Brits Invade US Again at SXSW

My RSS reader this morning is full of posts about SXSW, the South by Southwest Festivals and Conferences taking place in Austin, Texas, from 11-20 March. Most of these posts are about the PubSub set up by SXSW resources page that The New PR Wiki. So I'm scanning the posts when one in particular catches my eye - a story in yesterday's Daily Telegraph that begins: Nearly 100 British bands are involved in the biggest rock "invasion" of America since the 1960s, this time with taxpayers' money provided in anticipation of lucrative exports. The is about the This weekend, 91 groups ranging from the Dogs Die In Hot Cars, will arrive in Austin, Texas, eager to crack the toughest market in music. All are "showcasing" their talents at the South by Southwest music convention, the most influential gathering of rock acts, recording companies, talent scouts and media. This year, according to Time magazine, the timing may be perfect. The magazine reported that Britain was again on the rise. It advised readers. "British rock is back, and even Americans want to listen." Phil Paterson, the Government's export promoter for the British music industry, said: "The largest contingent, apart from the Americans, at the show is from Britain and we're doing everything we can to promote the acts." [...] Robert Plant, of John Cale, Brian Wilson Rock on! sxsw, Can Brits stars crack America? Neville Hobson is the author of the popular Crayon. Visit Neville Hobson's blog: