SXSW London kicks off in East London from today (Monday, June 1), and it is not too late to secure tickets for some of the week's biggest events. Returning for its second year in Shoreditch, the festival spans over 20 venues and includes conference talks, workshops, and live performances.
Live Music Showcases and Headliners
Starting tomorrow, there will be a number of live music showcases, featuring both new up-and-coming talent and more established names. This year, Earl Sweatshirt, Tiwa Savage, Circa Waves, Rachel Chinouriri, and Shame are among the acts topping the bills each day, and you can still grab tickets for as little as £25.
Tuesday, June 2
Tuesday's lineup includes alternative rapper Earl Sweatshirt, who broke out as part of Tyler the Creator's Odd Future collective, performing alongside Future Utopia, Sega Bodega, and many others at venues across Shoreditch.
Wednesday, June 3
Wednesday features Rachel Chinouriri, a South London-born singer-songwriter who previously opened for Lewis Capaldi and Sabrina Carpenter on their UK tours, as well as Circa Waves, Infinity Song, and Amaka.
Thursday, June 4
Thursday will see performances from Nigerian rapper ODUMODUBLVCK, 'Queen of Afrobeats' Tiwa Savage, Amira BB, and more.
Friday, June 5
Finally, Friday will see post-punk favourites Shame top the bill, joined by OOAB, Bex, Dream State, and many more.
Ticket Information
You can purchase wristbands that grant access to the full music lineup on each day on the SXSW website for £25. If you fancy going to multiple events throughout the week, you can also grab a wristband for the full week for £79. Bear in mind that the wristband does not guarantee entry to venues if they are already at capacity. SXSW recommends arriving at venues early for the best chance of seeing your favourite artists. A full timetable with timings and venue listings is available on the SXSW website.
Controversies and Background
SXSW London has not been without its controversy this year already, as two speakers set to appear at the festival were denied UK visas due to past comments they had made in interviews. The US-based guest speakers Hasan Piker and Cenk Uygur had their electronic travel authorisation (ETA) documents revoked by the Home Office after a public outcry at previous comments they had made about Hamas and 9/11. According to The Times, Mr Uygur's ETA was denied due to fears that his attendance could 'heighten antisemitism', however the speaker maintained that he was not antisemitic but 'anti-Israel'.
The festival, which originated in the US and attracts around 300,000 attendees to its yearly Austin, Texas, event, faced boycotts and withdrawals by performers back in 2024 due to its sponsorship ties with the US military. Around 60 British and Irish acts withdrew from the festival including Kneecap and Enola Gay, and the combined pressure from campaign groups, artists, and the public led to SXSW dropping its US military sponsorship ahead of the 2025 festival.
