Will SXSW Leave Texas?
South by Southwest is a Texas Tradition. Music, art, technology, and more come to the forefront in a way that makes the world stand up and take notice. It started in 1989 and has blossomed into a week long celebration of art that makes the coolest city in Texas even cooler. A ton of artists have been discovered there because it is capital of what's "in" at the moment. Folks like the Alabama Shakes, Foster the People, Imagine Dragons, Hanson, the Lumineers, and more have this incredible festival to thank for their big shot.
It should come as no surprise that the week long dip into the deep end of the hip pool is coveted across the land. Other cities would like to have the precious, and are using the controversial new "Anti-sanctuary city" law, also known as SB4 to further their means. The measure takes effect on September 1st and includes 2 significant anti-immigration statutes. Apparently, this was the opening that Democratic Senators Robert Menendez of New Jersey and Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada were looking for. They sent a letter to SXSW CEO and co-founder Roland Swenson urging him to relocate until the law is repealed.
Thankfully, Roland declined. Check out more on the story from Rolling Stone here.