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The 2004 edition of the SXSW Music Conference and Festival, one of the most highly anticipated industry events on the planet, takes place Wednesday, March 17 through Sunday, March 21. The conference and festival are career-shaping events that present a surfeit of opportunities for music entrepreneurs of all stripes and categories.

Internationally renowned musicians and music industry professionals from every facet of the business will be relating their wide-ranging experiences, showcasing their products and talents, and providing outstanding networking opportunities all within the Austin Convention Center. Outside the convention center, the SXSW Music Conference and Festival will feature 1100 musical performers on 58 stages. Activity surrounding the upcoming showcases has already begun in earnest with press releases touting the shows of the galaxy of new and established stars being circulated in voluminous quantities.

The SXSW Music Conference will feature over 70 panel discussions, interviews, demo listening sessions and workshops with 240 panelists enlightening conference participants. Highlights will include: Little Richard's keynote and SXSW Interviews featuring Walter Yetnikoff, former head of CBS Records; Andrew Loog Oldham, former manager and producer of the Rolling Stones; and musicians Wayne Coyne of the Flaming Lips; Joan Baez; and Ani DeFranco. For updated information on panel topics, descriptions and speakers, access the SXSW website at www.sxsw.com .

The SXSW Trade Show Exhibition continues to broaden the wide range of events and exhibitors that participate. New additions this year include the Indie Village, hosted by Digital Rights Agency with 30 independent labels and their artists participating, and StudioSX sponsored by Talentmatch where high profile music industry professionals will be interviewed and audio- streamed on sxsw.com. The three day music trade show continues to offer a unique opportunity for the 1100 performing bands and thousands of other industry professionals to meet in one-on-one scenarios and exchange information. Participating organizations from around the world can aid in broadening careers for both American and international bands and companies. A complete list of Exhibition participants with direct links to each company is available on our website.

But the centerpiece of this week of events is the music. The SXSW Music Festival, which spans five nights, will present musical genres ranging from hip-hop to alt country on 60 stages in venues ranging from the most intimate clubs to the always popular, free outdoor stage located at Auditorium Shores. The music starts on Wednesday, March 17 and runs through Sunday, March 21. A very small sampling of bands includes American Music Club (San Francisco IL), Atmosphere (Minneapolis MN), The B-52's (Athens GA), The Church (Sydney, Australia), Destroyer (Vancouver, Canada), Dizzee Rascal (London UK), The Fiery Furnaces (New York NY), The Flatlanders (Lubbock TX), Jean Grae (New York NY), Robyn Hitchcock (London UK), The Hives (Fagersta, Sweden), The Holmes Brothers (New York NY), Little Richard (Macon GA), The Living Legends (Los Angeles CA), Mekons (London UK), Mission Of Burma (Boston MA), Modest Mouse (Issaquah WA), N.E.R.D. (Virginia Beach VA), NOFX (Los Angeles CA), Ozomatli (Los Angeles CA), Six Organs of Admittance (Santa Cruz CA), The Sleepy Jackson (Perth , Australia), The Thrills (Dublin, Ireland), and The Walkmen (New York NY). For a complete list of bands performing at the music festival, access our website at www.sxsw.com .

South by Southwest Music and Media Conference, in its eighteenth year, is Sponsored by Miller Lite, Digital Rights Agency, The Austin Chronicle and KLBJ-FM.

For more information, access our website at SXSW Music Conference or by email at sxsw@sxsw.com .