Like last year, South By Southwest (SXSW) Sydney will focus on games and music, hosting professionals and enthusiasts to share ideas and take stock of where the industries are and where they’re headed.

On the games front, expect live play, hands-on demos, talks, product launches, mixers, parties and mentoring sessions. This year SXSW Sydney will host its inaugural Game Jam as part of the Games Festival. Participants will receive a theme to guide their game development journey over 30 days.

Music lovers will appreciate SXSW Sydney’s line-up of music workshops, talks, meetups, mentoring and shows. Jorja Smith, Ayesha Madon, Voice of Baceprot and Nick Ward are a few emerging and established artist names on the line-up, along with Sydney duo 2touch who will make their live debut on the festival’s stage.

If you’re into games and music but don’t have time to sift through the entire SXSW Sydney line-up, I’ve rounded up the highlights in those categories here.

SXSW Sydney Music Highlights

Smol Fish

You might’ve heard Smol Fish on Triple J. They’re an indie rock band of four best friends from Boorloo, Western Australia. The band’s songs explore the lovely and lonesome aspects of being a 20-sometime navigating the world today.

Lucy Dickins: Featured Session

In just a year of Lucy Dickins leading contemporary music and touring at William Morris Endeavor (WME), the department had unprecedented levels of success. Hear her share about the state of the music industry and her career in a talk on Thursday, October 17 from 2pm ‘til 3pm at ICC Sydney.

The Kid Laroi

Australia’s own The Kid Laroi is this year’s SXSW Sydney Music Keynote for 2024. The session will be at Darling Harbour Theatre on Saturday, October 19 — though no other details have been announced. Laroi will share his journey from growing up in Redfern, Sydney to global fame.

Jorja Smith

British singer-songwriter Jorja Smith started writing music at age 11. Now 27, Smith has been nominated for a Grammy for Best New Artist in 2019, performed on Drake’s More Life and Kendrick Lamar’s Black Panther soundtrack and won a Brit Critic’s Choice Award in 2018. Smith’s show on Tuesday, October 15 from 7:30pm ‘til 11pm at ICC Sydney is only open to SXSW Sydney badgeholders.

SXSW Sydney Games Highlights

Games Festival Opening Party

The Games Festival Opening Party on Wednesday, October 16 from 7:30pm ‘til 10pm lets you connect with developers, creators and games industry professionals at one of Sydney’s most popular live music venues The Abercrombie Hotel.

Mastering Crowdfunding: Success Strategies for Game Developers

It’s not easy launching a game. Mastering Crowdfunding: Success Strategies for Game Developers is a panel session of crowdfunding experts discussing how they navigated launching, managing, marketing and following through on the promises of crowdfunding campaigns. Learn their tips and tricks on successfully running campaigns.

Rediscover Childhood Memories With the Creator of Fishbowl

Rhea Gupte is an indie game developer who created the coming-of-age game Fishbowl. In this session, Gupte will dive into its character Alo’s life. After her grandmother dies, the 21-year-old character goes on a journey of self-discovery. Rediscover Childhood Memories With the Creator of Fishbowl will be held at Fortress Sydney on Friday, October 18 from 1:30pm ‘til 2pm.

Queer Creators Games Showcase

Queer Creators Games Showcase is a SXSW Sydney event championing creativity and diversity in the gaming world. At the event, experience games created by talented queer developers pushing the boundaries of the medium. The showcase aims to highlight their work and to foster an inclusive, welcoming environment where artistry and community thrive.

Games and Screen Awards

Games and Screen Awards will take over Fortress Sydney in Alienware Arena on Saturday, October 19 from 7:30pm. The night will honour the best filmmakers and game developers of 2024. See who gets crowned winner of awards like Best Feature Film, Best International Game and the coveted Game of the Year.