10 SXSW Music Panels 2024 you can listen to now
SXSW records many of its past panels and makes them available for free to listen to. Here are some notable choices from this year’s conference.
by Randi Zimmerman from the Symphonic Blog
Whether you’re missing SX or just want to reminisce on some of the badass panels from this year, go ahead and wipe your tears… Did you know SXSW records many of the panels from the event and offers them on their website for anyone to revisit? Just in case you missed them live, these are 10 of our favorites from this year. Check ’em out below.
Data in Music Marketing: Analytics for Success
This panel unveiled the transformative power of analytics, exploring how data-driven insights reshape strategies for success. From decoding streaming and social media platform data to refining campaigns with real-time feedback, attendees gained practical insights into leveraging analytics effectively. Ethical considerations in data use were spotlighted, ensuring a holistic understanding of how analytics becomes the linchpin for triumph in the contemporary music industry. (♥️Shoutout to Symphonic’s Director of Client Marketing & DSP Relations, Wyatt Thomas, for speaking on this killer panel.) // 🎧 Tune in right here…
Music + Ads: Breaking Through in an Ever-Changing Landscape
This panel explored the power of music in advertising, through the lens of a music supervisor, agency business affairs exec, artist management ad exec, & founder of a custom music house. Conversation dove deep into the process from storyboard/script to song, from all sides of the table – where we are & where we’re headed – including custom score vs. artist tracks, creating music to elevate picture, understanding & executing on client’s creative vision, navigating digital & social media, A.I. & evolving deal structures, & breaking through in a crowded, ever-changing industry. // 🎧 Tune in right here…
Latin Music Momentum in the Age of Glocalization
Even in the age of streaming, Latin American music markets have historically produced local superstars, driving the music industry in those countries to focus its efforts on homegrown talent. A recent study by the London School of Economics shows that this trend of “glocalization” is growing in Europe with native-language artists turning up on Top 10 year-end charts that were recently dominated only by English-language artists. However, Spanish-language tracks by global hitmakers like Bad Bunny and Eslabon Armado are bucking that trend, crossing borders like never before. This panel talks about all this, and so much more. // 🎧 Tune in right here…
Featured Session: Def Jam Renewed: The Hip-Hop Legend’s Next 40 Years
At this panel, we celebrated Def Jam Recordings’ 40th anniversary. Explore the roots of this iconic hip-hop label and the key decisions that have propelled it to global recognition for its creativity, quality, and authenticity, capturing the hearts of fans and making a profound cultural impact on music, brands, advertising, and marketing campaigns. Featuring speakers like Lady London, Chuck D and more, tune in to discover how Def Jam’s innovative approach to nurturing and promoting diverse artist voices positions it as the epicenter of hip-hop and at the forefront of cultural vision and voice. // 🎧 Tune in right here…
How to Make a F*cking Awesome Music Video
This panel featured five of today’s biggest music video directors who have worked with artists like Daft Punk, Jack White, and Olivia Rodrigo, as well as won top awards at SXSW’s film festival. In this panel, they shared the challenges they’ve faced, from pitching to production, and solutions they’ve found to cut through the bull$h!t and make some of today’s best music videos. Their co-organizer is We Direct Music Videos, the pioneering organization founded by Daniel Kwan, who directed “Everything Everywhere All at Once” and began his career making music videos. SXSW is one of the only major film festivals that honors music videos, which is why it’s the perfect place for this panel. In it, they showcased music videos by their five directors and discussed how they were made. // 🎧 Tune in right here…
Decoded: Insights Into Artist Signings and A&R Strategies
Calling all artists, managers, and artist advocates who are curious as to what label A&Rs and management companies are looking for when identifying and signing new talent. In this completely interactive session, these panel speakers went through specific examples of what music execs look for when investing in new artists and creators. They also sparked debates and healthy discussion – but most importantly aimed to help the audience understand the thought process behind the people they are looking to gain the attention of. // 🎧 Tune in right here…
Data-Driven Touring: How to Turn Fan Data into Packed Shows
Discover the power of data in creating unforgettable concerts. This panel, featuring industry experts, dove into the best strategies to connect with fans, optimize ticket sales & tour revenue, and heighten fan engagement using data. Learn how to harness fan data for a thriving tour – whether you’re a major act or an emerging artist. They cover fan data capture, analytics, SMS marketing, and how intimate events can deepen fan relationships while generating additional revenue. Tune in to learn how to turn data into your secret weapon for sold-out shows! // 🎧 Tune in right here…
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How to Break Your International Artist in the US
The US is one of the biggest and most competitive markets globally, so how can independent international artists break-in and build an American fanbase? Through their experiences, each of these panelists have helped develop many successful international artist careers through touring, management, and marketing. This panel addressed how to first enter the market and get started on a path to building an audience; how you can measure success; and how “breaking” in a market can be measured. // 🎧 Tune in right here…
The Evolving Landscape of Record Labels for Artists
Join panelists, Jay Gilbert, Taylor Hanson, Nick Lippman, and Sherry Saeedi for a dynamic discussion on the rapidly shifting landscape of record labels and its implications for artists. This diverse panel of industry experts, including independent artists, label executives, and music technology innovators, delved into the challenges and opportunities presented by the new music industry paradigm. From the impact of streaming services to the evolving nature of artist contracts, they explored how artists can navigate and succeed in this transformed environment. Whether you’re an aspiring artist, industry professional, or music enthusiast, this panel provided valuable insights into the future of music production, distribution, and promotion. // 🎧 Tune in right here…
Keynote: The Black Keys
“Formed in Akron, Ohio in 2001, The Black Keys are singer/guitarist Dan Auerbach and drummer Patrick Carney. They have been called ‘rock royalty’ by the Associated Press and ‘one of the best rock ‘n’ roll bands on the planet’ by Uncut. Cutting their teeth playing small clubs, the band has gone on to sell out arena tours worldwide and have released 11 studio albums. The band has won six Grammy Awards and a BRIT, among other worldwide accolades. In 2022, the duo received two more Grammy nominations, bringing their career total to sixteen, this time for Best Rock Album for Dropout Boogie, and Best Rock Performance for the single ‘Wild Child’, one of the biggest hits of their career to date. On release, Dropout Boogie was the band’s sixth consecutive top 10 debut on the Billboard 200 in the US.” // 🎧 Tune in right here…
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If you met up with anyone from our team at this year’s SXSW, thank you! We live for events like this, meeting both familiar and fresh faces, chatting all things music, and learning new things at panels like these…
If you couldn’t make it out this year, we hope to see you next year.
Cheers! 🍾
