SXSW Celebrates 25 Years: Part 1 – Live Coverage From Austin, by Peter Dysart

SXSW 2011, Part 4

This report has four parts.

Every year in America, the coming of spring is celebrated with March Madness, a competition among 68 of college basketball’s most passionate teams to gain the title of National Champions. It’s great fun but it’s not the only madness that occurs in March. The SXSW music, film and interactive conference is in full swing in Austin, Texas, and it carries with it a similar feel to the college basketball tournament.

This year, nearly 2,000 bands and artists have gathered to duke it out on stage. While there are many big name bands who are expected to do well, the field is crowded with a multitude of indie acts and musical adventurists/explorers — all interested in gaining a wider audience and attracting industry attention. With as many artists playing throughout the Austin downtown area, there are an estimated 15,000 industry professionals, many of whom are scouting out unsigned musical talent like the professional basketball league scout player this time of year.

Whilst the film industry event is also exciting, I’m focusing in on the music, which is arguably the reason why this event has grown to be so popular. Celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, SXSW is perhaps analogous to Marti Gras for the music industry. It’s simply amazing as the crowds of fans swell to 20,000 to 25,000. You can walk anywhere in the downtown area, especially between 4th and 6th Street east of San Jacinto, which are closed off to vehicle traffic, and you are bombarded by music from all sides by open air venues, each turning up the volume to new heights. It’s pure sensory overload, which makes be pleased to wear ear protection at all times. Alas, my ears are still ringing every morning.

The music event started in earnest on Tuesday evening at Stubbs. Aside from the headline act, the Foo Fighters, it was great to catch a set by rockabilly legend Dale Watson. It was a good night to wander the streets and simply take in the Austin atmosphere. Later that evening at Emo’s we watched a few bands that didn’t yet have a grasp of their instruments, let alone how to construct a basic composition. There were a few tortured soul screamers gangling loudly on untuned guitars, which make it obvious that among the 2,000 music acts, there are clunkers, too. Again, very similar to the college basketball tournament. Did I mention that hearing protection has its benefits?

Tuesday ended with a walk around the block from Stubb’s to one of many make-shift outdoor venues. A quick stop in one brought me to see New Jersey’s own Screaming Females. If you could package Joey Ramone, Eddie Van Halen, and three dozen punk and trash bands into a tiny 4-foot-something red dress wearing young girl from Jersey, you’d have Screaming Female. She shreds, she screams, she entertains and you just can’t look away from this wild child. Call me daft, but this girl is going to be a headline act in the near future. (continued…)

SXSW Celebrates 25 Years: Part 1 – Live Coverage From Austin, by Peter Dysart

SXSW Celebrates 25 Years: Part 2 – Live Coverage From Austin, by Peter Dysart

SXSW Celebrates 25 Years: Part 3 – Live Coverage From Austin, by Peter Dysart

SXSW Celebrates 25 Years, Part IV – By Peter Dysart

Part 1 – Part 2 – Part 3 – Part 4