Artist/Band FAQ

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NEW THIS YEAR!
SXSW will be accepting music and press kits electronically. Do NOT mail SXSW any materials. See below for further details.

Q: How does my act apply to perform at the SXSW Music Festival?
Q: What is the deadline for applying?
Q: How much does it cost to apply?
Q: What information do you need on the application?
Q: How do I get my music and press information to SXSW?
Q: What should I include in my digital press kit?
Q: I am in a band located outside of the USA. What do I need to know about showcasing?
Q: I work with several bands. Do I have to apply separately for each one?
Q: I have a label. How do I request a night (or partial night) to showcase several of my bands?
Q: I submitted my band last year and it wasn't chosen. May I resubmit?
Q: If selected to showcase, does my act receive any compensation from SXSW?
Q: What's the difference between a "registration" and an "application?"
Q: What is the difference between a wristband and a badge?
Q: When will I find out if my band has been accepted for a showcase?
Q: I don't seem to be receiving emails from SXSW. What's the problem?
Q: How are bands chosen to play at the music festival?
Q: If I don't get a showcase, should I still come to your conference?
Q: If my act is accepted for SXSW 2007, can I schedule non-SXSW Austin shows around my SXSW performance?
Q: I've applied for a Music Festival showcase. How do I reserve some hotel rooms for my act in case we're selected?

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Q: How does my act apply to perform at the SXSW Music Festival?
A: First, finish reading this FAQ. Then, fill out an online showcase application.

SXSW accepts applications to perform only via the online application process at sxsw.com. There is no other way (a paper form to complete, for example) to apply for a showcase.

You will be asked to indicate if you are applying domestically or internationally and will be directed to the SXSW E-commerce system. You will need to create a username and password to access the system. Once you log in, click the yellow Music Festival Application logo and fill out the application.

When completing the showcase application, you will be asked to designate a Primary Contact for the act. Please make sure the Primary Contact is someone who has regular contact with the artist (either the Artist, or Artist Manager) and that the email address is a functioning one. All SXSW correspondence will sent to the Primary Contact.

Once the online application is completed, the Primary Contact will be sent an email with instructions about how to access your Artist Admin webpage to upload music (MP3 files), a biography, a photo, and a press kit to the SXSW server. Please note that SXSW will only accept applications electronically -- do NOT mail SXSW any CDs or printed materials. There are also instructions at your unique Artist Admin webpage to guide you through the uploading process.

When filling out the application, make sure to click through all of the "next" buttons on the application. If you have to stop to retrieve or check information, you can click the cancel button at any time and return to the form later. Your partial application will be listed in your Shopping Cart with an "edit" link in the status field.

After entering all the requested information, make sure to click the big green CHECKOUT button. Add your credit card information and click "Purchase Now." (see below for showcase application fees and deadlines.)

At this point you should see the application listed in your Shopping Cart with the word "submitted" next to it.

Your Primary Contact will then be sent an email confirming your application.
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Q: What is the deadline for applying?
A: The dealine for US artists is November 10, 2006. The deadline for international artists is October 27, 2006. To be considered for a showcase, you must have your application completed and your music and press materials uploaded by the deadline.

SXSW accepts music and press kits electronically, and only electronically. Do not mail SXSW any CDs or printed materials.
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Q: How much does it cost to apply?
A: The early application cost is US $20 (through October 6, 2006). From October 7th - November 10, 2006, the cost increases to US $30.

SXSW accepts payment via Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Diner's Club.

NOTE: SXSW advises you to be wary of any other companies or individuals who offer to help you get a SXSW Music Festival showcase for a fee. The ONLY ways to apply for a SXSW Music showcase are via our online application or through an official representative of SXSW. The only cost for applying for a showcase is the application fee, listed above. If you or your representative is not dealing directly with the SXSW Music Festival office in regard to your show, it is unlikely that it is an actual SXSW Music showcase.
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Q: What information do you need on the application?
A: You will need the following information.

• Details about the act (hometown, number of performers, URL of act's website, etc.)
• A Primary Contact, preferably either the Artist or Artist's Manager. SXSW will be sending all correspondence to the Primary Contact. Please be sure that the Primary Contact's email address is a frequently checked, functioning one
• If applicable, name/address/phone/email for the act's record label representative and/or booking agent

Q: How do I get my music and press information to SXSW?
A: Beginning this year, applying artists must upload music and press kits electronically.

The application confirmation email we send to your Primary Contact will have instructions on how to access a unique Artist Admin webpage to upload music (MP3 format files only), a biography, a photo, and a press kit to the SXSW server. There are additional instructions at your Artist Admin webpage to guide you through the uploading process.

DO NOT MAIL CDs and press kits to SXSW. That's right. You no longer need to bundle things up, troop down to the post office, and pay extra to track your package. By uploading materials to our server, you'll know right away if we've gotten your music and press information.
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Q: What should I include in my digital press kit?
A: You should upload any mentions, reviews, notices, or articles about your band that have appeared in newspapers, magazines, etc. Information on past performances is also valuable (when, where, and with whom you've played). We can accept .doc, .pdf, .txt, .jpg and other file formats noted.

You may also provide up to 10 links (in the special "add URLs area") for any mentions and reviews that exist online (for example, on a newspaper's or magazine's website).

You also need to upload ONE .jpg format photo (even if photos appear on other websites).

We suggest you upload your music and press info sooner rather than later. You can revise any information you enter. So, if you get a rave review after you apply, you can add it to your Artist Admin webpage. (And please be patient! It will take several minutes for each mp3 file to upload.)
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Q: I am in a band located outside of the USA. What do I need to know about showcasing?
A: SXSW showcased over 300 international acts last year. So please apply! As you go through the application, you will be requested to note that you are applying from outside the United States. Our deadline for international artists to complete applications and upload materials is October 27, 2006. We are aware of stringent visa and travel requirements, so we prioritize processing of international band applications.
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Q: I work with several bands. Do I have to apply separately for each one?
A: Yes. You must submit a separate application and entry fee for each artist and upload music and press materials on each artist's unique Artist Admin webpage.
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Q: I have a label. How do I request a night (or partial night) to showcase several of my bands?
A: First, submit separate applications and upload appropriate materials for each act. Then, send an email to: musfest at sxsw.com

Use the subject line: Label Showcase for [Add The Name of Your Label Here] and be sure to list your acts in the body of the email (along with any other pertinent details).
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Q: I submitted my band last year and it wasn't chosen. May I resubmit?
A: Absolutely. You may resubmit yearly, and we have invited many bands that have applied and been turned down in the past.
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Q: If selected to showcase, does my act receive any compensation from SXSW?
A: Yes. If your act is selected for a SXSW 2007 showcase, you can choose to receive either cash OR a SXSW Music registration package (one band badge per act plus artist wristbands for each regular member of your band).

If you are selected for a showcase, you will receive details on each option.
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Q: What's the difference between a "registration" and an "application?"
A: An "application" is the way to be considered for a showcase performance slot at the SXSW Music Festival. A "registration" is the badge purchased by individuals to attend the various SXSW Music events (music conference panels, workshops, mentor sessions, the Trade Show, Music Festival, Softball Tournament/BBQ, and other special activities).

You do not need to purchase a registration badge to apply for a showcase, and if you are offered a showcase, you may choose cash or a registration as payment for your showcase.

If you are not invited to showcase, you will be able to purchase a registration (after your notification) at the lowest rate. There are no refunds on registrations, so if you purchase one before you receive our notification you will not get reimbursed.
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Q: What is the difference between a wristband and a badge?
A: A badge enables you to attend music panels (Thursday- Saturday) and special events. It also gives you access to all SXSW music showcases. Wristbands get you into all music shows, the trade show (Wednesday - Saturday), and Wednesday crash courses and music biz 101 panels. (Please note: entrance to all SXSW activities are on a space available basis.)
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Q: When will I find out if my band has been accepted for a showcase?
A: Acts who complete applications AND upload music and materials by our deadlines (October 27, 2006 for international artists, November 10, 2007 for US-based artists) will be notified of showcase status by February 9, 2007. Your notification will come via email to your Primary Contact.

DUE THE LARGE VOLUME OF APPLICATIONS RECEIVED (OVER 8000 LAST YEAR), DO NOT CALL OR EMAIL THE SXSW OFFICE TO INQUIRE ABOUT THE STATUS OF YOUR SHOWCASE APPLICATION.
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Q: I don't seem to be receiving emails from SXSW. What's the problem?
A: Some spam filters and gray listers may filter out automated communications. Please add the following email addresses to your spam filter's list of approved senders to be sure our messages reach you: webmaster at sxsw.com, musfest at sxsw.com, sxsw at sxsw.com.
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How are bands chosen to play at the music festival?
A: SXSW has a committee of people who listen to and grade recordings according to originality, technical ability, songwriting skills, career establishment, and overall artistry. Every recording is graded at least twice, then those with the highest scores are reviewed again and invitations are extended.
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Q: If I don't get a showcase, should I still come to your conference?
A: Opportunities for performers do not stop at showcases. SXSW Music Festival and Conference offers informative panels and the Trade Show gives you opportunities to network. Remember, even if you are not given a showcase, you can purchase a SXSW Music registration at the lowest price and access the many benefits of SXSW.
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Q: If my act is accepted for SXSW 2007, can I schedule non-SXSW Austin shows around my SXSW performance?
A: If accepted for a SXSW Music showcase, artists agree to not perform any additional publicly advertised shows in Austin between March 13-18, 2007, with the exceptions of record store appearances and private, unadvertised parties. When in doubt, email us. Questions regarding non-showcase performances can be directed to: musfest at sxsw.com
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Q: I've applied for a Music Festival showcase. How do I reserve some hotel rooms for my act in case we're selected?
A: Because over 8000 artists apply for showcases, the SXSW Housing Desk cannot book hotel rooms for artists until they have been offered a showcase. DO NOT PANIC! The Housing Desk blocks enough hotel rooms to accommodate all showcasing artists who need accommodations. There will be hotel rooms available for you and your bandmates when SXSW extends showcase invitations in February. Your acceptance email will contain details on how to book hotels.

If you purchase a conference registration, you can reserve a hotel room immediately; however, that registration fee is NONREFUNDABLE. No exceptions. If you want to purchase a registration, please wait until you have been notified of your showcase status. Artists who are not given a showcase will have the opportunity to purchase a SXSW Music registration at the lowest price for the season.
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Still have questions? Please email: musfest at sxsw.com.

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