Hey fellow music fans, anyone have any must see music recomendations for the upcoming festival? I consider myself a pretty up to date afficionado, but it seems like every year I just pour over the listings with slack-jawed noncomprehension of all the unfamiliar names, give up, end up going to see Echo and the Bunnyman or whoever else is filling the nostalgia slots and then 9 months later go "Oh crap! (insert band name here) was at SXSW? I love those guys, but hadn't heard of them, I really missed out."
As I am now living mere blocks, one could even say stumbling distance from the action, I thought I should make an effort to see some hidden gems of the fest. So if anyone has any favorites, good pics, etc. I'd love to hear about it.
Any one have SXSW music recomendations?
Everything else, basically.
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Go see the Platforms at 1:30 in the afternoon. They're playing on Friday the 16th at Trophy's. It's going to Rock!!!
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- bradisntclever Offline
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This is the list of the bands I wanted to see after I scanned the list one time. I'm still trying to snag my wristband...
Aesop Rock
Architecture in Helsinki
Beirut
Birdmonster
Bonde do Role
Car Stereo (Wars) ***
Clem Snide
Cloud Cult
Cold War Kids **
Frog Eyes
Ghostland Observatory
Girl Talk
Golden Bear
The Good, The Bad & The Queen
I Love You But I've Chosen Darkness
Imperial Teen
Junk Science (Nuclear Family)
Kid Koala
Les Savy Fav
Margot & The Nuclear So and So's
Mastodon
Midlake
The Mountain Goats
1986
The Octopus Project **
Okkervil River
Peter and the Wolf
The Presidents of the United States of America (!!!)
RJD2
65daysofstatic
Smoking Popes (!!!)
Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin ****
Tacks, The Boy Disaster
The Theater Fire (yes, they had this name before Arcade Fire)
Thunderbirds Are Now! (one of their guys was climbing the walls/hanging from the ceiling last year)
Voxtrot
We Are Wolves
What Made Milwaukee Famous
White Ghost Shivers
Aesop Rock
Architecture in Helsinki
Beirut
Birdmonster
Bonde do Role
Car Stereo (Wars) ***
Clem Snide
Cloud Cult
Cold War Kids **
Frog Eyes
Ghostland Observatory
Girl Talk
Golden Bear
The Good, The Bad & The Queen
I Love You But I've Chosen Darkness
Imperial Teen
Junk Science (Nuclear Family)
Kid Koala
Les Savy Fav
Margot & The Nuclear So and So's
Mastodon
Midlake
The Mountain Goats
1986
The Octopus Project **
Okkervil River
Peter and the Wolf
The Presidents of the United States of America (!!!)
RJD2
65daysofstatic
Smoking Popes (!!!)
Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin ****
Tacks, The Boy Disaster
The Theater Fire (yes, they had this name before Arcade Fire)
Thunderbirds Are Now! (one of their guys was climbing the walls/hanging from the ceiling last year)
Voxtrot
We Are Wolves
What Made Milwaukee Famous
White Ghost Shivers
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- phlounderphil Offline
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- Contact:
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- Justin D. Offline
- Posts: 1521
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I finally got around to looking at the huge list of artists myself. I didn't put down any I saw last year. There were only a few I that I'd see again instead of someone new (like Atmosphere, who wasn't on this year's list).
Apostle of Hustle
Aqualung
Aqueduct
Badly Drawn Boy
Birdmonster
The Black Angels
Bloc Party
The Broken West
Catfish Haven
The Changes
Chin Up Chin Up
The Dagons
The Electric Soft Parade
The Golden Dogs
The Gossip
I Love You But I've Chosen Darkness
Kid Koala
Kings of Leon
Lions In The Street
Mando Diao
Novillero
Robbers on High Street
Sloan
Small Sins
Voxtrot
The Whigs
Now, I just need to figure out which ones I can actually see.
Apostle of Hustle
Aqualung
Aqueduct
Badly Drawn Boy
Birdmonster
The Black Angels
Bloc Party
The Broken West
Catfish Haven
The Changes
Chin Up Chin Up
The Dagons
The Electric Soft Parade
The Golden Dogs
The Gossip
I Love You But I've Chosen Darkness
Kid Koala
Kings of Leon
Lions In The Street
Mando Diao
Novillero
Robbers on High Street
Sloan
Small Sins
Voxtrot
The Whigs
Now, I just need to figure out which ones I can actually see.
Last edited by Justin D. on March 7th, 2007, 1:00 am, edited 1 time in total.
Definitely see Imperial Teen. They're fantastic live.
PGraph plays every Thursday at 8pm! https://www.hideouttheatre.com/shows/pgraph/
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- Justin D. Offline
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Add to my list above The Detroit Cobras. Just heard them on AccuRadio and they're freaking awesome. I listened to every song on their MySpace page about twice now. It's a combination of many different musical styles that comes out to be pure fun.
I mentioned her in the What Are You Listening To thread, but you've got to go check out Marnie Stern. She will blow you away.
Also, check out Ponytail from Baltimore.
Also, check out Ponytail from Baltimore.
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- bradisntclever Offline
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I took my initial list and boiled it down to the 15 bands I am looking forward to the most this week. I omitted a lot mainly because I had already seen them. I would say they are in no particular order, but I alphabetized them because I'm a badass.
Architecture in Helsinki - quirky, quirky Australians that remind me a bit of The Talking Heads. They are reportedly highly entertaining in concert, even if their equipment begins to malfunction.
Beirut - I just want to see what all the hype is about. I haven't been impressed by them much, but 90% of the pretentious indie hipsters I know swear by them... or they read Pitchfork and follow along.
Birdmonster - "All the Holes in the Walls" was one of my favorite songs of 2005, even though that style doesn't typically appeal to me. I haven't heard a bad thing about their concerts yet. Most of my friends rave.
Car Stereo (Wars) - If you haven't heard their mash-up of Ghostface Killah and Ghostland Observatory, you really need to stop what you are doing now. Send me a PM, I'll hook you up.
Cold War Kids - I'm a fan of Chicago-style blues and they are clearly influenced by it. I am mad I missed them at SXSW 2006.
Ghostland Observatory - Saw the end of their set at ACL. Any set involving one guy crossdressing in the sweltering heat deserves a second view. Their music is pretty solid too.
Girl Talk - Awesome mash-ups and mixes... and incredibly interesting live shows. See for yourself: http://www.nerve.com/screeningroom/music/girltalk/
Imperial Teen - They've been around for a while and their stage presence has improved dramatically in time.
Midlake - I grew up 20 minutes from these guys and have known about them for a long time, but never bothered to give them a try. The Trials of Van Occupanther changed that.
The Octopus Project - This is the only group I included on my list that I have seen several times. Great live shows. Definitive "Keep Austin Weird" music. A/V experimentation. Most importantly, the theremin.
The Presidents of the United States of America - Incredibly goofy but a rare opportunity to see them reunited. I still can't get some of their more obscure lyrics out of my head due to how incredibly random they are.
Smoking Popes - They were long gone by the time I started listening to them. News of their reunion excited me. News that they were coming to SXSW doubly so.
Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin - One of my favorites currently. Don't overlook the name. It's awesome.
Thunderbirds Are Now! - You NEED to see these guys live. I can't stress it enough. They are zany and have too much energy for their own good. I saw them at Stereogum's private party last year and they were my favorite act. The stage manager at the Parish threatened to kick them out mid-set because their keyboardist brought out a ladder, started climbing it, grappled onto a wall and then tried to hang from the ceiling. When he's on the ground, the same guy jumps around constantly. You'll gawk at them at first, but in time they will win you over with their infectious spirit.
Architecture in Helsinki - quirky, quirky Australians that remind me a bit of The Talking Heads. They are reportedly highly entertaining in concert, even if their equipment begins to malfunction.
Beirut - I just want to see what all the hype is about. I haven't been impressed by them much, but 90% of the pretentious indie hipsters I know swear by them... or they read Pitchfork and follow along.
Birdmonster - "All the Holes in the Walls" was one of my favorite songs of 2005, even though that style doesn't typically appeal to me. I haven't heard a bad thing about their concerts yet. Most of my friends rave.
Car Stereo (Wars) - If you haven't heard their mash-up of Ghostface Killah and Ghostland Observatory, you really need to stop what you are doing now. Send me a PM, I'll hook you up.
Cold War Kids - I'm a fan of Chicago-style blues and they are clearly influenced by it. I am mad I missed them at SXSW 2006.
Ghostland Observatory - Saw the end of their set at ACL. Any set involving one guy crossdressing in the sweltering heat deserves a second view. Their music is pretty solid too.
Girl Talk - Awesome mash-ups and mixes... and incredibly interesting live shows. See for yourself: http://www.nerve.com/screeningroom/music/girltalk/
Imperial Teen - They've been around for a while and their stage presence has improved dramatically in time.
Midlake - I grew up 20 minutes from these guys and have known about them for a long time, but never bothered to give them a try. The Trials of Van Occupanther changed that.
The Octopus Project - This is the only group I included on my list that I have seen several times. Great live shows. Definitive "Keep Austin Weird" music. A/V experimentation. Most importantly, the theremin.
The Presidents of the United States of America - Incredibly goofy but a rare opportunity to see them reunited. I still can't get some of their more obscure lyrics out of my head due to how incredibly random they are.
Smoking Popes - They were long gone by the time I started listening to them. News of their reunion excited me. News that they were coming to SXSW doubly so.
Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin - One of my favorites currently. Don't overlook the name. It's awesome.
Thunderbirds Are Now! - You NEED to see these guys live. I can't stress it enough. They are zany and have too much energy for their own good. I saw them at Stereogum's private party last year and they were my favorite act. The stage manager at the Parish threatened to kick them out mid-set because their keyboardist brought out a ladder, started climbing it, grappled onto a wall and then tried to hang from the ceiling. When he's on the ground, the same guy jumps around constantly. You'll gawk at them at first, but in time they will win you over with their infectious spirit.
So, I started a thread and then failed to participate, I've had a very full schedule the last few weeks. Thanks very much to all who shared input, as it turns out with my new work schedule, I'll only have time to see shows on Thursday (and possibly Wednesday night if I have energy to go out after my double shift.)
First, let me say, I would happily go see live music with anybody that participated in this thread, SXSW or any other time of the year. I made a big effort to see live music when I first came to Austin, but gradually got tired of either dragging unenthusiastic friends along or going by myself and feeling overwhelmed by the multitude of superior hipster stares, so I sort of tapered off on the live music. But if anyone has a show they want to go to and want company, let me know.
Second, let me give some input on bands I have seen that others mentioned.
Beirut- I saw these guys at Emo's a few months ago, not having heard anything about them, I went to see another band fronted by a former member of Neutral Milk Hotel (A Hawk and a Hacksaw) and left way more impressed by Beriut. It was my most enjoyable musical surprise of the year, but then again I really enjoy their album, so if you're not too into it, I don't think the live show is drastically different. I happen to really like the whole Gypsy Rock tangent of indie music.
Cold War Kids - saw them as an opener for another band and was REALLY glad to have caught them. Well worth seeing live, make time for them if you can. To me their sound lacks diversity over the long haul, but over a 45 min. set they kick ass.
Ghostland Observatory- didn't catch ACL this year, but have seen them a few times inside and their stage presence is off the charts. They RULE! inside, like biting down on tin foil with a filling, but in a good way. Personally I am going to try to focus on bands from far far away which I'm less likely to be able to see on other occasions, but these guys are worth seeing.
Tacks, the Boy Disaster - Really enjoyable melodic local band that, too me, are still finding their chemistry/ stage chops but have tons of potential.
Aqualung - Saw them, thought they were an overrated MTV band with no actual stage chops.
A few people worth seeing not mentioned yet;
Antibalas- afro pop out of Brooklyn, very high energy, very much influenced by Fela Kuti, great stage presence, really fun.
Nina Nastacia, Vashti Bunyan - female singer-songwriters both with enchanting voices
Sondre Lerche- swedish singer, subtle songs that sound deceptively simple and acessable yet have much richness and depth on repeated listening, sort of paul simon-ish but completely different.
Rock Plaza Central- Toronto based band, very much in the Neutral Milk Hotel vein, their latest release was a concept album about Robotic horses who think they are real horses. COOL!
First, let me say, I would happily go see live music with anybody that participated in this thread, SXSW or any other time of the year. I made a big effort to see live music when I first came to Austin, but gradually got tired of either dragging unenthusiastic friends along or going by myself and feeling overwhelmed by the multitude of superior hipster stares, so I sort of tapered off on the live music. But if anyone has a show they want to go to and want company, let me know.
Second, let me give some input on bands I have seen that others mentioned.
Beirut- I saw these guys at Emo's a few months ago, not having heard anything about them, I went to see another band fronted by a former member of Neutral Milk Hotel (A Hawk and a Hacksaw) and left way more impressed by Beriut. It was my most enjoyable musical surprise of the year, but then again I really enjoy their album, so if you're not too into it, I don't think the live show is drastically different. I happen to really like the whole Gypsy Rock tangent of indie music.
Cold War Kids - saw them as an opener for another band and was REALLY glad to have caught them. Well worth seeing live, make time for them if you can. To me their sound lacks diversity over the long haul, but over a 45 min. set they kick ass.
Ghostland Observatory- didn't catch ACL this year, but have seen them a few times inside and their stage presence is off the charts. They RULE! inside, like biting down on tin foil with a filling, but in a good way. Personally I am going to try to focus on bands from far far away which I'm less likely to be able to see on other occasions, but these guys are worth seeing.
Tacks, the Boy Disaster - Really enjoyable melodic local band that, too me, are still finding their chemistry/ stage chops but have tons of potential.
Aqualung - Saw them, thought they were an overrated MTV band with no actual stage chops.
A few people worth seeing not mentioned yet;
Antibalas- afro pop out of Brooklyn, very high energy, very much influenced by Fela Kuti, great stage presence, really fun.
Nina Nastacia, Vashti Bunyan - female singer-songwriters both with enchanting voices
Sondre Lerche- swedish singer, subtle songs that sound deceptively simple and acessable yet have much richness and depth on repeated listening, sort of paul simon-ish but completely different.
Rock Plaza Central- Toronto based band, very much in the Neutral Milk Hotel vein, their latest release was a concept album about Robotic horses who think they are real horses. COOL!
Last edited by Zach on March 14th, 2007, 2:50 am, edited 1 time in total.
And here are my show plans if anyone wants to join or meet up.
Wed. Night.
Try to catch Thunderbirds are Now and Les Savy Fav at the Red Eyed Fly after I get done with work. (they play at 12:00 and 1:00)
Thursday my 2 big groups to see are Architecture in Helsinki, who I love, but have never seen and Rock Plaza Central who I want to learn more about. If I'm not working during to the day, I'm going to try to catch one or the other during one of the daytime shows.
http://www.austin360.com/calendar/conte ... 7&cxcat=13
At night, I don't have a wristband so I'm going for a strategy that has worked fairly well for me in the past. That is to pick one venue with a strong line up, show up early, while they are still letting people in for just the nightly cover and stick around for a good portion of the evening.
My 1st choice for Thu. is La Zona Rosa, which has a very strong line up of Cold War Kids (10), Architecture in Helsinki (11), Ghostland Observatory (12), and What Made Milwaukee Famous (1). If I can't get in there I will either try Antone's which has Sondre Lerche and Sparklehorse or Maggie Mae's which has a Montrael showcase, lots of bands I don't know that well but really enjoyed what I was able to listen to at the SXSW website.
So, if this sounds good and anyone wants to try to see some shows together PM me or give a call at (5 one 2 ) eight OH 9 three 2 five 9
Oh and go see the Platforms, THEY F - ING ROCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wed. Night.
Try to catch Thunderbirds are Now and Les Savy Fav at the Red Eyed Fly after I get done with work. (they play at 12:00 and 1:00)
Thursday my 2 big groups to see are Architecture in Helsinki, who I love, but have never seen and Rock Plaza Central who I want to learn more about. If I'm not working during to the day, I'm going to try to catch one or the other during one of the daytime shows.
http://www.austin360.com/calendar/conte ... 7&cxcat=13
At night, I don't have a wristband so I'm going for a strategy that has worked fairly well for me in the past. That is to pick one venue with a strong line up, show up early, while they are still letting people in for just the nightly cover and stick around for a good portion of the evening.
My 1st choice for Thu. is La Zona Rosa, which has a very strong line up of Cold War Kids (10), Architecture in Helsinki (11), Ghostland Observatory (12), and What Made Milwaukee Famous (1). If I can't get in there I will either try Antone's which has Sondre Lerche and Sparklehorse or Maggie Mae's which has a Montrael showcase, lots of bands I don't know that well but really enjoyed what I was able to listen to at the SXSW website.
So, if this sounds good and anyone wants to try to see some shows together PM me or give a call at (5 one 2 ) eight OH 9 three 2 five 9
Oh and go see the Platforms, THEY F - ING ROCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
i've been in berkeley all week, so i've missed most of the SXSW goodness. however, i am going to head to the Snocap SXSW BBQ-noon-4 pm on saturday at Brush Square park...one schedule i found was 12:30-1:15 The Trucks 1:30-2:15 CALLA 2:30-3:15 Apollo Sunshine 3:30-4:30 The Buzzcocks NORTHERN STATE DJs in between bands.
however, apollo sunshine's website says they are playing at noon. as they are the band i'm itching to see, i will go then. northern state also rocks my nuts off.
however, apollo sunshine's website says they are playing at noon. as they are the band i'm itching to see, i will go then. northern state also rocks my nuts off.