At SXSW Austin, our team of expert live event producers and future talent tastemakers create transformational opportunities for UK musicians, artists and producers by connecting them to international creative communities and industry networks.

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  • What is SXSW?

    South by Southwest dedicates itself to helping creative people achieve their goals.

    Founded in 1987 in Austin, Texas, SXSW is best known for its conference and festivals that celebrate the convergence of tech, film, music, education, and culture.

    SXSW now holds events in Austin, Sydney, and as of June 2025, London.

  • When does it happen?

    SXSW Austin takes place from the 7th to the 15th March 2025

  • What do BU do?

    Our team of expert live event producers and future talent tastemakers We work with platforms like Jazz re:freshed, Selector Radio and Broadside Hacks to create transformational opportunities for UK musicians, artists and producers by giving them a stage to perform and connecting them to international creative communities and industry networks.

  • Who has participated from the UK?

    Our work at SXSW started in 2003, and has since helped emerging musicians in the thriving UK music scenes and introduced acts like Amy Winehouse, Chiedu Oraka, Ezra Collective, Shabaka Hutchings, The Darkness, Porij, Stormzy and Yola to the USA and beyond.

  • How do I apply?

    Apply via the SXSW application portal, which can be found here.

“It is a privilege to work in Austin highlighting some of the most exciting independent acts in the UK to the international music industry. We love being part of the unique SXSW experience of weird, inspiring and amazing new music.”

– Crispin Parry

KYRA Jazz re:freshed

KYRA Jazz re:freshed

Sultan Stevenson Jazz re:freshed

Sultan Stevenson Jazz re:freshed

Lady Apple Tree Broadside Hacks

Lady Apple Tree Broadside Hacks

Chelsea Carmichael Jazz re:freshed

Chelsea Carmichael Jazz re:freshed

Richard Spaven Jazz re:freshed

Richard Spaven Jazz re:freshed

Arielle Soucy Broadside Hacks

Arielle Soucy Broadside Hacks

NEONE the Wonderer Jazz re:freshed

NEONE the Wonderer Jazz re:freshed

Ebi Soda Jazz re:freshed

Ebi Soda Jazz re:freshed

Shaina Hayes Broadside Hacks

Shaina Hayes Broadside Hacks

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Enola Gay Selector presents

Enola Gay Selector presents

Chiedu Oraka Selector presents

Chiedu Oraka Selector presents

Eleni Drake Selector presents

Eleni Drake Selector presents

The New Eves Broadside Hacks

The New Eves Broadside Hacks

O. Selector presents

O. Selector presents

Daisy Rickman Broadside Hacks

Daisy Rickman Broadside Hacks

Nabihah Iqbal Selector presents

Nabihah Iqbal Selector presents

Porij Selector presents

Porij Selector presents

Folk Bitch Trio Broadside Hacks

Folk Bitch Trio Broadside Hacks

Explore our current projects

BU Culture
Schedule Announcement: Folk Alliance International 2025
Schedule Announcement: Folk Alliance International 2025

The 2025 Folk Alliance International official showcase schedule is now live.

Five minutes with Cerys Hafana
Five minutes with Cerys Hafana

Cerys Hafana is a composer and multi-instrumentalist who mangles, mutates, and transforms traditional music. Set to take the Horizons Regional Stage at WOMEX 2024, British Underground talk all things music, live performance and remaining mysterious. Get to know Cerya Hafana.

Routes: A Brand New Guide to England’s Live Music Sector
Routes: A Brand New Guide to England’s Live Music Sector

British Underground, Arts Council England and Songlines Magazine publish Routes, a free 52-page printed guidebook highlighting England’s best festivals, venues and expos, with additional advice on artist mobility and funding plus insights from artists and industry insiders.

Five minutes with Conor McAuley from Córas Trio
Five minutes with Conor McAuley from Córas Trio

Córas Trio’s drummer Conor McAuley shares the Northern Irish band’s inspirations, unforgettable gigs and their vision for sharing their unique sound with the world at WOMEX 2024.

Five minutes with Strange Boy
Five minutes with Strange Boy

In the world of Irish music, Strange Boy stands out as a pioneering force, blending traditional folk elements with raw, introspective rap. Ahead of his performance at WOMEX 2024, we caught up with him for a five-minute chat…

Filmmaker insights: ‘The Broadside Hack’ and new age Folk at WOMEX
Filmmaker insights: ‘The Broadside Hack’ and new age Folk at WOMEX

Ahead of the screening of ‘The Broadside Hack’ documentary at WOMEX 2024, British Underground speak with director Crispin Parry and Broadside Hacks founder Campbell Baum, diving into their filmmaking journey and why folk is both a tale as old as time and a new world that will never go out of style.

How to prepare for a global industry conference with Spafax’s Philippa Starns
How to prepare for a global industry conference with Spafax’s Philippa Starns

Audio Manager UK at Spafax Philippa Starns heads to her eighth WOMEX this year. British Underground ask Philippa how to successfully prepare, engage with and enjoy global industry conferences like WOMEX.

What’s in store: Horizons at WOMEX 2024
What’s in store: Horizons at WOMEX 2024

Celebrating a world of music from England, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland/Alba and Cymru/Wales, the Horizons Regional Stage at WOMEX is set to take the world by storm. Get to know the line up, buy £15 tickets and more.

Five minutes with Aiden Moodie and Graham Rorie from Gnoss
Five minutes with Aiden Moodie and Graham Rorie from Gnoss

Blending traditional folk with modern acoustic layers, Gnoss has become one of the most exciting folk acts to emerge from Scotland. Led by guitarist and vocalist Aiden Moodie alongside fiddle and mandolin player Graham Rorie, British Underground’s Steph Wilkinson catches up with the four-piece set to bring their infectious energy to the Horizons stage at WOMEX 24.

Five minutes with Yahael Camara Onono from Balimaya Project 
Five minutes with Yahael Camara Onono from Balimaya Project 

Preparing to perform on the HORIZONS stage at WOMEX 24 Balimaya Project bandleader and djembe master Yahael Camara Onono, explains how the collective is redefining what it means to merge tradition and innovation.