AUSTIN, Texas — Editor's note: A previous version of this story stated that the current rate musicians get paid to be an official artist at SXSW is $100 for solo artists and $250 for bands. However, SXSW says the rates are $150 and $350, respectively.
Austin musicians plan to push for better pay for artists performing at South by Southwest (SXSW).
The nonprofit Austin Texas Musicians, the Austin Federation of Musicians and the United Musicians and Allied Workers (UMAW) are supporting an Austin Parks and Recreation Board recommendation to the city council. The groups say the recommendation would cancel public use contracts with SXSW unless they pay musicians fairly.
In February, the UMAW sent a letter to SXSW, stating that, for at least a decade, the festival has offered its showcasing artists either a one-time payment of $350 – $150 for solo artists – or a wristband to attend the festival. According to the letter, international artists don't have that choice and are only offered a wristband with no possibility for compensation.
According to an analysis put out by the festival, the economic impact SXSW had in Austin totaled $280.7 million in 2022.
UMAW created a petition called "Fair Pay at SXSW," including a petition that was signed by hundreds of artists.
"The goal is getting artist higher payments from the festival brings in millions and millions of dollars," Joey DeFrancesco, an organizer UMAW, told KVUE in February.
When KVUE reached out to SXSW about the concerns earlier, the festival said it was reviewing its policy.
The festival released the following statement:
"Our purpose at SXSW is to help creative people achieve their goals. As an industry event, showcasing at SXSW provides indispensable networking, mentoring, and career development opportunities that are not a part of standard consumer-focused festivals.
"It is essential for us to continue to provide opportunities that make the most impact in supporting the thousands of artists who come to Austin every March. We are grateful to the music community — from industry executives and production workers to the artists themselves — for creating such a unique atmosphere in Austin in March."
The musician groups plan to rally outside Austin City Hall at 5 p.m. The Parks and Recreation Board's meeting starts at 6 p.m.