SXSW: ‘The creative eyes of the world will be on London’

Sadiq Khan opened the inaugural SXSW London on Monday (Picture: Getty) Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has given Metro readers an insight into what SXSW London means for the city. The world-famous festival heads from its home in Austin, Texas, to the capital for the first time this week. Idris Elba, Katherine Ryan, Erykah Badu, Alice Glass, and Sophie Turner are among the many actors, musicians, creative minds, and pioneering entrepreneurs who will be giving talks and performances until Saturday. Held across various venues in Shoreditch, east London, in what has become the SXSW London campus, attendees can also immerse themselves in networking events, film premieres and thought-provoking panels. Sadiq opened the inaugural London festival during a panel with Tania Bryer at The Truman Brewery. READ MORE: Everything you need to know about SXSW London Mayor Sadiq Khan on SXSW London Sadiq Khan during the panel discussion with Tania Bryer at The Truman Brewery on day one of SXSW London (Picture: Getty) I was lucky to be a part of SXSW in Austin in 2018, and I saw first-hand the electric atmosphere of innovation that the festival creates. From helping to shape the future of tech and AI, to providing a platform for major new artists, SXSW London is a significant opportunity to generate new ideas, promote our capital and help inspire the next generation. This week the creative eyes of the world will be on London as our capital becomes the first European city to ever host SXSW. Leaders from the tech, media, gaming and creative industries are descending on Shoreditch in East London as the world-renowned Texas festival comes to our capital. Across 34 venues there will be hundreds of talks, live music, and film and TV screenings, as some of the world’s most exciting talent come together. It’s a great addition to our cultural calendar and another boost to our creative industries. These vital industries generate more than £63bn for the UK economy, having significantly surpassed pre-pandemic levels. They help define how London is perceived around the world, and provide young people with positive opportunities and access to training and jobs. SXSW is also the start of the biggest ever month for business and investment in London, with the Concordia Europe Summit, London Tech Week and London Climate Action Week all taking place in June. This series of major business events will attract thousands of dealmakers, investors, CEOs, entrepreneurs, innovators and creatives from all over the world, demonstrating that London is truly the best city for creativity, talent and business in the world. SXSW London takes place from today (June 2) until Saturday (June 7) at venues across London.  For more information and tickets, click here.