SXSW Music: March 18-22, 2009

Many of our Registrants, Filmmakers, Panelists, Bands and fans come to Austin from abroad and we appreciate the distance you travel to attend SXSW each year.

As of January 12th 2009, travelers entering the US with passports from Visa Waiver Program countries must obtain advance online travel authorization by visiting the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) website (this online authorization is free).

Travelers historically provided this same information via simple forms onboard their flight or at US immigration but it is now required in advance of your travel. Most applications (99.5%) are instantly approved. But the few who are denied must apply for visas (which takes time).

We want your travel to the States to go well and hope that this information helps. For more information about traveling to Austin, click here.

• Venues impacted by performance right fees
  Story from Christian Science Monitor.
• One night with Prince
  Post from LA Times.
• Dave Dee dies
  Obituary from BBC News.
• NARAS announces alliance with RAC
  Post from LA Times.
• Yo-Yo Ma asks listeners to remix his solo
  Story from Wired.
• Singers who need to STFU
  Story from The Stranger found via Daily Swarm.
• Best music scribing awards 2008
  Post from Popmatters.
• Meet the people who can save rock and roll
  Feature from Rolling Stone.

There's an updated list of showcasing acts set to perform over here.

We'll be bringing you more updates in the coming weeks so check back often for more news!

• #1 album sells 90k units last week
  Chart watch from Billboard.
• Harmonix 'very interested' in partnership to sell music
  Story from Ars Technica.
• Zavvi to close 22 stores
  Story from AP.
• Todd Rundgren has it backward
  Story from CNN.
• Okkervil River in NYC
  Review from NY Times. (site reg req'd)
• Benazir Bhutto's daughter raps in tribute to slain mother
  Post from LA Times. (site reg req'd)
• The marketing of Erin McCarley
  Review from Wall Street Journal.

To kick-start the new year, airlines in the U.S. and around the world have slashed airfares making travel to SXSW ridiculously cheap from lots of places. Airfares under $300 are commonplace online and travel from Los Angeles to Austin can be had for as low as $218. Fare sales like this usually don’t last long so don’t hesitate to make your SXSW plans.

Register now and take advantage of the discount badge price (before January 16th), inexpensive hotels (outside downtown), and cheap airfares (while they last).

Getting your message into the hands of SXSW registrants has never been easier. Just put a super cool and functional insert into our Conference Big Bags. CD samplers, keychains, sunscreen and lip balms can be customized with your company's information and distributed to our attendees through the commemorative Big Bags. SXSW registrants are happy to receive these promotional items and increase your company's brand exposure with each use.

To make things even easier, we also have a turn-key solution available. Simply pick an item from our list of premium inserts, send us your artwork and we take care of the rest. Don't fuss with price comparisons and multiple shipping costs when we have already handled all of that for you. Contact sales@sxsw.com for more information, but hurry, as the ordering deadline for these inserts is January 21.

Click here for a description of each Premium Insert available.

• Obama picks RIAA's favorite lawyer for a top Justice post
  Story from CNET.
• Selling music at Tupperware party-like events
  Story from Billboard via Yahoo.
• RI judge hears arguments in music downloading case
  Story from AP.
• Analysis of Apple's deal for DRM-free downloads and variable pricing
  Post from Wired.
• Stonehenge was a giant concert venue
  Story from The Telegraph.
• Gigaholics anonymous
  Story from Philadelphia Weekly.
• Norwegian Beatles podcast pulled
  Story from BBC News.