Roger Waters to Keynote at SXSW 2020

Rock & Roll Hall of Fame member Roger Waters has been announced as a keynote speaker at next year’s South by Southwest Conference in Austin. Joining the activist and Pink Floyd founder as keynote will be director, producer and writer Erin Lee Carr.

SXSW also announced new names joining its line-up of featured speakers. They include Get Out composer Michael Abels, music YouTuber Adam Neely, and Grammy winner Ben Lovett.

The 2020 edition of SXSW runs from March 13–22 in Austin, Texas.  

"Roger Waters is a true creative visionary, and we’re pleased to have him participate for 2020,” said Hugh Forrest, the event's chief programming officer. "SXSW continues to be a unique destination for innovation and discovery, and we're excited about the addition of the many groundbreaking pioneers, influential voices and business leaders that we've added to this year’s lineup."

Other keynotes include artist and former Sonic Youth basist Kim Gordon and Reggie Fils-Aimé, the former president and COO of Nintendo of America.

Previously announced featured speakers include Chic legend Nile Rodgers in conversation with Hipgnosis Songs founder Merck Mercuriadis; producer and artist Benny Blanco; C3 Presents promoter Huston Powell; and comedic actor Cheech Marin.

Non-music speakers include cannabis rights activist Steve DeAngelo, Fixer Upper stars Chip and Joanna Gaines, Facebook co-founder Chris Hughes, Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberté, and IMDB founder and CEO Col Needham, among others. See a full list here.