Tag: austin

An entire parking lot full of SXSW attendees collectively surrendered—phones pocketed, feet rooted—during Cuban-Canadian duo OKAN’s afternoon set at Hotel San José’s South by San José. The performance, infused with Afro-Cuban roots and Yoruba chant, was a profound act of authenticity and presence that redefined what it means for an artist to “show up” in 2026. Andrew Rossow of True Hollywood Talk recaps his experience.

Rising music star Jade LeMac took the Auditorium Shores stage at Coca-Cola's Sips & Sounds on Day 2 of SXSW 2026—and by the time her 45 minutes were up, Austin wasn't ready to let her go. True Hollywood Talk managing editor and AR Media CEO Andrew Rossow shares his first-person review of LeMac's effortless debut, and a pointed look at what SXSW owes the rising artists who make it worth attending.

Two weeks after a gunman killed three people on West Sixth Street, Austin walks into SXSW 2026 carrying grief it hasn't fully named yet. Attorney, brand impact consultant, and True Hollywood Talk's Austin editor Andrew Rossow argues that showing up—to live music, to each other, to the kind of cultural moment The Paradox represents—is exactly how this city heals. On March 16, the first all-Black band to top Billboard's Alternative Airplay chart headlines 'Pudgy Rodeo' at Mohawk Austin. This is why that matters.

SXSW has had good years and forgettable ones. But SXSW 2026 is something else entirely. With the Austin Convention Center demolished, Music, Film, and Innovation converging for the first time in decades, and a 40th anniversary lineup that's asking real questions about humanity, AI, and what endures—this is the festival firing on all cylinders. Managing Editor Andrew Rossow breaks down why this March in Austin hits differently.

Spotify turns 20 this March, and it's kicking off the celebration where it belongs — at SXSW in Austin. With Alanis Morissette, Ella Langley, and St. Vincent headlining a landmark concert at Stubb's on March 14, the anniversary lineup reads like a deliberate argument for what endures. We break down what the moment means, why the artist choices matter, and what two decades of streaming have actually taught us about music.

As Jade LeMac prepares for a massive 2026 Austin residency—playing both the Sips & Sounds Festival and the 'Lucky Me' World Tour—Managing Editor Andrew Rossow applies a legal lens to her strategic rise. Discover why her move to the 512 is the industry's most important litmus test this year.

Beyond the setlist, Hilary Duff is leveraging her 2026 return to implement radical fan-first ticket protections. Discover the legal and business 'Duff Doctrine.'

From viral "Constellations" streams to a 2026 GLAAD Media Award nomination, Jade LeMac is redefining pop stardom. As she prepares to join Hilary Duff’s "Lucky Me" Tour at Austin’s Germania Insurance Amphitheater, we look at the human-centric storytelling and unapologetic advocacy driving her meteoric rise.

Beyond the spectacle of the lights, we delve into the enduring theme of identity within Tim Burton's masterpiece. Explore how Austin's Wildflower Center perfectly captures the film’s "misfit aesthetic," transforming the classic tale into an immersive light experience featuring Jack Skellington's search for belonging.

We analyze the artistry and enduring themes of The Nightmare Before Christmas as Austin’s Wildflower Center transforms into the breathtaking, immersive light trail. Explore the stunning light sculptures of Jack Skellington, Sally, and Halloween Town 30 years later.