(Official Press Release) The Polyphonic Spree’s Tim DeLaughter Joins SXSW Panel — Sabotaging the Musicpocalypse with AI, XR, & Soul
Tim DeLaughter, founder and frontman of the Emmy-nominated symphonic rock band The Polyphonic Spree, will speak at SXSW 2025 as part of the panel Beyond Merch: Sabotaging the Musicpocalypse with AI, XR, & Soul. The discussion will explore how emerging technologies are transforming the music industry—both creatively and commercially.
Since forming in 2000, The Polyphonic Spree has captivated audiences with its expansive, choral-driven sound, featuring 20+ members at a time. The band has toured with David Bowie, headlined festivals worldwide, performed at the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony, and contributed music to Oscar-winning films like Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and The Big Short. Before founding The Polyphonic Spree, DeLaughter was the frontman of the popular ‘90s rock band Tripping Daisy, known for their visually immersive live shows featuring high-production projection and multimedia effects.
Now, DeLaughter is breaking new ground once again with Resolution: A Cinephonic Rhapsody For The Soul, an innovative dome theater experience to be featured at SXSW. Created by Oscar- and Emmy-winning artists, the film transforms The Polyphonic Spree’s 2023 album Salvage Enterprise into an immersive artistic spectacle, redefining how audiences can experience an album.
During the panel, DeLaughter will share his perspective on the evolving music landscape, offering insight into the challenges and opportunities emerging tech presents for artists. He’ll also discuss how Resolution moves beyond traditional touring and streaming, creating a deeper connection between music and audiences.
Also appearing on the panel will be Rod Yancy, founder of bootleg.live and Peter Newell, co-founder of Gigaton. The panel will be moderated by Matt Daly and is presented by Red ThreadX.
Panel Details:
- Monday, March 10
- 3:00pm - 4:00pm
- 607 W 3rd Street, Austin, TX 78701
Attendees can also experience Resolution in a custom-built dome theater with continuous screenings from March 9th-11th as part of the SXSW XR Experience Spotlight. More info here.
