The more digital the world becomes, the more valuable real life gets.Watching something on an IG Story is not the same as being in the room when it happens.In a world where information is abundant and democratized, relationships are currency. People want to work with people they actually know. In-person connection is far more powerful than a social graph.The IRL Economy Is Back.Over the past three months alone, I’ve seen more than $750M flow into companies focused on real-world connection.Experiences. Events (and event tech). Clubs. Communities. Pick and shovel businesses. Concept Venues. Festivals & Gatherings.Why? Because when everything becomes digital, scarcity moves to the physical world.This week, the industry migrates to South by Southwest. For a few days each year, Austin becomes a collision point for tech, media, music, and venture capital.Then, the energy shifts to Miami where Winter Music Conference takes over the city before culminating at Ultra Music Festival.At these conferences and festivals, thousands of artists, founders, investors, and marketers will all be in the same rooms. No algorithm required.Coming from the live artist business — and now working at the intersection of culture, technology, and brands — my prediction is simple: Over the next five years, the most powerful companies will combine AI leverage with real-world community.AI scales information but IRL scales trust. The companies that master both will dominate culture.If you’re heading to SXSW, our friends at top tier influencer firm, Influential just published one of the best master lists of events I have seen. All the RSVP links are there and it’s a great way to navigate the chaos.If you’re coming to Miami, I’ll be speaking at WMC on Wednesday March 25th. We secured a discount code for readers of Beats + Bytes. Use BPLUSB20 in the Gift Card section when checking out here.And if you want to see where AI and culture collide in real life, we’re hosting ClawCon Miami also on March 25 at The Midline. ClawCon lands right in the middle of the Miami Open and WMC.We’re bringing together some of the most interesting builders in Claude Code and the ClawCode ecosystem for demos, music, and a night to remember.There’s a lot of cultural gravity packed into the next couple weeks. Come connect with us!
BEATS
Teen Cool Brands Report 2026Every year we ask thousands of teenagers which brands they actually think are cool. This year, 43,711 13-17-year-olds across the U.S., Canada, U.K., France, Germany, Italy, and Spain weighed in. See who made the top 50 (YPulse).
SXSW AI Preview, Oracle's Cuts Foreshadow Others?, AI Consciousness DebateAn AI-filled festival at Austin awaits. Here's what to look out for, and the likely news en route. (Big Technology)
As Broadcast Slowly Dies, Niche-casting Is on the RiseOnline creators are launching talk shows about the narrowest of topics, from trucking logistics to advertising to, well, the business of Hollywood. In the livestream landscape, could smaller be better? (Hollywood Reporter)
Old Spice Reworks Boyz Ii Men Song For Sequel To Clingy Moms CampaignA new iteration of the P&G brand’s oddball “Mom Song” creative has an R&B twist and promotes a Swagger Signature Scent Control system. (Marketing Dive)
Guitar Hero Studio Reveals New Stage Tour Music GameLast year, we reported on the revival of RedOctane, the games developer behind the original Guitar Hero games. Now the returned studio has announced its comeback title: Stage Tour. (Music Ally)
Yamaha Music Innovations to Unveil “Yamaha Creator Pass” at SXSW, a New Platform Uniting Industry-Leading MUSIC and Podcast Tools Under One ServiceBringing together 21 top platforms including Output, LANDR, Riverside and Groover to offer a streamlined suite of premier resources for audio creators at any level. (Yamaha)
BYTES
Baby Keem & Kendrick Lamar tell a hood love story in ‘Good Flirts’ video featuring Momo Boyd.
J Balvin, Amber Mark “JUMP” (ft Travis Barker & Steve Vai) | Coca-Cola Anthem for FIFA World Cup 26™
When emotions strike, Coca-Cola unites J Balvin, Amber Mark, Steve Vai, and Travis Barker on a worldwide mission. They'll bring together fans around the world through soccer and music, culminating in an epic space stadium celebration of joy and celebration.
Speaking of events, this weekend also kicks off The Miami Open and Racquet X. LVBL is hosting a tournament on Sunday. Check it all out.
Gorillaz have appeared as the musical guests on Saturday Night Live for the first time ever.
SPIN IT BACK
LAST WEEK'S BEATS + BYTES | Power Is Consolidating. Opportunity Is Expanding Sweeping change and the dismantling of old systems feel like the defining themes of this year.
This week's newsletter was carefully curated by the Nue Agency staff and our editor Rachel Meisner. If you think we missed something this week or have any suggestions/comments for next week's newsletter, let us know!