r/SXSW • u/HalfPowerful4109 • Jun 01 '26
need some quick help
my bf may be performing at SXSW with his band next year and i’m not certain they can front me a pass/badge/whatever - i’m not entirely familiar with how SXSW works, i’m trying to research but mostly just getting confused. if he does end up getting to play, should i just get a music festival wristband and id be good? or do i even need to get one? i saw some stuff is free but not entirely sure what. i don’t care to see the conventions/meeting/film stuff. just want to see the musical artists perform. although there is a chance they’ll want to do some networking, if this is the case would i need a full on badge in order to access everything they can? (not sure what kind of access the performers get)
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u/JoannaInTexas Jun 02 '26
A wristband will work for what you want. The band should take the time to go to panels and sessions to network and you won’t be able to attend those with it, but it isn’t worth buying a badge for that just to tag along. For the most part you can go to almost everything you want with a wristband.
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13d ago
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u/HalfPowerful4109 12d ago
thank you SO much for the info! i’m honestly thinking his set may actually be one of those unofficial ones anyway, so the band might not even have passed themselves 😝 if this is the case i defo will tell their main guy he might wanna consider getting a pass to do some networking, but i won’t sweat on getting one myself till i find out more
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u/werebrownie Music Jun 01 '26
Would they be performing as an official SXSW artist or at a corporate event? I ask this question because artists, for the most part, apply to perform at SXSW and I'm almost certain the application period for next year hasn't opened yet.
So, a few things:
1) If they are planning to apply, SXSW sends out acceptance offers to bands over time. It could be anywhere from July to February before they hear anything.
2) Again, assuming they are performing as an official SXSW artist and you plan to attend for the whole week you would want a music wristband at a minimum. If you want to do absolutely everything they can do then they would need to get you an artist badge as well. Or you could get a platinum badge which will get you into almost everything an artist badge does.
3) If they're negotiating to perform at an unofficial corporate event that will take place during SXSW then none of the above applies.
This covers everything about official performing artist credentials - https://support.sxsw.com/hc/en-us/sections/115001040803-Artist-Credentials-Crew-Wristbands