Published June 2, 2025 12:14pm
Updated June 2, 2025 12:15pm
The world’s creative eyes are on London this week as the capital’s first SXSW festival kicks off.
Across six jam-packed days, the likes of Idris Elba, Sophie Turner and Katherine Ryan will grace stages across numerous venues in Shoreditch, east London.
And it’s not just talks. Established and rising musicians make up an eclectic roster of live performances.
Talking to Metro, festival CEO Max Alexander described this year’s event as a ‘love letter to London’.
There’s so much to see and experience across the week. Thankfully, Metro, as SXSW London media partners, has teamed up with festival curators for their five must-see events across music, film and conference.
Metro’s assistant editor (news) Rory McKeown has also given his five music acts to see this year.
SXSW London must see music acts: Adem Holness, Head of Music at SXSW London
NAO
Sasha Keable
Alice Glass
DJ LO Down Loretta Brown AKA Erykah Badu
Lila Ike
SXSW London must see music acts: Rory McKeown, Metro’s assistant editor (news)
Alice Glass
Amahla
Heartworms
Keg
L’Objectif
DICE’s 25 grassroots artists to see in 2025
Ticketing app DICE has put together a list of their 25 grassroots artists you need to see in London over the next six months.
With tickets ranging from free to £27.50, these shows will ensure a great night to suit all tastes and budgets.
Click HERE to catch the full list.
SXSW London must see screen events: Anna Bogutskaya, Head of Screen at SXSW London
Cosmic Archeology: The films of Jenn Nkiru
Unbound (world premiere)
Plainclothes (UK premiere)
Silent Observers (UK premiere)
Lesbian Space Princess (UK premiere)
SXSW London must see conferences: Kat Shearling, Head of Conference
A Conversation on AI – Demis Hassabis, co-founder & CEO, Google DeepMind & Francine Laqua, Anchor and Editor-At-Large, Bloomberg
Engineering the Impossible – Ben Lamm, co-founder and CEO, Colossal Biosciences & Sophie Turner
The Future of Entertainment – Björn Ulvaeus & Laura Barton, Guardian
The Brand the Brand the Brand! – Gary Vaynerchuk, CEO, VaynerMedia & Selina Sykes, Unilever
Transforming at Scale – Mark Read, WPP and Katie Prescott, Technology Business Editor, The Times
SXSW London takes place from today (June 2) until Saturday (June 7) at venues across London. For more information and tickets, click here.
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