Music Commission hears testimony and then delays vote on SXSW pay

The Music Commission delayed action on the matter of fair pay for South by Southwest performers, holding nearly three hours of discussion on the controversial topic Wednesday night before rescheduling possible action until next month.

The delay on the SXSW item and several others came about because the commission only had use of the meeting room in the Austin Energy Headquarters at Mueller until 9:45 p.m.

The agenda item was solely tied to fair pay standards for SXSW showcasing musicians but was tied potentially to an item passed by the Parks and Recreation Board that asks the city to negotiate for fair pay for artists performing at its parkland facilities used by the festival, such as Auditorium Shores. Council is expected to vote on that item on July 20.

The festival has raised its rates for the 2024 festival to $350 for bands and $150 for solo/duo acts, with SXSW Chief Logistics Officer Michele Flores noting that an enhanced credentials package is an option many performing artists use at the event that is geared toward the music industry rather than a consumer audience.

Speakers throughout the meeting noted the impact that SXSW has on the local entertainment economy for all artists.

“Musicians are asking to have a seat at the table to talk about how we’re going to be compensated for this enormous festival that has a huge economic impact not only on the city economy, but also on our personal financial security,” said Jeff Olson, a board member of the American Federation of Musicians Local 433. “The fact that entire bands are paid $250 total to come here and play the festival has a severe effective depreciation on our ability to effectively negotiate for the rest of the year.”

Pleasure Venom singer Audrey Campbell said SXSW’s rate of pay falls far behind what her band can demand from much lower-profile festivals in many parts of the world.

“I have a bunch of festivals coming up that are not the size of South By, but they are paying way better,” she said. “I’ve worked really hard to get to this point, and I don’t want anyone to question our (payment) guarantees or draw. … There’s not even a question about any wristband, and it’s definitely not going to be what’s offered as payment.”

Amid the payment discussions, Parks and Recreation Board Chair Pedro Villalobos reminded the Music Commission that his group removed any specific pay amounts from its language, in part because of recent changes in state law that will preempt portions of local labor ordinances.

“If this commission decides to recommend specific numbers, we’re probably heading towards the territory of committing something that is probably in violation of state law, which is probably gonna get the city in trouble,” he said. “The recommendation is about holding South by Southwest’s feet to the fire and ensuring that the city of Austin is using its leverage to ensure that private actors who want to use city resources and who consistently are asking for (fee) waivers for parks facilities” is something the city is willing to continue.

Singer-songwriter David Ramirez restated that whether it’s official SXSW venues or unaffiliated private facilities, the roughly 300 bars and music venues in Austin all tend to pay the same far-lower rates for artists for weeks afterward.

“Even if a venue is not an official venue, they model their week after what’s happening during South By and what all of the other venues in town are doing,” he said. “The entire city models each other’s prices, and they will pay you less or not at all. You’re just there because it’s a big spring break party.”

Photo made available through a Creative Commons license.

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