Sydney, Australia – Monday 11 September – This October, multiple GRAMMY Award winner Chance The Rapper will be speaking at South by Southwest Sydney® 2023, a week-long festival in the heart of Sydney. He joins a stacked program of over 1,000 ground-breaking events and sessions on Tech and Innovation, Games, Music, Screen and Culture as the city becomes the worldwide epicentre for the creative industries.
Chance is joining a global community of artists raising their remarkable voices to celebrate 50 years of Hip Hop, reflecting on its indelible impact on both his beloved Chicago South Side and a world of fans. Once aptly described by President Barack Obama as “an outstanding role model,” the rapper, singer-songwriter, producer and humanitarian continues to pay his incredible success forward, empowering creative leaders for the next 50 years through his SocialWorks foundation and roving international Black Star Line Festival.
Chance The Rapper says, “As we celebrate 50 years of Hip Hop in 2023, I’m reminded of the transformative power this culture has had, not just on the world stage, but on the streets of Chicago’s South Side. Hip Hop has provided a rhythm to our stories and a canvas for our creativity. I’m really looking forward to joining SXSW Sydney as a speaker to expound upon Hip Hop’s transcendent legacy.”
Colin Daniels, Managing Director, SXSW Sydney says: “Chance The Rapper is renowned for both his chart topping and community advocacy. There’s few out there like him, who take what they’ve made and use it to build the dreams of others. His genre-blurring sounds reverberate across generations, making him a powerful voice to reflect on the past 50 Years of Hip Hop. His unique perspective bridges the gap between the genre’s rich history and its dynamic future.”
Minister for Jobs and Tourism, Minister for the Arts and Minister for Music and the Night-time Economy, John Graham says: “Chance The Rapper is another excellent addition to the list of creative industry voices at the inaugural SXSW Sydney. Hip hop is part of the creative fabric that makes up the music community here in NSW. We have some incredibly talented hip hop artists in our community. As the state’s first Minister for Music, I am excited to hear the conversation on the future of music and hip hop as we celebrate 50 years.”
This October, Sydney will shine as a leading city for nurturing creative industries, hosting a week-long festival program that serves as a hotbed of innovation and artistic expression. Drawing inspiration from visionary thinkers worldwide, SXSW Sydney 2023 will feature an impressive line-up of over 1,000 groundbreaking events and networking sessions across the pillars of Tech & Innovation, Music, Screen, Games and Culture.
Chance will be appearing alongside previously announced headline speakers making their way to Sydney, Asia-Pacific’s creative industry capital, including Slack Co-Founder Cal Henderson, futurist and AI expert Amy Webb, Coachella festival CEO Paul Tollett and AEG Presents SVP Global Touring Michael Harrison, plus many more.
Over 700 industry-leading speakers already announced including:
De-extinction entrepreneur Ben Lamm, Motion Picture Association CEO Charles Rivkin, advertising icon David Droga, Google Australia MD Mel Silva, Netflix ANZ Director of Content Que Minh Luu, broadcaster Osher Günsberg, World Surfing Champion Layne Beachley, tech entrepreneur Paul Bassat, Reddit CMO Roxy Young, artistic director Wesley Enoch, Expedia CTO Rathi Murthy and many more.
More than 300 panels and sessions to keep you at the forefront, covering topics including:
Brain-computer interfaces, the future of lab-grown meat, First Nations knowledge in design, ethical living with robots, AI fluency, Big Tech transparency, re-imagining news media, how recruitment will become more like online dating, venture capital in 2050, when music videos meet AI, the future of love and more.
Over 300 music performances:
Your new favourite artist is playing SXSW Sydney 2023. Check out a line-up of the best new faces from around the world featuring TikTok stars Flyana Boss, Indonesian triple threat Isyana Sarasvati, Japanese punks Otoboke Beaver, rising Blak hip-hop powerhouse Miss Kannina and NZ’s genre-bending Will Swinton, presented by SXSW Sydney Official Music Partners Young Henrys.
Brands participating include:
Super Sponsors CommBank and Qantas, Major Sponsors Young Henrys and Telstra, Education Partner UTS, Accommodation Partner Accor, Event Partners Accenture, Amex and Universal Music Australia, Defender, Dr. Martens, Handsome Tours, Laneway Festival, Prime Video, Seven, The Orchard, Vans and YEG, International House Canada House, SXSW Sydney Pitch presenter VentureCrowd and Conference Track Sponsors CSIRO and Main Sequence, WPP, Culture Amp, Kingfisher and Remote.
SXSW Sydney Screen Festival includes:
Red carpet premieres at the ICC’s Darling Theatre and cinemas across the inner city; an XR showcase, conference sessions, activations, parties, meet-ups and ‘Minimart’, a SXSW Sydney-flavoured Screen market for investors, buyers, producers, creatives and industry. Announced films include: Opening Night film (and Australian premiere) of Aussie Outback thriller The Royal Hotel, Anita (US), about Rolling Stones Muse Anita Pallenberg; Cypher (US), a fictional pseudo- music documentary about the artist Tierra Whack; Jamojaya (US), Indonesian rap star Brian Imanuel (Rich Brian) stars as an up-and-coming musician; Plastic (JP), teenagers Juna and Ibuki set out to find the psychedelic rock band Exne Kedy; The Last Year of Darkness (US/CN) Bass-heavy and neon-coloured portrait of alternative Chinese youth. Finally, the festival will feature the world premiere of the Wiggles documentary, Hot Potato: The Story of the Wiggles.
Accessing SXSW Sydney – Badges and Wristbands:
Badges are your master key for SXSW Sydney – they open the doors to all activity across the week-long event, from its Conference and Tech & Innovation Expo to its Music, Screen and Games Festivals. As he is a conference speaker, it is only possible to see Chance The Rapper with a badge.
Wristbands give access to SXSW Sydney’s Music, Screen or Games festivals, for performances, screenings and showcases.
- Music Festival: 300 performances in 25 venues over 4 nights.
- Screen Festival: unlimited screenings over one week.
- Games Festival: 150 new indie games and parties over 6 nights, plus our Tabletop Expo.
Current pricing for both Badges and Wristbands is available until Midnight on Wednesday 13 September. For more information, head to sxswsydney.com.
In collaboration with the NSW Government Via Destination NSW, TEG & SXSW®
Artists
Over 100 acts confirmed so far from over 2,500 applications, from NZ, UK, Canada, Indonesia, Malaysia, China, Japan, Korea and Australia including:
From Australia: 1tbsp, Adam Newling, Adrian Dzvuke, Agung Mango, Alter Boy, Andrew Gurruwiwi Band, Anesu, Andy Golledge Band, Aodhan, Ashli, ASHWARYA, Babitha, Baby Cool, BARKAA, bella amor, BESTIES, BIG SKEEZ, Big Words, Caitlin Harnett & The Pony Boys, Chanel Loren, Charley, CLOE TERARE, CODY JON, Darlinghurst, Dean Brady, Death by Denim, DICE, DOBBY, Dulcie, dust, Dylan Atlantis, Elle Shimada, Evie Irie, FRIDAY*, Girl and Girl, GO-JO, Grievous Bodily Calm, Gut Health, IJALE, Inkabee, Isaac Puerile, Jem Cassar-Daley, Kobie Dee, Mali Jo$e, Mia Wray, Mi-Kaisha, Mikayla Pasterfield, Milku, Miss Kaninna, Mitch Santiago, Nick Ward, PANIA, Phoebe Go, POOKIE, Rum Jungle, Shady Nasty, Skeleten, Squid The Kid, STUMPS, South Summit, SUPEREGO, Teenage Joans, The Terrys, These New South Whales, tiffi, Trophie, Tulliah, Ūla, Velvet Trip, Vv Pete, WILDFIRE MANWURRK
From New Zealand: 0800, 33 Below, ASHY, Daffodils, Daily J, Fazerdaze, Foley, Hanbee, Hans., JessB, Jujulipps, Mazbou Q, MELOWDOWNZ, Mim Jensen, Miss June, Molly Payton, Mousey, Paige, PARK RD, Proteins of Magic, RIIKI REID, Soaked Oats, There’s a Tuesday, WHOSHOTSCOTT, Will Swinton
From South Korea: ADOY, Hypnosis Therapy, Jacqui, Lil Cherry & GOLDBUUDA, Marv, Meaningful Stone,
From Japan: CHAMELEON LIME WHOOPIEPIE, Otoboke Beaver, yuji
From Indonesia: Ardhito Pramono, Batavia Collective, Feby Putri, HINDIA, G.A.C., Grrrl Gang, Isyana Sarasvati
From Malaysia: Lunadira, Pop Shuvit
From UK: Connie Constance, Los Bitchos, Nuha Ruby Ra, Sorry, SixSaidIt (also USA), Theodor Black
From USA: almost monday, Automatic, Flyana Boss, Owen, redveil, Rett Smith, Wallice
From Canada: EKKSTACY, Hotel Mira
From Thailand: ASIA7
Venues
- APRA AMCOS
- The Underground at the Civic Hotel
- Hollywood Hotel
- Knox Street Bar
- The Lord Gladstone
- Phoenix Central Park
- Sneaky Possum
- The Soda Factory
- The Alley at Agincourt Hotel
- The Barrie
- The Chippo Hotel
- The Underground UTS
- Powerhouse Late at Powerhouse Museum
- Powerhouse Courtyard
SXSW Sydney 2023 Key Dates
15-22 Oct 2023: SXSW Sydney
16-21 Oct 2023: Conference
18-21 Oct 2023: SXSW Sydney 2023 Music Festival
18-21 Oct 2023: industry networking events and parties
Music Festival Major Sponsor: Young Henrys
The Newtown-based brewer has been a supporter of music and culture in Sydney since its inception, through its future-focused, community driven, innovative spirit and sustainable approach.
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About SXSW®
SXSW dedicates itself to helping creative people achieve their goals. Founded in 1987 in Austin, Texas, SXSW is best known for its conference and festivals that celebrate the convergence of tech, film and television, music, education, and culture. An essential destination for global professionals, the annual March event features sessions, music, and comedy showcases, film and television screenings, exhibitions, professional development, and a variety of networking opportunities. SXSW proves that the most unexpected discoveries happen when diverse topics and people come together. SXSW 2024 will take place March 8-16 in Austin. Learn more at sxsw.com.
About SXSW Sydney®
Futurist conference and festival, South by Southwest (SXSW) Sydney, will see the Asia-Pacific’s pre-eminent creative industries come together in the heart of Sydney Harbour. The event is a week-long program stacked with more than 1,000 ground-breaking events and networking sessions across pillars of Tech and Innovation, Games, Music, Screen and Culture.
Informed by a multicultural landscape and an enduring preservation of past, present and future Indigenous cultural heritage, Sydney offers a rich and exciting arts and culture scene with beautiful galleries, acclaimed theatres and burgeoning performance spaces.
About Destination NSW
Destination NSW is the lead agency, champion and voice for the visitor economy within the NSW Government. Spearheading a whole-of-government approach to visitor economy growth, Destination NSW is responsible for leading the delivery of the NSW Visitor Economy Strategy 2030 in partnership with government and industry. Destination NSW influences and shapes the visitor economy through strategic research, policy and thought leadership, stakeholder engagement and consultation, commercial partnerships and investment in visitor experiences, business support, marketing and events. Destination NSW is also the major investor in Business Events Sydney (BESydney) for the purpose of securing more international and domestic conventions, incentive travel reward programs, corporate events and expos for Sydney and regional NSW.
About TEG
TEG is a global leader in Live Entertainment, Ticketing and Technology. Every day TEG connects fans to experiences and customers with brands. We are proud partners of some of the world’s largest and most iconic venues as well as leading event promoters globally. TEG operates worldwide out of seven country offices and includes Ticketek, Ticketek Marketplace, Ticketek UK, Ticketek New Zealand, Ticketek Malaysia, Ticketek Philippines, Eventopia, Softix, TEG Live, TEG Dainty, TEG Sport, TEG Van Egmond, Laneway Festival, Handsome Tours, SXSW Sydney, TEG Theatrical, MJR Presents, TEG Lifelike Touring, TEG TES Live, Brickman, TEG Rockefeller, Rugby Live, TEG Europe, Propaganda, TEG USA, Qudos Bank Arena, FAN+, VIP NOW and Ovation.
TEG is a global leader in Live Entertainment, Ticketing and Technology. Every day TEG connects fans to experiences and customers with brands. We are proud partners of some of the world’s largest and most iconic venues as well as leading event promoters globally. TEG operates worldwide out of seven country offices and includes Ticketek, Ticketek Marketplace, Ticketek UK, Ticketek New Zealand, Ticketek Malaysia, Ticketek Philippines, Eventopia, Softix, TEG Live, TEG Dainty, TEG Sport, TEG Van Egmond, Laneway Festival, Handsome Tours, SXSW Sydney, TEG Theatrical, MJR Presents, TEG Lifelike Touring, TEG TES Live, Brickman, TEG Rockefeller, Rugby Live, TEG Europe, Propaganda, TEG USA, Qudos Bank Arena, FAN+, VIP NOW and Ovation.
