A TASTE OFSXSW SYDNEY®: FREE PUBLIC EVENTS TO IGNITE THE CITY

SXSW Sydney’s 2024 public program in TumbalongPark to feature 7 days of free talks, live demos, performances, activations, acelebration of India’s creative communities and so much more

Sydney, Australia –Friday 2 August, 2024 – Southby Southwest Sydney® (SXSW Sydney) has today launched its public program for2024, which will see Darling Harbour alive with excitement from October 14–20,with over 100,000 people expected to visit the precinct and enjoy 60+ hours offree entertainment. Over 7 days and nights, Tumbalong Park in the heart ofSydney will be transformed into a hub of creativity as it plays host toworld-class activations from leading brands, as well as inspiring talks, techdemos, live music, meet & greets, esports competitions, and more as part ofSXSW Sydney 2024.

Minister for Jobs andTourism, Minister for the Arts and Minister for Music and the Night-timeEconomy, John Graham says: “Lastyear’s first ever SXSW Sydney was a massive success and we’re very excited tobuild on that great start this year, starting with today’s announcement of thefree event program in Tumbalong Park.

“The SXSW festival in Austin Texas is a globalicon, Sydney’s event is fast becoming one too. It will attract visitors fromaround the country and the world and showcase Sydney as the creative powerhousethat it is.

“The NSW government is committed to helpingpeople with the cost of living. This free SXSW Sydney program gives people achance to take part in this global festival, have a great day or night out, atno cost.”

Geoff Jones, SXSW Chair says: “InPartnership with the NSW Government, today we are delighted  to launch SXSW Sydney’s 2024 Public Program.

“At last year’s inauguralEvent, Tumbalong Park became a hub for the industry to converge betweencatching the latest session or artist showcase to connect with one-another.Brand activations were a key feature of the precinct and free public

performances took placefrom the likes of Indonesian sensation Isyana Sarasvati, Dr. Karl and BlackMirror creator and showrunner Charlie Brooker.

“This year promises to bebigger and better than ever, with a host of incredible talent from all over theGlobe ascending to Tumbalong Park. These seven days and nights will be filledwith great entertainment, and I would highly recommend that all Sydney-sidersjoin in on the festivities.”

In 2024, Tumbalong Park will again serve asSXSW Sydney’s free events hub, with even more crowd-pleasing experiencesstretching from Darling Harbour around to Chippendale and Ultimo. Badgeholders,wristband-holders and the public are invited to discover new ideas, innovationsand artists, while experiencing a taste of SXSW Sydney’s core pillars: Tech& Innovation, Games, Music and Screen.

“+91Calling!”, a single-day showcase festival of Indian creative culture willbring the energy to the Tumbalong Park Main Stage on Sunday 20 October,featuring six acts from India and theIndian diaspora—one of the most exciting entertainment influences of themoment—with genres spanning hip-hop, pop, r&b, club and neo-classical. Staytuned for the full Sunday program announcement in the coming weeks.

Music meets Tech on the Tumbalong Park MainStage where Ben Gillies (Musician,Songwriter and Silverchair Co-founder) will unite with Johannes Saam (Futurist) and TusharApte (Producer and Songwriter) for a live demonstration session andperformance.

More exciting Tech & Innovationprogramming will feature in the publicly accessible precinct throughout theweek, with trailblazing technology demonstrations and surprise and delightmoments happening on the Main Stage and brand-new ‘The Dome’ stage presented byThe Growth Distillery. The Dome willfeature ‘Meet the Speaker’ sessions throughout the week, giving attendees thechance to meet Conference speakers such as astrophysicist, Kirsten Banks. On Thursday 17 October, it will play host to the Innovation Showcase, seeing tertiaryinstitutions take over Tumbalong Park to present the latest developments inRocketry, Robotics, Engineering, Mechanics, Science and Technology, with highschool excursions invited to come along and join in on the fun. Plus, see thefuture of motorcycles with the ZERO Australian 100% electric bike showcasefeaturing prototype ZERO SR/X.

On Saturday 19 October Papa Salt will bring the vibes to the Main Stage in Tumbalong Parkwith the Australian Premiere screening of TheEndless Summer 60th Anniversary, followed by an afterparty with live musicfrom SXSW Sydney Music Festival actsBALTHVS & Touch Sensitive.Also part of the free Screen Festival programming will be Bush Shorts, showcasing a variety of short films from emergingFirst Nations and Indigenous filmmakers across Australia. Bush Shorts areselected by Winda Film Festival with a focus on shaping identity andremembering Country.

As part of the free Games Festivalprogramming, the Acer Predator LeagueAcademy will be crowning their first champion at Tumbalong Park on Saturday19 October. Two of the best high schools in Australia and New Zealand willcompete in the only Fortnite competition designed for high schools. In hugenews for the gaming community, Team PWRand Fortnite icons Lachlan and Loserfruit will be onstage to provide thewinning school with their trophy.

SXSW Sydney 2024 free public events take placeOctober 14–20 in Tumbalong Park and the surrounding Darling Harbour precinct,giving everyone a taste of this incredible global event.

Running over seven unmissable days and nights,SXSW Sydney brings together a diverse array of industry leaders, creators andvisionaries from around the globe. This unique convergence fosters meaningfulconnections that lead to collaborations, partnerships and career advancements.This year, SXSW Sydney will feature over 1000 events and experiences and isdesigned for attendees to engage in discussions that matter, share ideas andbuild lasting relationships. Check out the schedule, start favouriting your top picks and stay tuned for more excitingannouncements.

For those wanting to level up their career andexperience all that SXSW Sydney offers, Badges will be your all-access pass forthe full program including keynotes, panels, networking, industry meetups,parties and more. Wristbands will grant you access to SXSW Sydney’s Music,Screen or Games festivals, for performances, screenings and showcases. Buy yourBadge or Wristband today at sxswsydney.com.

SXSW Sydney is delivered in partnership withthe NSW Government through its tourism and major events agency, DestinationNSW. Plan your SXSW Sydney 2024 trip now, visit sydney.com.

SXSW SYDNEY
14 – 20 OCTOBER 2024
NSW, AUSTRALIA

For SXSW Sydney media inquiries please contact:

Approved generalSXSW Sydney imagery: HERE

Notes to Editor  
SXSW SYDNEY WEBSITE | LINKEDIN | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | X  
DESTINATION NSW WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM |  X | TIKTOK  
TEG WEBSITE | LINKEDIN | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | X  

About SXSW Sydney®  

SXSW Sydney is an annual gathering ofvisionaries, thought leaders and emerging talents from the Asia-Pacific region.The week-long program is stacked with more than 1,000 events and networkingsessions across the key pillars of Tech & Innovation, Games, Music andScreen. The Event seamlessly integrates art and entrepreneurship withcutting-edge advancements, fostering a collaborative ecosystem where ideas areexchanged and partnerships are forged. SXSW Sydney 2024 will take place onOctober 14–20 , on the land of the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation.

About SXSW®  

South by Southwest (SXSW) dedicates itself tohelping creative people achieve their goals. Founded in 1987 in Austin, Texas,SXSW is best known for its conference and festivals that celebrate theconvergence of tech, film and television, music, education, and culture. Anessential destination for global professionals, the annual March event featuressessions, music, and comedy showcases, film and television screenings,exhibitions, professional development, and a variety of networkingopportunities. SXSW proves that the most unexpected discoveries happen whendiverse topics and people come together. SXSW 2025 will take place March 7-15in Austin. Learn more at sxsw.com.  

About Destination NSW  

Destination NSW is the champion and voice forthe visitor economy within the NSW Government. Spearheading awhole-of-government approach to visitor economy growth, Destination NSWinfluences and shapes the visitor economy through strategic research, policyand thought leadership, stakeholder engagement and consultation, commercialpartnerships and investment in visitor experiences, business support, marketingand events. Destination NSW is also the major investor in Business EventsSydney (BESydney) for the purpose of securing more international and domesticconventions, incentive travel reward programs, corporate events andexhibitions.

About TEG

TEG is a global leader in Live Entertainment,Ticketing and Technology and has been at the heart of the live event experiencefor 50 years through its touring and ticketing operations. Every day TEGconnects fans to experiences and customers with brands. TEG are proud partnersof some of the world’s largest and most iconic venues as well as leading globalbrands and events. Through TEG’s integrated operating model, the businessbrings the best live content, ticketing, and technology to partners with accessto the best and most compelling music, sporting, and entertainment eventsacross the globe. TEG is headquartered in Sydney, Australia and operatesglobally with offices across Asia, Europe and the US