South by Southwest has officially landed in Shoreditch. And no, this isn’t a fever dream fuelled by too many espresso martinis on Curtain Road. It’s real. It’s massive. And it’s about to make June 2025 your most musically chaotic month yet.
From 2–7 June 2025, the SXSW London Music Festival takes over Shoreditch with a sprawling lineup that’s part discovery platform, part sonic playground, and all vibes. The first wave of special guests? Oh, just Mabel, Alice Glass, NAO, Sasha Keable, and Miraa May — alongside 100+ underground acts curated to melt genre boundaries and make your ears very, very happy.
Shoreditch becomes the SXSW capital of sound
This is SXSW’s first-ever international edition, and they’ve chosen our corner of East London for a reason. With live musice venues like Shoreditch Town Hall, Village Underground, XOYO, and 93 Feet East stepping up as sonic sanctuaries, Shoreditch is officially the beating heart of SXSW London.
And let’s face it, this neighbourhood was born for this. With its blend of graffiti-laced streets, late-night record stores, and club basements that double as cultural incubators, Shoreditch is more than just a postcode. It’s a global music movement in sneakers.
The House of R&B takes over Shoreditch Town Hall
Set to host The House of R&B all week long, Shoreditch Town Hall transforms into a haven for the genre’s brightest stars and hidden gems. It kicks off with Notion presenting Mabel, followed by Soul Surge and Sasha Keable, and then The Blues Project with the hypnotic, GRAMMY-nominated NAO.
Later in the week, Everything R&B brings us Miraa May, whose soul-infused blend of vulnerability and power has been quietly redefining the genre. Throw in Sienna Spiro via Cloud X, and you’ve got a week-long playlist of the next wave of R&B royalty — all in one venue, all in Shoreditch.
Caribbean sounds and Afrobeats heat up Strongrooms
Need a bit more rhythm in your soul? Strongrooms is your go-to, with the Caribbean Music House taking over from Thursday. Expect fire showcases from across the diaspora, including a Deadly-curated performance by Lila Iké, and a courtyard full of vibes courtesy of Seani B’s Bruk Out session.
On Friday, the party shifts into high gear with City Splash Festival — an all-out celebration of reggae, dancehall, and Afrobeats. Expect sweaty dancefloors, riddims for days, and a whole lot of joyful noise.
Queer music takes centre stage
Representation isn’t a side dish here — it’s the main course. The festival’s queer music showcases bring together platforms like Gay Times, Sounds Queer, Wraith, Trans Voices, and Queer Ass Folk. At the heart of it all? A blowout performance by Queen Priyanka at The Old Blue Last for the Hungama showcase.
It’s loud. It’s proud. And it’s happening right on the doorstep of East London’s queer creative community. We’re here for it.
Village Underground & XOYO serve electronic underground realness
Need basslines and warehouse magic? Village Underground and XOYO are diving deep into diasporic electronic music. Crack Magazine takes over with Alice Glass, Eastern Margins brings Mono, and Shubbak Festival delivers an AV dreamscape via Saliah.
Each venue becomes its own world — co-curated by the scene’s sharpest minds — turning Shoreditch into a globe-spanning club crawl that feels like the future of nightlife.
SXSW isn’t just a festival — it’s a cultural map
Adem Holness, Head of Music for SXSW London, puts it best: “Each of our music venues will be a gateway into a different international new music scene.” And frankly, that’s the magic of this festival.
You won’t just see Mabel or dance to dancehall. You’ll discover underground Japanese jazz next to Nigerian alt-R&B, queer folk ballads next to Palestinian techno. It’s a chaotic mix — but somehow, in Shoreditch, it works.
Wristbands, passes, and how not to miss out
Single SXSW London Music Festival wristbands go on sale 14 April, starting at £65 — a small price for a week of ear-expanding exploration. Want more than just music? Grab a 3-Day Festival Pass now for £595, which also gets you access to conference sessions and screenings.
Want to cover the madness? Press accreditation is open — apply now and secure your spot in the cultural melee.
Shoreditch is ready. Are you?
With its international debut, SXSW London isn’t playing it safe — it’s rewriting the festival playbook. It’s part music summit, part cultural convulsion, and part block party on creative steroids.
This isn’t just about who’s on stage. It’s about where the music is going. And spoiler alert: it’s heading straight through Shoreditch.
