SXSW Day 1 Update - Wristbands Unite!

[Paul Tao]

For those of you who didn't know, I'm attending SXSW (http://www.sxsw.com) 2006, which is basically Spring Break for the music industry. 1400 bands playing in 50 or so venues in about 4 days and a lot of drunk music industry folks. This is my first daily update.

After the first few shows that I attended today, I quickly learned the lesson that has haunted, I'm sure, many first-time SXSW attendees: Do not get a fucking wristband. No, really. The wristband is cheaper, yes. In my case, it was free. But when it comes to the larger shows, a wristband equals approximately squat. For those of you who have never attended SXSW, there is an easily defined hierarchy of attendees. There are those with badges, with their black-and-white photos and names and those little embedded microchips. They are automatically ushered to a special Badges Only line at most venues and generally get in when they want to get in. Then comes the wristbands, also embedded with microchips, but sadly lacking in just about everything else that counts. They get in after all of the badges get in. Then, lastly, the lowly of the low, are those who try to pay the actual cover charges at clubs to get in. They don't last very long and learn their lesson rather quickly. If you want to actually go to every show that you'd like to, then put up the extra money. That is the lesson that I have learned and everyone else should too. But until then, I say to you holders-of-wristbands: UNITE! We will stand strongly, be it huddled into long lines, jealously watching badge-holders walk past us and into their line, or be it actually getting into the smaller shows in the same line as the badge-holders.

But all political-wristband-activism aside, I suppose some mention of the actual music must be made. Wednesday, the first day of the music portion of SXSW, is generally a slower one than the rest. The first show that I went to didn't start until 8 pm, while the next few days will be started with plenty of high noon rock-outs. I started off by catching the tail end of Page France (http://www.myspace.com/pagefrance)'s catchy folk-pop set, followed by a bit of Voxtrot (http://www.myspace.com/voxtrot) across the street at Emo's. Not terrible, but, to me, they sound like eighty other indie-pop-rock bands to me. Next came a few songs of The Castanets (http://www.myspace.com/castanets), where I promptly tried not to fall asleep. Don't get me wrong, The Castanets make unique music that mellows me out and is, well, beautiful. Live, however, they don't really do it for me. A few beers and a long walk later, I watched Frog Eyes (http://www.myspace.com/frogeyes), a band that I knew nothing about except that they were on Sub Pop. Much to my surprise, they were really damn good. The music went up and down the intensity range, from high-pitched screaming yelps to toe-tapping instrumental sections that were pulled off well by frontman Nate Young, an indie version of Andy Richter.

Afterwards was my biggest surprise of the night: The Octopus Project (http://www.myspace.com/theoctopusproject), Austin's local musical secret. The hometown boys (and girl) put on an energetic and, to put it bluntly, fucking great show of electronic-fused danceable instrumental rock. Really, I don't see how you can lose when you have a member of the band who uses a theremin (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theremin). A theremin may be one of the coolest instruments to watch someone play live, and watching Octopus Project play it made me want to run out and by one. I would probably fail miserably at trying to sound good, but at least I'd look damn cool trying. The headliner for Wednesday night that I ended up seeing was Trail Of Dead (http://www.trailofdead.com/). With a set that started twenty minutes late and friends waiting for me in the car after their jaunt at a Mogwai (http://www.mogwai.co.uk/) show, I had to leave after only a few songs, but what I did get to watch was fairly unimpressive. They don't put on a bad show necessarily, but they just didn't seem to have the stage presence that I had expected. People had told me before that their live shows were insane, so perhaps I just had too high expectations. It's shit like that that kills a live show. I just hope the same doesn't happen to me and Snakes On A Plane.

So, at the end of Day 1, just remember a few things. First off, buy earplugs. Secondly, listen to The Octopus Project. Thirdly, WRISTBANDS UNITE!

http://www.hatesomethingbeautiful.com/news/sxsw.jpg (http://aolmusic.com/networklive_sxsw)

Obviously, I'm not the world's best writer. That's why I normally am just a news poster :)

[iHATEapril]

Can you actually buy the badges?

[ThreeUdders]

The Octopus Project open the second day of Coachella. I can't wait to see them. Great review!! :)

[noodledancer]

i want to go to sxsw someday. a friend of mine went to school in austin, & it sounds awesome. maybe i'll go in 2008 when school won't interfere.

[lostntheseethru]

haha i hope you arent disappointed with snakes on a plane either paul...haha that could be bad

[Paul Tao]

Can you actually buy the badges?
Yes but they're expensive as balls. They go up in price, the later you buy them. cheapest -$375, most expensive - $575. and that's only for the music portion. if you want to buy film and interactive too, it's more.

[iHATEapril]

Yes but they're expensive as balls. They go up in price, the later you buy them. cheapest -$375, most expensive - $575. and that's only for the music portion. if you want to buy film and interactive too, it's more.

thats fucking nuts
how much was the bracelet

[Paul Tao]

thats fucking nuts
how much was the bracelet
free for me. i dont know how much they are normally.

[resUrectMe617]

Yes but they're expensive as balls. They go up in price, the later you buy them. cheapest -$375, most expensive - $575. and that's only for the music portion. if you want to buy film and interactive too, it's more.


yeah , i remember going to the site and reading about the badges i was like damn this sounds good. then i saw the price.. hah my jaw literally dropped. its bad enough gotta pay to actually get down to austin, but man those badges are really expensive.

[TJ Wells]

I shall be saving for this probably for the next three years...but look out, 2009 SXSW, i'll be there!

[IcedOpethBlind]

I plan on going to this next year.
I do get to catch Say Anything down here tomorrow though!

[iHATEapril]

Is it a lot of Indie bands, or do a lot of the pop punk/whatever bands head down there? I know most labels have a showcase, but I'm just wonderin?

[Zenny]

Wolf Eyes are amazing.

[Paul Tao]

Is it a lot of Indie bands, or do a lot of the pop punk/whatever bands head down there? I know most labels have a showcase, but I'm just wonderin?
there's a good mix. for example, alt press is having a show tomorrow with thursday, poison the well, straylight run, head automatica and a bunch of other AP.net-like bands, and on saturday night there's the dashboard-saves the day-say anything-pistolita-anathallo-straylight run-circa survive show. paramore played last night too i think.

[PuNkJaSo]

are earplugs a must for mogwai? thats all ive been hearing lately from people who have seen them and I plan on attending their show in may.

[van_morrison]

it's literally bands of all genres playing, so you'll be able to find anything, from alternative to zydeco

[EastWestRock]

Mogwai was phenominal....but yes, packed.
Death & Taxes party w/We Are The Fury, Love Arcade, Classic Case & Say Anything was amazing. Plus free Sparks!
Jacks Mannequin blew me away.
Limbeck = great as always.

Do yourself a favor and book your hotel early... it's a good $15 cab ride to get down there if you don't stay downtown. And yes, get a badge.. it's worth the investment.

Today = Lucero, Militia Group party, T&N party, New Amsterdams, Nada Surf, Love Arcade, Nightmare of You, Patent Pending, Head Automatica and lots of booze.

Good chance someone got SXSW06 tattooed on them last nite but I went back to the hotel early.

[cannellian]

Dude while you are there a really awesome new british band called iFORWARDRUSIA! are playing at some point I urge you to check them out.

[brian_midnight]

lucero's playing a day show right?

anyone care to let me know where its at?

-look for the long hair bearded motherfucker that smells like rum and has the most bloodshot eyes there-

[lostntheseethru]

I plan on going to this next year.
I do get to catch Say Anything down here tomorrow though!
on your birthday right ;)

[jenniferleigh]

Voxtrot is amazing. I get to see them April 1 and I'm sooo excited.

[derricklc22]

Mogwai was phenominal....but yes, packed.
Death & Taxes party w/We Are The Fury, Love Arcade, Classic Case & Say Anything was amazing. Plus free Sparks!
Jacks Mannequin blew me away.
Limbeck = great as always.

Do yourself a favor and book your hotel early... it's a good $15 cab ride to get down there if you don't stay downtown. And yes, get a badge.. it's worth the investment.

Today = Lucero, Militia Group party, T&N party, New Amsterdams, Nada Surf, Love Arcade, Nightmare of You, Patent Pending, Head Automatica and lots of booze.

Good chance someone got SXSW06 tattooed on them last nite but I went back to the hotel early.
I'm jealous, thanks. Jk....enjoy the show that is some really good bands you're getting to see. Thank goodness I live in Tn., I get to see Charlie Daniels sing gospel for free on the 26th though.....jealous? Thought so

[JoeShow]

http://www.absolutepunk.net/showthread.php?t=121740

my review of the volcom day show with the riverboat gamblers.

southby is an amazing week, but if you are poor of cheap and cant afford a badge or get a wristband in time, there are plenty of free shows to keep you occupied and happy

[TJ Wells]

I'm looking forward to going to this in the future mainly because I don't get the opportunity to see that many Indie bands, as lots of them don't tour as much as the bands I usually get to see live.

[wristsNeyes]

Can you say flaming lips secret show? Damn that was sweet to see. Head Automatica last night was somewhat disappointing, I left it early and went to go see Why? - Very cool band. I caught a little bit of the voxtrot set, and I think I expected something more.

I think the highlight of the night was seeing some frat boy looking dudes start to get into a fight and the Austin PD taser them - now that's punk rock!

[kallok]

It's definately well worth buying the badge and do everything you want. I mean there are well over 1,000 bands playing all over the city. Anyone who is anything in the music industry attends this. I have a friend that works with a really small label and she's said it's been a blast.

[twelve2395]

there's a good mix. for example, alt press is having a show tomorrow with thursday, poison the well, straylight run, head automatica and a bunch of other AP.net-like bands, and on saturday night there's the dashboard-saves the day-say anything-pistolita-anathallo-straylight run-circa survive show. paramore played last night too i think.

paramore owns

[Nate_RAWKS]

That was a great update, i've always wanted to see this Festival but haven't got around to it yet. The flight is a lot of money from Toronto to Austin, for me anyways.....

seriously...



and by the way your writing is perfectly fine.

:thumbsup:

[NerdXCorE]

Why is this thread not talking about the fact that LIFETIME is playing tomorrow, this is going to be easilly the best SXSW show this year. For the most part SXSW sucks because it's a chance for all the indie rock hipsters to come hang out and spend their parents money and the suits can come to shows and get people thrown out for dancing, and I swear to christ if I see another of you motherfuckers on a segway because walking the 6 blocks of 6th street is just too much for you, I am taking you down gladiator style. Sorry, I'm done now, fucking SXSW, oh and learn to drive a car you out of town bastards, you block up traffic for miles in either direction

[lostntheseethru]

That was a great update, i've always wanted to see this Festival but haven't got around to it yet. The flight is a lot of money from Toronto to Austin, for me anyways.....

seriously...



and by the way your writing is perfectly fine.

:thumbsup:
i think ive been living under a rock cuz i didnt know you even posted on this site anymore

[+adamo/videos__]

i just filmed voxtrot the other night when they were in san francisco. possibly the coolest dudes ever. expect them to break soon.

if you get a chance, catch belaire. the bassist of voxtrot plays in that band and i heard their live shows are amazing.

though i'm not attending sxsw, i'll hopefully be documenting noise pop festival.

[Nate_RAWKS]

i think ive been living under a rock cuz i didnt know you even posted on this site anymore


yeah i'm around sometimes...usually like 4-5 posts a day in random news threads...

i've been really busy with school and having fun off the computer....haha

i still love you though...and miss you....

;)

[lostntheseethru]

yeah i'm around sometimes...usually like 4-5 posts a day in random news threads...

i've been really busy with school and having fun off the computer....haha

i still love you though...and miss you....

;)
i miss you too!!! ill have to keep my attention in the news threads more often now so that i can still see ya.

[Nate_RAWKS]

i miss you too!!! ill have to keep my attention in the news threads more often now so that i can still see ya.


http://yelims1.free.fr/Amour/Amour46.gif

i'll see you then...

[muzicbiz00]

I will be going to SXSW 2007 with a platinum badge:). So many people wanted me to go but i had to take a break this year. 3 yrs in a row was a little crazy for me. Also, get a badge, it is hella worth it because than you get to go into the conference and get some good info and than you also get to go to the tradeshow and get free stuff! I think i might stay at The Driskill also because its right on 6th street and I am lazy. That is right, I am lazY! HAHA anyways, get a badge if you go it is worth it. Anyways, anyone who is going next year hit me up!

[andrewEP]

no fair. i wish i could be there.

[clace]

Hey Paul, me and my friend are here in Austin. We got wristbands on ebay 2 for 400 bucks. Last night we checked out Jack's Mannequin (amazing) we talked to Andrew after the set for about 20 minutes and he is playing another show on Friday. The Secret Machines played an amazing set as well, tonight is Morrissey, we are gonna need to get there early even though we have wristbands, because of all these industry people running around everywhere. I am looking forward to the Saves the Day, Say Anything and Dashboard Confessional show on Saturday.


WRISTBANDS UNITE!!!

[Prettyinpink33]

I was suppose to be there this year but that didn't work out just like going to CMJ this past fall...but if any of you are going to be attending CMJ this upcoming fall...I'll see your bitch ass there! Come find me, it'll be fun I promise!

[billa]

does every bar on 6th st have bands and if so do you need a wrist band to get into the bars? I am going to austin tomorrow with some friends and i want to make sure we can go out while we are there.

[clace]

does every bar on 6th st have bands and if so do you need a wrist band to get into the bars? I am going to austin tomorrow with some friends and i want to make sure we can go out while we are there.

wristbands are sold out, so you can pay cover charge to get into the clubs, unless they are at max. capacity

[grnweenieag]

The Octopus Project is playing like two blocks from house really soon..

[bRainDeAdMonKeY]

arent rumors flying around of a secret Beastie Boys show tonight at SXSW? good luck getting into that with a wristband...

[bRainDeAdMonKeY]

does every bar on 6th st have bands and if so do you need a wrist band to get into the bars? I am going to austin tomorrow with some friends and i want to make sure we can go out while we are there.

for the offical SXSW shows, unless you have a badge or wristsband you're pretty much fucked. at least for the popular shows.

but they are shitloads and shitloads of shows that are usually free and unadvertised that are first come-first serve and dont require the badge or wristband you might want to keep an eye out for.(like that Fall Out boy & Underoath shows and countless local bands last year)

[billa]

for the offical SXSW shows, unless you have a badge or wristsband you're pretty much fucked. at least for the popular shows.

but they are shitloads and shitloads of shows that are usually free and unadvertised that are first come-first serve and dont require the badge or wristband you might want to keep an eye out for.(like that Fall Out boy & Underoath shows and countless local bands last year)
thats cool. I didnt realize that sxsw takes place all over the city. I just wanted to go to 6th street for st pattys day because i have never been to austin before. I just dont want to get there and then not be able to get into any bars.

[bRainDeAdMonKeY]

thats cool. I didnt realize that sxsw takes place all over the city. I just wanted to go to 6th street for st pattys day because i have never been to austin before. I just dont want to get there and then not be able to get into any bars.

When I was there last year the best "bar" to hangout at was, and y'all may laugh, IHOP. Cause goddammit, nothing beats the 2am slightly buzzed post-show pancake&girl munchie attack...

[clace]

Morrissey

t-minus 5 hours :)


I <3 You Jason

[brian_midnight]

day 2 was madness

at all cost/assacre secret show what uuuuuuuuup

got shut down before fall of troy could play

sucks

anyone pick up the Kemado Records mixtape that was getting passed around town?? best thing i've ever heard. amazing,

[LPMagic]

Voxtrot is incredible. To lump them in with the rest of whatever scene you throw them in is wrong. Just my opinion though.

- Jeff

[postpaintboy]

i was at sxsw this year and i thought the wristband worked fine. got to see everything i wanted to and the waits to get in weren't bad at all. i agree with your trail of the dead comment. i saw them a few years ago and they were insane, this time they nearly put me to sleep.