Lou Reed, others set to speak at SXSW

Former Velvet Underground frontman, sometime-solo artist, and part-time poet Lou Reed will be the keynote speaker for the South By Southwest 2008. Reed's keynote address coincides with a screening of Julian Schnabel's film Lou Reed's 'Berlin', which documents a recent performance of the landmark 1973 album. Reed will speak at the Austin Convention Center on Thursday, March 13 as the kickoff of the twenty-second annual SXSW.

In addition to Reed's keynote, the SXSW Music Conference will host interviews with a number of featured speakers, including Daryl Hall of Hall and Oates, Sire Records founder Seymour Stein, as well as composer Steve Reich in conversation with Sonic Youth frontman, recently minted solo artist and record-label entrepreneur Thurston Moore.

Meanwhile, Austin360.com is reporting that R.E.M is also confirmed to perform at this year's SXSW event, alongside previously reported acts such as My Morning Jacket and Daniel Lanois.

The South By Southwest Music & Media Conference takes place March 12 - 16, 2008 at the Austin Convention Center in Austin, Texas. Reed's keynote anchors four days of panels, interviews, workshops, peer meetings and the trade show exhibition. Daytime events flow into the world-renowned music festival, which showcases over 1,500 acts on stages throughout downtown Austin.

Related links:
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SXSW.com
R.E.M. decides to Accelerate new album process

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