Beth McCarthy and Sofie Royer head up Reeperbahn Festival showcase and networking event at SXSW

11 March 2025, 11:45 | Written by The Line of Best Fit

(News)

(Sofie Royer) (Beth McCarthy) (Cloudy June) (Reeperbahn Festival) (SXSW)

Beth McCarthy, Sofie Royer (pictured above), Billiane, Cloudy June and FILLY will feature on the Reeperbahn Festival showcase at SXSW in Austin, Texas this week.

The Hamburg festival is also inviting attendees to meet other international music industry players from the USA, Canada, and the UK in 1:1 discussions. The networking event builds on last year's inaugural meetings for Reeperbahn and brings together the American Association of Independent Music, the Canadian Independent Music Association and the UK’s own Association of Independent Music for an afternoon of matchmaking today (11 March) from 3-5pm at the German House at Speakeasy in Austin.

Californian radio station KCRW is on board for the first time as a media partner for the showcase and will present the line-up across its on-air programme and social media.

Reeperbahn’s reception and showcase - in collaboration with the Hamburg music industry network Hamburg Music and the global movement Keychange – will follow this Thursday (13 March), with diversity and surprises on a scale to match the annual Hamburg-based event.

21-year-old Canadian Billiane kicks off the music, showcasing her warm sound of lap steel and guitar. Berlin alt-pop musician (and Best Fit on the rise artist) Cloudy June, Austrian electronica newcomer FILLY, and musician and producer Sofie Royer – who put out last year's incredible Young Girl Forever – will also appear, with 2024 Anchor Award-nominated pop-rock artist Beth McCarthy, closing out the night. A strong voice of the LGBTQ+ community, McCarthy has also been nominated as Newcomer of the Year at the Northern Music Awards 2025 and will play her first headlining tour in the US, UK and Europe this year.

"We are thrilled to be back at SXSW in Austin again this year to further expand our role as an international industry platform," says Yannick Koch from Reeperbahn. "With our three programme components and strong partners, we are creating an ideal opportunity to establish new business relationships and broaden musical horizons with the acts presented."

Reeperbahn's SXSW reception runs from 5-7pm at Shangri-La, with the showcase from 7pm until late. Admission is via a valid SXSW badge or wristband alongside registration via RSVP.