SXSW 2026 PanelPicker Voting Ends Soon: Our Favorites FYC
SXSW 2026 PanelPicker voting ends this Sunday August 24th. Everyone is eligible to vote whether you are registered yet for SXSW or not. Here’s how to vote and a few of our favorite panels and presentations for your consideration.
SXSW 2026 PanelPicker Voting Ends Sunday: Our Favorites
Several of the proposed panels hit close the heart of what Hypebot is all about and feature our friends and colleagues. Please consider voting for them.
It’s easy to create a free account and vote by clicking on the “heart” next to each panel description. To vote sign up / sign in to vote here.
For Your Consideration
Why Do Music Streamers Care About Live Music?
Major music streaming services are focusing more on live music including showcasing concert dates. What’s driving this shift, and what does it mean for artists, promoters, and the broader live music ecosystem? This panel will delve into the economic and cultural forces shaping the intersection of live and digital music.
- Takeaway 1: Why music streaming services care so much about live music
- Takeaway 2: How music streaming has reshaped live music fandom and what that means for artists and ticket sales
- Takeaway 3: How streamers and live music are working together to help artists and how they can do more.
Panelists
- Fabrice Sergent, Co-Founder and Managing Partner Bandsintown
- Ali Rivera, Head of Live Music & Artist Partnerships YouTube
- Jamie Loeb, Senior Vice President Nederlander Concerts
VOTE FOR THIS PANEL HERE WITH A HEART
The Algorithm Might Not Love You, But Your Fans Can
As algorithms dominate modern music discovery, artists want ways to reach fans without relying on major platforms. This session explores how artists can cultivate devoted fan bases in a digital world often driven by trends and metrics. Hear from Bandcamp and Bandsintown on how to build audience connection through authenticity, direct engagement, and community-focused strategies over algorithms.
- Takeaway 1: How to build lasting fan relationships through intentional, community-driven strategies.
- Takeaway 2: Understand how to best engage fans and leverage their support, regardless of stream counts.
- Takeaway 3: Discover how authenticity and ownership can power sustainable career growth.
Panelists
- Dan Melnick, General Manager Bandcamp
- Fabrice Sergent, Co-Founder and Managing Partner Bandsintown
- Mesfin Fekadu, Music Journalist Independent (formerly The Hollywood Reporter, Associated Press)
VOTE FOR THIS PANEL HERE WITH A HEART
Omnipresence is the Future of Music Monetization
The music industry was once defined by singular revenue paths: records, CDs, downloads, streaming. But the future does not follow a single path or formula. Join music tech thought leader Dmitri Vietze as he unveils the rise of “omnipresence” — where artists build new and custom multi-channel revenue streams based on their specific audiences. From virtual instruments to gaming collabs and fan personalization, Dmitri shows how omnipresence is the new formula for success in music.
Presenter: Dmitri Vietze, Rock Paper Scissors
Click here to vote for Omnipresence is the Future of Music Monetization
More Choices Before SXSW 2026 PanelPicker Voting Ends
Every year we also collab with the smart team at Rock Paper Scissors to find more of the best panel, presentation and pop-up proposals and put them in a Guide to SXSW 2026 PanelPicker Voting.
Find our full Guide to SXSW 2026 PanelPicker Voting here.
SXSW 2026 PanelPicker voting counts for 30% of the panel selection process with evaluations by a group of 200+ industry experts 40%, and SXSW staff at 30%.
