SXSW London 2026: Markiplier and Nick Clegg to Headline Major Creative Festival

SXSW London has announced its full conference speaker lineup and six thematic pillars for its second edition, scheduled to run from June 1 to 6, 2026, across more than 20 venues in the Shoreditch district of East London. The festival will feature 300 (sessions) — conference sessions across six themes spanning technology, business, health, culture, and sport. Neon founder Tom Quinn, actress Sophia Bush, and YouTuber Markiplier headline the confirmed speaker roster, joining a broad mix of figures from film, tech, music, and business. The announcements were made on Friday, with Director of Programming Katy Arnander outlining the event's ambition to serve as a creative and commercial crossroads for industry leaders, investors, and marketers. „We haven't transported the full Austin vibe to London... we've decided to create our own vibe here in Shoreditch” — Katy Arnander via Deadline

South by Southwest began in Austin, Texas, in 1987 as a music industry conference and has since expanded into a major annual convergence of film, interactive media, and music events. The London spinoff represents the festival's effort to establish a permanent presence in Europe, using Shoreditch — a neighborhood that straddles historic architecture and tech-sector growth — as its base. The first edition of SXSW London preceded the 2026 instalment, making the upcoming June event the second iteration of the UK offshoot.

Former UK deputy PM joins venture capital world on speaker list The speaker roster draws heavily from the intersection of politics, technology, and media. Sir Nick Clegg, who served as Deputy Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 2010 to 2015 and later as Head of Global Affairs at Meta, will appear at the festival following his recent move to Europe and tech-focused venture capital firm Hiro Capital. Vinai Venkatesham, Chief Executive of Tottenham Hotspur Football Club, is also confirmed, alongside Bluesky Chief Operating Officer Rose Wang and Victor Riparbelli, co-founder and chief executive of AI video platform Synthesia. Todd Boehly of Eldridge, fashion designer Katharine Hamnett, Cindy Rose as chief executive of WPP, and Hinge chief executive Jackie Jantos round out the business and media contingent. Jill Scott, the former England soccer player turned broadcaster, and Mike Skinner of The Streets represent the sport and music worlds respectively. Actor-producer Tye Sheridan, Mia Bays as director of the BFI Film Fund, and Nadia Fall, artistic director of the Young Vic theatre, extend the program's cultural reach.

Ben Cohen to address Ben & Jerry's split from Unilever Ben Cohen, co-founder of Ben & Jerry's ice cream, will take the stage to discuss the brand's efforts to separate from consumer goods giant Unilever and how social mission remains central to commercial success. His appearance follows a period of public tension between the Ben & Jerry's board and Unilever over the brand's political activism and independence. Lars Rasmussen, co-founder of Google Maps, and creator GK Barry are also confirmed, broadening the program's appeal across generations and disciplines. Hannah Holland, chief executive of digital-first talent agency HLD Talent, and Jamie Laing, known from the television series Made in Chelsea as well as his confectionery business, add further variety to the lineup. „This year's agenda takes that idea even further. From frontier technology and medical innovation to music, activism and the creator economy, the programme strikes a strong balance between tension and harmony, ultimately cultivating a space for healthy debate” — Katy Arnander via The Hollywood Reporter

Music festival strand adds over 200 artists to the programme Alongside the conference strand, the SXSW London Music Festival will present more than 200 artists, combining emerging talent with established acts. Nigerian rapper ODUMODUBLVCK, singer Tiwa Savage, rapper Earl Sweatshirt, Rachel Chinouriri, and indie rock band Circa Waves are among the performers already announced. The music program is designed to run in parallel with the conference sessions, reinforcing the festival's stated identity as a convergence of creative and commercial industries. The six conference themes — "AI as the New Power Structure," "Living Longer, Living Better," "Culture Can Save Humanity," "Society Rewired," "Creativity in the Algorithmic Age," and "Futurism in Practice" — cover territory from algorithmic accountability and healthcare innovation to misinformation, democratic values, and the creator economy. Arnander described Shoreditch as a fitting backdrop, citing the neighborhood's position on the fault lines between gentrified listed buildings, high-density social housing, and the tech sector's growing footprint in East London.