SXSW Keynote: Lou Reed

Lou Reed

The South By Southwest (SXSW) Music Conference and Film Festival are pleased to announce that Lou Reed will be the keynote speaker for 2008. Reed’s keynote will be held in conjunction with a screening of Julian Schnabel’s film “Lou Reed’s ‘Berlin,'” which documents a recent performance of the landmark 1973 album. Reed’s groundbreaking work with the Velvet Underground and subsequent solo work reverberate through the music world to this day. His music continues to explore themes and sounds in a singular style, staking new territory for rock and roll. Reed will speak at the Austin Convention Center on Thursday, March 13 as the kickoff of the twenty-second annual SXSW. SXSW Music Conference events take place March 12 – 16, 2008.

In addition to Lou Reed’s keynote, the SXSW Music Conference presents interviews with a number of featured speakers.

Daryl Hall will appear as a featured speaker, as well as perform a SXSW showcase.

Seymour Stein, President of Sire Records, returns to Austin as the subject of a SXSW Interview.

Steve Reich and Thurston Moore are confirmed for a SXSW Interview.

Ticketmaster is the world’s largest ticketing company. CEO Sean Moriarty will sit down for a SXSW Interview in March.

Louis Messina, legendary founder of PACE concerts, is one of the chief architects of the modern concert business.

The 2008 South By Southwest Music Conference gets underway on Wednesday, March 12 with a series of ‘Music Biz 101’ sessions designed to give an overview of topics essential to developing artists and music business professionals. Make plans to attend the following sessions:

The SXSW Music Conference will present four days of panel discussions, interviews, and workshop sessions covering a wide variety of topics, addressing the concerns and interests of musicians, executives and music lovers.

The South By Southwest Music & Media Conference takes place March 12 – 16, 2008 at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas. Lou Reed’s keynote anchors four days of panels, interviews, workshops, peer meetings and the trade show exhibition. Daytime events flow into the world-renowned music festival, which showcases over 1500 acts on stages throughout downtown Austin.