A SXSW Recap By Houston-Based Photographer Greg Noire

30 years after its launch, Austin’s annual festival and conferences on film, interactive media, and music, SXSW continues to expand. During its 2016 edition, the fest saw Barack Obama highlighting technology’s vital role in America’s security and Michelle Obama rallying an all-star lineup of singers to compose and produce a charity single to benefit the White House’s Let Girls Learn campaign. Despite its expansion, Austin’s SXSW fest attracts musical talents from all parts of the country and the world. We’ve teamed up with Houston-based photographer Greg Noire, who not only brought his camera to Austin to present a candid impression of one of America’s biggest music festivals but also showed that SXSW so much more beyond music. Along with the stunning imagery, the buzzing photographer offered following perspective:

“This year has been my favorite SXSW to date. It’s always a great experience, but this one has been a bit more special because of how many showcases and events I allowed myself to enjoy and photograph. Usually SXSW is a three-to-four day experience, but this year I was there for an insane eiight days that included the Interactive, Film and Music portion of the fest. In this timespan, I photographed some familiar faces as well as a great amount of artists I’ve never heard of, which is the best part of SXSW. Walking into a photo pit and being blown away by an unknown musicians in an unknown genre is what it’s all about. But of course, shooting a set for the likes of Future or Common can just as rewarding.”

Click through the galleries below to recap Austin’s notorious festival.

HYPETRAK @ House Of Vans SXSW Showcase

We’ve teamed up with one of the most iconic footwear brands to present and curate our first showcase ever. Held at Austin’s legendary music venue, The Mohawk, the eclectic lineup included buzzing names such as Playboi Carti, Jazz Cartier, Towkio, HUNTR, Denzel Curry, DEAN, and many more. Familiar faces like the A$AP Mob, Ian Connor, Julz, showed up to live it up with the audience.

The Illmore

Arguably one of the most legendary after-hour events during the entire SXSW period, The Illmore began as a private house party for family and friends visiting Austin during SXSW has since morphed into a free late-night celebration featuring such high-wattage hip-hop and EDM performers. Flatbush Zombies, Tory Lanez, UZI, Kehlani, Jazz Cartier, and 2Chainz know.

Tumblr Showcase

Tumblr took up residence at the Ironwood Hall in Austin, bringing its ongoing Tumblr IRL music and art series to the festival for the very first time. Special guest was the always mesmerizing Jhené Aiko, who offered a touching live performance.

Woodie Awards

MTVU celebrated its own semi-annual awards show, the Woodie Awards, which recognizes “the music voted best by college students,” with Harlem rapper and cultural tastemaker, A$AP Rocky as the host. Fellow A$AP Mob member Ferg was on location as well to hype up the attending crowd. Further guests include Anderson.Paak, Jidenna, Kehlani, Wale, and more.

Spotify House

With a lineup that boasted Miguel, AlunaGeorge, Vince Staples, Tory Lanez, Anderson .Paak, ILOVEMAKKONNEN, and a special appearance by Hannible Burress, this year’s Spotify House SXSW extravaganza made sure the visitor’s received their precious time’s worth.

YouTube Showcase

YouTube’s SXSW 2016 stage was one not to be missed. Future, hot off his SNL performance, helped kick things off for YouTube in Austin, TX, on Wednesday, March 16, and a lineup that offered live performances from the likes of Santigold, Anderson.Paak, Kehlani and more performing before him.

Fader Fort

As one of SXSW’s most sought-after show series, FADER’s annual invitation-only event continued to draw a lot of attention with Drake and the OVO squad as special guests to grace the stage. Prior to the OVO takeover, Rae Sremmurd and Stormzy commanded the stage with his energetic live performance. Further impressions include DJ Orange Calderon showed up while OVO DJ Candlestick of the Chopstars taking a minute to chill backstage.

Capital One Showcase

With Common headlining the showcase, Capital One took place at the legendary stage at Antone’s, a historical music venue known for its legendary jazz and blues performances. Further live music was provided by Houndmouth, White Denim, Third Eye Blind, and more.

Irish Street Parade

This year’s SXSW music Thursday was all in the sign of St. Patrick’s Day.

Diverse

Besides music concerts and cultural fests, SXSW also offered a platform for panels, discussions, workshops, and much more. These are just a few of familiar faces such as Anthony Bourdain, Jack Gyllenhall, Swopes, Seth Rogen, Marc Cuban, Amber Rose, and more that visited Austin, TX for the its annual festival and conferences.

Follow @GregNoire on Instagram.