South by Southwest, aka SXSW, is the annual film, interactive, and music festival that takes place in Austin, Texas. It would seem that this year (2011) is at its biggest, with reports coming at 17,000 registered visitors (grown from last year's 14,000).
The key word is registered, I suspect Austin draws at least three or four times that number. I have been listening to the "tech" part of the SXSW reports and it just sounds like it's become one giant party... and not so much the tech-thing. Some celebrities were spotted there, in particular, Felicia Day.
The music part of SXSW officially started late yesterday and will end this Sunday. Over 2,000 bands are officially registered to play, but obviously there are a ton of unofficial ones as well. If you walk down the street, some bands are playing in the streets.
Dan, man on the scene, was kind enough to send in his report:
So far we have seen Jamie Woon, Kid Canaveral, Withered Hand, OMD, Dry the Rivet, Bangles and I'm sitting at the new ACL Theater to see Bob Geldof.
The key word is registered, I suspect Austin draws at least three or four times that number. I have been listening to the "tech" part of the SXSW reports and it just sounds like it's become one giant party... and not so much the tech-thing. Some celebrities were spotted there, in particular, Felicia Day.
The music part of SXSW officially started late yesterday and will end this Sunday. Over 2,000 bands are officially registered to play, but obviously there are a ton of unofficial ones as well. If you walk down the street, some bands are playing in the streets.
Dan, man on the scene, was kind enough to send in his report:
So far we have seen Jamie Woon, Kid Canaveral, Withered Hand, OMD, Dry the Rivet, Bangles and I'm sitting at the new ACL Theater to see Bob Geldof.
Wednesday: Jamie Woon at the British Music Welcome Event. He is a techno soul singer. Not bad. Lacks in the melody. |
Thursday: Bangles. Event name was Daisy Rock Maurice's Small Town Sound. One hour set with all the hits and a cover of the Nazz's "Open My Eyes" (Todd Rundgren's first band). They sounded great. The harmonies are still there. |
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Friday: Here is Yuck at the Pitchfork Show. Great indie sound for most songs. They had to ruin it with a 5 min feedback frenzy. Always lose interest in that type of song. Been done too many times already. |
Friday: Edwyn Collins. Great set. I think it has to go down as most inspirational set I will see. I would know if I could do it myself. But played new, old, etc. Also let his son sing on one of the songs. Closed with "A Girl Like You". |
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Friday: 19 year old, Rachel Sermanni, from the highlands of Scotland. Had the tough task of playing acoustic in a noisy venue filled with people in it for the drinks and food. Both my wife and I enjoyed it. She had tuneful folk songs and a good sense of humor. She said she was enjoying all the Texas BBQ, playing, etc and it's her job. What a great gig for her. This is from Showcasing Scotland. |
Friday: another Scottish band. Popup in the shittiest venue you could put a band in. The guitar player had to start the gig with "Shut up you mother fuckers". The stage is at the bottom of the staircase to the upstairs stage. The band gave it all they could; I give them points for effort. Hard to believe SXSW would use this place as an official venue; they should be ashamed of themselves. | |
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Friday: Great pop sound from King Creosote. Jangling guitars, a sense of humor in the lyrics. Another shot from Showcasing Scotland |
Friday: From Alessi's Ark. Very tuneful folk. Sounded reminiscent of Lisa Hannigan. The show was in one of the local churches and she had a very respectful crowd. It was very cool! | |
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Friday: Vaccines. Yep. 20 min set. It's all they could do. Lots of hype and not a whole lot to it... Bass player has either no talent or they are going for a sound; my wife thinks it's the sound. Either way, it's one new release I will skip. |
* Photographs and description above is courtesy of Dan.
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