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

SXSW 2011, Part 4

This report has four parts.

Part 1 – Part 2 – Part 3 – Part 4

This leads me to another interesting fact about SXSW. As I headed across town to Mellow Johnny’s for the next show, I took note that businesses far and wide participated in this event. That meant coffee houses, tattoo parlors, restaurants, garages, warehouses, and even bike shops. Nestled between two wall-to-ceiling racks of bicycles, The Joy Formidable rocked a nice sized gathering at Mellow Johnny’s and, as promised, played an extended set with a mixture of new music from “The Big Roar,” which has just achieved its US release at the beginning of SXSW.

That would have been enough for me for one day, but I was talked into seeing a 12:30 AM show with the Bangles on the tiny stage at Cedar Street Courtyard. Yes, those Bangles. Susanna Hoffs and the Peterson sisters were really quite good. Forget the over produced 80s sound — these girls really know how to rock. The old tunes didn’t sound too dated and the reformed group surprised with a new songs and a sound. You can still hear that girl pop sound in their songs, but the new sound carries a grittier and tighter rock quality. Upon dedicating a few tunes to their lost friend, Alex Chilton, the capacity crowd went mental.

I apologize for the typos, etc. I’m using the updated Blog Style Guide, Vol 1. More later from SXSW as these early mornings are killers and there’s just no down time.

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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

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Part 1 – Part 2 – Part 3 – Part 4

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