For the fourth time in 6 years, missing only 2020 & 2021 because of Covid-19, we’ve returned to South by Southwest (SXSW). SXSW is known for its exciting and innovative programming, but one of the best parts of the festival is the countless parties, venues, and houses that pop up around Austin. From industry giants to up-and-coming artists, there’s always something happening during SXSW. Here are some of the most noteworthy events from this year’s festival:
Porsche/Fader House
Located in the heart of Downtown Austin on Congress Ave, the Porsche/Fader House was the perfect combination of luxury and music. With Fader finally making a comeback it was the place to be. The luxury carmaker and music publication joined forces to put on one of the most exclusive and lavish parties of the week. The venue was decked out with Porsche’s latest models, and guests were treated to an open bar, gourmet catering, and live music from some of the hottest up-and-coming artists. The huge Tranformer had everyone stopping to take a look!
Tulsa House
This pop-up venue in downtown Austin was a hub for Oklahoma-based artists and entrepreneurs. The Tulsa House was a unique venue that showcased the best of Oklahoma’s music & culture. The house was located on Rainey Street and featured a lineup of Oklahoma-based artists and craft beer from local breweries. Tulsa House was a great place to explore and discover some of the best talent from the Sooner State.
Grammarly
This tech company hosted a series of events and workshops at SXSW, focused on the future of writing and communication. With a range of speakers and interactive activities, the Grammarly events were both informative and engaging. Our favorite was “How Characters from The Office Could Use the Grammarly Text Editor SDK to Improve Their Writing and Sell More Paper”. Attendees were able to brush up on their grammar skills while having a blast and enjoying free juicer themed drinks and healthy delicious snacks!
Audible
The audiobook giant had a strong presence at SXSW this year, and was a personal favorite of mine. The Audible party was a celebration of Origin storytelling. They offered free plant based ink tattoos that fade after 1-3 years from Ephemeral Tattoos – spoiler I got one, a Disco Ball.
The party also had a record your own Vinyl station, with professional mixers and pressers, which many used to sing or speak a loved one a special message. The tacos and drinks were superb!
Hotel Vegas
This legendary Austin venue hosted a ton of great shows during SXSW, with lineups that included both local favorites and big-name headliners, featuring everything from punk rock to hip hop. With its laid-back vibe and intimate setting, Hotel Vegas was the perfect spot to catch some great live music and always the best outfits in town. With multiple stages and a lively atmosphere, Hotel Vegas is a great place to discover new music and experience the city’s vibrant music scene.
Pigeons and Planes
Pigeons and Planes was an amazing show at a venue we’d not yet been at – at Revival Coffee. Their showcase featured an eclectic lineup such as Raekwon and Armani White! The venue had a great atmosphere, tons of free Dos Equis.
Camp Yellowjackets
The Yellowjackets exhibition based on the Showtime show was amazing! Even if you’d never seen the show, the tour through Fair Market was surreal and beautifully laid out. There was ax-throwing competitions (hit the cow bell for 5 points), fireside chats, and spooky trails through the forest with deers. The food featured Magic Mushrooms and Definitely Not Human Meat! The backyard was perfect for relaxing and enjoying the Austin sunshine. The event featured live music, craft beer, and food trucks, making it a great place to hang out with friends and soak up the festival atmosphere.
KOOP Party
KOOP (Pronounced Co-Op) Radio is a community radio station that has been serving Austin since 1995. Their party was a celebration of local music and culture, featuring a diverse lineup of Austin-based artists, along with food and drinks from local vendors. On 14th street, at a seemingly random house, all kinds of music was rocking. Man was that booze flowing.
UK House & British Music Embassy
The UK House and British Music Embassy was a hub for British music and culture and technology during SXSW. The venue featured a lineup of UK-based artists, along with British food (If you call it that😜) and drink, making it a great place to experience a taste of the UK while at the festival. We created some AI generated art with Dall-E based on some prompts. Looking forward to getting that t-shirt in the mail!
House of Goodness – Mexican Avocados
The House of Goodness was a unique venue that showcased the versatility and deliciousness of Mexican avocados. The venue featured a range of avocado-based dishes (Dorito bags with guac and fixins!), cocktails (not really avocados in there but DELISH!), and desserts, along with live music and a robot. It was a great way to experience the flavors and culture of Mexico while at SXSW.
Future of Fashion
The Future of Fashion showcase was a must-see for anyone interested in fashion, technology, and sustainability. The event featured a range of cutting-edge fashion designs and innovations, along with talks and panels from industry experts. It was a great way to explore the future of fashion and learn about the latest trends and ideas. We got some Delta 9 edibles from the People’s Collective, delicious prebiotic Soda from Mayawell, I got myself an awesome Coco Chanel Pendant & Necklace from Bag Envy and then ended up winning a commemorative Louis Vuitton Bag from them too! 
Dolby
The Dolby party was a celebration of sound and technology, with a range of immersive audio and visual experiences. The venue featured installations from Dolby’s partners and collaborators, along with music and cocktails, making it a great place to experience the latest in sound technology.
White Claw Shore House
The White Claw Shore House was a popular venue that showcased the latest offerings from the popular hard seltzer brand. The venue featured a range of White Claw cocktails, tons of great food and Grammy Award winning artists, making it a great place to relax and have fun.
Brooklyn Bowl Family Reunion at Empire
The Brooklyn Bowl Family Reunion at Empire was a fun and festive event that featured live music performances from a range of artists, along with food and drinks, making it a great place to enjoy some great music and good company.
SXSW ’23
Sadly, SXSW 2023 has come to an end, but what a festival it was! SXSW was filled with an amazing array of parties, venues, and houses that showcased the best of culture, music, and technology. This year’s festival had a host of incredible parties, venues, houses that were simply unforgettable and tons of wristbands! From luxury car makers to sustainable fashion designers, there was something for everyone at this year’s festival. If you missed out this year, be sure to mark your calendar for next year’s festival and join in on the fun! Time to rest and rehydrate!
