That's What I Like About These SXSW Bands…I Get Older and They Stay the Same Age.

SXSW Day 2, March 13, 2014:
That's what I like about these SXSW bands…I get older and they stay the same age.


    They say that waking up is hard to do. Wait, that's breaking up. Either way, both are hard.  Yes, I'm getting older, but I used to be able to do this.  You would think that it's like riding a bike and your body would fall right back into it. I mean, I even trained for this:  For weeks now I have eaten all of my meals standing up, listened to all of my music through earplugs, put salt on everything I eat (including fruit), have had beer for breakfast, lunch and dinner, but I forgot about one thing…the sun.  It was back and more beautiful than ever.  My head looks like a cherry tomato, but what a day for music.  Although the weather was perfect, it felt quite solemn as we drove down to SXSW for our second day of music after the tragedy of the night before.  I was wondering what the vibe would be throughout downtown.  How would the crowds conduct themselves? Would there be more of a police presence? It was strange having those thoughts as opposed to thoughts about the music. 

Knowing we would go for hours without food, we first decide to go to Searsucker for a quick lunch.  Note to self: Searsucker's green salad and calamari is a delicious, light combination, but it'd still be impossible to keep down if we had, in fact, watched Lady GaGa get thrown up on last night. I'm not quite sure what's wrong with her, but I hope she's using the money people actually give her towards therapy.  Anyway, Filter's Showdown at Cedar Street has always been an extremely difficult show to get into, but we thought we'd give it a try and I'm glad that we did because there was no line this year.  Skaters, a stand out, young, rock group out of New York, played with such ferocity that you'd have thought there was more than 200 people there. When they played their undeniably catchy,  "Miss Teen Massachusetts," there were two extremely energetic, drunk, rotund guys in the front row singing along to every word.  I know that makes a band happy to see, but I'm sure that the next time they come through Austin they'd like to see see a few girls singing along as well.  Speaking of girls singing…Nina Nesbitt was the next artist to take the stage.  This would not be easy for the talented 19 year old singer-songwriter out of Scotland.  Armed only with an acoustic guitar, piano and gorgeous voice, she'd have to win over a crowd that had just been turned up to 11. In all fairness to her, she was not initially supposed to follow Skaters, but the schedule was shuffled around.  We stood next to her upstairs while Skaters played and since I knew how stripped down her set would be, I wondered what was going through her head: " I have to follow THEM?" She shouldn't have worried about a thing, however, because her set was strong and I know for a fact that she made a few new fans.  Skaters made a few new fans as well…even if the bass player did hit Lauren in the lip with his water bottle as she walked by. Anyway, since London Grammar had moved their set from Cedar Street to the MTv Woodies event, we moved along with them. 

Skaters

Nina Nesbitt

  Last time we went to the Woodies was 2 years ago and we literally walked right in as Fun. was playing.  No lines, no fuss. Fast forward to yesterday.  Imagine the longest line that you can possibly think of at Disney World. Then double that. Then double that and have no roller coaster waiting for you at the end of it.  The lines could not have been more insane. It was the place to be. And, with my brother-in-law's connections, we were there. YOU can watch it on MTV this Sunday, March 16, but again, WE were there. The afternoon kicked off with Wild Cub playing a perfect set. If this isn't a buzz band then I don't know who is. We had seen them last Friday at a Kettle One party and they were still going strong almost a week later.  They run a tight ship once inside the Woodies and there is hardly any gap between artists as they bounce back and forth between two stages. Vic Mensa took the stage next.  I'm not sure what he was yelling about, but I didn't care for it.  Echosmith came out in full force. They are a band comprised of the Sierota siblings: lead singer, Sydney, and her 3 brothers, Noah, Graham and Sydney.  So, no matter how special you think your family is, all of Mr. and Mrs. Sierota's children play instruments and get along with each other just well enough to form a band and play music that 14 year old's would love. Bleachers followed them and were an absolute blast to watch! London Grammar was one of only two of our must see acts this SXSW and they were amazing. I'm looking forward to seeing them when they come back through a play a smaller venue more conducive to their haunting melodies because they were a little too quiet for this crowd.  That was the game plan though as their set was a perfect lead in for Sam Smith.  Phantogram apparently doesn't sleep because I'm pretty sure this was their 219th show at this year's SXSW. They have been everywhere promoting their new CD, Voices, and will be back at Stubb's in April to perform.  Our legs had turned to jello so we moved over to Rachel Ray's Feedback house to sit for a bit before calling it an evening.  

Wild Cub

Echosmith

London Grammar

Phantogram

In The Valley Below was performing to the crowd of just a few hundred people, but their presence felt like they were playing a music festival. Rachel Ray always has about to break bands at her Feedback House and this is one to watch. 

In The Valley Below

    Final observation. I'm not quite sure when Austin turned into New Orleans, but Dirty 6th has gotten way out of control and there is not enough police to monitor the madness.  We walked up 6th Street to get to our car and, for the first time, I felt unsafe in the city I've lived in since 1980.  We were only on 6th Street for a few blocks to get to our car and were treated to a fight that people just stood and watched. So, that was pretty neat. A beautiful day of weather and music tainted, albeit only slightly, by an unnecessary act of violence.