Where to start? This was my first SXSW, so I made a huge list of bands that I wanted to see, replied to a million parties and then spent ages putting it all into a nice spreadsheet, which I then left in New York. Without a map or a schedule, I set off, relying on word of mouth when and where bands were playing.
These are the highlights:
Wu-Tang and Wolfmother – While they didn’t play together, they were the first two acts I saw. I literally stumbled across a crowd of people chanting ‘Wu-Tang, Wu-Tang….’ They played the classics, which was great but it seemed that the only heavyweight Wu present was RZA which leaves you feeling a little. As we left, we heard Wolfmother rocking ‘Woman’. Told the door lady we’d replied to some RSVP and she let us in. We watched them with about twenty other lucky people – a wicked start to the weekend.
She Wants Revenge – We had to watch the first half of SWR’s set from the other side of the fence as the party was so packed that even the band had trouble getting their ladyfriends in, which then led to the ladies wanting revenge hence making the band name prophetic.
Anthony Hamilton – This dude was / is amazing and every time I see him, I wonder why he hasn’t blown up. Behold, the true heir to Marvin Gaye or Curtis Mayfield. I can’t think of anyone who is making soul music as honest, beautiful and insightful as his music is. An amazing performer.
Cosmo Baker and DJ Ayres (The Rub) – We only managed to catch these guys for about 40 minutes which was a shame and the place was empty except for the guys from Spank Rock and Hot Chip tearing up the dance floor. The Rub guys are so good fully rocking that whole B’more crunk stylez with a Shelia E. twist vibe.
The Most Serene Republic – I think the Most Serene gang was my favorite band of SXSW. I walked all the way out of town for like an hour for this set and arrived at some Bar B Q pit that was basically a decrepit old shack. It was worth it. The band even looks good: a proper random bunch with a stoner drummer, a cool Japanese keyboardist and an art student singer who also played a trombone and then started beat-boxing during one of their songs. I wasn’t able to describe them but in their own words I guess they sound like ‘indie-rock androids’.
The Morning After Girls – MAG was my other favorite band. Playing in someone’s back yard, the guys were all dressed in tight black leather jackets and the girl was super hot, wearing massive black sunglasses and banging a tambourine. A tighter and better version of that Brian Jonestown vibe.
