Uhh maybe? If you want to hop around from showcase to showcase with ease and/or catch a big artist, then it's probably worth it. On the other hand, if you're going to see mostly up-and-coming (but not too up-and-coming) indie artists and are settled on only one showcase per night, then you'll probably spend <$50 for covers total. Most afternoon showcases tend to be free or cheap... and easier to walk in and out of even w/out a wristband. Do you have a wishlist of bands/showcases you want to catch? I could maybe guess how packed the event might be... Oh boy, I've never seen a major artist like Kanye at SXSW, so I have no clue. I can assure you though that EVERYONE is going to try and be there haha. I'm guessing power station is a big venue, but I've never heard of it. Think of it this way, if Kanye was playing a show at the Toyota Center, it would sell out... so you should probably camp out early!
So tomorrow there is an event at Kiss and Fly which is sponsored by BET http://www.kissandflyaustin.com/sxsw.php I don't know if that one is covered admissions or if it's badge/wrist band only. Where can I get that info. Saturday I probably want to see Kascade or maybe Bun B. I will get there at 3 tomorrow any res for things during tomorrow or Friday during the day?
Yes I do. It's on the front page of the link you provided . Yeah, I'll refrain from guessing on how big this event could get. I really have no pulse on emerging hiphop artists and their popularity, but I think it's safe to say that SXSW's crowds are mostly rock/indie/pop/whatever... uhh, put more eloquently, [KANYE] SXSW DOESN'T CARE ABOUT BLACK PEOPLE!!11 [\KANYE] Sorry, couldn't resist. I can see B.o.B. bringing out a good crowd I think. SIDE NOTE: If you're going to be in Houston for summer, then you can see Bun B at the Free Press Summerfest... but not MF Doom, that lazy bum dropped out, hmph.
So it says badge and wristband holders have priority, but does that mean that bade and wrist band holders have to ALSO pay a cover? Also, any good outdoor rock or some sort of indie groups playing tomorrow during the day? Friday during the day? Also for that show tomorrow night at the Kiss and Fly, it says doors open at 7, does that non wrist band/badge holders should get there at around 6? 5:30? I'm pretty damn excited. Also, are these covers cash only?
Oh sorry, I should have been more clear. If you have a wristband/badge, you don't pay any covers or ticket prices. Also, covers are always cash. That said, since this particular event is sponsored by BET and explicitly mentions "tickets," they could possibly have something different going on as far as entry goes; though, I doubt it. I'm actually not going this year as a result of lack of monies and also since a lot of the bands I wanted to see are swinging by Houston anyway. Suffice to say, I haven't even looked at showcases or anything. As far as recommendations, here are some stabs in the dark that should be entertaining for most people: Toro y Moi (funkish electronica pop) Chromeo (even funkier electronica pop) Das Racist (not-so-serious rap) Diplo (has produced major lazer, M.I.A., die antwoord, and a lot of others) Eh screw it, just look at guides from these sites for indie rock/pop stuff: http://stereogum.com/657942/32-must-see-bands-sxsw-2011/mp3s/ http://pitchfork.com/news/41806-the-pitchfork-guide-to-sxsw-2011/ (please forgive the pitchfork linkage) If you start to feel lost/aimless, just follow the long lines. Have fun!
Day 1 for me was pretty good. In the day shows I got to see Rainbow Arabia, Toro y Moi, Surfer Blood and MemoryHouse. Also saw a lovely post-rock band from Taiwan on the Emo's outside stage. And in the evening I got to see TV Torso, The Antlers, Braids and Casiokids. Two celebrity sightings today. Aziz Ansari was standing next to me at the Toro y Moi concert at Red 7. I told him he looked bored (in reference to his blog) and he laughed and said he is just here supporting his fellow South Carolina neighbour. Then toward the end of the show he exited through a special side exit and was gone. I don't think anyone really even recognized him at the show. I later saw him again, while I was cycling my bike near the Austin Convention Center. I also saw Donald Glover coming out of Red 7, while I was going to see Rainbow Arabia. Some other funny scenes included seeing members of Peelander Z watching The Antlers at the Parish. Also the members of Das Racist not being allowed entry to the Moby DJ set due to over capacity. Good day overall. Hope to catch Menomena, Bombay Bicycle Club, Twin Shadow, Das Racist and James Blake in the next few days.
Free shows: https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&...GEtY2UxMS00ZDQ1LWI5ZjctZTg3ZmViZWRmODgx&hl=en RSVPs: https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&...DctYmJkNS00ODA1LThjNGMtZjBjODVhZjg0MWE4&hl=en
this looked like it was pretty epic: <iframe title="YouTube video player" width="853" height="510" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Mx7yky2C9Gk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
For those looking for something awesome and free to do tonight, KVRXplosion on the east side: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=196899436994717 We've got Baths, Dominique Young Unique and Caddywhompus, to name a few, on three stages. Beer until it runs out and the venue, Cheer Up Charlies, is next to a food cart park.
BATHS! yes. go see this DUDE. wish I could make it to this one. is this your showcase? caddywhompus is fun fun fun fun too.
Whoa, what was it like seeing those guys in, uhh, human clothes?? I've seen them live more times than I would like to admit. I would never listen to their music, but their shows are ALWAYS entertaining.
Day 2 was another decent day, but mainly in the day shows. Saw Twin Shadow, Young Man and The Sounds in the day shows. Then went to see The Strokes at 8pm. It was absolutely insane with the number of people there. I heard upwards of 25K people showed up. I wasn't even able to see the stage from where I was standing in the back, so I just watched the whole show on the big screen. Their seemed to be some sound issues as well with muffled vocals from time to time in the back. Other than that the show was great though with them playing mostly older tracks surprisingly. I heard about 3 new tracks it seemed like to me. The fireworks at the end of the show in the middle of their song was also pretty nice. Then in the evening went to go see Phantogram. The venue was so packed I didn't even get in and ended up watching the show from the outside with at least 75 other people. Then made it to James Blake at The Central Presbyterian Church and didn't get in there either. So my alternate was to see Bombay Bicycle Club at Klub Krucial. The band is great but the venue is an really run down urban club. The crowds this year are insane. Today felt like a typical Saturday at SXSW. I'm not getting into shows which I would have easily gotten into even 2-3 years ago with a wristband. Even people with badges have been getting shut out. I think its partly to blame with the increase in availability of allowing people to buy tickets at the door. For example, one could buy an $30 ticket to the James Blake show and sit in for the early acts and remain there till 2AM when everything is finished. This effectively shuts out wristband holders and badgeholders who show up even an hour early like I did. Due to this, I'm thinking of bouncing out early from here after Friday. Just have to see if others in my group want to do the same.
It was kind of funny in that the guy from Peelander was actually wearing a yellow t-shirt that said Peelander on it and jeans. I assume he was the lead vocals of the group. I don't listen to much of their music, but I'm familiar with the band.
Thanks to anybody who made it out to KVRXplosion last night. Huge crowd, great location on E. 6th. Baths ended up canceling on us at the 11th hour/4 p.m. However, Fat Tony, being the esteemed Houston gentleman that he is, filled in as our headliner on about four hours notice. For a guy always on his grind, he's one of the friendliest people you'll meet.
sxsw has always allowed non-wristband holders to pay cash at the door - but each club has a set amount of people they will let in this way and once they go over no more can get in. i remember one year i did not get a wristband and i tried to go see my friends band play - the venue was not even half full and they wouldnt let me in b/c they had already let in all the "cash" people they could. ive heard the same problems you are describing though - even badge holders are getting shut out of shows.
