March 21, 2013
Actors Steve Carell, actress Olivia Wilde and actor Jim Carrey arrive at the world premiere of 'The Incredible Burt Wonderstone' during the 2013 SXSW Music, Film + Interactive Festival at the Paramount Theatre on March 8, 2013 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Michael Buckner/Getty Images)
If you were hanging out on Twitter last week, it’s likely you saw the hashtags #SXSW and #SXSW2013 added to the tweets of your favorite musicians, actors, and technology thought leaders. Since its inception in 1987, South by Southwest (SXSW), has grown into the ultimate stomping ground for A-listers in the music, film and interactive technology industries every year.
A natural springboard venue, SXSW has become the obvious destination for anyone wishing to launch a new social technology, blockbuster film or budding musical career.
The history making weeklong event boasts the premieres of big budget films like Bridesmaids (2011), the discovery of British singer James Blunt (2004), and one of Time Magazines “Top 10 Music-Festival Moments” of all time, a secret concert headlining The Flaming Lips (2006). The interactive event has been falsely credited as the launch pad for Twitter (2007) even though the social networking powerhouse was leading the technology buzz that year. However, SXSW can take full credit for the debut of Foursquare (2009), which was called “the breakout mobile app” by Mashable.
Jarobi White, Q-Tip, Phife Dawg and Ali Shaheed Muhammad of A Tribe Called Quest. perform as Samsung Galaxy Sound Stage presents A Tribe Called Quest and Prince at SXSW on March 16, 2013, in Austin, Texas. (Photo by John Sciulli/Getty Images for Samsung)
SXSW 2013 ended on Sunday, and from real time accounts on Twitter, it did not disappoint. The Incredible Burt Wonderstone and Evil Dead were notable film debuts. Performances by the incomparable Justin Timberlake, hip-hop legends A Tribe Called Quest, and Prince, the artist and icon himself, created lasting memories in the minds and hearts of the SXSW music festival attendees. Technology blog founder and interactive icon Pete Cashmore hosted the Mashable Variety Show exploring the digital revolution and what it all means. Joining Pete and the gang at the Mashable House, were Grumpy Cat and Scumbag Steve, of Internet meme fame.
Prince performs as Samsung Galaxy presents Prince and A Tribe Called Quest at SXSW on March 16, 2013 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by John Sciulli/Getty Images for Samsung )
The smartest politicians, and brightest stars made the 2013 SXSW conferences and festivals an event people will be buzzing about for weeks, months, even years to come. Everyone from Newark, NJ Mayor Cory Booker and music legend Stevie Nicks, to funk’s finest Bootsy Collins and Beyoncé’s baby sis Solange were in attendance. Even superstar Selena Gomez and the Dogfather himself, Snoop Dog made a visit to Austin, Texas last week.
SXSW 2013 was--no doubt--the scene where the newest innovations, next musical prodigy, and hit films made their debut and are sure to be entering the mainstream in the coming year. Where else would you find Dave Grohl delivering a keynote and revealing the devastating impact of Kurt Cobain’s suicide? Gangster rapper 50 Cent sitting quietly composed during an interview? Or Shaquille O’Neal preparing to slam-dunk media strategist Brian Solis? And, Google’s latest buzz? Talking shoes.
Justin Timberlake performs at Myspace Secret Show @ SXSW on March 16, 2013 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images for Myspace)
Browse our image galleries of SXSW 2013 events to relive the moments that made music, film, and interactive history.