Awesome Black's Mob Guide to SXSW Sydney 2025

SXSW Sydney is back — and as always, Mob are bringing the energy, ideas and brilliance that make this city tick.
Whether you’re performing, speaking, or just soaking it all in, here’s your Mob Guide to the week — where to be, who to see, and what moments you shouldn’t miss.

We’ve pulled together the events, talks, and performances that are Blak-friendly, Blak-led, or just plain good for Mob.
And yes — we’ve got our own party in the mix too.

🔥 FEATURED: LOUDER – Awesome Black Music Showcase

Friday 17 October | The Barrie | 6 pm – 1 am

We’re back for another year of LOUDER for those up the back — our genre-agnostic First Nations music showcase at SXSW Sydney.
It’s not a label night, not a playlist plug — it’s a celebration of Blak excellence in sound.

The lineup is stacked: Mr Rhodes, Akala Newman, Lemonise, Selve, Kootsie Don, Nate G, DJ Forever Tupou, and a closing Vibe Check DJ set from DJ DK.
We’ll also be running a free T-shirt pop-up featuring new designs by the Awesome Black team — pull up, get a shirt, and catch a night of heavy-hitting live music from the future of Blak sound.

🎤 OUR TOP PICKS FOR THE WEEK

1. Main Character Energy

Mon 13 Oct | 10 – 10:30 am | ICC 2.2
Start your SXSW right. This panel’s about stepping into your story and taking up space — something we know Mob have been doing forever. A reminder that confidence isn’t arrogance when you’ve earned it.

2. Digital Sovereignty – Don’t Build Your Castle on Someone Else’s Land

Tue 14 Oct | 11:45 – 12:15 pm | ICC C2.5
A must-see for creatives and technologists thinking about ownership, platforms, and who really benefits from our stories. The title says it all — sovereignty extends online too.

3. Do I Still Need to Be an Ally? A Staunch Blackfella’s Opinion in a Post-DEI World

Wed 15 Oct | 3:30 – 4 pm | ICC C2.2
Expect honesty, humour, and maybe a little heat. This conversation hits the tension between corporate “diversity” optics and real solidarity — one that’s overdue in every industry room.

4. So You Want to Work with Indigenous Creatives

Thu 16 Oct | 11:30 – 12:30 pm | ICC E3.10
For brands, producers and collaborators who want to do it right. A chance to hear from Mob in the industry about best practice, respect, and creating space instead of taking it.

5. First Nations Music Meet Up

Fri 17 Oct | 3 – 4 pm | ICC C2.2
If you’re working in music, don’t miss this. It’s the best room of the week to connect with other Mob artists, managers and industry heads before heading straight to LOUDER that night.

View on SXSW Sydney Lineup

🗓️ FULL WEEK MOB GUIDE

MON 13 OCT

• Main Character Energy – 10:00 – 10:30  | ICC 2.2
• Networking 1:1 – How to Get the Best Out of SXSW for Mob – 11:00 – 11:30  | ICC C2.2
• Opening Ceremony – 4:45 – 5:00  | Tumbalong Park

TUE 14 OCT

• Mental as Anyone LIVE: Practical Solutions for Australia’s Mental Health Challenge – 10:00 – 11:00 | ICC E3.9
• There Is No Algorithm for Creativity (feat. Tara McKenty, AKQA) – 11:30 – 12:30 | ICC Parkside 2
• Digital Sovereignty – Don’t Build Your Castle on Someone Else’s Land – 11:45 – 12:15 | ICC C2.5
• Not Just Adding Dots: Best Practice Communications with Mob – 1:30 – 2:30 | ICC C2.2
• Drifting Clouds – 6:30 – 7:00 pm | The Underground Sydney – Johnnie Walker Black Ruby House

WED 15 OCT

• Blending Cultures with Music – Production Workshop – 11:00 – 11:30 | ICC C2.2
• This Song Is Yours with Trials LIVE – 2:30 – 3:30 | ICC E3.9 Podcast Stage
• Do I Still Need to Be an Ally? A Staunch Blackfella’s Opinion in a Post-DEI World – 3:30 – 4:00 | ICC C2.2
• Velvet Trip – 8:30 pm | The Underground Sydney link
• JJ4K – 6:30 pm | Knox St Bar link

THU 16 OCT

• So You Want to Work with Indigenous Creatives – 11:30 – 12:30 | ICC E3.10
• Robin Taua-Gordon Speaker Connect – 11:30 – 12:00 | ICC C2.2
• It Will Find You – 8:45 – 10:47 pm | Palace Cinemas
• Beyond the Decks: Innovation and Tension in Electronic Live Music – 3:00 – 4:00 | The Abercrombie link
• Akala Newman – 4:30 – 5:00 pm | Lord Gladstone Downstairs link

FRI 17 OCT

• Yarning Strong: Talking Cultural Competency – 10:00 – 11:00 | ICC C2.2
• Pitch Please! Craft Your Pitch to Government – 12:30 – 1:30 | UTS Building 8
• There’s a Scam for Everyone: Indigenous-Led Cybersecurity Solutions – 1:30 – 2:30 | ICC C2.2
• Kyarna – 12:30 – 1:00 pm | Kensington Street link
• Selve – 3:30 – 4:00 pm | Kensington Street
• Merch or Die – 2:00 – 3:00 pm | ICC E3.6
• First Nations Music Meet Up – 3:00 – 4:00 pm | ICC C2.2 link
• LOUDER – Awesome Black Music Showcase – 6:00 pm – 1:00 am | The Barrie

SAT 18 OCT

• Bush Shorts – 1:30 – 3:15 pm | Palace Cinemas
• Velvet Trip – 4:15 pm | Tumbalong Park Stage link
• Krystal Rivvers – 8:00 – 8:30 pm | The Chippo Hotel – The Den @ The Chippo
• Big Noter – 11:00 – 11:30 pm | The Chippo Hotel – The Den @ The Chippo

💬 Stay Connected

Follow @awesomeblackorg for our daily Mob round-ups and event highlights throughout SXSW Sydney.
We’ll be sharing live recaps, behind-the-scenes shots, and maybe a few afterparty moments.

If you’re performing or speaking, tag us — we’ll be sharing Mob across the platform all week.

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