AUSTIN, Texas — Austinites are using South by Southwest (SXSW) to get their message across.
One group created what's called the Punk Rock Lottery, where 40 musicians from Austin are put into randomly selected bands and compete.
The concept started in 2010, but during the pandemic, the group took a couple of years off. To celebrate the return of the event this year, the team is also releasing a documentary to share its history.
Jacob Miguel, the executive producer and director for the documentary, said to see local filmmakers and artists get their chance is what SXSW is all about.
"South by Southwest has grown beyond its original means,” Miguel said. “It's their goal, and that's fine because that's what happens. But what's cool about this Punk Rock Lottery is it's still in that formative stage for a more global audience. So bringing it to South by Southwest is almost like bringing South By back to itself."
The event is Sunday night at 8 p.m. at Empire Control Room and Garage and will showcase the new bands that formed due to the lottery.