Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook
Guy Buys $123 Safe on eBay, Finds $26,000 Inside Seller tries to get half the cash back, fails »

Tables Turn on Rebel Festival

Austin SXSW now finds itself cast as 'the man'

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 14, 2008 2:20 PM CDT
Email

(Newser) – The South by Southwest musical festival finds itself in an odd spot—the once-tiny gathering is now the big bad authority figure as it tries to keep others from horning in on its success, the Wall Street Journal reports. Festival organizers routinely call the police, revoke privileges, and file lawsuits as they try to shut down the loads of unsanctioned parties and concerts that spring up on the fringes of the 5-day festival in Austin, Texas.

And even though many of those unsanctioned parties are sponsored by corporate entities such as Ticketmaster and JetBlue, "They're the rebels and we're 'The Man,'" said SXSW director Roland Swenson. The festival itself, which started in 1987 on a shoestring, now has such big-name sponsors as Citibank and Dell, the Journal notes. This year's event runs through Tuesday.

As unofficial parties sprout up around this year's SXSW Festival, it is festival authorities and not law enforcement who have taken it upon themselves to shut them down.
As unofficial parties sprout up around this year's SXSW Festival, it is festival authorities and not law enforcement who have taken it upon themselves to shut them down.   ((c) keeping it real)
Seattle Washington's The Cops, with Mike Jaworski, Drew Church, and Brandon Ball, right to left, perform during a party at the SXSW Music Festival in Austin Thursday, March 13, 2008.
Seattle Washington's The Cops, with Mike Jaworski, Drew Church, and Brandon Ball, right to left, perform during a party at the SXSW Music Festival in Austin Thursday, March 13, 2008.   (AP Photo/Jack Plunkett)
Vampire Weekend performs at one of the day festivals surrounding the SXSW Music Festival in Austin on Thursday, March 13, 2008.
Vampire Weekend performs at one of the day festivals surrounding the SXSW Music Festival in Austin on Thursday, March 13, 2008.   (AP Photo/Jack Plunkett)
R.E.M's Michael Stipe performs during the SXSW Music Festival in Austin on March 12, 2008.
R.E.M's Michael Stipe performs during the SXSW Music Festival in Austin on March 12, 2008.   (AP Photo/Jack Plunkett)
Musician Moby speaks at the SXSW Film Festival in Austin on Tuesday, March 11, 2008.
Musician Moby speaks at the SXSW Film Festival in Austin on Tuesday, March 11, 2008.   (AP Photo/Jack Plunkett)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

The dreaded festival hipster experience
MTV

An SXSW photo gallery
Rolling Stone

An SXSW play-by-play
Times (UK)

Who's playing at the festival?
Sxsw.com

 
rock and roll • indie rock • music festival • SXSW • Roland Swenson • VIPs • corporate sponsorship • festivals

More Newser Stories

Weezer Star Needs Help Writing a Song

Vampires, REM Win Austin Buzz
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne