Whether you’re missing SX or just want to reminisce on some of the badass panels from this year, go ahead and wipe your tears… SXSW records many of the panels from the event and offers them on their website for anyone to revisit. Just in case you missed them live, these are 10 of our favorites from this year! Check ’em out below…
10 SXSW 2025 Panels You Can Listen To Right Now
From Niche to Norm: Music’s New Success Model
“Specialized platforms and social media have empowered musicians to tap into niche audiences, igniting a quiet revolution in the music industry. Despite the dominance of viral hits, a new wave of artists is redefining success by building dedicated fan bases with focused, niche strategies. This panel will discuss how depth over breadth can yield significant rewards, highlighting case studies of artists who have thrived by embracing niche markets. Discover why, now more than ever, going niche can lead to major impacts in music.”
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The Future of Selling Experiences
“As the live entertainment industry evolves towards offering more than just a ticket to a concert, experience creators face both unprecedented opportunities and growing challenges. With a lack of customer data, high fees and hidden costs for both organizers and attendees, inefficiencies in handling bookings across multiple platforms, and ticket scalping, the old ways of selling experiences are broken. In this presentation, Ben Samuels, VP Music at Easol, will discuss how promoters, artists, venues, and brands are transforming how they sell experiences.”
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Keynote: John Fogerty and Tom Morello
“Join music icon John Fogerty in conversation with rock legend Tom Morello for a Keynote conversation about their long-standing music careers, the music industry, and their creative inspirations. As the singer/songwriter/leader of Creedence Clearwater Revival (CCR), Fogerty forged a distinctive, groundbreaking sound all his own, equal parts blues, country, pop, rockabilly, R&B, swamp boogie, and Southern fried rock ‘n’ roll, all united by his uniquely evocative lyrical perspective. Fogerty is a Grammy winner and has been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame as well as the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Among Fogerty’s many hit songs, which have sold over 100 million records, both as a solo artist and as frontman of CCR, highlights include “Proud Mary,” “Centerfield,” “Fortunate Son,” “Born on the Bayou,” “Bad Moon Rising,” and “Have You Ever Seen the Rain,” among many others.”
“Known for his innovative guitar solos and thunderous chords, Morello is a groundbreaking artist both in his solo career and as an original member of the rock bands Rage Against the Machine and Audioslave – two acts responsible for multiple Grammy Awards and a combined 30 million albums sold worldwide. His trademark style was a crucial component, helping launch Morello and the band to Grammy-winning, multi-platinum success, which in turn led to his recognition by Rolling Stone Magazine as the 18th “Greatest Guitar Player of All-Time” and subsequent induction into both the Rock & Roll and Metal Hall of Fame.”
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Direct Lines: How Artists Can Reclaim Their Fan Data Story
“As streaming platforms and social networks become increasingly protective of user data, innovative artist teams are building their own first-party data infrastructures. This panel brings together leading artist managers and music executives who are pioneering new approaches to fan data ownership and activation. Join our panelists as they share real-world examples and practical insights on creating direct channels to fans, building sustainable data collection frameworks, and leveraging owned information to drive revenue and growth for artists and teams of all sizes.”
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How Tech is Optimizing Monetization and Distribution in the Music Industry
“In an era where artists are seeking innovative ways to monetize their craft and build deeper connections with fans, technology is reshaping the music industry’s traditional revenue streams. This panel explores cutting-edge solutions that are revolutionizing how artists generate and manage their income, from smart merchandise that creates ongoing engagement to financial tools that streamline payment processes.”
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📚 Feed yo’ brain…
Debunking Common Myths About Artificial Streaming
Tips for Building a Loyal Fanbase on YouTube
Music Biz 101: What You Need To Know To Make Your Music A Career
What To Include In A Tour Sponsorship Deck
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The Next Frontier: Marketing Innovation in Latin Music
“With the rise of global superstars like Karol G and Bad Bunny and upstarts like Xavi and Ivan Cornejo, Latin music has clearly broken through to the mainstream. As Latin music continues to reach more diverse audiences, how have traditional marketing strategies shifted to serve this ever-growing audience? We’ll hear from a panel of experts on how their approach to marketing for Latin artists has changed and how they ensure that traditional fan bases are nurtured while building for the future.”
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5 Things They Don’t Teach You In (Music Business) School
“There are endless convos about building brands, hiring digital agencies, playlist pitching, and music industry mainstays – but our avengers are here to shed light on parts of music biz education that are just as important (and often overlooked). We’ll dive into community building (which was once called networking, yuck); tangible coaching for both artists & execs; how to actually take in these crazy things we call conferences; mentorship programs around the globe; and fun things like digital service tools. Expect interactivity, tons of audience participation … and maybe some rule-bending.”
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Creators for Mental Health: Building Wellness in the Digital Age
“As creators shape culture in the digital world, they often face unique mental health challenges due to the pressures of content creation, constant online presence, and audience expectations. This panel brings together thought leaders and creators to discuss mental health solutions tailored for the creator economy… Join Emmy nominated host and creator Shira Lazar (What’s Trending and Creators 4 Mental Health powered by Peace Inside Live), Kati Morton (licensed therapist and mental health advocate), and viral beauty creator Golloria George as they explore actionable strategies, community-driven wellness practices, and systemic changes needed to support creators’ mental well-being.”
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Getting In First: Artists As Industry Early-Adopters
“In a world where tech constantly evolves, artists have the power to be the first to embrace and shape new innovations. This session dives into how artists can adopt a mindset similar to brand partnerships within the tech space, pioneering early adoption and building lasting relationships with cutting-edge platforms. We’ll explore successful beta strategies, new features ripe for artist engagement, and how creators can help tech companies navigate market challenges. Join us to discover how these collaborations can revolutionize the future of the music industry.”
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Creator Playbook: Unlocking Brand Partnerships & Engagement
“As digital content evolves, creators are redefining audience engagement, driving massive value for brands. Spotter’s data shows creator content yields higher watch times and retention, proving the deep connection between creators and their communities. This trend unlocks brand partnership opportunities and furthers lasting audience relationships. See how creators can leverage content formats to craft compelling narratives, secure brand deals, and maximize impact. Gain actionable insights on community building, content strategy, and brand collaboration in today’s dynamic creator economy.”
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If you met up with anyone from our team at this year’s SXSW, thank you! We live for events like this, meeting both familiar and fresh faces, chatting all things music, and learning new things at panels like these…
If you couldn’t make it out this year, we hope to see you next year.
Cheers! 🍾
