SXSW 2026 clubhouse format: What worked and what didn’t in Austin

Steve Berlin of the East Los Angeles band Los Lobos performs at the Radio Day Stage at the Downright Austin Hotel during the South by Southwest Conference and Festivals on Saturday, March 14, 2026, in Austin. The band is at SXSW in connection with the documentary “Los Lobos: Native Sons,” about its decades-long career. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman The South by Southwest Conference and Festival debuted a condensed format built around clubhouses dedicated to each programming track this year. The Statesman braved the wind and 30-degree temperature swings for seven straight days. Here are our major takeaways.  Article continues below this ad Conrad Lozano of the East Los Angeles band Los Lobos performs at the Radio Day Stage at the Downright Austin Hotel during the South by Southwest Conference and Festivals on Monday, March 16, 2026, in Austin. The band is at SXSW in connection with the documentary “Los Lobos: Native Sons,” about its decades-long career. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman How did this year’s clubhouse structure work?  Mars Salazar: At the music clubhouse at Downright Austin, the courtyard wasn’t as buzzy as anticipated, and attendance at the Radio Day Stage felt transitory. Most of the Downright crowd was upstairs on the third floor for panels
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