When it comes to event merch, you could make a case that the swag from South by Southwest is among the proverbial crème de la crème.

Typically hip, fashion-forward and creative, the SXSW branded items carry a cool cachet – a signifier that you were part of a happening that’s at the intersection of what’s cutting-edge in music, film and technology.

And now, 2023 SXSW merch is here.

On March 2, the festival launched a swag pre-sale in advance of this year’s event, which starts March 10. ASI Media did a bit of trendspotting on the limited-release collection. Here are three takeaways for the promo products industry.

‘Collaborations for a Cause’ Highlights Merch/Social Responsibility Connection

In recent years, initiatives focused on sustainability and corporate social responsibility have multiplied in the promo products industry and among end-clients more broadly.

Part of that movement has included efforts in which sales of branded merchandise directly contribute funding to worthwhile causes that support people and/or the environment. Notably, SXSW is going big on merch for good in 2023 with new additions to its “Collaboration for a Cause” collection.

Funds raised through sales of the SXSW Saloon Tee benefit the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians.

The pre-sale, for instance, includes the Saloon Tee, which raises money and awareness for HAAM, the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians. HAAM provides access to affordable healthcare for greater Austin’s low-income, working musicians, with a focus on prevention and wellness.

Meanwhile, sales of the Mockingbird Tee are generating cash for HeadCount, a nonpartisan organization that uses the power of music to register voters and promote participation in democracy. Additionally, the Red River Tee raises awareness and funds for the Red River Cultural District and its efforts to keep the heart of Austin's vaunted live-music scene robust. 

Merch-on-the-Go Truck Is a Buzz Builder

It’s a literal first, organizers say.

They’re talking about the fact that for the first time ever there will be an official SXSW merch truck circulating through Austin. The truck will be retailing SXSW-branded swag as it travels about.

The merch truck appears to be a unique way to further build buzz about an event in a host community, creating excitement for SXSW-attending visitors and locals alike. It’s an overall experience enhancer, and perhaps an idea that organizers of festivals, concerts and at least certain types of conferences could potentially implement.

Gradients & Pastels Are In

Several of the T-shirts in the pre-sale collection feature pastel prints in which colors gradate to varying degrees across the breadth of the designs.

The SXSW 2023 tee showcases the event’s “arrow” logo in gradients of purple and pink pastels. The Film & TV SXSW festival tee features a gradated sun half-ringed with pink pastels that fade out into the black color base of the shirt.

The SXSW Film Tee and the SXSW 2023 Tee are part of the pre-sale collection.

It’s all a likely trend indicator. If they’re not already asking, expect buyers focused on younger/fashion-forward audiences to seek out similar print styles for their merch initiatives, whether it’s swag for a festival, concert or conference, or company tees for a startup.