Day four of SXSW London concluded with a flurry of high-profile appearances and insightful discussions, highlighted by a visit from His Majesty The King and talks from leading figures in politics, technology, and entertainment. The festival, currently transforming Shoreditch, continues to draw diverse crowds to its 34 venues.
His Majesty The King's visit this morning brought a regal touch to the proceedings. Greeted in Ely’s Yard by a performance from The Kingdom Choir, he was then met by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, The Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan, and SXSW London organisers. The King explored Damian Roach’s AI-powered immersive art installation 'Grounding' at the Truman Brewery before moving to Christ Church Spitalfields to view the 'Beautiful Collisions' exhibition, celebrating Caribbean contributions to British art and culture.
Earlier in the day, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner participated in a panel exploring how urban design can foster healthier communities. Rayner emphasized her ambitious target of building 1.5 million homes, stressing the importance of creating "homes and communities that people want to live in," rather than just assets. She acknowledged the widespread housing crisis, not just in the UK but across Europe and the US, highlighting the need for future-proof housing solutions.
The tech world also made its mark with Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales directly challenging Elon Musk's past comments on defunding Wikipedia. Wales proudly shared that the platform subsequently raised "$7 million that day," during a discussion on information integrity in an age of algorithms and deepfakes. OnlyFans CEO Keily Blair championed the platform's role in the creator economy, revealing a staggering £20 billion payout to creators and asserting its status as a UK tech success story. Blair also addressed the stigma surrounding adult content, advocating for greater acceptance and respectful language.
Political heavyweights George Osborne and Ed Balls brought their popular "Political Currency, LIVE" podcast to Christ Church Spitalfields, offering candid insights and humorous anecdotes about their time in politics, including Balls's personal account of losing his parliamentary seat. Meanwhile, in the world of sports, Williams Racing Team Principal James Vowles discussed Formula 1's expanding global reach, attributing much of its recent success to Netflix's "Drive to Survive" and noting that "two African race events are currently in bid to join the calendar."
In a significant boost for innovation, SXSW London awarded neu health £100,000 as the winner of its ‘Venture Spotlight’ competition. The company was recognized for its innovative smartphone-based platform aimed at supporting individuals experiencing dementia. As the festival progresses, music continues to be a central draw, with Rolling Stone's Future of Music UK showcase featuring headlining performances by The K’s and Cassia at Hoxton Hall.
