Going to my first SXSW this thursday with the gf, was wondering how much of the RSVP events actually let you into the shows? Or is it more so just a system in which you must sign up for and wait before the shows? Any recommendations or things to look out for when roaming around downtown?
Larger, wristband-less events like Fader Fort will be strict about RSVPs. The large corporately-sponsored stuff like that adheres to RSVPs. Where you'll have luck are the smaller parties and shows on the east side.
My #1 observation while walking around Saturday: You will be fine in really whatever you want to wear, it is pretty casual. I was just in a button down shirt, chucks, jeans and a pair of sunglasses during the day. There are a lot of pretty fine ladies walking around, it was awesome.
just got the confirms for MTVu Woodie Awards, ft big sean, fall out boy, etc. been rejected to every jimmy kimmel show though so far
Try to RSVP to as much as you can. I think I missed Fader Fort this year, but somehow my friend was able to register with two emails so I might be able to pass as her. All the other RSVP events where you can register a +1, you don't actually need to specify their name. Spotify is always awesome. Really excited about the Vibes party this year, LOVE casey veggies. you gotta get to the good ones relatively early, or yes, the lines get insane.
I still don't get the hype of SXSW. It's really just trying to fight through ridiculous amount of people just to get into a place that you may not even get into with an RSVP.
It's all about the experience. I was there in 2011. Didn't pay for ****. Went to visit some friends in SA for Spring Break, and they were like, let's go to Austin. We stayed at another friend's apartment. The weed, drinks, girls, and atmosphere is just fun to be apart of. Can't forget to mention the fights either haha.
I show up at the LOLAWOLF show at The Main II (former Emo's Inside room) for a 10:30PM show on Tuesday. Show starts almost an hour late, but I wanted to see Zoe Kravitz perform. After about 20 minutes in walks Sinbad wearing these tinted eyeglasses. A few people recognize but generally leave him alone. He stands near the back of the venue near the bar. Fifteen minutes after that in walks Adrian Grenier. He is also left alone for the most part as well. But damn, Zoe Kravitz is mighty fine.
ACL vs SXSW: is there a particular aspect of one someone would prefer, over the other? Never been to either, but just curious as to which music festival is "better."
Acl is confined to zilker park. Sxsw is multiple venues and hundreds of artists. You have use the port o potty at acl.
had a great time, saw lots of bands i really love. finally got to see hot chip, and also saw courtney barnett twice whose becoming my new favorite artist, among many many more bands. i really did not expect to have this much fun, ive heard plenty of people talk poorly about SXSW, but I feel like they did it wrong. I avoided lines most of the week, I just always had a back-up option if I got to a show and it was packed/had a long line, and every day of this I found an awesome show I could just walk into. Like on Saturday I was planning to hit Diarrhea Planet (had seen em twice that week already though) and Gang of Four, but saw a long line, so instead I just headed over to Red 7 which was literally across the street, no line at all and got to watch awesome shows by Ex-Cult, Iceage, and The Pop Group. Instead of trying to see every buzz band, I just picked out shows that looked fun, and ended up having a super great time because of that. And so many of the shows were completely free which was awesome, how can you complain about that? Did have to pay a cover for a few night shows, but never more then $10 I really liked the little area on 7th with Red 7/Holy Mountain/Empire/Side Bar/beerland and all that, between all those venues I could almost always find a show i could just walk right into with someone awesome playing. Besides the Pitchfork Showcase on Wednesday, I avoided the Mohawk, that one always seemed kind of packed. I'll be back next year. It was a ton of fun.
Just got back home today also. My 8th year in a row. Most impressed by Odesza and Seinabo Sey. Also one of the better sets was Hamilton Leithauser. No one was there since they didn't realize he was the lead singer of The Walkmen. Heems was damn good also. Got to see Mew again after their last performance in 2007. Caught a pretty good Kevin Gates set at Brazos Hall and also the Mike Will show on the last day with special guest Riff Raff. Bun B Bday bash was ok earlier that evening. Glad the rain didn't totally wreck Friday and Saturday although I was there since Tuesday. The crowds seemed about 10% less than last year. I pretty much got into every venue throughout the week except on Saturday couldn't get into Austin Music Hall (didn't want to stand in line). I didn't run into a single line at Hype Hotel, although there were massive lines at Hotel Vegas and Scoot Inn throughout the festival. Didn't go to Fader Fort or Spotify House. I also didn't bother with any Rainey Street shows after Day 2. Got to hang out with Twin Shadow as he was checking out one of the international showcases. Really chill guy. Some of the better showcases were the world showcases (Pakistan and Trinidad especially). Disappointed didn't get to see Catfish and the Bottleman as they cancelled their set at ACL last minute. Most favorite venue: Mohawk Outdoor Least favorite venue: Mohawk Indoor or Empire Control Room Red 7 for some reason amplifies their bass to unconscionable levels for acts that don't even normally use heavy bass. So that was kind of annoying. Anyways, a lot of fun as usual.
