The Fader Fort Presented by Converse is back for its 14th year in Austin, Texas as an official, private event during the SXSW Music Festival. The Fader, launched in 1999, is also celebrating its 100th issue this fall and to celebrate early, The Fader is digging into its archives and presenting performances from artists who have graced the pages of the publication and its covers across the years. First time performances will include Hudson Mohawke, Migos, Bleachers, Girlpool, and Vince Staples, and additional acts will be announced in the days leading up to the festival on TheFader.com and via The Fader's Twitter. 

“Throughout the years we've brought hundreds of artists from all genres to Austin to perform for fans before many knew who they were, and have been able to present some unforgettable moments and collaborations found nowhere else,” said Andy Cohn, president and publisher of The Fader. “The Fader Fort is our flagship event, and something that has continued to grow with our brand throughout the years, and it's incredible to look back at the performances we've been able to share in Austin. We're looking forward to coming back this year as an official partner of SXSW to create even more memorable moments with fans.”

In its fourth year as the presenting partner for The Fader Fort, Converse, Inc. is back to support and showcase emerging artists and culture in Austin. This year's The Fader Fort Presented by Converse will continue to present some of today's most innovative programming and emerging artists to invited fans. 

“Converse is excited to partner with The Fader again this year in celebrating and supporting the global music community,” said Jed Lewis, Converse Global Music Marketing Director. “The Fader Fort Presented by Converse remains an icon, as the go-to showcase in Austin for artists around the world to unleash their creative spirit.”

The Fader Fort Presented by Converse will once again be powered by Dell, Inc., the end-to-end technology solutions leader born and headquartered in the Austin area. Dell, Intel and The Fader will share performances from The Fort, and exclusive artist interviews with fans around the world via live stream on TheFader.com and powered by Dell Precision workstations. Patrons onsite will also be able to get hands on experience with Dell's newly-launched, award-winning line up of products including Alienware gaming technology, Dell Venue tablets, XPS laptops and more inside The Fort, while also checking out the technology happening real-time via the Dell + Intel Livestream Pod. 

“Technology has helped to amplify the musical experience today, with new innovations making it possible to open up the front row experience of live performances to fans across the world,” said Marissa Tarleton, executive director of Marketing at Dell. “Dell is excited to partner with The Fader for the fourth year in a row to celebrate the intersection of film, music and technology, while showcasing our latest product portfolio onsite and powering the event's livestream via Dell Precision video editing and audio engineering solutions.”

Mazda North American Operations will be returning to The Fader Fort in 2015, offering show-goers an automotive experience like no other.  Mazda was so pleased with the fans' experience at The Fort in 2014 that it expanded to become the official automobile sponsor of the SXSW Music, Film and Interactive Conferences and Festivals.  As was the case with its first-ever appearance at The Fader Fort in 2014, Mazda will be offering attendees a totally unique experience and a chance to see Mazda's hottest future product.  The onsite Mazda engagement is sure to entertain the masses attending The Fader Fort, and provide additional content to fans that are catching the action online.   The Fader Fort attendees can also hop in one of the Mazda shuttle vehicles cruising around to major SXSW locations. 

As the ultimate go-to location in Austin for fans to discover new music, The Fader Fort Presented by Converse provides a one-of-a-kind environment for music fans to take part in during the four-day festival. While at “The Fader Fort Presented by Converse”, attendees will experience:

  • Glass Is Life will be present with its community of glass lovers -bringing beautiful, sustainable, iconic glass to The Fader Fort
  • vitaminwater® is back again as the official hydrator of The Fader Fort, serving cold beverages to invited guests.
  • SiriusXM is returning for its fifth year at The Fader Fort and will broadcast live all four days on SiriusXMU, North America's indie rock channel, on SiriusXM channel 35, and through the SiriusXM Internet Radio App on smartphones and other connected devices, as well as on line at siriusxm.com. For more information, visit www.siriusxm.com/siriusxmu.
  • Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey, new to The Fader Fort, will be taking over the bars with specialty cocktails for guests age 21+. All invited guests at “The Fader Fort Presented by Converse” are 21+ and encouraged to please drink responsibly.

For over a decade, The Fader Fort has established itself as a primary stomping ground for many then-unknowns such as Sam Smith, Kendrick Lamar, Yelawolf, M.I.A., Florence and the Machine, Odd Future, Cold War Kids, and The Black Keys. While the focus has always been emerging artists, The Fader Fort has also showcased an impressive list of established artists that have performed including Damon Albarn, Usher, P. Diddy, Rick Ross, Kanye West, Lou Reed, My Morning Jacket, Justin Vernon, Amy Winehouse, Moby, Nas, Damian Marley, N.E.R.D, among others.

More information is available at www.TheFader.com/Fort.