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

SXSW 2011, Part 4

This report has four parts.

Part 1 – Part 2 – Part 3 – Part 4

Wednesday was a trip to Fader Fort to see my favourite rock band make its SXSW debut on a big stage. A hasty cancellation allowed The Joy Formidable to take the stage and give an audience of about 3,000 their first taste of what I predict will become one of the most well known acts on the indie league. Minutes before the show, Rydian Davies amp literally began to smoke and catch fire. Without a moment of hesitation, a barrowed amp was installed and away they went. 45 minutes later in the bar line the buzz was quite good for TJF. The journalists and photographers are clearly in love with Ritzy Bryan.

Friendly Fires made a case for the return of the 80’s pop sensibility, infusing a lush Roxy Music level of sound refinement and experimentation with generous heaps of pop sound ala INXS, Haircut 100, Level 42 and others. Lead singer, Ed Macfarlane, drives this band with passionate performances and electronica effects. The band’s guitarist serves as melodic lead and sonic colourist, as he executes a variety of guitar sounds including a few that carried a brass horn quality. Speaking of wind instruments, the group in backed by sax, trumpet and rounded out by an excellent percussion section. Their bass player doubles up as the second drummer. I highly recommend this brilliant UK band, as you will likely hear more from them in the next few years.

Fader magazine’s Fader Fort is a premium event setup that lasts all week that’s accessible only with wristband. Luckily, my friend Dennis knows way too many people at the conference, so we were in without the long two-hour wait in line. Sponsored by Fiat NA, Fader Fort is set up as a huge compound that leads to a large stage area covered by a massive tent. The drinks are free and aside from the music, there’s plenty to see and do.

That evening, we ran into Sharon Van Etten who was very happy to see Dennis. She’s a phenomenal solo artist. If you get the chance to see her anywhere, please do. It’s completely mental that all of these artists are just walking the streets.

Thursday was a great day to kick back and recover at the NPR Party at The Parish on 6th Street. This noon to 6pm event featured an excellent line up of musicians and acts. The programme started with Colin Stetson. Before yesterday, I knew him as a member of Arcade Fire’s wind ensemble. What an incredible performance. Part experimental bass sax innovator, part throat singer, Stetson pushes his vocalisations through his reed into the sax. The sound was deep, raw, beautiful, and haunting.

The next act up exemplified the very soul of the Indie scene. tUnE-yArDs is an Oakland-based band led by vocalists Merrill Garbus. This is excellent experimental music, fearless in the face of commercial trends. Another must catch podcast from the NPR party at the Parish.

It’s interesting to note that the day of this NPR music showcase, Congress voted to defund public radio. I know that this sounds counterintuitive, but after witnessing the business machine that is NPR, there’s little doubt that this is an organisation that will endure, adapt, grow and continue to produce superb news and arts programming without government fund — despite the petty politics that surround such a social commons as this one. Pabst, You Tube and many other companies sponsored the event with minimal advertising intrusion. If you love public radio, please continue to support it. All of the NPR Showcase is available for download at http://www.npr.org/series/sxsw/.

Finally, the NPR showcase gave up the true reason for my attendance. The Joy Formidable took stage to a packed house and a nationwide broadcast that disappointed only for the length of time they were allowed to play. Some of my UK friends were in attendance and only too happy to share a pogo with me. Afterwards, Ritzy gave me the heads up that their next set across town would be a longer one. (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

.