SXSW 2022: The Weirdness Is Back!

After a COVID-19-imposed hiatus in 2020 and 2021, SXSW’s back! Austin’s biggest festival returns with a vengeance – maybe not in size, as the event has been scaled down and mask-wearing and distancing were encouraged – but with an urgency to address social, political, and environmental issues here and now on Earth, out of space, and as Virtual, Augmented and Mixed Reality (XR Experience).

Founded in 1987 to converge the tech, film/TV, music, and gaming industries as well as an expression of all forms of creative and innovative art, this year’s predominant theme of “South By” (as locals, fans, and SXSW pros like to call the festival which runs from March 11-20, 2022) is crypto-mania – with its hype and skepticism alike.

What makes SXSW so unique is that visitors and attendees are heading to Texas’ capital not just to attend panels, sessions, activations, and events, but also to discover and learn, particularly about cryptocurrencies, blockchain, NFTs, DAOS, Web3, and anything related to the metaverse. 

SXSW is a festival of breaking boundaries, where domestic and international communities build bridges, and of providing a platform for diversity and inclusion. Throughout the entire city, guests can experience the motto of “Keep Austin Weird” through art and food, and by having fun at the plentiful parties.

Here is a taste of Austin and SXSW’s “weirdness” …