So what is South X SouthWEST? "In its 19-year history, it has grown from being a jolly spring get-together for a few hundred US indie labels and musicians in search of a deal, to an international gathering that is the most important date in our music industry calendar."
(The Guardian, March 25, 2005)
And this year Paolo Nutini has been invited to play at SXSW when it runs between 15th and 19th March. In it's 20th year its a conference and showcase of about 1200 acts with 8000 delegates in attendance. Pop, jazz, country, blues, reggae, hip hop, electronica - every imaginable style of music, from nearly every continent - is represented each night at over 50 of Austin's premier stages, many within walking distance of one another. There's more amazing music performed and crucial business conducted in Austin over those few days than anyone who hasn't been to SXSW can imagine.
Previous artists through the SXSW doors have included The Flaming Lips, Franz Ferdinand, David Gray, The Black Eyed Peas, The Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Ryan Adams to name just a handful!
The highlights this year which include Paolo Nutini are Biffy Clyro (Glasgow), The Secret Machines (New York), KT Tunstall (St Andrews), Mogwai (Glasgow), The Magic Numbers (London) Cerys Matthews (Austin, TX) Hard Fi (Staines, UK), The Zutons (Liverpool) to name but a few! Radio 1 will be broadcasting live from Austin, Texas so listen to Radio 1 for news and live OB's.
Keep your eyes on the Paolo Nutini site to find out how Paolo gets on ....