Another year, another SXSW. No trip in the deep south post festival this year. Honestly, I don’t even know how we survived a one week road trip after South By last year. We are definitely getting old. Having had some time to reflect, the four of us came up with some of our moments in Austin, Texas.
Favorite SXSW Moment
Gary: When the big guy at Lianne la havas’ concert shouted out: I’m not too old for you!
Derek: Two-way tie: Bastille @ Filter vs. The Specials At Hype Hotel
Paul: Watching former Hawkwind member Nik Turner and his band run through the entire Space Ritual album at Rebel’s Honky Tonk was entertaining and also slightly surreal. Also, not sure if “favourite” is the word for it, but seeing Harouki Zombi’s DJ set/burlesque performance was certainly something I won’t be forgetting too soon. Not quite what i was expecting, but given the band’s connection to Of Montreal, I suppose I shouldn’t have been surprised.
Ricky: Seeing hordes of Korean line up outside of the Elysium, then entering to see a dive bar full of Koreans all waiting for K-pop superstars F(x) to play was definitely one of my highlights, probably the least SXSW crowd ever at SXSW, but their enthusiasm was infectious. Seeing Sharon Jones teach the crowd about various dancing techniques from the 60’s also another highlight. That woman can move.
Favourite Act of SXSW
Gary: A draw between The Staves and the Milk carton kids. Both were hilarious between songs. Take the Milk carton kids’ stand-up comedy against the harmonies from the Staves. Or the former’s quick guitar picking vs the latter’s denouncement of god in a church.
Derek: Cayucas
Paul: Billy Bragg. Also, The Specials and The Skatalites reminded me that old school ska is sometimes pretty great
Ricky: Hard to beat a Tim Wheeler acoustic set where he play’s all the best Ash songs.
Most Disappointing Act
Ricky: Given their epic meltdown and resulting tour cancellations, it’s hard to place Foxygen at complete fault for their shows at SXSW, but given their debut album, it was definitely a disappointment. Youth Lagoon was boring, but I’m almost disappointed in myself to think that their show might of been good.
Paul: DIIV didn’t do much for me live, although I do have to give kudos to frontman Zachary Cole Smith for the honesty of his mid-festival twitter rant.
Derek: Yelawulf.
Gary: Youth lagoon. They were on the stage 10 min late and was so lethargic that they barely lifted their heads to look at the audience.
Breakout Act
Gary: BOY. Never heard of them prior, but I’m thoroughly impressed by the songwriting as well as the live set. See my review.
Derek: Lemolo
Paul: Doritos. I expect lots of bigger and bolder things from them. Or, if you want a serious answer, CHVRCHES.
Ricky: John Fogerty’s son. Just kidding, let’s go with Bastille. Big anthems and British. Those seem to be a great formula for success. Also, the security guards at the Black Lips show, because they went HAM on everyone at the end of the show. Must be training for MMA or Navy Seals or something. Lay off the roids, bro.
SXSW, highly recommended as usual. A must go for music fans.