SXSW came to London for the first time earlier this month, and we managed to catch it all! The festival was split into three components - Film, Music & Conferences. However, despite the big-name backing and buzz, this inaugural SXSW London felt light on substance, struggling to live up to the creative energy of its Austin counterpart.

Concert films are reshaping the music industry, offering artists new ways to reach audiences. While stars like Taylor Swift lead with big-budget productions, indie musicians such as Courtney Barnett use intimate, story-driven films to connect with fans. This trend brings both opportunity and challenge, especially for emerging artists facing high production costs and rising expectations.

The UK festival season is rapidly approaching, and with the weather picking up, we’re getting ourselves ready for an absolute belter of festivals this year. Sure, the big names will always pull the headlines, but we’re here for the acts bubbling under — the ones playing tucked-away tents and early-afternoon slots, bringing the real magic.