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.

It’s 2025, and on any given night in Britain you might wander into a backroom pub or tiny club and catch the next big thing – if that venue is still open. Our grassroots music venues – those small, beloved stages where countless artists play their first gigs – are facing an unprecedented crisis.