Share this post!
Pinterest0
LinkedIn0

Learn how I hacked the SXSW Music Conference and Festival using the art of finesse

Originally published for ThatsEnuff.com

sxsw_bands_thebobbypen
Dirty boots and a wrist full of bands is the SXSW badge of honor. I survived!

Bands, badges, burritos, beers and blunts. This is the sum of SXSW give or take. Every March, the world’s most hungry (and maybe a little zany) creatives gather in Austin, Tx. to network and turn up– yes, at the same damn time.

Film, Technology and Music’s leading industry professionals come together to pitch and launch new brands, or roll out their latest updates. Business cards, mixtapes, flyers and exhibits filled the streets of the quaint Southwestern town for blocks and blocks and blocks.

sxsw_austin_skyline_thebobbypen
Captured the sunset over the Austin City Skyline during SXSW from Graffiti Park

See, the entire city actually gets involved. Peaceful police patrolled the streets, still letting attendees enjoy themselves responsibly. Obviously, responsibility is subjective. Unfortunately I did see the EMS hauling people away more times than I liked, but it comes with the territory.

sxsw_ems_thebobbypen
The drummer for Blackfoot Gypsies, an Official SXSW Performer, is carried to the emergency room before a performance due to dehydration. The SXSW turn up is too real at times.

This was my first SXSW, and this trip quickly became a top-10 life moment easily. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve been to two-day festivals, but can you image 7 entire days of concerts, party pedicabs, conferences and contraband? All day long?!

Brands like Samsung, Mazda, Pandora Radio, HBO, Yahoo! and YouTube all had activation that varied from pop-up interactive touch & play cars or Bluetooth enabled screen printing to all out bar takeovers complete with branded bartenders, liquor partnerships, food and stages with lighting directors.

sxsw_revolt_toyota_makeyourmark_thebobbypen
The Toyota activation at the Revolt Block Party was so cool! For ever tweet with the hashtag #MakeYourMark, a paint ball was shot onto a canvas to reveal a dope portrait at the end.

While the overall event is free and open to the public to some degree, having wristbands are a must to really enjoy the overall experience in my humble opinion. Otherwise, picture your city’s Saturday bar scene. While that is still fun, why travel for that? Celebs were casually walking the streets during the day, but again to truly experience SXSW you want access.

Not to worry, the first step on the road to Access is simple. Stalk the #SXSW hashtag a few weeks before your arrival date and RSVP for everything. At the first corny event you attend you’ll likely meet someone who heard about a cool show from someone else last night and so on. The domino effect is real, and the social butterfly will flourish.

Big Sean performs "IDFWU" at the 2015 mtvU Woodie Awards
Big Sean performs “IDFWU” at the 2015 mtvU Woodie Awards

Additionally, Music and Platinum badges exist for a reason. They grant access to exclusive panel discussions, workshops and interviews like Rap Radar’s Elliot Wilson #CRWN interview with Big Sean at the Austin City Convention Center.

A savvy colleague of mine told me to sign up to volunteer, and I “earned” the Music badge as a perk. This badge also helped to expedite entry into other non-official events like the free, yet elusive Fader Fort by Converse which always had a long line. (I mean, free Jack Daniels and Budweiser all day? Why not?!)

sxsw_revolt_thebobbypen
Media passes for the Revolt Block Party at SXSW

Another SXSW hack was playing the media card. With this smile, charm and fresh business cards explaining exactly who I am, I was granted credentials to cover the MTV Woodie Awards and the Revolt Block Party. These badges only upped the finesse factor when it came to getting into private parties, like Snoop Dogg’s invite-only YouTube show. Once the doorman sees that you work with Revolt (which isn’t exactly true, but it’s not a lie either because “Hey, look at this cool press pass!”) not only will you get in, but you’ll also be able to stand on things to get really great shots of the performance.

sxsw_snoop_dogg_youtube_thebobbypen
Snoop Dogg performs at the invite-only YouTube party at SXSW

The one-drawback to the art of finesse is the rule that less is more. It’s hard enough to talk yourself into a restricted area. It’s near impossible to get a gang of people in, unless of course you’re a J. Cole or something. Your friends may not get it, so be prepared for the backlash or travel alone and link up with someone who also has a badge of some sort.

sxsw (22 of 22)
Tagged a wall in Austin’s downtown Graffiti Park, which was painted white at the beginning of SXSW.

Overall, the people attending SXSW were all really friendly. You can’t imagine how many times I got compliments on my hair or someone shared unmentionable pleasantries with me. I didn’t see any fights. Only peace, love and pop culture. Music lovers tend to be peaceful I find.

Undergrad at Temple University was great practice for this week-long celebration of independence and music. I survived and I’m already planning next year’s SXSW trip with all my new found wisdom.

Stay tuned for more SXSW footage from TheBobbyPen.com powered by Tiny’s Tequila and Village Tea Co.

Follow me on Instagram for to keep up with me, and dig through the archives below to see where I’ve been. ;-)