SXLB

Day: 219
High Temp: 74F

My experiences at SXSW were a mere sliver of all the excitement that this year's festival had to offer, but as many of you have asked, I figured I would provide you with the rundown of what was SXLB.

And by the way, I was so right to be intimidated! But we had a lot of fun. And I am glad that I now have a full year to recover...

Wednesday- Day one of SXSW music. Tom and I bike downtown and catch a portion of a Scottish band playing in a hotel lobby. We stroll about the 6th street/Red River area checking out the pandemonium. Tom says, "It's like a music amusement park."  He is so right. On every corner there is a rag-tag band competing with the live music pouring from every storefront, bar, balcony and open window.  We enjoy the musical stylings of local string metal group Judgement Day, who rock our socks off. We then have the unfortunate luck to happen upon (and quickly escape) a corner where an ex-boyfriend of mine happens to be playing with his band. It is beyond surreal, and this puts the nail in my coffin for Wednesday.

Thursday- We stay home. Screw you SXSW, we need to rest up for...

Friday- We first head up to our local pizza joint, Home Slice, to grab some food, and catch a few acts featured at their Music By The Slice party (MXTS). Among them, we enjoy Miles Kurosky (fmrly of Beulah) and Tom says, "I think I have reached my fill of guitar rock." Then we enjoy the Movits! (swedish swing-rap anyone? Yes they wear tuxes when performing). We bike over to the east side, pleasantly surprised to find no line at the Mess With Texas (MWTX) party. We catch the last few songs of Billy Bragg's set, watch Frightened Rabbit (more Scots!) and enjoy free Sweet Leaf Tea, and lots of swag (posters, CDs, temp tattoos, handkerchiefs, pins, etc). Then we head over to the south stage, and are temporarily confused by what we thought was supposed to be Man or Astroman?. We quickly learn they are 50 minutes behind schedule, and so steak out a great seat, sit through Black Angels (not my cup of tea) and then rock out to Man or Astroman? Tom and I have been waiting for this show for months (years!). The show does not disappoint, and we are thrilled by the kitschy stage props. One of the Astromen says, "It's been forty years since we have played a show... forty space years!" Then we bike over to St. David's church only to decide that $20/person is too much to pay, even if it does mean you get to see Jacob Dylan and Neko Case play a show in a historic church sanctuary. Possibly something we will regret down the road... Grab free water and bike home, exhausted.

Saturday- Holy hell Austin! It's cold down here. Although many a band will cancel their unofficial sets to stay out of the cold, Tom and I bike back over the lake, so punishing, to stand in a teeny tiny line and see what feels like a private show by Visqueen. Seriously, there were only like 50 people there! They are excellent, and to read what Tom and Kevin have to say about there most recent release click here.  Still ready for more rock, we walk over to the Mohawk, only to stand in line for the entirety of the Free Energy show we were hoping to catch. Now that our hands are totally freezing, we decide to bike back home to warm up.  I am brought to a complete standstill biking west on 4th street, as a bitter wind kicks up. I take a hot shower when I get home, and a nap! Tom and I bid adieu to SXSW 2010 in a laid back manner, as we take in a Vadoinmessico show at the Hilton Second Stage. We nab seats, grab a few drinks, and are home in time for dinner.

EVERYTHING we did was free (except the few drinks we bought at the various venues). SXSW is the best deal in live music, if you are willing to hustle a bit for it.