Musicians’ group seeks SXSW applicants to discuss fair pay issue

The United Musicians and Allied Workers advocacy group is seeking performers who have at any point applied to participate in the South by Southwest music festival, in hopes of discussing the push for increased compensation for festival artists. The online meeting will take place at 6 p.m. Central time on June 7, with an RSVP required to participate in any decision-making regarding the Fair Pay at SXSW campaign. Artist compensation at SXSW became an issue leading into the 2023 event, with advocates calling the longtime compensation – $100 for solo acts, $250 for full bands, with the option to receive festival credentials in lieu of payment – far too low. The festival made a modest increase this year and has signaled it may institute further increases. In a related bit of controversy, dozens of acts who had been selected to play at SXSW 2024 opted to drop out as a sign of protest against the U.S. military’s involvement as a partner in the festival. Members of some city boards and commissions have called on the city to repeal all fee waivers and other assistance given to the festival until pay for artists is increased to an acceptable level.