stop at showcases. SXSW Music Festival and Conference offers informative panels and the Trade Show gives you opportunities to network. Remember, even if you are not given a showcase, you can purchase a SXSW Music registration at the lowest price and access the many benefits of SXSW.

If accepted for a SXSW Music showcase, artists agree to not perform at any other public shows in Austin between the dates of March 17-22, 2009 and to notify SXSW of any non-SXSW private parties or in-stores scheduled. Non-SXSW appearances cannot occur during SXSW Festival hours (7 pm to 2 am nightly), cannot charge admission, or be advertised in any media available to the general public.

Artists acknowledge that a showcase slot at the SXSW Festival is a valuable commodity, and agree to limit their appearances at non-SXSW events to no more than one a day in order to not diminish attendance at the official showcase venue, and in order to maximize media, registrant, and public attention at their official SXSW showcase.

Because over 10,000 artists apply for showcases, the SXSW Housing Desk cannot book hotel rooms for artists until they have been offered a showcase. DO NOT PANIC! The Housing Desk blocks enough hotel rooms to accommodate all showcasing artists who need them. There will be hotel rooms available for you and your bandmates when SXSW extends showcase invitations. Your acceptance email will contain details on how to book hotels.

If you purchase a conference registration, you can reserve a hotel room immediately; however, that registration fee is NONREFUNDABLE. No exceptions. If you want to purchase a registration, please wait until you have been notified of your showcase status. Artists who are not given a showcase will have the opportunity to purchase a SXSW Music registration at the lowest price for the season.