South by South Lawn: The first White House music festival

On Oct. 3, the White House will host its first-ever festival, South by South Lawn. The White House’s Chief Digital Officer Jason Goldman describes the event as a celebration of culture and activism. The historical event will be divided into three portions: an interactive discussion panel about enacting positive change; the third Annual White House Student Film Festival, showcasing films regarding this year’s theme “The World I Want to Live In”; and musical performances.

Inspired by Obama’s visit to the annual music and film festival South by Southwest in Austin, Texas earlier this year, South by South Lawn is expected to be equally exciting.

“It’s an awesome idea,” says junior Talia Cogdill “I hope it becomes a tradition for future presidents.”

Attendance for the festival will consist of individuals enacting change in their own communities. Online nominations for attendance have come to a close. No further news of how to attend has been disclosed.

Musical acts have not been announced. If the line up reflects President Obama’s 2016 Summer Playlist, a range of popular artists to lesser known talents will perform. Check out the day and night summer playlists here.

Obama, no stranger to making history, will also be the first sitting president to guest-edit a magazine. The November issue of “Wired” (a magazine that reports on technology and its effect on culture, business and politics) will be centered on, as per Obama’s instruction, the future of personal, national, international and final frontiers. Topics like medicine, urban planning, renewable energy, cybersecurity and space travel will be addressed.

At the 50th anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery march in March last year, words spoken by the president mirrored the hope of South by South Lawn‒- a hope to inspire young people to rise as leaders of change, challenging convention and forging their own path.