SxSW 2010 Recap: Interactive Vs. Music
Some curious/humorous observations; conclusions, all you…
SxSW Interactive
- Strictly on time
- Panel/keynote speakers wear wireless/clip-on mics (most often)
- Panel/keynote production appears flawless (ex: nametags/hash tags clearly visible, high-quality sound, SxSW staff on-hand and in control)
- Open-door policy (attendees enter and leave panels/keynotes as they please)
- Multitasking assumed and celebrated (ex: tweeting, hash tag strains broadcast simultaneously on stage screens, taking photos/videos, watching videos/accessing links speaker mentions as he/she continues talking)
- Panels/keynotes packed to capacity, one-in/one-out entry queues outside most doors, attendees (literally) battling for panel/keynote front row seats
- Panel/keynote attendee questions usually benefit everyone in the room
- Panel/keynote speakers revered as “rockstars” as attendees vehemently Twitter speeches as “gospels” and rush the stage post events
- Collective, impromptu crowd reactions are frequent (from applause to walkouts)
- Attendees share uber-alpha networking gene, introducing themselves to each other at nearly every possible opportunity, whether seated or in queue… most even managing a pitch
- Attendees have business cards
- Attendees display exuberance in helping each other, openly sharing newly observed/learned tips/ideas
- Panel/keynote speaker metaphors run rampant, assuming attendees will connect dots rapidly (which they do)
- Conversely, attendees express frustration/impatience when panels/keynotes move “slow”
- Overall celebration/mutual admiration between panel/keynote speakers and attendees, each easily vacillating between roles as “students” and “leaders”
- Overarching business-casual fashion, geeky yet hip
- Parties attended mostly by men in khakis
SxSW Music
- Late, a lot
- Panel/keynote speakers have handheld mics (most often)
- Panel/keynote production sloppy (ex: nametags/hash tags missing altogether, sound issues, SxSW staff MIA)
- Open-window policy (attendees can come late or leave but panel/keynote speakers appear visibly put out)
- Multitasking considered rude, especially at a show (ex: audience members reprimanded from stage by artists, while at panels/keynotes, hash tag strains completely MIA)
- Panels/keynotes sparsely attended
- Panel/keynote attendee questions are highly personalized
- The only “rockstars” are actual rockstars
- Collective, impromptu crowd reactions are also frequent but limited to applause and sing-alongs
- Attendees keep to themselves/cliques
- Attendees generally don’t have business cards
- Attendees hoard newly observed/learned tips/ideas
- Panel/keynote speakers consistently refer to old, outdated ideas (ex: 1000 True Fans, DIY Fundraising); PowerPoint runs rampant
- Attendees yawn frequently but don’t express displeasure
- Overall admiration of panel/keynote speakers by attendees; the opposite does not apply
- Black, black, black; everyone wears black
- Except for all the half naked girls with hula hoops and cowboy boots up and down 6th St.
Tags: SxSW —
3/22/10
Categories: CUT THROUGH THE NOISE
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4 Responses to “SxSW 2010 Recap: Interactive Vs. Music”
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You are bang on
not sure whether to laugh or cry or both!
[...] Open-door policy (attendees enter and leave panels/keynotes as they please) [...] [...]
I wonder, then, if the best way for a musician to make use of SXSW is not to go to SXSW music, but to go to SXSW interactive — that way, they’d be mingling with bloggers, press, and new media folks (i.e. their target audience) — rather than just with other musicians. Just a thought.