The iconic Texan festival is going to be making its European debut in London
South by Southwest (SXSW) is planning a move across the pond as organisers have just announced their first London edition, set to take place in June 2025. The legendary music, film and interactive media festival has been running annually in Austin, Texas, since 1987 but it branched out internationally for the first time last year with SXSW Sydney. The London launch will mark the multi-day event’s European debut.
SXSW London is planning to take over 20 venues across Shoreditch, including Village Underground, Shoreditch Town Hall and 93 Feet East, for a week this summer and we’ve been told to expect “inspiring and challenging keynotes, music showcases, and innovations in tech, gaming and screen,” as well as a programme of interactive and immersive exhibitions in public spaces. There’ll be a music festival featuring trailblazing new artists, a screen festival where you can catch films from both new and established filmmakers, and a conference presenting “daring ideas and bursts of future-thinking at the intersection of tech, creativity, arts and business”.
Given that the OG SXSW has played host to some major names (like Barack Obama, Amy Winehouse and Billie Eilish) and premieres over the years, we’re hoping for big things from the London edition. And it’s looking promising with Idris Elba, Deepak Chopra, Joe Wicks, Wyclef Jean, Trinny Woodall, and Katherine Ryan among the speakers, and Tems has been announced as the first music headliner. She’ll be joined on the music line-up by the likes of Nao, Mabel, Sasha Keable, Sienna Spiro and Alice Glass, and there’s still plenty more to come so watch this space….
Key Information
Dates | Mon 2nd – Sat 7th June 2025
Address | Various venues in east London
For more information | sxswlondon.com
