SXSW Showcase Application FAQ

All artists interested in performing at SXSW 2010 must complete an online application through our exclusive online musical event submission platform Sonicbids. You will receive a 6 month free trial when you apply for SXSW. We'll use your Sonicbids Electronic Press Kit to listen to your music and review your press materials. You won't need to upload any additional materials. Make sure your EPK is current and complete.

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 before September 25,2009 is $30 and then $40 until the final application deadline on November 6, 2009. 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 January 29, 2010 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.

Create a Sonicbids account. Sonicbids is offering artists who apply to SXSW a 6 month free trial. Sonicbids will automatically renew memberships when the complimentary membership period is over at the regular Sonicbids membership fee. This membership fee will be automatically charged to your credit card on file.

Use this trial period to get your EPK into the hands of promoters, venues, festivals and conferences. Artists can opt out of their Sonicbids membership at any time and SXSW will still be able to access the EPK for review.

The deadline for all applications is November 6, 2009. We strongly recommend you complete your application and update your materials sooner rather than later.

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

The early application cost is US $30 (through September 25, 2009). The cost increases to US $40 from September 26th until the final deadline. 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 way to apply for a SXSW Music showcase is 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 are 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.

We will access your music and information through your Sonicbids site.

DO NOT mail CDs and press kits to SXSW.

SXSW showcased over 500 international acts last year, so please apply. Our deadline for all artists to complete applications is November 6, 2009. We are aware of stringent visa and travel requirements, so we prioritize processing of international band applications.

Yes. You must submit a separate application and pay a separate entry fee for each artist.

First, submit separate applications for each act. Then, send an email to music@sxsw.com with this Subject line: Label Showcase Request for [Add The Name of Your Entity 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 2010 showcase, you can choose to receive either cash OR a SXSW Music Artist Package (Artist wristbands for each band member. Artist wristbands are 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, all music panels and interviews, artists lounges and village, and nighttime SXSW showcases. (Please note: entrance to all SXSW activities is on a space available basis.)

Acts who complete applications by our deadline (November 6, 2009) will be notified of showcase status by January 29, 2010. Your notification will come via email to your Primary Contact.

We will try to notify you sooner rather than later. International artists will be notified as early as possible to ensure time to facilitate obtaining visas and making other travel arrangements.

Due to 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 29, 2010, please 1) check your email spam filter to see if our mail has ended up there, and if necessary, 2) email music@sxsw.com. (Phone callers will be directed to email, so save a step.) Do not contact with questions about your status until after January 29, 2010.

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, music@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 17-20, 2010 and to notify SXSW of any non-SXSW private parties 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 Music 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.

Thank you for your interest in hosting a showcase event at SXSW 2010. Here’s how to proceed:

1) Prepare a proposal (see headings below) and send it to music@sxsw.com. Please remember, that due to the large number of showcases in the program it is essential to develop a plan to attract the audience attending SXSW you are hoping to reach.
2) Register as a delegate for SXSW on the attend page. It is essential that every showcase presenter have access to all of the SXSW registrants’ online tools in advance and have personnel on the ground with badges in Austin during the event. If it’s not a priority for the showcase presenters to be here and be part of the event, then it doesn’t bode well for the success of the showcase.
3) Complete a SXSW band application (online at Sonicbids) for each act you wish to be considered for your showcase event. It’s best to have a list of around 8 artists you’d like to have on a 6 band bill (each act playing a 40 minute set). Contact the acts directly and confirm with them that they are willing to perform on your official nighttime SXSW showcase.
4) You may need to enter into an agreement with the artists about the nature and level of support you will provide to them to showcase. Many acts are approached by more than one entity about showcasing. Artists are normally allowed to perform only one showcase. If there is a conflict, acts are allowed to choose which of the showcases they wish to perform on. You should address this with potential acts at the onset.
5) SXSW will make all final decisions about which, if any, of your artists are invited and will also make the final decision about showcase venue. SXSW evaluates each artist individually.
6) SXSW will confirm you as a showcase presenter only when it is satisfied that the show proposed is viable – having at least 2 confirmed headliners, a marketing plan and an approved budget. Marketing opportunities to promote the showcase within SXSW include advertising in the Directory, in our new SXSWorld magazines and inserts in the Big Bag. I can email you the SXSW 2010 marketing brochure if you wish to receive information about our marketing opportunities.
7) Any third parties that may wish be involved with your showcase must be approved by SXSW prior to showcase approval. This includes, but is not limited to, commercial sponsors. No third parties may be added to a showcase without the approval of SXSW.
8) SXSW does not provide backline for performing artists.

Proposal headings (with examples)
SXSW Concept:
(e.g. Through a showcase event, our label intends to expose bands that...)
Aims of your Showcase:
(e.g. To present the best in British underground talent at SXSW....)
Description of Event:
(e.g. This event to be part of the official program, to have official SXSW status and be publicized through official media, programs, adverts, delegate contact and guides.)
Partners:
(e.g. This event will be held with the support of or in partnership with...)
Promotion:
(e.g. We would insert a CD into every delegate bag or take ads in SXSWorld Magazine and the SXSW Directory to promote the show)
Your shortlist of acts:
(e.g. All Bands listed below have agreed in principle to play at the showcase if accepted. Followed by a short paragraph on each band.)
Background on your company:
(e.g. Our diverse booking policy makes us ideally placed to expose the next generation of bands who fuse more than just one style of music.)