SXSW Music Festival Is No More Starting 2026

[RAMROD 106,783]

South by Southwest Festival (SXSW) organizers are reportedly cutting back on the music portion of the annual event.

According to the Austin American-Statesman, this will result in the 2026 edition of the festival being two days shorter than this year’s, which ran March 7-15. Next year’s edition is set for March 12-18. The move eliminates the weekend traditionally dedicated to music performances and a conference for the first time in SXSW history.

The news comes just after the end of the 2025 edition, which wrapped Saturday. Participation in the music festival has reportedly been dropping since the 2010s, when the average band count peaked at around 2,000. This year’s edition reportedly saw 1,012 bands showcasing.

The Hollywood Reporter has reached out to Penske Media for comment. Penske Media, the owner of THR, invested in SXSW in April 2021 as part of what it described as a long-term partnership with the festival.

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/music-news/sxsw-music-ending-2026-1236164960/

[Killa 16,742]

They Just Need more swing moments

[River 110,099]

no gaga no event

[hoeslay 4,154]

Aww man  I was invited to perform at a show this year but it was last minute so I couldn’t make it and they told me “don’t worry we’ll be back next year!”

 

guess not 😭

[TheOriginalOne 10,161]

Very bittersweet. I remember sneaking into shows with friends when I was in high school but as an adult I just hope it helps with how packed and intense the city gets at this time of year.