Showcasing Artist Application Tips from the SXSW Music Festival Team

SXSW 2019 Showcasing Artist Haiku Hands - Photo by Hutton Supancic

Last week we made our first announcement of 288 showcasing artists from 51 countries coming to the SXSW 2020 Music Festival this March. If you are a musician, there is still time to apply to showcase. The Showcasing Artist Application final deadline is today, October 25 at at 11:59 PM PT. To help you put your best foot forward, members of the Music Festival team have provided tips on what they are looking for in a successful application. Browse tips and get your application submitted – we are excited to hear your music.

Showcase Application Tips

Be Thorough

It is very important that we know about any current or potentially upcoming developments in your career. Take the time to paint a thorough picture of your plan and vision over the next 12-18 months. Don't spare any details. - Rory Burbeck, Music Festival Programmer

Focus On Your Strengths

The application is designed to give artists an opportunity to show off their music. To do this, we ask about everything that could apply to your music career. If some of it does not apply to you, don’t worry! Focus on the details you know including filling out the Artist Bio section as best you can. - Hayden Bagot, Music Festival Content Editor

Don’t Be Discouraged

Bands aren't always accepted the first time they apply (or every time they apply) to SXSW. Part of our grading process involves determining whether a band's career is at the right stage to showcase in front of an international audience of music industry professionals. So, as your career develops and your story continues to build, we encourage bands to apply again to tell us about your progress and why you're ready to showcase this year at SXSW. - Dev Sherlock, Music Festival Programmer

Apply to Showcase at the 2020 SXSW Music Festival

2020 SXSW Showcasing Artist applications are open. Showcasing at SXSW provides an opportunity to meet like-minded creatives from around the world as well as increasing your visibility by performing in front of an audience of made up of industry pros and musicians alike.

The Final Deadline to apply to perform at the 2020 SXSW Music Festival is October 25.

Apply Now

Dive into 2019 Music Tracks

Attend SXSW 2020

Registration and housing are now open for the 2020 SXSW season. Get inspired by previous Keynotes, Featured Sessions, Showcases, Red Carpets, and Q&A’s on our YouTube Channel, and make your plans now to join us in March 2020. Booking your hotel soon using SXSW Housing & Travel will get you the best rates and locations.

Attend SXSW 2020

Discover SXSW Music Festival alumni — stream our Apple Music and Spotify Playlists, surf our YouTube Music Video playlist, and listen to SXSWfm mixes on Mixcloud.

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Omar Apollo - Photo by Alexa Gonzalez Wagner

By Hayden Bagot

10/25/2019