From Play to Purpose: More Highlights from SXSW London
- Jon Salmon
- Jun 25
- 3 min read
After a few days of letting it all sink in, I’m sharing more highlights from an unforgettable SXSW London for Byte Entertainment and if you missed my first post, you can read it here "Where Creativity, Culture and Conversation Collide".
So later in the week I found myself making Lego at Spitalfields Church with Joana Lenkova and David Pallash from the LEGO Group, who wass preaching (well it was a church) that “we need to put play back on the map”.
We were asked to imagine a playful moment from when we were 11, and using the Lego we had been given to create and then talk about our creation with the person sitting next us. A really fun but important session with Joana concluding that “Children are natural-born futurists” and I couldn't agree more!
The panel on the future of immersive was also a standout, Adam Nicholas, Hannah Marshall, Carolina Vallejo and moderated by Amber Mundinger. It certainly left me wanting to hear and see more of the work from the panel including Hannah's VOICEBOX and being immersed in the next Polygon Productions event.
If you ever get a chance to hear Dan Bennett from Ogilvy UK talk about behavioural science, just do it!! His session was practical, thought-provoking, funny and packed full of useful ideas. This short paragraph of text doesn't do Dan's talk justice and so you’ll just have to experience it for yourself.
Shoreditch Town Hall was full of energy and I had just missed cesc fabregas. The “Protecting your royalty revenues” session also had a stong line-up with Luke L. Rocket Sports, Sean Donegan Irish Music Rights Organisation Limited, composer Steve Sidwell, and Ryan Edwards from Audoo discussed how using technology can provide real-time insights that can unlock new revenue streams for artists.
I popped into وزارة الثقافة Ministry of Culture Sadu House for some good conversations and a delicious cup of Qahwa! On the way out, it was great to spot the billboard for Self Space opposite - nice one Chance Marshall and Jodie Cariss MA, Badth,HPC.
The climate and arts session with Ian Stanton Beggars Group, Fanny Calder and Karen Edwards from Murmur was another highlight. Fanny talked about the link between activism and music, which really resonated with me. Murmur work with artists, organisations and climate experts to inspire impactful climate action and certainly an organistation we would like to be involved with in the future.
SXSW London wasn’t just talks, I made time to get to the Strongroom to see £Monzo, DJ Kizzi, and Jernade at The Old Blue Last. Gutted I missed the Night Time Industries Association showcase with Tinie Tempah and it looked like a brilliant night Michael Kill.
The final event I went to was back at Rich Mix and was exactly what I needed to hear. Hosted by Matt Everitt , John Rostron Association of Independent Festivals, Fruzsina Szép Lollapalooza, and Nick Bonard from Montreux Jazz Festival.
I loved Fruzsina’s point about making influencers part of the marketing team, and John’s call for the UK Government to give every 18-year-old a £300 culture pass like other European countries. I will probably write a full article on this talk, as it really was super inspring for anyone that is thinking about putting on a festival or event.
So... well done to everyone who made SXSW London happen including Max A., Clare (Hill) Morris and the whole team. It can't have been easy putting on something so ambitious but certainly I was left wanting more!