Austin, TX

SXSW arts and tech festival leaves Texas for a jaunt in east London

Published

1 year ago

December 15, 2024

SXSW arts and tech festival leaves Texas for a jaunt in east London

Barack Obama, Johnny Cash, Matthew McConaughey, Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerburg have all taken a turn at addressing its crowds, but now the Texan culture and tech festival that likes to predict the future is to become a bona fide East Ender.

The European edition of South by Southwest has opened to applications from contributors and audiences around the world before its inaugural London event next summer.

It may not be near the desert, and there won’t be so many baseball caps on show, but the huge annual festival in Austin that has become famous for music, film and cutting-edge invention and design is now preparing to take over the streets of Shoreditch.

Speaking to the Observer before the full lineup is put together next spring, Katy Arnander, the director of programming, has revealed the conference that will be at the centre of the week-long festival in June will feature 420 sessions, while the wider events will spread across 29 venues, including galleries and nightclubs.

Actor Matthew McConaughey at the SXSW festival in Austin, Texas, in 2019. Photograph: Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for SXSW

“It is already clear from early interest in attending that the streets of east London will be as buzzing as we’d hoped,” she said. The event, styled as a kind of “Olympics of the mind”, with fashion and music thrown into the mix, has come to London rather than elsewhere in Europe “because of its multicultural aspects”, Arnander says.

“It also will be a big draw for entrepreneurs and performers from further afield than Europe, because it is so much nearer for people to the Middle East and north Africa.”

Lovers of film, music and hi-tech, as well as creators and inventors, now have four days to vote on the contents of the conference programme. “The idea is to be democratic and let the audiences have some say, although obviously there will also be lots of curated content and performances.”

So far, the British organisers have received more than twice the predicted number of submissions, with 2,700 entries and counting. Each hopeful submission will be assessed by three curators to ensure everything is given a fair chance to impress.

Festivalgoers at the Paramount Theatre for an event at Austin’s SXSW this year. Photograph: Gary Miller/Getty Images

The festival began in Austin in 1987 and has grown into an attraction that brings hundreds of thousands of visitors to the Texan city. It prides itself on reflecting current trends and providing a snapshot of what innovators are thinking, although it hit financial difficulties during the pandemic after the 2020 festival was cancelled at short notice.

After a two-year gap, Penske Media’s P-MRC Holdings invested in the brand. P-MRC is a joint US venture between Penske Media Corporation and MRC, whose holdings include the media outlets and trade journals Billboard, Hollywood Reporter, Rolling Stone, Variety and Vibe.

In 2022 a hybrid version of the festival returned. But controversy damaged the Austin festival this year, when 80 acts pulled out in protest against the organiser’s partnership with the American military.

This June South by Southwest discontinued its association with the US army and the defence contractor RTX Corporation.

“After careful consideration, we are revising our sponsorship model,” said a statement on the festival’s website.

“As a result, the US army, and companies who engage in weapons manufacturing, will not be sponsors of SXSW 2025.”

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Austin, TX

Austin weather: Intense storms in West Texas could make it to Hill Country

Published

12 hours ago

April 14, 2026

Press Room

Austin weather: Intense storms in West Texas could make it to Hill Country

AUSTIN, Texas – We will be on storm watch tonight.

Local perspective:

More of the same today with a cloud/sun mix, warm, humid and breezy conditions.

Highs heading for the 80s with wind gusts of 15 to 25 mph.

The backstory:

The West Texas dryline will be the storm machine. This is where the Gulf moisture meets up with dry air coming off the mountains.

As the two different air masses collide the air will be forced up.

The heating of the day and upper low will provide even stronger lift to generate numerous and more intense storms in West Texas.

There is a chance a few of the storms will survive their journey away from the dryline and reach the Hill Country starting this evening and overnight.

By the time they enter Central Texas, most of the storms will drop below severe limits.

The highest threat of severe weather remains west of the Hill Country.

What’s next:

Could we get redevelopment with the storms late on Wednesday?

The jury is still out because not all the models agree, so we will have to play the wait and see game.

The next game-changers will be a stronger Western Low and a cold front with bite to it entering the picture this weekend.

Expecting increasing rain chances on Saturday followed by a cooler and drier breeze the rest of the weekend.

What you can do:

Track your local forecast for the Austin area quickly with the free FOX 7 WAPP.

The design gives you radar, hourly, and 7-day weather information just by scrolling.

Our weather alerts will warn you early and help you stay safe.

The Source: Information from meteorologist Zack Shields.

WeatherAustin

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Austin, TX

Texas AG to investigate Austin Police’s new policies related to ICE warrants, city says

Published

24 hours ago

April 14, 2026

Press Room

Texas AG to investigate Austin Police’s new policies related to ICE warrants, city says

Austin Mayor Kirk Watson expressed concern Monday about two items on the Austin Transit Partnership Board agenda later this week, one to negotiate an office lease in a downtown office building for up to $32 million for roughly 8 years and another to furnish the space for $15 million. READ MORE: https://www.kxan.com/news/local/austin/inappropriate-mayor-pushes-back-on-47m-light-rail-office-relocation-plan/

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Austin, TX

George Strait Delivers Epic Return to Austin Stage – Austin Today

Published

1 day ago

April 13, 2026

Press Room

George Strait Delivers Epic Return to Austin Stage – Austin Today

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The dazzling stage lights and shattered disco ball textures evoke the electrifying energy of a George Strait concert, where the country legend continues to captivate audiences even as his legendary career nears its end.Austin Today

George Strait thrilled fans with an unforgettable concert at the Moody Center in Austin, Texas, delivering a set packed with his signature No. 1 hits. The country music legend’s return to the stage after nearly four years left some wondering how much longer he plans to continue performing, as Strait has hinted at retirement in the past.

Why it matters

As one of the most influential and successful country artists of all time, George Strait’s concerts have become must-see events for his devoted fanbase. This performance in Austin showcased Strait’s enduring popularity and artistry, even as he nears the end of his legendary career.

The details

Strait’s concert at the Moody Center on Thursday night was his first at the venue since April 2022. The show featured a hit-filled setlist that had the capacity crowd singing along. Strait shared a video on Instagram teasing the performance, writing ‘What a night Austin, TX! Who’s ready to do it again on Saturday?’ While the video didn’t show any full performances, it did include a snippet of Strait singing his 2024 single ‘Three Drinks Down’.

Strait last performed at the Moody Center in April 2022.
He is scheduled to play another show at the Moody Center on Saturday, April 13, 2026.

What they’re saying

“I have maybe five good years to sing my songs for you, folks…it’s been around 50 now. And I still love it just as much as I ever did.”

— George Strait

What’s next

Strait is scheduled to perform another show at the Moody Center in Austin on Saturday, April 13, 2026, giving fans another chance to see the country legend in action.

The takeaway

George Strait’s epic return to the Moody Center stage in Austin underscores his enduring popularity and artistry, even as he nears the end of his legendary career. Fans cherished the opportunity to witness the ‘King of Country Music’ deliver a hit-filled set, leaving them to wonder how much longer they’ll be able to see Strait perform live.

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