AUSTIN, Texas — The 2022 version of the South by Southwest festival will be an in-person experience again, and that’s music to the ears of festival organizers, fans and the city of Austin.
The 2020 festival was canceled at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the 2021 version was virtual.
SXSW has now released initial lists of musicians slated for the event as well as speakers. Some of the musical highlights so far are:
- Austin-based post-punk band Big Bill
- Austin-based shoegaze group Blushing
- Austin-based indie rock group The Deer
- Nairobi, Kenya-based experimental metal band DUMA
- Chicago-based musician and songwriter Ezra Furman
- Austin-based indie rock group A Giant Dog
That’s just the tip of the iceberg. To see the complete list, click here.
Probably not coincidentally, the announced keynote speaker for SXSW 2022 is Planned Parenthood Federation of American and Planned Parenthood Action Fund president and CEO Alexis McGill Johnson.
Her appearance comes as the Heartbeat Act remains in place in Texas. The law bans abortion in the state once fetal cardiac activity can be detected, which is often as soon as six weeks into pregnancy and before most women know they’re pregnant.
“At the 2022 SXSW Conference, we will focus on building a future that is equitable and sustainable across society, culture, technology, and policy,” said Hugh Forrest, SXSW chief programming officer. “Our first announced Keynote speaker, Alexis McGill Johnson, embodies these values as our communities continue to fight for reproductive freedom and civil rights for all people.”
Featured speakers include Xbox Corporate Vice President Sarah Bond, Chainlink co-founder Sergey Nazarov, Future Today Institute CEO Amy Webb and Check My Ads co-founders and activists Clair Atkins and Nandini Jammi.
For a complete list of speakers, click here.