About the Author
Chad Swiatecki is a 20-year journalist who relocated to Austin from his home state of Michigan in 2008. He most enjoys covering the intersection of arts, business and local/state politics. He has written for Rolling Stone, Spin, New York Daily News, Texas Monthly, Austin American-Statesman and many other regional and national outlets.
Newsletter Signup
The Austin Monitor thanks its sponsors. Become one.
Most Popular Stories
- U.S. accuses six landlords of rent price fixing. See which apartments they own in Austin.
- Austin ranks 5th in major cities vulnerable to wildfires
- Objections arise over Project Connect’s plan to use parkland
- Advocates urge immigrants in Austin to plan – but not panic – over new Trump orders
- Council Member Krista Laine opts to discontinue District 6 field office
-
Discover News By District
Community Engagement Opportunity
Musicians’ group seeks SXSW applicants to discuss fair pay issue
Thursday, June 6, 2024 by Chad Swiatecki
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.
Join Your Friends and Neighbors
We're a nonprofit news organization, and we put our service to you above all else. That will never change. But public-service journalism requires community support from readers like you. Will you join your friends and neighbors to support our work and mission?