The festival’s Australian, NZ and Hawaiian representative Phil Tripp told Beat that 55% of the music and 60% of interactive registrations came from Melbourne. “Melbourne people do tend to plan ahead,” Coffs Harbour-based Tripp admitted. He emphasised that the support for South By Southwest by associations as Music Victor4ia and Arts Victoria had been instrumental for the immediate response. One company alone was sending 10 of its staffers.
Nationally, over 70 executives signed in the first 24 hours after registrations opened on Monday August 4. That figure grew to 110 by the end of the week.
Tripp says that 12 years ago when he started at SxSW, there were only 20 delegates and five bands. At this year’s meet, over 1,000 Australians from music, film and interactive attended – the largest local turnout ever. Of 240 Aussie acts which applied to play (9,000 globally), 72 were invited, and over 50 showcased.
SXSW is holding a free meet’n’greet event for first time attendees, followed by SXSW veterans dispensing advice and anecdotes on how to achieve things and what to avoid. They include export body Sounds Australia’s Millie Millgate, SXSW’s travel agent Brad Thomas, Alex Lefley of Edelman PR and more.
It’s on at the Corner Hotel on Swan Street in Richmond, on Tuesday August 12 from 5.30 pm for networking drinks and 6.30pm – 9pm for the panel. No RSVP necessary.
