Dear Friends,
A few weeks back, we covered several of the new additions for the 2024 SXSW Conference, including the longer eight-day Tech Industry track.
Not new, but something that we haven't offered at SXSW since before the pandemic is Continuing Legal Education. For 2024, SXSW CLE returns from Tuesday, March 12 - Thursday, March 14. Stay tuned to the SXSW website in the coming weeks for more information on sessions and speakers for this programming.
Speaking of can't-miss content at SXSW, earlier this week we released another 500+ artists who will be part of the 2024 Music Festival. In honor of this announcement (as well as the upcoming Grammy Awards on Sunday, February 4), we asked a handful of SXSW speakers about their favorite music from the last 12 months.
- Cal Thompson / Potty Talk: Service Design Post-Binary: André 3000, because his flute album was everything and he's a multi-talented creative gift-bringer to this world.
- Cara Gresser / Mentor: I respect and admire Harry Styles and his team. Aside from great music, he consistently reinforces the core message of "Treat People with Kindness" with actions that are aligned with his values. The community that has been built is inclusive and supportive, with associated brand extensions supporting that ethos.
- Christine Osazuwa / African Music's Mainstream Impact on Culture & Community: I've been obsessed with Flyana Boss. They're a female rap duo out of LA that make really fun music, with their own unique sound that clearly nods to their influences (and being recognized by them!) and they became such a viral sensation marketing their track by running the streets that when you google them even Google has a nod to their campaign on the results page.
- Deanna Brown / Fundraising in a Down Market: How to Keep Your Startup Alive: Billie Eilish.
- Joseph Jaffe / Mentor: I'm saying Taylor Swift (only to irritate my daughter who loves her in the most unhealthy fashion and I can't stand her).
- Stephanie Shepard / From Prison to Prosperity: How Advocacy Can Impact Cannabis: Jordan Hawkins is my latest favorite musical artist in the past year. His covers of Aaliyah’s "One in a Million", Lauryn Hill’s "Ex Factor" and DeAngelo's "Untitled (How Does It Feel)" are excellent displays of his talent. His original music is pure genius.
- Sydney Williams / Hiking Your Feelings: Blazing a Trail to Self-Love: Alific was my top artist of 2023, largely because I listened to his new album, Write it on the Wall, on repeat while I was writing my book. It's one of those albums that is so easy to flow through a workday with.
- Toygun Yilmazer / No Algorithm for Culture: How Humans See What AI Can't: Mindchatter. His music made me love electronic music again. Also, he has lyrics that match his moniker, like: Honestly, I can't pass a captcha test for the life of me / I need those reminders front of mind please / There's a hole behind my head where things fall out, you see / Feed me my reminders…
Check out more in our SX Speaker Series including this week’s takes on tech layoffs and the upcoming presidential election.
Buy your badge to attend SXSW now before rates increase in early February. Discounts available for groups, as well as students and recent college graduates. After you register, book your room via SXSW Housing & Travel.
Jump and make dem declare, band of d year,
Hugh Forrest
Co-President / Chief Programming Officer
@Hugh Forrest
