Oh, sorry. I misunderstood. I'm not sure if SXSW is legally obligated to report that sort of behavior. I would guess that they are, given that they'd *technically* be an accomplice to illegal activity perpetrated by an alien in their charge, but I don't know for sure.

So you think SXSW should put their whole festival at risk so that a handful of artists can make some side money illegally? A crime that SXSW would hold partial responsibility for as the artists are their responsibility while in the country?

I think a lot of people are laboring under the delusion that international bands/artists can just walk into the States and play shows wherever they want. I know a lot of bands in Canada that have worked for weeks to book a US gig that ends up falling through because of visa troubles.

So you think SXSW should ADVERTISE that the artists they are 100% responsible for are working illegally for other venues?? I suppose that would get rid of this problem once and for all, because Homeland Security would almost certainly decline and and all of their future visa applications.

All good points, but if I could just draw your attention to Homeland Security Statute 1010-B…

If SXSW wants to continue to receive visas for international artists then it's in their best interest to not have those artists break the law. It's much more of a problem for SXSW than other festivals because of the sheer number of unofficial shows that happen around Austin.

I'm in the US on a work visa and I'm not even allowed to volunteer because any work done for anyone except my visa sponsor would get me deported, and probably result in a 7 year ban from even entering the country.

It's illegal for an international artist (on a SXSW sponsored visa) to perform anywhere except at SXSW, so that artist would get deported anyway if they were caught at another venue. Additionally, SXSW would probably receive a hefty fine and have trouble getting future visas for other international artists.