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  • Former Olympic community head likens SXSW London to 2012 Olympics in terms of long-term impact 

  • Festival closed with premiere of LIFE OF CHUCK and Cactus Pears winning Grand Jury Prize in film category, and with final music performances from Idris Elba, Új Bála and J Staxx 

  • SXSW London was visited by numerous leaders including His Majesty The King 

  • Chair of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee says event “showed what’s possible when passionate voices from across the creative industries are brought together” 


As South by Southwest
®â€¯(SXSW®) London  concludes its first event, industry leaders and community members have complimented the festival for convening global leaders and future innovators, and positively impacting Shoreditch, one of London’s most diverse and creative areas. At SXSW London business, technology and culture converged to create a new and unique event in Europe. 

Over the six days of the festival (2nd – 7th June) SXSW London welcomed 20,505 pass-holders from 77 countries and over 50 different industries across its conference, screen, music and interdisciplinary arts programme. The top ten countries to visit the festival including the UK were the USA, Netherlands, Germany, France, Brazil, Sweden, Norway, Australia and Spain.  

Passes to the inaugural event were bought by 51 different industries, with the highest attendance from advertising, music, technology, media; marketing; business consulting; events; design; public relations & communication services. 

Mayor of London, Sir Sadiq Khan said: “SXSW London has bought creativity, innovation and excitement to venues across Shoreditch. From inspiring talks to electric performances, the inaugural European edition of this world-renowned festival has shown why our capital is the leading city for creativity, talent and business. It has kicked off the biggest ever month for business and investment in London, as we build a more prosperous city for everyone.” 

Ayesha Qureshi MBE who was instrumental in the London 2012 Olympics working across community engagement and planning commented; “Just like the Olympics, SXSW London has sown the seed that it can be a catalytic event for the UK. The festival has had a tremendous impact in its first year alone and represents a huge opportunity for us in this country to be global innovation leaders. On the ground it also injected new diverse global audiences to buildings and venues in East London who desperately need the revenue streams. I walked up and down Brick Lane and spoke to local businesses who told me that they had experienced exponential increase in footfall. The promise of SXSW London as a ten-year stint also means we can continue to grow the halo effect the festival can have across the whole of the UK – marking the UK as unique leaders in global innovation.” 

Chair of the Culture, Media and Sport Committee Dame Caroline Dinenage MP said: “As a global gathering place for creatives shaping the future of the arts, SXSW London was the ideal stage to launch our fan-led review of live and electronic music. We aim to unite music lovers in safeguarding our music industry. With its success in nurturing emerging talent and promoting new ideas, SXSW London has shown what’s possible when passionate voices from across the creative industries are brought together.” 

Hackney Council’s Miguel Campbell-Lewis said: “The long-term commitment SXSW London has made to Shoreditch is already being felt — not just culturally, but economically too. For grassroots venues in particular, the presence of such a globally recognised platform is bringing new energy, attention, and opportunity to the area. SXSW London is a real indicator of how strategic cultural investment can help a neighbourhood thrive. Shoreditch has always been a creative powerhouse, but this kind of partnership is helping sustain that vibrancy while also creating new pathways for emerging talent. As a borough, Hackney is proud to support initiatives that strengthen our nighttime economy and preserve the vital role that grassroots music venues play. They’re where scenes are born, careers launched, and communities built. To see them benefit from a platform like SXSW London is incredibly encouraging, especially at a time when national conversations are rightly focused on their survival.” 

Truman Brewery, Jason Zeloof commented:Truman Brewery is proud to be one of the main hubs for the first SXSW London. The event has been a real success and has brought a huge amount of creative people together in East London across its small music venues, cultural spaces, bars, cafes, restaurants and shops. SXSW London is just the type of investment that this area needs. They could easily have chosen another European city and we’re very happy they decided to pick London.” 

Juju’s Bar & Stage, Karolina Wasilewska said: “SXSW London has been great for us at Juju’s Bar & Stage as a small live music venue. The business and regulatory environment for our scene seems to get tougher each year. SXSW London has brought amazing people and the right kind of investment to the Brick Lane and Shoreditch area and we hope they keep coming back every year!” 

CEO of SXSW London Max Alexander said: “We set out to build a unique addition to the UK’s already incredibly rich cultural endowment, to write a 'Love Letter to London'.  Our ambition over the coming years is for SXSW London to establish itself as a critical part of the economic, intellectual and artistic capital of this great city. We’re delighted with the first steps towards that.” 

18 Jul 2025 | Press release

Three Six Zero names Aimee Jessiman Head of Management (UK)

  At Three Six Zero, Jessiman works on global talent such as Calvin Harris and Swedish House Mafia. In her new role, Jessiman will work closely with Three Six Zero Founder & CEO Mark Gillespie, overseeing all aspects of artist management, serving as a resource...more

18 Jul 2025 | Press release

The Artist & Manager Awards return on Thursday 20th November

  The Featured Artists Coalition (FAC) and the Music Managers Forum (MMF) are delighted to reveal that our annual Artist & Manager Awards ceremony returns to London’s Bloomsbury Big Top on Thursday 20th November 2025.  Early bird tickets and table sales are available...more

18 Jul 2025 | Press release

TikTok and Anghami make streaming Nancy Ajram's 'Nancy 11' easier than ever with new 'Add to Music App' feature

Whether it’s a viral earworm, a snippet from your For You feed, or a song that hits just right, starting today, TikTok users in the Middle East and North Africa can now instantly save their favourite tracks from TikTok straight to...more

18 Jul 2025 | Press release

Jeff Satur, F.HERO, Kantong and Saran among artists honoured at star-studded Official Thailand Chart event in Bangkok

The event marked the launch of the Official Thailand Chart, part of the Official Southeast Asia Charts platform celebrating the talent and creativity of the region.   The stars of Thai music gathered at MU:IN Club Bangkok last night as the industry...more

18 Jul 2025 | Press release

Operation Authentica gains momentum as Brazil court makes first landmark ruling in streaming fraud case

  A Court in São Paulo, Brazil has handed down a landmark ruling against company Seguidores Marketing Digital Ltda for generating fake followers, likes, and streams on platforms including Spotify, YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram. This is the first ruling under ‘Operation Authentica’,...more

18 Jul 2025 | Press release

PRS Members' Fund launches Rest & Rewind – A new Wellbeing Breaks Initiative for music creators

The PRS Members’ Fund is proud to announce the launch of its new Rest & Rewind Wellbeing Breaks Initiative, designed to support PRS members who need time out to rest, reflect and reconnect with their creative selves following periods of illness, stress...more

18 Jul 2025 | Press release

Indie band The Clientele joins Wise Music Group

Wise Music Group is pleased to announce the worldwide signing of acclaimed British band The Clientele to our publishing roster under The Sparta Florida Music Group catalogue.  Formed in 1991 in London, the English Pop band The Clientele are known for...more

18 Jul 2025 | Press release

Former ELO members open new production suite in memory of bandmate

The memory of Electric Light Orchestra’s (ELO) keyboardist is being honoured with the opening of a new production suite at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire (RBC). Richard Tandy, who died at the age of 76 in April 2024, also has a scholarship established in...more

17 Jul 2025 | Press release

Key Production Group strengthens senior leadership team with the appointment of new CFO, Laura Bessell

  Laura Bessell joins Key Production Group as Chief Financial Officer, bringing 25 years of financial experience Appointment supports company’s European expansion amid rising demand for physical music Bessell’s appointment follows Key Production’s transition into an Employee Owned Trust  Key Production Group, Europe’s leading physical...more

17 Jul 2025 | Press release

Armada Music Publishing and Spectrum Music Launch Spectrum Music Publishing; Joris Voorn Exclusively Signed as First Composer

Several tracks born out of Armada and Spectrum’s creative partnership are included on Voorn’s upcoming album ‘Serotonin,’ out this Friday, July 18   Armada Music Publishing, the dedicated publishing division of Armada Music Group, today announced a strategic partnership with Joris Voorn’s...more

17 Jul 2025 | Press release

Inflation Surprise Sends Ripples Through Business Confidence as Industry Ramps Up Call for Government Action in Autumn Budget to Prevent Fiscal Fallout Says NTIA

  UK inflation has surged to 3.6% in the year to June — a sharp rise from May and well above the Bank of England’s 2% target, outpacing expectations. This inflationary jump is set to tighten household budgets and further pressure businesses already grappling...more

17 Jul 2025 | Press release

PPL PRS supports LOROS' Stomp Round Leicester art trail with elephant sculpture designed by Kasabian frontman, Serge Pizzorno

Leicester businesses, including music licensing organisation, PPL PRS, have come together to support LOROS’ upcoming Stomp Round Leicester art trail taking place this summer.  The trail, which launched on Monday, 14th July and runs until Sunday, 21st September, is made up...more

17 Jul 2025 | Press release

TikTok announces the beta launch of TikTok Songwriter Features

Today TikTok is pleased to announce the beta launch of TikTok Songwriter Features, a new set of features and tools which have been designed to highlight and give due credit on TikTok to the amazing work of songwriters and the music...more

17 Jul 2025 | Press release

Tom Coulson-Smith Promoted to Vice President, A&R at Concord Music Publishing

  Concord Music Publishing is pleased to announce the promotion of Tom Coulson-Smith to Vice President, A&R. Based in London, Coulson-Smith steps up from his previous role as Senior Director of A&R, which he has held since joining the company in 2020. During his time at...more

17 Jul 2025 | Press release

Warner Music Italy signs deal with Mace

MACE IS ONE OF THE MOST RENOWNED PRODUCERS IN ITALY AND HAS RELEASED ALBUMS THAT HAVE ACHIEVED MULTI-PLATINUM STATUS   Warner Music Italy has signed MACE, a renowned Milanese producer and DJ. MACE, whose real name is Simone Benussi, has helped to...more

17 Jul 2025 | Press release

The LIVE Trust announces eight new trustees

New Appointees Add Wide Range of Expertise and Experience Across Multiple Roles in Live Music Kirsty McShannon Elected Chair of Trustees LIVE (Live Music Industry Venues & Entertainment), which represents 15 live music industry organisations, has announced eight new trustee appointments...more

17 Jul 2025 | Press release

Touring and Mental Health; The Music Industry Manual - Available as an audiobook on 17 September

The widely praised music industry mental health manual Touring and Mental Health; The Music Industry Manual edited by psychotherapist Tamsin Embleton will be released as an audiobook this September. Following the paperback publication of the book by the leading UK music book imprint Omnibus...more

17 Jul 2025 | Press release

Sony Music Publishing Promotes Pixie Pickering to VP Creative & Writer Services, Co-Head of Sync

Today Sony Music Publishing announced the promotion of Sarah ‘Pixie’ Pickering to Vice President, Creative & Writer Services, Co-Head of Sync, effective immediately. Based out of SMP’s London office, Pickering will continue to report to Sony Music Publishing’s Co-Managing Director UK Tim Major and President & Co-Managing...more

17 Jul 2025 | Press release

Perpetrator Focused Approach is Essential in New Government Package in tackling VAWG Says NTIA

  On 16 July, the Government unveiled a £53 million landmark package to directly target the most dangerous domestic abuse perpetrators as part of its Plan for Change, aiming to halve violence against women within a decade.    The focus is shifting firmly onto perpetrators, with a...more

17 Jul 2025 | Press release

Peermusic sign 8x Platinum, Grammy-nominated writer/producer Amish

  Global independent music publishing company, Peermusic, has signed British writer/producer and recording artist Amish Patel, professionally known as ADP, to a worldwide publishing deal as announced today by Ralph W. Peer, Managing Director, U.K., Australasia and Vice President of peermusic's African and Middle East operations,...more

17 Jul 2025 | Press release

Can I Have Your Intention, Please?

By Lee Henshaw Working with record labels, promoters and record shops, I'm conducting a commercial experiment in taste.At Into-it, we are inviting music fans to install our Chrome extension and tell us the music they’re into. In return, we’re transforming The...more

16 Jul 2025 | Press release

Defected signs producer Anthony Gorry & M People's Andrew Lovell for ambient album

House music giant's first wellness album targets $4.4 trillion market with AjoiA project   Defected Label Group has signed producer Anthony Gorry (Gwen Stefani, Moby, Richard Ashcroft) and M People's Andrew "Shovell" Lovell for their debut album The Essence of Being, marking...more

16 Jul 2025 | Press release

Activate - new animated series

On Tuesday 15 July 2025, Joe Wicks MBE (The Body Coach), will release a new online animated series, Activate, designed to get children moving and to make fitness fun.   The new series has been co-created by Joe and BAFTA award-winning Studio AKA (the creators of Hey...more

16 Jul 2025 | Press release

Orfium awarded EU funding to lead first of its kind research into copyright detection in AI-generated music

  Global music and rights tech leader is part of a prestigious pan-European consortium to develop explainable AI tools that identify copyrighted music in generative AI outputs    Orfium, the global technology company shaping the future of music rights management, has been awarded...more

16 Jul 2025 | Press release

Sonopress Launches EcoRecord Production in the United States

First production line successfully commissioned at new Charlotte, North Carolina site Last week marked a bold step into the future of LP record manufacturing and truly historic moment for Sonopress. The leading global manufacturer of storage media and a subsidiary of...more

16 Jul 2025 | Press release

Naoki Osada Launches Nebula17, a Global Creative Venture

Bridging Japanese Talent to the WorldBacked by Top Industry Leaders  Naoki Osada, former CEO of Avex USA, has launched Nebula17, a next-generation creative ecosystem that integrates label, publishing, management, international strategy, and venture capital under one roof. Headquartered in Los Angeles,...more

16 Jul 2025 | Press release

GigSalad Expands Roster, Pays Out $31.8M to Performers Since 2024

Boosted by strong growth and notable payouts to talent, the leading event talent platform is refreshing its design to help its diverse roster book more and better gigs. GigSalad, the largest online booking destination for event talent, is growing by leaps...more

16 Jul 2025 | Press release

Symphonic Distribution Expands European A&R Client Development Team with 5 New Hires

  Symphonic Distribution, a leading music technology and services company for independent labels, managers, and artists, has hired a team of A&R Client Development Leads to expand their presence in Europe. They include Thomas Williamson (Director, A&R & Client Development, EU & UK), Sander...more

16 Jul 2025 | Press release

Music Venue Trust Appoints Four New Trustees

Sammy Andrews, Richard Perry, Helen McGee & Adrian Norman Join Board    Music Venue Trust (MVT), the charity which represents over 800 UK grassroots music venues (GMVs), has announced the addition of four new members to its Board of Trustees. Bringing a...more

16 Jul 2025 | Press release

Orla Lee-Fisher named Head Of Dual Catalog Strategy at Warner Music Group

Experienced leader to champion catalogs represented by WMG across both Recorded Music and Music Publishing Orla Lee-Fisher has been appointed to the new role of Head of Dual Catalog Strategy at Warner Music Group (NASDAQ: WMG), crafting and leading campaigns for the company's...more

18 Jul 2025

  • Has pop music become stagnant? Kind of yes but also no (see Analysis)

  • Why are we still using Spotify? (see Opinion)

17 Jul 2025

  • TikTok launches TikTok Songwriter Features (see Digital)

  • EU Commission reportedly prepares ‘full-scale, four-month investigation’ into UMG’s proposed Downtown purchase (see Business)

16 Jul 2025

  • Lisa Nandy MP addressed the UK Music Summer Party (see News)

  • Building fandom is about the journey, not the destination (see Opinion)

15 Jul 2025

  • Industry calls for streaming sites to tag music created by AI-generated acts (see News)

14 Jul 2025

  • “Content is king” say analysts - so why is Spotify worth more than the entire music rights industry? (see Comment)

11 Jul 2025

  • Where’s the next wave of working-class rock stars? (see Features)

  • Populists vs. tech titans: The battle over AI and the future of music (see Comment)

10 Jul 2025

  • Can TikTok revive classic songs? A statistical analysis (see Analysis)

09 Jul 2025

  • UMG’s Michael Nash: ‘AI can be instrumental to the future of music’ (see Digital)

08 Jul 2025

  • In the post-music streaming era, do artists and labels give too much away? (see Comment)

07 Jul 2025

  • Songwriters ‘missing millions in royalties from more than 100,000 UK gigs’ (see News)

  • Merck Mercuriadis plots comeback with Hipgnosis remix (see Business)