The Aussie BBQ is returning to the park from whence it came… For the the 2015 event, SXSW will see The Aussie BBQ move from Saturday to the Friday and take over both sides of Brush Square Park for the first time ever – returning to the site for the first time since 2009. Here are all the details you need about the event, revealed today:
The Aussie BBQ started as an idea by two music fans from Melbourne (Mary Mihelakos & Glenn Dickie) to offer the nine Australian artists in Austin for South by Southwest extra exposure. Originally held in a small car park in Austin in 2003 it was a chance for the Australian’s who had travelled half way across the world to have a second performance opportunity after their official showcase.
By 2005, the event had grown out of the car park venue and uprooted to Brush Square Park, and fast became a hotspot for international industry to discover the great Australian talent showcasing at the event over a few snags and some great Australian beer and wine.
After six solid years at the park showcasing close to 100 Australian musicians including Paul Kelly, The Living End, Missy Higgins, Hoodoo Gurus, The Temper Trap, The Drones, John Butler Trio, Sarah Blasko and Airbourne, the number of Australian artists and industry in attendance had grown so much it became necessary to look for an alternative venue.
In 2010, Sounds Australia and Stage Mothers partnered on the event and moved to the multi-stage venue Maggie Mae’s. By 2012, Maggie Maes had declared THE AUSSIE BBQ their biggest day/night party, with an audience of over 7000 music fans watching Australian artists over the course of the event, making it the biggest Australian only gig outside of Homebake Festival.
In an attempt to consolidate the event and give it a more dedicated industry focus, Sounds Australia have decided to move the BBQ back to its spiritual home of Brush Square Park. Taking over the whole park (a first at SXSW), and featuring 22 artists across two stages, The Aussie BBQ continues to be a key event on the South by Southwest calendar for festival bookers, agents, managers, labels, publicists, blogs and the media to discover the next crop of international touring acts from Australia.
Entry to the event is by accreditation (South by Southwest badges and music wristbands) only this year. There will not be a general public RSVP or guest list. The set times are listed in the image below:
