Festivalen ble arrangert fra 16 Mar til 20 Mar 2005 (4 dag(er)).
South By Southwest (SXSW) finner sted i Austin, United States. Her er den fullstendige adressen til festivalen: Austin Convention Center, Austin, TX, US 78701
Fall Out Boy, James Blunt, Billy Idol, Trivium, Robert Plant, Erykah Badu, Fatboy Slim, John Butler Trio, The National, Kaiser Chiefs, Amos Lee, Kasabian, Wolfmother, Phoenix, New Model Army, Underoath, Biffy Clyro, Hot Chip, Calexico, Missy Higgins, Circa Survive, Anberlin, Hawthorne Heights, Kings of Convenience, Bloc Party, The Wallflowers, The Trews, MONO, Vanilla Ice, Sleater‐Kinney.
De mest populære sjangrene og undersjangrene i den siste utgaven var:
rock
pop
folk
indie
alternative
indie rock
alternative rock
indie pop
experimental
post-punk
emo
post-rock
punk rock
electronica
hardcore
acoustic
lo-fi
americana
garage rock