JBL debuted its JBL Bodega at SXSW 2025 and it’s definitely on our list of unforgettable festival moments. From delicious bites from Whataburger to produce-themed speakers to a soul train line – the JBL Bodega was a full sensory experience. And, with Anderson .Paak as his alter ego DJ Pee.Wee on the turntables, the event became a festival highlight that left everyone talking.
JBL Biggest Launch Yet
SXSW saw the launch of JBL’s newest portable speakers, JBL Flip 7 and Charge 6. The company responded to listening trends and consumer demand and redesigned its most popular speakers to deliver bigger, bolder sound. The speakers now feature AI Sound Boost technology to analyze music in real time and optimize the speaker driver without distortion; this next generation pushes the boundaries of sound performance. The bonus is that the speakers are super cute! Due to the bodega theme of the event, they had corn, eggplant, strawberry and pineapple speakers on display.
DJ Pee .Wee ( AKA Anderson .Paak) : A Legendary DJ Set
DJ Pee .Wee is known for spinning classic hip-hop, soul, and funk, and this set was a throwback for sure. The atmosphere was electric as DJ Pee .Wee dropped tracks that had the crowd grooving from start to finish. Anderson .Paak threw it back to the 80’s, he threw it so far back that there was a soul train line.
A Winning Experience: Claw Machines and Scratch-Off Tickets
While the music was undeniably the highlight of the event, JBL Bodega didn’t stop there. They added an extra layer of fun and excitement with interactive games and opportunities to win prizes. They had a JBL claw machine where attendees could try their luck at grabbing one of the brand-new JBL speakers. While the lines were long, it was fun to root for others and see who won and who didn’t.
For those who weren’t feeling lucky at the claw machine, JBL also offered the chance to win speakers through scratch-off tickets. These tickets were handed out at a bodega-style counter. Winners could walk away with anything from mints to JBL merch to a pair of fast passes to the Rollingstone Future of Sound showcase next door at ACL Live.
The Perfect Mix of Innovation and Vibes
Whether you’re a die-hard Anderson .Paak fan, a tech junkie, or someone who just loves a good party, make sure you don’t miss the next JBL Bodega experience. This was day five for us and we were exhausted but the Whataburger and DJ Pee .Wee’s set gave us the second wind we needed to get through the rest of our day. We hope they’re back at SXSW next year with more music, prizes and fun!
Favorite Highlights:
- Seeing Chris Olsen standing next to us enjoying the DJ set.
- Free Whataburger and Bananarchy – enough said.
- Produce themed speakers.
- The soul train and dancers!
