I've gone to the music portion four times (didn't go last year, might hit up interactive this year if my schedule permits). The actual panels are pretty sparsel

I've gone to the music portion four times (didn't go last year, might hit up interactive this year if my schedule permits). The actual panels are pretty sparsely attended (most people are just waking up from the night before by the time they're over), and aren't really that great anyway. If you're a music geek, it's like paradise. So many of the coolest, best bands play everywhere, every night. There's more must-see shows every night than your time will permit, so you'll have to make sacrifices. Additionally, it's pretty much the best 4-day party I've ever been to, and if you've never been Austin is a really rad place in general. Even if you're in the music business, no one really gets any business accomplished, so I wouldn't really suggest going for that reason, but you can forge personal relationships that may help you out down the road.