South by Southwest clarified that its music-festival component will continue in 2026, despite SXSW's traditional music-only second weekend being nixed.

Reports of SXSW ’s demise have been greatly exaggerated. Despite headlines circulating online on Monday suggesting that the music component of the annual festival in Austin, Texas, is all but dead for 2026, organizers tell Rolling Stone that live music will be well-represented next year.

With dwindling band numbers and a surge in Film interest, the event will present a trimmed-down schedule that eliminates a dedicated music weekend in 2026. SXSW is also offering a lifeline to cash-strapped,