SXSW London might have the most eclectic lineup in history

South by South West (SXSW), the festival and conference showcasing the best innovators in tech and creativity, normally hosts its annual run of events in Austin, Texas, but this year it’s making its UK debut – running an impressive series of events out of Shoreditch, East London. Taking place from 2-7 June, the festival’s lineup of talks, live performances, film screenings and immersive art and music will take over dozens of venues, galleries, clubs and spaces around Shoreditch, reeling in creative, culture-facing and tech-curious crowds.

At this summer’s events, audiences will hear from perhaps the widest spectrum of speakers we’ve ever encountered. At one end of the spectrum, Sir Demis Hassabis, co-founder and CEO of Google DeepMind, will be divulging the frontiers of AI and whether or not it is doomed to be our downfall. At the other, Dr Jane Goodall, legendary zoologist and UN Messenger for Peace, will be bringing festival goers a call to action for environmental conservation. The lineup also boasts talks from the likes of Idris Elba, Katherine Ryan, Abba’s Björn Ulvaeus, and key figures in London’s art scene such as Bettina Korek, CEO of the Serpentine Galleries, and Georgia Haseldine, senior curator at V&A East.

The festival’s selection of speakers aims to offer up invaluable industry insights and opportunities for connection and conversation, establishing itself as the new “meeting place for Europe’s tech, media and creative industries”. With everyone from brand owners to agencies, consultants and tech businesses invited, its leading voices for 2025 will lean into a few key themes: Innovation meets Imagination: The future of creativity; Humanity, machines and the future of AI; New tech frontiers; and Navigating business in a changing world, plus a fair few more. “This new wave of headliners reflects our unwavering determination to spark a unique sense of creativity and optimism across SXSW London,” shares CEO of SXSW London, Max Alexander. “Global leaders will inspire attendees to think differently, and foster debate around the most topical issues facing the world today.” 

The event’s excitement doesn’t stop at tech and creativity though, as SXSW’s music and screen festivals will also be taking place across the week. Special guests on the music side such as Mabel, Alice Glass and NAO, and over 500 other acts. The screen festival spans music videos, shorts and feature-length movies, including headliners Stans (the opening night premiere, executive produced by Eminem); The Life of Chuck, and Love & Rage: Munroe Bergdorf. Just like the music schedule, the festival’s screen programme spans genres, and celebrates both mainstream and underground scenes, with a host of up and coming directors to get to know. Explore the screen schedule here. 

Alongside the festival’s conference, tickets are also now available for these two strands of the festival. With the chance to attend underground gigs, see up-and-coming cinema and hear from visionaries on contemporary creative issues, it seems like there’s not a corner that SXSW hasn’t covered.

We've also teamed up with SXSW to give one lucky reader the chance to win two Conference Passes. If you fancy being in with a chance to access all the action you can enter our competition here.