SXSW isn’t all that popular on the social networks I frequent nowadays. The music/film/interactive festival in Austin used to be all over the timelines but not as much this year. At least in the network around me which is still skewed towards digital technology and -marketing. But a quick look just gave me:

  • Mastodon: A lot of talk about how SXSW has changed and isn’t the festival it used to be
  • Bluesky: Discussions mainly about the movie events
  • Micro.blog: Zero current search results

Is SXSW still relevant? Or is it now just for three-lettered government agencies recruiting for talent? Which leads to bands cancelling SXSW in protest of these sponsorships, connected to the genocide in Gaza?