SXSW Reviews

Mr.Wizard

Mr.Wizard

1,000+ Posts
How was your experience?

I noted that most to all day parties had lines going down the block, so I went to Casino and drank.

Had a great time watching Roky Erickson perform with Okkervil River. I have a pretty amazing story regarding the whole experience, but will wait on that one.

Checked out Witch at Bourbon Rocks, At All Cost @ Red 7, REM @ Stubb's(very briefly), and some horrible Swedes doing techno.

What did you guys see?
 
So far, not so good because I haven't done **** yet. That should change in the next hour or two and I will let you know.
hookem.gif
 
At All Cost was intense and tight.

Lots of energy, but somewhat innovative compared to other bands of that genre.

Did A LOT of walking, whew.

I need to check out the Alabama3, hearing a lot about them.
 
so i guess this is now day 2, but speaking of mick jones, the shout out louds played some pretty not good half-cover of train in vain in the middle of one of their songs this afternoon. i wonder what he would have thought.

best band i saw today (2nd day of no night shows, but plan to attend tomorrow) was los campesinos. young kids, lots of energy a la arcade fire. but at times reminiscent of a lot of different bands. bloc party-ish, pavement-y. fun.

ended up at emos, obviously. tried to hit that lou reed tribute thing down on 4th, but i'm obsessed with lost and came home instead. anyone see this?
 
get a dvr for times like this. record Lost and watch it later at your convenience. You also get almost 15 minutes of your life back by ffwd'ing through commercials.
 
Day 1
Black Angels - Pangaea (**** this place by the way)
Van Morrison - La Zona Rosa
Bruce Robison - Pangaea
Daniel Lanois - Pangaea
Delorean (sp?) - Maggies Mae's
Wax Fang - Maggie Mae's

Day 2
Shout Out Louds - The Parish
Jens Lekman - The Parish
Cut Copy - Mohawk
Sons and Daughters - Mohawk
The Clipse - Mohawk
Yo La Tengo - Austin Music Hall
My Morning Jacket - Austin Music Hall

Just got back from MMJ, I can't hear a thing. Great show - 8 new tracks mixed in w/some great ones (off the record, mahgeetah, golden, one big holiday, etc).
 
I will second Cut Copy. Great day show at Mohawk. Los Campesinos! was an interesting bunch and certailnly earned my innovative band of the day award.

Stuck around for Tokyo Police Club and Tapes n Tapes who both disappointed in my opinion. Sound was bad and both bands seemed very ordinary.

Hit Club de Ville this evening and was impressed with a cheesy, yet tight sounding band from Puerto Rico (Circo). I was really there waiting for The Whip who did not disappoint. Another great band from Manchester, UK,

Looking forward to a great day tomorrow.
 
saw mala rodriguez, pretty much what i expected but just a treat to see her live. very sexy to see a spanish chick do rap, very nice all around. chica violente or violente chica or whatever their name was, was pretty good too. props to the belly dancer during the show. can't wait for tomorrow, go david banner!

on a side note, the after party on cesar chavez was the tits and lamar street should be good as well. both i heard are better then the pure volume. damn, i do kinda wish every weekend was open till 4 am...
 
First off, I feel like **** today, but in a good way I guess.
I really wanted to check Mala and Los Campesinos so I'm a lil jealous of those that did. I like that there is lots of hip hop this year too.

Yesterday I saw some free shows during the day and had lots of free beer and way too many free smokes as well. We got punked on the vampire show. They said there was no point of waiting in line if you weren't on the band vip guest list. Oh well, went across the street and saw JoHell and the Red Roosters (who were freaking awesome bluesy rock). Hit up Emos Lounge and saw The Frantic and Flatfoot 56. Flatfoot is kind like Dropkick Murphys style and have bagpipes and a mandolin. Really fun show plus free beer/smokes helps. After that, went to trophy's which was a big mistake. It was some kind of women love festival and the music was not very exciting or memorable for me. All in all...



goodtimes.jpg
 
Last night I saw a great band from Mexico, Hong Kong Blood Opera, they were the best so far.

Saw a Korean rock band, YB, with a crowd of about 400 Korean fans who all paid $20 to see the showcase.

Kaki King sucked.

Saw Mick Jones on 6th.

Went to the "Rock The Rabbit" Playboy party and it sucked as well. Way too crowded and hot as hell. Open bars, but lines were way way way too long.

Did see Michelle Valles, she is hot. Saw the Hobbit actor guy, Wood? And saw a ton of douchebags.

Was in and out in 30 minutes.

We will see if the Vice party tomorrow night is any better.
 
BB post numero dos...woke up late today just effing tired I am not seasoned forsouth by. Watched bball instead. Went and saw blitzen trapper at Mohawk. If I never see another blues rock 70s band again so be it. Went to volume for whigs it is ******* hot here and my BB doesn't like when I curse but its that hot ill backspace for emphasis. Whigs open with a song I swear I've heard before I love when that happens. Tonight I think I'm gonna ho to the nada surf showcase but ill check back here for suggestions.
 
The Iheartcomix v. Mad Decent gig tonight atop the Amli parking garage was ******* awesome. Simean Mobile Disco did a dj set, Blaqstarr spun, Matt & Kim...wow they are FUN!!!, some dudes named Cut Copy that have not been mentioned or seen by anybody on this thread yet...turned it out, Miss Amanda Blank (lyrics found on Spank Rock's album and a host of others, Spank joined her on stage for a couple of songs), and then Diplo, Drop the Lime and Switch finished off crushing the crowd.

Great party, free drinks and plenty of food available at a very fair price. But they ran out of water, boo. There was a pool stage with two pools, a lounge stage and two outside main stages. I hope others here made it to this.

Tomorrow will be fun since I get to see Digitalism, Chromeo, Simean, NoFx, The Breeders and ooooh, Janeane Garofolo.

Please don't let tomorrow be as hot as today or it will suck if there is not enough water going around.
 
The day shows so far have been great (if you RSVP'd in advance, its even better):
the Parish on Thursday for NPR showcase was great.
La Zona Rosa Friday:The cribs and The black keys were awesome. And you can't beat free beers and free fajitas and chips and queso all afternoon.
today its off to beauty bar, cedar street and Mean Eyed Cat.
 
My cousin is playing at Doc's on South Congress at noon today. His band is called Emelo. He's doing this one solo, though. Sort of a folky indie rock sound.
 
4 hours of sleep but about to climb on the bike and head down again for some more. I can only imagine what it is like for performers who are doing several shows and showcases. You know they are likely not sleeping at all. Good thing Monster Energy is a prominent sponsor of many events.

Thank you, Five Hour Energy. It's gonna be a loooooong day and night. Not bitching though. Have fun at your shows today, kids.

Rama, don't forget about the Mess With Texas 2 event going on. 3 stages and the playlist and times are up for each of the stages.
 
Five Hour Energy indeed.

I am fried, 4 hours of sleep per night so far.

Went to a morning party from 10am untill 2pm the a day party for Pure Volume, with low rent vodka and red bulls.

Daniel Lanois @ the Convention Center was pretty epic.

Just him and a great drummer, it was very very nice.

Liam Finn @ the Ale House was one of the best shows yet. Chuck Prophet was ok, headed over and saw 1349 @ Red 7, wtf was that about.

Today, going to Don't Mess With TX @ Waterloo Park, Roky @ Stubb's tonight and the Vice late night party.

Hope I make it.
 
I saw
Black Joe Louis and the Honey Bears: A (plus $3 all-you-can drink Fat Tire)
Yo La Tengo: B+ (and i finally visited the historic french legation)
Witch (JMascis on drums): B-
Bad Veins: B+
The Whigs: B- (kind of disappointing, esp. considering how much I'd heard of them)
Lyrics Born: A
Jean Grae: A+
Talib Kweli: B+
Ice Cube: A

Not a bad two days for spending $1.00 on bus fare, plus other assorted booze-type beverages. As this was probably my last SXSW for many years to come, I'm pretty satisfied.
 
Perhaps I missed it in another post or thread but are you moving or something? If so, glad you had a great sxsw this year.
 
Yeah, I'm moving "somewhere", but not sure yet. I'm about to graduate from Med School in San Antonio, and we find out Thursday where we match for our residencies. I'm aiming for a couple programs on the east coast, so in the next few years I'll probably only get sporadic visits back to Austin for occas. f-ball game, etc. So, I've def. had a good run this past weekend. Now I have to let my liver recover in time to destroy it again on Thursday (we've rented out Floore's Country Store for Match Day).

Rock!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Recent Threads

Prediction Results Threads

2024 Schedules

Back
Top