Festival week at Soho House Austin
With the international creative community in town for SXSW®, our club in Texas brought a jam-packed week of music, performances, and conversations
Monday 23 March 2026 By Soho House
In Austin, festival week has come to a close for another year, and to say it was action-packed is an understatement. For 2026, the three strands of the annual SXSW® festival of innovation, music, and film and TV came together across a single week. It brought even more buzz to a host location that’s long since embraced the event with celebrations of its own across city.
At Soho House Austin, that meant seven full days and nights packed with music, conversations and parties, as our international community and guests came together with local members. Here’s what went down.
At Soho House Austin, that meant seven full days and nights packed with music, conversations and parties, as our international community and guests came together with local members. Here’s what went down.
Thursday 12
Guests got into – and stayed in – a festival frame of mind at a kick-off event featuring indie band The All-American Rejects in a special session of Acoustic Sounds, our stripped-back music series that goes behind the songs to share the stories at their hearts. Tattoo stations with flash designs expertly executed by local artists at Slowpoke Tattoo shop, rounded things off nicely, with many of those in attendance showing off new body art and enjoying speciality Ilegal Mezcal cocktails.
Friday 13
To start the weekend, husband and wife Katie Aselton and Mark Duplass came together with their daughter Ora for a conversation about their soon-to-be-released feature film, Their Town. The trio discussed the intricacies of getting into a project with close family members and the dynamics of working together.
Later that day, the House played host to another pared-back Acoustic Sounds – this time featuring country music star Charley Crockett. This was followed by a late-night Secret Soho Sounds that saw six-time Grammy winner Questlove setting the musical scene for members and guests, who also enjoyed cocktails by Patrón.
Guests got into – and stayed in – a festival frame of mind at a kick-off event featuring indie band The All-American Rejects in a special session of Acoustic Sounds, our stripped-back music series that goes behind the songs to share the stories at their hearts. Tattoo stations with flash designs expertly executed by local artists at Slowpoke Tattoo shop, rounded things off nicely, with many of those in attendance showing off new body art and enjoying speciality Ilegal Mezcal cocktails.
Friday 13
To start the weekend, husband and wife Katie Aselton and Mark Duplass came together with their daughter Ora for a conversation about their soon-to-be-released feature film, Their Town. The trio discussed the intricacies of getting into a project with close family members and the dynamics of working together.
Later that day, the House played host to another pared-back Acoustic Sounds – this time featuring country music star Charley Crockett. This was followed by a late-night Secret Soho Sounds that saw six-time Grammy winner Questlove setting the musical scene for members and guests, who also enjoyed cocktails by Patrón.
Saturday 14
On Saturday, members got down to business with a panel discussion presented by Converge that explored the creator economy and the evolution of culture in a changing media landscape. Brand leaders, creators and tastemakers came together in a focused, forward-looking conversation that offered insights and takes on where they and members in their industry might be heading, how media is restructuring in real time, and why building a solid community is the most valuable asset for brands.
As day turned to night, guests enjoyed a performance by UK rapper Kofi Stone as part of our series, Future First, which showcases young artists who are on the verge of breaking through. He brought his fusion of jazz, soul and deeply reflective storytelling that he’s known for – leaving no one in any doubt that he’s someone we’re going to be hearing a lot more from. A night of soul and R&B followed, with Joe Kay of Soulection on the decks.
Sunday 15
The pool was the centre of activities on Sunday, as guests gathered for a special festival week edition of our art series Step Into The Blue. Guests enjoyed a DJ set from Passion Pit and speciality Bombay Sapphire cocktails, plus a live performance by singer and rapper Kaash Paige, followed by a vinyl night.
On Saturday, members got down to business with a panel discussion presented by Converge that explored the creator economy and the evolution of culture in a changing media landscape. Brand leaders, creators and tastemakers came together in a focused, forward-looking conversation that offered insights and takes on where they and members in their industry might be heading, how media is restructuring in real time, and why building a solid community is the most valuable asset for brands.
As day turned to night, guests enjoyed a performance by UK rapper Kofi Stone as part of our series, Future First, which showcases young artists who are on the verge of breaking through. He brought his fusion of jazz, soul and deeply reflective storytelling that he’s known for – leaving no one in any doubt that he’s someone we’re going to be hearing a lot more from. A night of soul and R&B followed, with Joe Kay of Soulection on the decks.
Sunday 15
The pool was the centre of activities on Sunday, as guests gathered for a special festival week edition of our art series Step Into The Blue. Guests enjoyed a DJ set from Passion Pit and speciality Bombay Sapphire cocktails, plus a live performance by singer and rapper Kaash Paige, followed by a vinyl night.
Monday 16
An In Conversation exploring how to secure funding for films and episodic series was the discussion of the day on Monday. Actor and producer Sinqua Walls – whose credits range from White Men Can’t Jump to Netflix’s 2023 streamer hit Carry-On – led the panel of filmmakers. Together, they looked at how to ensure creative vision aligns with strategy, offering first-hand insight into what it takes to get projects made in Hollywood today.
Later that evening, the House showcased its latest music series, Casa Vibras, which brings the best in exciting Latinx sounds – from reggaeton and salsa to urbano and beyond. For this edition, the audience enjoyed a set by Argentinian singer-songwriter Marilina Bertoldi – who rose to prominence as a member of alt-rock band Connor Questa before going on to establish herself as a solo artist – plus, how to make the perfect Paloma by an expert from 400 Conejos mezcal.
An In Conversation exploring how to secure funding for films and episodic series was the discussion of the day on Monday. Actor and producer Sinqua Walls – whose credits range from White Men Can’t Jump to Netflix’s 2023 streamer hit Carry-On – led the panel of filmmakers. Together, they looked at how to ensure creative vision aligns with strategy, offering first-hand insight into what it takes to get projects made in Hollywood today.
Later that evening, the House showcased its latest music series, Casa Vibras, which brings the best in exciting Latinx sounds – from reggaeton and salsa to urbano and beyond. For this edition, the audience enjoyed a set by Argentinian singer-songwriter Marilina Bertoldi – who rose to prominence as a member of alt-rock band Connor Questa before going on to establish herself as a solo artist – plus, how to make the perfect Paloma by an expert from 400 Conejos mezcal.
Tuesday 17
Cairo-born chef Kareem El-Ghayesh – whose Egyptian-inspired flavours have redefined traditional Texas barbecue food at his Michelin Bib Gourmand-awarded Austin restaurant KG BBQ – joined us at the House for a special One Night Only dinner. Guests piled their plates high with Middle Eastern salads and accompaniments, alongside a serving of his distinct take on barbecued meats, complete with belly dancers, live music, and drinks pairings by evian.
Wednesday 18
The final day of festival week opened with a live podcast recording with Mark Kyle about the changing shape of Austin’s creative scene, while Homebody led a poolside fitness class. Later that evening, an edition of Soho Unplugged brought Zella Day to the House to round off proceedings. The indie singer-songwriter – who also currently performs with country music band Chaparelle – kept the audience captivated while they enjoyed cocktails by Johnnie Walker.
Visit the events page to see what’s coming up at our Houses around the world
Cairo-born chef Kareem El-Ghayesh – whose Egyptian-inspired flavours have redefined traditional Texas barbecue food at his Michelin Bib Gourmand-awarded Austin restaurant KG BBQ – joined us at the House for a special One Night Only dinner. Guests piled their plates high with Middle Eastern salads and accompaniments, alongside a serving of his distinct take on barbecued meats, complete with belly dancers, live music, and drinks pairings by evian.
Wednesday 18
The final day of festival week opened with a live podcast recording with Mark Kyle about the changing shape of Austin’s creative scene, while Homebody led a poolside fitness class. Later that evening, an edition of Soho Unplugged brought Zella Day to the House to round off proceedings. The indie singer-songwriter – who also currently performs with country music band Chaparelle – kept the audience captivated while they enjoyed cocktails by Johnnie Walker.
Visit the events page to see what’s coming up at our Houses around the world
