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Because it is still a conference: SXSW panel picks
With all the annual excitement over the nighttime showcases and high-profile parties, it’s increasingly easy to lose sight of the fact that the South by Southwest Music Conference and Festival is an industry event. And when it comes to doing all those things you’re supposed to be doing at an industry event — you know, educating yourself on the business and gaining valuable insights into your field and what-not — there’s no better place than SXSW’s brilliantly curated panels.
With that in mind, we’ve singled out 10 — well, OK, actually 11, but who’s counting? — of SXSW’s most interesting and intriguing panels, across a variety of subjects. All panels are in the Austin Convention Center and require a music badge or an artist’s wristband to attend. Not interested in what you see here? Check the full schedule at sxsw.com/music.
1.‘Successful SXSW: The Tao of the Conference.’ Kicking off four days of panels with a panel about panels? Very meta! In all seriousness, it takes skill to navigate the choppy waters of SXSW, so let CD Baby founder Derek Shivers impart some wisdom on how to best use your time. 11 a.m. today, Room 12AB.
2. ‘Green Touring: Stupid, Dumb, or Best Idea Ever?’ It can be hard to be eco-conscious when touring — the pursuit is inherently carbon emitting and resource-hungry. There are ways to hit the road while helping the environment. 2 p.m. today, 11A.
3.‘How Will We Listen to Music in 2020?’ If you don’t think the way we listen to music could change substantially in 10 years’ time, consider this: In the year 2000, there were no iPods. Clearly, anything can happen, and that should make for fascinating discussion as we head into a new decade. 3:30 p.m. today, 16B.
4.‘SXSW Interview: Lemmy.’ There are a lot of great interviews taking place during the panels, from GWAR to Cheap Trick, but if you catch only one, it’d have to be Motorhead front man Lemmy Kilmister. Celebrate the release of the documentary bearing the outrageous, gravelly voiced rock legend’s with an interview conducted by MSN’s Phillip Freeman. Equally likely to be fuel for both your nightmares and your dreams, possibly on the same night. 5 p.m. today, 18ABC.
5. ‘SXSW Keynote: Smokey Robinson.’ It’s unlikely that Motown sound architect Smokey Robinson will bust out anything that will be as memorable as last year’s chant courtesy of Quincy Jones. But Robinson is a fascinating personality and consummate professional who refuses to slow down, even after securing a healthy musical legacy for himself, and should more than be able to command the festival’s most visible panel. 11 a.m. Thursday, 18ABC.
6.‘Case Study: “New Moon.’’ ’ Several panels this year discuss music placement in films and TV and the role it can play as a promotional tool and ancillary revenue stream. But this examination of the ‘New Moon’ soundtrack — a veritable who’s who of hot indie talent that featured Grizzly Bear, Bon Iver and St. Vincent, among others — is likely to be the most fascinating. It’s also the only ‘Twilight’-related event in history unlikely to attract throngs of screaming adolescent girls. 12:30 p.m. Thursday, 18ABC.
7. ‘Welcome to the Music Business: You’re (Expletive).’ W Expect the irreverent tone of the panel’s title to carry over to its contents, as Martin Atkins — author of the cheeky, definitive music business guide ‘Tour Smart’ — holds court on the challenges of life in the industry. 12:30 p.m. Thursday, 17AB.
8.‘DIY or Sign with a Label?’ and ‘Rumors of my Demise: Do Artists Need a Label Anymore?’ Amusingly and regrettably, these two panels addressing the exact same question are scheduled at exactly the same time. At any rate, this is one of the big questions on everybody’s lips these days, and one of the big themes at this year’s conference, so it’s worth hitting up one of these two panels. 11 a.m. Friday, 19A and 11AB, respectively.
9.‘Spirituality for Nomads.’ Sex, drugs and general rambunctiousness are common subjects when people talk touring, but the physical, emotional and spiritual costs of the lifestyle are less often addressed. Merrill Wade of St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church leads a discussion on the more elusive consequences of the rock ’n’ roll lifestyle. 3:30 p.m. Friday, 11AB.
10.‘I Never Travel Far Without a Little Big Star.’ If you can’t make it to seminal rock band Big Star’s likely-to-be-packed show at Antone’s, you can settle for this sure-to-be-interesting panel, which will include a performance by band members Jon Auer, Ken Stringfellow and Andy Hummel. For fans and would-be fans of the band — which, really, ought to include everybody — this is sure to be a delight. 12:30 p.m. Saturday 18ABC.
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