If you love a good celebration like we do here at Spec’s—then you’re no stranger to SXSW Austin! Even if you’ve never attended SXSW yourself, there’s a good chance you’ve heard of the cultural phenomenon. Every year, in mid March, SXSW Austin is a showcase of film, music, and interactive media. It captivates local audiences, and brings in thousands of tourists and partygoers, along with pioneers of the tech and entertainment industries.
Sure, sure. You’ve heard this all before! But there are many interesting facts that even the most seasoned, SXSW part-goer doesn’t know about the Austin-based festival.
10 Fun Facts About South by Southwest
1: It began in the 80’s and was an instant success
A few key staff members of The Austin Chronicle, along with booking agent/musician, Louis Meyers, all made music history in the summer of 1986. They would organize what they had believed would be a modest music festival, anticipating just 150 attendees. But by the time the first SXSW came around, the crowds numbered over 700 guests! And according to SXSW and Austin Chronicle co-founder Lewis Black, it went “national almost immediately”.1
2: New beers have debuted at SXSW
A Game of thrones beer? Yup! SXSW isn’t just a platform for new musicians, artists, and developers in the tech industry to launch their new products. In March of 2013, New York’s Brewery Ommegang partnered with HBO to create a series of beers inspired by the hit fantasy drama, Game of Thrones. The Iron Throne Blonde Ale, was inspired by the then-Lannister held throne. Phil Leinhart, Ommegang brewmaster, said, “With a Lannister currently on the throne, it made sense to do a delicate but piercing golden blonde ale with noble hops… it is fair in color and soft in appearance, yet it still possesses a complexity and bite to be on guard for.” 3
Ommegang brewers also created a complex winter lager, called Winter is Here, to honor the HBO’s Game of Thrones in 2017.
Also, Texas brewing company, Infamous Brewing based in Austin, collaborated with the nationally recognized Boston Beer Co., maker of Samuel Adams beers, to create BOS X AUS in 2017. This is a limited-edition smoked oyster stout that was on tap at the March 12 event and at a small amount of local bars and restaurants near the festival.
3: Alfred Hitchcock inspired the name, “South by Southwest”1
SXSWhat?? That’s right, The name “South by Southwest” takes inspiration from the title Alfred Hitchcock’s film, North by Northwest. A film that was a favorite of SXSW co-founder, Louis Black. According to Roland Swenson, employee at The Austin Chronicle—Louis Black, Chronicle editor and co-founder came up with the name after many hours of trying to come up with the perfect title for their festival, he first uttered it while lying on his back on the floor. The staff at the Austin Chronicle then seized upon it.
4: One rejected name for the festival was “Third Coast.”
5: SXSW Interactive is the biggest of its kind in the world
SXSW Interactive is recognized globally as a breeding ground for emerging ideas and technology.The festival includes a trade show, speakers, parties, and a startup accelerator. According to festival organizer Louis Black, SXSW Interactive “has probably been the biggest of its kind in the world” since 20071
6: SXSW Film has hosted over 700 speakers, many of them celebrities1
The SXSW film conference brought out a plethora of Hollywood speakers, to name a few; Jon Favreau, Ryan Gosling, Amy Schumer, Tilda Swinton, Matthew McConaughey, RZA, and many others!
7: In 2016 President Obama spoke at SXSW interactive
SXSW is so huge, it even draws United States presidents! On March 11, then president, Barack Obama gave a speech at SXSW Interactive. Obama called on the technology industry to help solve many of America’s problems, such as upgrading outdated networks, helping balance security and privacy, and the FBI–Apple encryption dispute.
8: Twitter and Foursquare both debuted at SXSW
Twitter was introduced at SXSW in 2007, Foursquare was introduced in 2009
9: SXSW hosts events to improve education and environmental issues
SXSW Inc. hosts SXSWedu, which was started in 2011. SXSWedu focuses on teaching and education. SXSW Eco, kicked off in 2011 to address sustainability and environmental challenges.4
10: The crowded streets cause many locals to stay home instead
The influence of SXSW has a global reach! It goes without saying, that a festival of this magnitude also brings some side effects. Crowded streets and lots and lots of congested traffic.
If you’re local to the Austin area, then this is nothing new to you. Many Austin locals opt instead to avoid the hustle and bustle of the city, and host their own SXSW parties. If this is you, we recommend grabbing your favorite 12 pack from your local Spec’s, ordering a Spec’s gourmet party tray, and taking turns DJ-ing your own music.
Either way, if you plan to attend the SXSW festival, or you’re the homebody who who’d rather stay away from it all with a private party, Mid-March is a great time for celebrations.
Cheers!
References:
1: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_by_Southwest – History
2: http://mentalfloss.com/article/49258/11-fun-facts-about-sxsw
3: https://philly.thedrinknation.com/articles/read/10187-Game-of-Thrones-Beer-From-Ommegang-Debuts-at-SXSW
4: https://www.cnn.com/2013/09/13/us/south-by-southwest-fast-facts/index.html
