SXSW Music Top Picks 2025: Panels, Meetups & Showcases

As the music takes center stage, we’ve got the SXSW Music Top Picks 2025 including panels, meetups, a free Summit, showcases and more.

SXSW Music Top Picks 2025: Panels, Meetups, a free Summit, Showcases & More

We’ve poured over the hundreds of panels, meetups, showcases and more to find the must-attend events happening at and alongside SXSW this week.

SXSW Music Top Picks 2025

Monday March 10

How To Startup: 20 Essential Lessons in Music Tech

• 2:30pm – 3:30pm CT
• Austin Convention Center Room 18CD
• SXSW Badge Required

Dmitri Vietze (Music Tectonics/ Rock Paper Scissors) and Sun Jen Yung (Nfluence Partners) join forces again! Launching a music startup is like peeling an onion: the many layers go on forever, and it makes most people want to cry for no reason. In this fast masterclass, founders get insights on the wide range of skills required to succeed. We’ll cover ideation, product-market fit, money, investment, music licensing, and more.

Dmitri has captured the best lessons from the top startup experts in music tech via his “How to Startup” series on the Music Tectonics podcast. Sun, an investment banker and advisor, knows what it takes for startups to get investment or get acquired.

Prism and NIVA Presents The Live Music Industry SXSW Kickoff & Jam

• 4-7 PM CT
• 2400 E Cesar Chavez St Suite 102
• RSVP

A Live Music Industry hang, with music, a jam room and good times. There will be complimentary drinks and food.

SHOWCASE: Take Action x SXSW @ Mohawk

OUTDOOR STAGE

• 8:00pm – Of Good Nature
• 8:50pm – JC Stewart
• 9:40pm – The Dumes
• 10:30pm – Laila!
• 11:20pm – Everclear
• 12:40am – Sexpop
• 1:30am – King Cruff

INDOOR STAGE

• 7:30pm – Artie Tobia and Redtail Revival
• 8:20 – Mark Barden & Friends
• 9:10pm – Tribe Friday
• 10:00pm – Jo Alice
• 10:50pm – J Tajor
• 11:20pm – Lvvrs
• 12:10am – Revenge Wife
• 1:00am – Rob Eberle

Tuesday March 11

Take Action Summit x SXSW (FREE: NO BADGE REQUIRED]

• 11:30 AM – 2:00 AM CT
• Empire Control Room & Garage
• No SXSW badge required
• RSVP here

Organized by Artist For Action and Sandy Hook Promise in partnership with Bandsintown, Music Managers Forum-US and SXSW, hear from industry leaders in music and social impact alongside legendary and breakthrough talent.

Summit Pick: Live & Amplified – Unlocking the Power of Live Fan Engagement

• 2:40 PM CT
• Take Action Summit x SXSW @ Empire Control Room & Garage
• No badge required
• RSVP here

Learn how to supercharge fan engagement at every stage of the live event journey with first party data. This session will reveal proven strategies for building a loyal fanbase through live shows, utilizing data and targeted marketing to boost ticket sales, elevate the concert experience and ensure fans return for more. Discover how to harness the power of digital platforms to drive event promotion and connect with fans in innovative ways, both before and during shows. From personalizing fan interactions at the venue to leveraging social media and live event data, this panel will cover actionable tactics to create moments that resonate far beyond the final encore. Walk away with the tools to amplify artist-fan connections, maximize fan loyalty and grow an engaged community that thrives around each beat.

• Fabrice Sergent: Bandsintown, Co-Founder / Managing Partner
• Aaron Bare: Etix & Rockhouse Partners, Chief Marketing Officer
• Warner Bailey: Sunset Nine / Assistants vs Agents, Founder
• Joe Pileggi: Crowd Surf, Director Digital Marketing

SHOWCASE: Take Action x SXSW @ Empire

• 7:20pm – Tribe Friday
• 8:00pm – Mark Barden & Friends
• 8:50pm – The Dumes
• 9:40pm – Sexpop
• 10:30pm – Aly & AJ
• 11:40pm – Ginuwine
• 1:00am – Artie Tobia & Redtail Revival

Wednesday March 12

Creator Panel – The Future of Creativity, Innovation, & Ownership

• 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM CT
• 2112 Creator House at Own, 1114 E Cesar Chavez St
• No badge required

Join Dmitri Vietze for a knockout panel with Ryan Smith (Shure), Maulin Hemani (FanPad), Abe Batshon (Beatstars), Julian McCrea (Open Sesame Media/SyncStage), and Diego Pinzon (DAWn Audio). 

Immersive & Live Music Industry Event Meetup

• 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM CT
• 2112 Creator House at Own, 1114 E Cesar Chavez St
• No badge required

Stay at 2112 Creator House after Dmitri’s panel to network with the creators, live event experts, and tech execs shaping the immersive future of music experiences. Presented by Showpass, NIVA, and Music Tectonics!

Thursday March 13

Small Stages, Big Impact: Saving Indie Stages for Artists

• 10 am – 11:00 am  
• Austin Convention Center Room 17 AB
• SXSW Badge Required

This panel will explore the challenges faced by independent stages and the essential role they play in nurturing new artists and fostering vibrant communities. Hear from industry experts and artists who have first-hand knowledge of supporting these stages. Discover how a national program, Live Independent, is working to elevate cultural havens and ensure a thriving future for live music.
In a world where corporate dominance threatens the diversity of live music, these intimate spaces are crucial for emerging talent to hone their craft and connect with audiences.

• Alex Christie – Wasserman
• Stephen Parker – National Independent Venue Association (NIVA)
• Andre Perry – University of Iowa
• Fabrice Sergent – Bandsintown

Music Tech Professionals Meet Up

• 11:30am – 12:30pm CT
• Austin Convention Center Room 13AB
• SXSW badge required

Music Tectonics’ own Shayli Ankenbruck facilitates. Take a breath from the panels and meetings to connect with people who share your passion! Join veterans and newbies from all walks of the industry as they journey through their story of working at the convergence of Music and Tech. Hear what trials and tribulations peers faced to get to where they are and how far the industry has come. Meet and connect with potential partners, co-founders, investors, and advisors who will help you take your business to the next level all in a supportive and facilitated environment.

Music Tectonics and Rock Paper Scissors have a guide to all the Music Tech events at SXSW 2025 . Sign up now to get it in your inbox.

More Showcases

3/14 Fiji House @ The Belmont

• 2:00pm – Enfants 
• 3:00pm – Ainae
• 4:00pm – Ellur
• 6:00pm – InsideOut
• 8pm – Sexpop
• 9pm – Inside Out
• 10pm – Laila!
• 11pm – Aly & AJ 
• 12:20am – Grace Bowers
• 1:20am – The Dumes

3/15 Fiji House @ The Belmont

• 2:00pm – Coyle Girelli
• 3:00pm – Beth McCarthy
• 4:00pm – Pritt
• 6:00pm – InsideOut
• 8pm – Jo Alice 
• 9pm – Maz
• 10pm – Ramesh of Voxtrot
• 11pm – Twin Shadow
• 12:20am – Snacktime
• 1:20am – Of Good Nature

Bruce Houghton