SXSW London: Five live performances, film showcases and talks you must see

In London this week? Make sure you catch some of these shows at SXSW London (Picture: Getty / REX) 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 Alice Glass will be performing at the Village Underground on Tuesday (Picture: Cindy Barrymore/REX/Shutterstock) 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 2025 pick Heartworms during a performance at London’s Roundhouse (PIcture: Richard Isaac/REX/Shutterstock) 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) Sophie Turner features in Engineering the Impossible with Demis Hassabis, Co-founder & CEO, Google DeepMind (Picture: Anthony Harvey/REX/Shutterstock) 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.