SXSW Urged by Austin Artists to Compensate Performers Fairly

Musicians in Austin, Texas are calling for South by Southwest (SXSW) to pay their performers a fair wage. At the Austin Music Commission meeting on Wednesday night, local musicians voiced their concerns and urged the commissioners to support a recommendation that would require SXSW to guarantee fair pay for artists.

However, the Commission adjourned without taking a vote on the matter. Before the adjournment, several local musicians testified before the commissioners, highlighting the disparity between the income SXSW generates and the pay it offers to musicians.

Sadie Wolfe, a cellist with the band Batty Jr., described the situation as an example of a boss taking advantage of workers. Aaron Lack, president of the Austin Federation of Musicians, emphasized the financial struggle that many musicians face, stating that musicians can barely afford to participate in the festival anymore.

Currently, at SXSW’s 2023 festival, solo artists receive $100, while bands receive $250. Just recently, SXSW announced that it would increase the payment to $150 for solo artists and $350 for bands in 2024. However, Lack believes that the proposed increase is inadequate to address the existing pay disparity issue.

Phillip Balke, keyboardist for Soralia Beats, described the proposed increase as “laughable.” He argued that an increase does not solve the problem of not being able to use festival credentials to pay rent or buy groceries.

In response to the musicians’ demands, SXSW argues that the value of the festival extends beyond monetary compensation. Michele Flores, chief logistics officer for SXSW, emphasized the career development opportunities and connections made at the festival that contribute to future opportunities for musicians.

Alongside the recommendation from the Austin Parks & Recreation Board, which supported fair pay for performers and an increase in fees before the festival, the Austin Music Commission’s chair proposed a different recommendation. It called for continued contract negotiations with SXSW and the waiver of fees at Vic Mathias Shores.

The Austin Music Commission will revisit the SXSW pay issue at its August meeting. If a recommendation is passed, it will then be presented to the City Council for approval. The Austin Federation of Musicians would prefer to negotiate directly with SXSW rather than going through the city, but Lack claims that SXSW has been unwilling to engage in direct negotiations.

In response to the concerns raised, James Minor, VP Music Festival for SXSW, highlighted the festival’s purpose of helping creative individuals achieve their goals. Minor emphasized the networking, mentoring, and career development opportunities that SXSW provides, which are not available at standard consumer-focused festivals. He also mentioned that for 2024, the value of the artist credential has been substantially increased, offering the same access as a Music Badge, valued at $995, along with other artist-only benefits.

The issue of fair pay for musicians at SXSW is ongoing, and the outcome of the upcoming meetings and negotiations will determine the festival’s approach in the future.