A new music event in North Texas seems to be taking on SXSW: Called the Fort Worth Music Festival & Conference at the Stockyards, it's a music networking conference for aspiring agents, managers, promoters, and emerging local Texas-based artists, that will take place across multiple venues at the Stockyards.

According to a release, it'll take place from March 2-4 — a week before SXSW, which in 2023 runs from March 10-19.

The event will begin with a VIP Party at Tannahill’s on March 1, followed by three days of panels, workshops, and performances.

Produced by Live Nation in partnership with Chef Tim Love and Larry Joe Taylor, their goal is to generate awareness of Texas' music scene: uniting music enthusiasts, showing rising artists how to establish themselves in the industry, and serving as a showcase for up-and-coming Texas talent.

Stockyards venues will include Tannahill’s Tavern & Music Hall, Tannahill’s Tavern Lounge, White Elephant, Atico Restaurant and Lounge, Love Shack, The Barn @ The Drover, and more to be announced.

Passes went on sale Friday, January 13 at Ticketmaster.com. One pass will get attendees into panel discussions, workshops with established artists, network sessions with industry experts, and live performances.

Ticket prices are not yet listed on their website but start at $39 for a general-admission ticket to shows for one night, or $79 for shows on all three nights. A conference badge ticket which gets you access to all shows plus conference panels is $199. It tops out with a 4-day VIP ticket — access to all of the above plus private bar, VIP tables, and VIP club with cocktails, lunch, & dinner prepared by Tim Love — for $549.

Keynote speakers include:

• Eddie Kolesel, Why & How Management
• Artists Josh Abbott and Brendon Anthony of the Texas Music Office
• Martha Taylor, Promoter and Attorney for LJT Festival
• Artist Radney Foster
• Artist and festival promoter Larry Joe Taylor and Quinn Donahue of C3 Presents
• Henry Glasscock, booking agent from WME
• Ray Johnston, former professional basketball player, cancer survivor, and now artist,

Artists scheduled to perform include Mike Ryan, Kevin Fowler, Radney Foster, Graycie York, Josh Weathers, Gary P. Nunn, Michael Martin Murphey, Deryl Dodd, Prophets & Outlaws, The Tejas Brothers, Davin James, Max Stalling, Dave Perez, Tommy Alverson, Larry Joe Taylor, and more.

Larry Joe Taylor is a songwriter, rancher, and producer of the largest independently-owned outdoor 6-day music festival in Texas, known as the Larry Joe Taylor Texas Music Festival (aks “LJT”). He and his family have also produced other events such as “Pickin’ at Possum” at The Lush (Possum Kingdom Lake), “Hot Chili Days Cool Mountain Nights” in Red River, New Mexico, “Island Time” in Isla Mujeres, MX, and “Coastin and Cruisin” Songwriter’s Cruise.