22 Australian and 5 New Zealand acts have been invited to perform at SXSW in Austin, Texas in 2009.
This is the first round of invitations with another 30 expected to be invited shortly.240 Australian and 35 New Zealand artists applied for SXSW next year.
Of those who applied, 69 were from New South Wales, 58 from Victoria, 34 from Queensland, 22 from Western Australia, 6 from South Australia, 5 from Tasmania and 3 from the Northern Territory.
From New Zealand, 23 were from Auckland, 5 from Wellington, 4 from Christchurch and 3 from elsewhere in the country.
SXSW rep Phil Tripp said in a statement, “Since 2002, SxSW has had over 200 artists from our side of the world showcase, many of whom have had spectacular international success as a result and others who have kickstarted their export careers early. Based on who has been invited, the focus on Australia which will be peaking as the Baz Luhrman movie paves the way, and continuing government export strategies for music, SxSW looks to be the best for us ever in 2009. We expect over 250 delegates to attend of which 100 are already registered, and with a likely additional 200 artists, crew and management from a projected 40 bands that will be able to play, the Australian Invasion version 6.0 (in years) and 450 in bodies may take our music industry over the top in 2009."
Government initiatives have also been put in place to assist artists get to Austin.
AUSTRADE, which has supported SxSW for over six years has export grants available as well as a large SxSW trade fair stand, promotion in the US and extra performances during SxSW. The Australia Council has specific grants this year for SxSW covering both artists and managers. The WA government, which has led other states in contemporary music funding and travel grants is joined by Arts Victoria's Vic Rocks program, NSW's funding through MusicNSW and new assistance being made available by the Queensland government.
SXSW will be held from March 18-22.
