SXSW - CMU | the music business explained

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SXSW • 8 min read

SXSW ditches weapons sponsors to burnish brand - so why won’t it ditch its ties to Saudi Arabia?

SXSW has ditched its relationships with the US Army and a bunch of weapons manufacturers, which has been positively received across the industry. But if those sponsors are a problem, what about SXSW’s ties to the Saudi Arabian government via its majority owner Penske Media Corporation?…

Sam Taylor • 27 Jun 2024

Setlist Podcast: Arena ticket levy by September, MPs demand

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Setlist • 4 min read

Setlist Podcast: Arena ticket levy by September, MPs demand

The warning from MPs to the UK government that there is an urgent need to support grassroots music venues, calls for SXSW London to shift its planned June 2025 date, and more…

Andy Malt & Chris Cooke • 11 May 2024

SXSW London could disrupt delicately balanced music ecosystem and should reconsider its date

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SXSW • 9 min read

SXSW London could disrupt delicately balanced music ecosystem and should reconsider its date

SXSW is coming to London backed by a shadowy web of offshore companies, endorsed by the Mayor of London - and with a PR boss who conveniently worked as a senior press advisor in the London mayor’s office for sixteen years…

Sam Taylor • 09 May 2024

Setlist Podcast: US politicians want TikTok to sell up or be banned

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Setlist • 4 min read

Setlist Podcast: US politicians want TikTok to sell up or be banned

US politicians vote in favour or proposals to ban TikTok in the country, Labour commits to cap secondary ticket prices, and more…

Andy Malt & Chris Cooke • 15 Mar 2024

Texas governor tells SXSW boycotters “don’t come back”

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SXSW • 2 min read

Texas governor tells SXSW boycotters “don’t come back”

South By Southwest has commented on the decision of 60 acts to pull out of this year’s festival because of the involvement of the US Army and defence companies in the event. Organisers defend those partnerships but say they respect the decisions of the artists who have decided to join the boycott…

Chris Cooke • 13 Mar 2024

Kneecap among the bands boycotting SXSW over involvement of US army and defence companies

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SXSW • 2 min read

Kneecap among the bands boycotting SXSW over involvement of US army and defence companies

Belfast rap group Kneecap are among 60 artists who have pulled out of this week’s South By Southwest festival in protest at the presence of the US Army and defence companies at the event, because of those organisations’ connections to the conflict in Gaza…

Chris Cooke • 12 Mar 2024