The massive music industry festival that is South-by-Southwest fell into some bad timing this year, coming right after the Japanese earthquake/tsunami/nuclear crisis, and right before the United States and her allies joined the fight in Libya by bombing Muammar Gaddafi (Day Two of the festival was also St. Patrick’s Day, but SXSW knew that going in…).It all threatened to make the festival, and music in general, seem irrelevant, what with the world going to hell in a handbasket.But ensconced in the cocoon that was downtown Austin, on your smart phones and Twitter, with wristbands and free drinks galore, SXSW proved to once again be an engrossing, all-encompassing musical clusterfuck of an experience.
We had four writers covering South-by-Southwest in 2011: Ted Chase, Amanda Krieg, Tammi J Myers, and Robin Sinhababu, along with photographs from Ted, Tammi, and Terri Wise. Here are the daily recaps:
Ted’s Recaps
| Day 1 | While missed the daytime stuff, did some successful official evening showcase hopping on Day One of South-by-Southwest 2011. Recap > |
| Day 2 | Day Two was a fuller day, though was plagued by waits in lines and missed acts.Still, it featured some very nice unofficial showcases with great acts (and free drinks), and a smorgasbord of artists. Recap > |
| Day 3 | On my biggest day of SXSW, able to hit up pretty much everyone I needed to all festival – with some outliers thrown in – at just a few showcases. Recap > |
| Day 4 | On Day Four, South by Southwest caught up with me. Recap > |
Amanda’s Recaps
| Day 1 | Due to a couple great buzz bands and a lot of bloggers, the night of Day One may have been short, but it was definitely sweet. Recap > |
| Day 2 | Day Two was a smorgasbord of music from every style and genre: intimate acoustic performances by the lake, a lively Cajun romp, funk-rap and a grand finale featuring indie rock legends. Recap > |
| Day 3 | From solo artists to six and seven member musical collectives, Friday blew me away multiple times over with a slew of enchanting artists, proving that in Austin, the volume always goes to 11. Recap > |
| Day 4 | Despite an already short last day being stunted even further by Rachael Ray, I still managed to squeeze in my favorite performance of the entire festival. Recap > |
Tammi’s Recaps
| Day 1 | Day 1 of SXSW was mostly travel (including driving in from San Antonio), but made a stop downtown for a short SXSW introductory evening. Recap > |
| Day 2 | I woke up feeling great on Day Two of SXSW, which I came to realize later that this would be the only morning this was going to happen in Austin. Recap > |
| Day 3 | Waking up on Day Three was a quick reminder of SXSW’s ability to hit you like a speeding train. Recap > |
| Day 4 | If anyone tells you they’re not feeling the wrath of SXSW by Day Four, they’re lying. Recap > |
Robin’s Recaps
| Day 1 | Hit up the Thirsty Planet Brewing party during the day at Skinny’s, then Japan & more at night, with burgers & waffle fries in between. Recap > |
| Day 2 | Some impressive artists in some unexpected ways on Day Two of SXSW. Recap > |
| Day 3 | Went for the harder fare on Day Three of South-by-Southwest. Recap > |
| Day 4 | A mixture of bros, a couple of hos, comedy, and much more to close out South-by-Southwest 2011. Recap > |
Rough run-down of everyone & everything covered (141 bands, 152 performances):
AgesandAges – Day Three @ Rusty Spurs (Amanda)
Albert – Day Two @ Mohawk (Robin)
All Tiny Creatures – Day One @ Skinny’s Ballroom (Robin)
Alpha Consumer – Day Two @ Mohawk Patio (Robin)
American Music Club – Day Three Photos @ The Parish (Terri)
Animals As Leaders – Day One @ Headhunters (Robin)
Asobi Seksu – Day Three, Photos @ Peckerheads (Tammi)
Atlantic Connection – Day Two, Photos @ Red River Garage (Ted)
Austra – Day Two Photos @ Emo’s (Terri)
Bass Drum of Death – Day One, Photos @ Buffalo Billiards (Ted)
Blah Blah Blah – Day Two, Photos @ The Trophy Room (Tammi)
The Body – Day Four @ Kung Fu Saloon (Robin)
The Boxer Rebellion – Day One, Photos @ Buffalo Billiards (Ted)
The Bravery – Day Two, Photos @ PureVolume House (Ted)
Capsula – Day Two Photos @ Nuvola (Terri)
Cord Carpenter – Day Three, Photos @ The Rooftop on Sixth (Tammi)
Chikita Violenta – Day One, Photos @ Antone’s (Ted)
Clock Opera – Day Three, Photos @ PureVolume House (Ted)
Colourmusic – Day One, Photos @ Friends Bar (Ted)
Complete – Day Four @ Rusty Spurs (Robin)
Cults – Day Four, Photos @ PureVolume House (Ted)
Mohammed Dangerfield & Shinobi Ninja – Day Three @ Empire Auto Garage (Tammi)
The Dears – Day One, Photos @ Spill (Ted); Day Two, Photos @ PureVolume House (Ted)
Dikes of Holland – Day Three @ Trailer Space Records (Robin)
The Dodos – Day Two Photos @ East Side Drive-In (Terri); Day Three @ Barbarella (Amanda)
Dolorean – Day Three @ Rusty Spurs (Amanda)
DOM – Day Three, Photos @ Stubb’s (Ted); Day Four Photos @ East Side Drive-In (Terri)
East Bay Ray & The Killer Smiles – Day Two @ Skinny’s Ballroom (Robin)
Easy Action – Day One @ The Ale House (Robin)
Endtables – Day Three @ Barbarella (Robin)
Chris Fairbanks – Day Four @ Esther’s Follies (Robin)
Foster the People – Day Two, Photos @ Stubb’s (Ted); Day Three @ Emo’s (Amanda)
Freeway – Day Three @ Dizzy Rooster (Tammi)
Friendly Fires – Day Two, Photos @ Red River Garage (Ted)
Generationals – Day One Photos @ Red 7 Patio (Terri)
Ghost of a Sabertooth Tiger – Day Three Photos @ French Legation Museum (Terri)
GOBBLE GOBBLE – Day One @ The Brixton (Amanda)
Goes Cube – Day Two @ The Ale House (Robin)
Gold Panda – Day Four, Photos @ PureVolume House (Ted)
The Gourds – Day Three, Photos @ The Belmont (Tammi)
Grass Widow – Day Three Photos @ French Legation Museum (Terri)
Grimes – Day Three Photos @ Side Bar (Terri)
Grouplove – Day Two @ Lovejoy’s (Amanda)
Hands – Day Four @ Headhunters (Amanda)
The Head and The Heart – Day Three @ Red 7 Patio (Amanda)
The High Highs – Day Three @ Lipstick24 (Amanda)
Hooray For Earth – Day One, Photos @ 512 (Ted)
Hot Panda – Day One, Photos @ Black & Tan (Ted)
Hull – Day Two @ The Ale House (Robin)
Innerpartysystem – Day Two, Photos @ PureVolume House (Ted)
Intimate Stranger – Day Four Photos @ Maggie Mae’s (Terri)
Jonquil – Day Three, Photos @ PureVolume House (Ted)
The Joy Fomidable – Day Two @ Mellow Johnny’s Bike Shop (Tammi)
Damien Jurado – Day Three @ Maggie Mae’s Gibson Room (Robin)
Stephen Kellogg & The Sixers – Day Three, Photos @ The Belmont (Tammi)
Kid Rock – Day Three Photos @ Speakeasy (Ted)
Kids of 88 – Day Two, Photos @ Red River Garage (Ted); Day Four, Photos @ Austin Music Hall (Ted)
Kikiilimikilil – Day Four @ The Hideout (Robin)
The Kills – Day Two @ Emo’s (Amanda); Day Three, Photos @ Stubb’s (Ted)
Ben Kronberg – Day Four @ Esther’s Follies (Robin)
Lecherous Gaze – Day Three @ Headhunters (Robin)
Darryl Lenox – Day Four @ Esther’s Follies (Robin)
Ted Leo – Day Four Photos @ East Side Drive-In (Terri)
Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears (w/ The Relatives) – Day Two, Photos @ Waterloo Records (Tammi)
Mr. Lewis & The Funeral 5 – Day Four @ Headhunters (Robin)
The Limousines – Day Two, Photos @ PureVolume House (Ted)
Liturgy – Day Three @ Side Bar (Robin)
Theophilus London – Day Two @ Habana Backyard (Amanda)
Lord Huron – Day Four @ Headhunters (Amanda)
The Lovely Sparrows – Day One @ Skinny’s Ballroom (Robin)
Lower Dens – Day Three Photos @ French Legation Museum (Terri)
Matt & Kim – Day Two, Photos @ Red River Garage (Ted); Day Three, Photos @ FADER Fort (Ted)
Jessica Lea Mayfield – Day Two, Photos @ Waterloo Records (Tammi)
Megafaun – Day Four @ Kung Fu Saloon (Robin)
Mi-gu – Day Four @ Elysium (Robin)
MNDR – Day Four Photos @ Austin Music Hall (Ted)
Moby – Day One, Photos @ PureVolume House (Ted)
Caitlin Moe & Mia Moretti – Day Four, Photos @ Austin Music Hall (Ted)
Moja – Day One @ Headhunters (Robin)
Mother Mother – Day Two @ Lady Bird Lake (Amanda)
Mount Kimbie – Day Three, Photos @ PureVolume House (Ted)
Muchos Backflips – Day One @ Skinny’s Ballroom (Robin)
The New Cassettes – Day Two, Photos @ Red River Garage (Ted)
Noah & The Whale – Day Two, Photos @ Stubb’s (Ted)
Tig Notaro – Day Four @ Esther’s Follies (Robin)
Now Now – Day One Photos @ The Parish Underground (Terri)
Oberhofer – Day One, Photos @ PureVolume House (Ted)
Obits – Day Three @ Red 7 Patio (Robin)
Odd Future – Day Three, Photos @ FADER Fort (Ted)
OMD (with Moby) – Day Three, Photos @ Stubb’s (Ted)
Owen Pallett – Day Three @ Flamingo Cantina (Amanda); Day Four, Photos @ PureVolume House (Ted)
Panic! At the Disco – Day Four, Photos @ Stubb’s (Ted)
Chelsea Peretti – Day Four @ Esther’s Follies (Robin)
Liz Phair – Day Four, Photos @ Austin Music Hall (Ted)
Pine Leaf Boys – Day Two @ The Ghost Room (Amanda)
Pollock – Day Three @ Betsy’s Bar (Amanda)
Taddy Porter – Day Three, Photos @ Speakeasy (Ted)
Leroy Powell – Day Three, Photos @ Speakeasy (Ted)
The Pretty Reckless – Day Four, Photos @ Austin Music Hall (Ted)
PS I Love You – Day Four, Photos @ Shiner’s Saloon (Tammi)
Quintron and Miss Pussycat – Day Four @ Mohawk Patio (Robin)
Retribution Gospel Choir – Day Two @ Emo’s (Robin)
The Richards – Day One @ Blue Moon Rock & Blues (Tammi)
Royal Bangs – Day One, Photos @ Buffalo Billiards (Ted); Day Two, Photos @ Waterloo Records (Tammi)
Secret Colours – Day One Photos @ The Parish Underground (Terri)
The Seedy Seeds – Day Two, Photos @ Uncorked Wine Bar (Ted)
Snowden – Day Two, Photos @ Annie’s West (Ted)
Ben Sollee – Day Two @ Lady Bird Lake (Amanda)
Some Community – Day Two Photos @ Mi Casa Cantina (Terri)
Stereo Is a Lie – Day One @ Skinny’s Ballroom (Robin)
The Strange Boys – Day Four Photos @ Mohawk Patio (Terri)
Selah Sue – Day Four, Photos @ Austin Music Hall (Ted)
Suite 709 – Day Four, Photos @ Shiner’s Saloon (Tammi)
Ty Stone – Day Three, Photos @ Speakeasy (Ted)
Sundress – Day Four, Photos @ Shiner’s Saloon (Tammi)
Telephoned – Day One, Photos @ PureVolume House (Ted)
Telekinesis – Day Three Photos @ The Parish (Terri)
Times New Viking – Day Two Photos @ East Side Drive-In (Terri)
True Mad North – Day One, Photos @ The Stage on Sixth (Tammi)
Bryson Turner – Day Four @ Esther’s Follies (Robin)
TV On the Radio – Day Two @ Stubb’s (Amanda); Day Three, Photos @ Stubb’s (Ted)
Twin Tigers – Day Three Photos @ Side Bar (Terri)
The Vaccines – Day Three, Photos @ Stubb’s (Ted)
Valleys – Day Three Photos @ Side Bar (Terri)
Veronica Falls – Day Two Photos @ Beerland (Terri)
Versus – Day Three Photos @ The Parish (Terri)
Kurt Vile – Day Three @ Barbarella (Robin)
Walk the Moon – Day One @ Bat Bar (Amanda)
Weekend – Day One Photos @ Red 7 Patio (Terri)
Whitehorse – Day Three @ Barbarella (Robin)
Wild Flag – Day Three Photos @ The Parish (Terri)
Daphne Willis – Day Three, Photos @ The Belmont (Tammi)
Jamie Woon – Day Three, Photos @ PureVolume House (Ted)
Wye Oak – Day Three Photos @ The Parish (Terri)
Ydestroyde – Day One @ Headhunters (Robin)
Young Buffalo – Day Two, Photos @ FADER Fort (Ted)
Young the Giant – Day Two @ IFC House (Amanda); Day Three, Photos @ Stubb’s (Ted)
Hampton Young – Day Four @ Esther’s Follies (Robin)
Zlam Dunk – Day Four, Photos @ Shiner’s Saloon (Tammi)
Zowie – Day Four, Photos @ Austin Music Hall (Ted)
Ted Chase –
Best New Act – Chikita Violenta
Runners-up – Clock Opera, Young the Giant, Oberhofer
Worst New Act – The Pretty Reckless
Runners-up – The Kids of 88, Atlantic Connection
Best Established Act – TV On the Radio
Runners-up – The Dears, Matt & Kim, OMD
Worst Established Act – Panic! At the Disco
Runners-up – Gold Panda, Jamie Woon
Most Hyped – Odd Future
Runners-Up – Gold Panda, Foster the People, The Pretty Reckless
Most Underrated – Snowden
Runners Up – The Bravery, Hooray For Earth
Most Forgettable – Jamie Woon
Runners-Up – The Limousines, Innerpartysystem, Royal Bangs
Most Technical Problems – Young Buffalo
Runners-Up – The Kills, PureVolume House door, SPIN @ Stubb’s indoor door
Best Showcase – (day) SPIN @ Stubb’s (Day Three)
Runners-Up – (day) FADER Fort (Day Three), MTV @ Red River Garage
Worst Showcase – (day) MOG @ Mohawk (Day Four) (for not confirming me)
Runner-Up – (day) FADER Fort (Days Two & Four, for not having anyone I wanted to see while drinking)
Best Showcase – (night) PureVolume House (all four nights)
Runners-Up – (night) Perez Hilton @ Austin Music Hall (Day Four), Billboard @ Buffalo Billiards (Day One)
Worst Showcase – (night) Dickies Sounds @ Lustre Pearl (Day Two) (for the line)
Runner-Up – (night) AOL Music @ Stubb’s (Day Two) (for low photo pit limit)
Longest Line – FADER Fort (Day Three)
Runners-Up – Dickies Sounds @ Lustre Pearl (Day Two), PureVolume House (all four days), MTV @ Red River Garage (Day Two)
Most Packed – Odd Future
Runners-Up – photo pit at SPIN @ Stubb’s (Day Three), my SuperShuttle coming in from the airport
Lowest Capacity – MTV @ Red River Garage
Runner-Up – PureVolume House
Best Guest – Moby
Runners-Up – Yo Gabba Gabba!, Erykah Badu
Worst Guest – Workaholics
Runner-Up – failed stagediver for The Dears @ PureVolume House
Best Food Find – Burgers @ Jackalope
Runner-Up – Buffet @ Red River Garage
Biggest Miss – My grandmother, Mary Ann Van Dyck, an Austin native who passed away at the age of 100.5, and whose funeral was the weekend after SXSW
Runners-Up – The Joy Formidable, DeVotchKa, Death From Above 1979 reunion
Glad To Have Missed – Being maced by policemen on horses @ Death From Above 1979 reunion
Runners-Up – Shilpa Ray & Her Happy Hookers, walking back home
Most Compared To – Passion Pit
Best ASSet – Kim Schifino
Most Likely To Have a Stalker – Allison Mosshart
Most Bonus Points – The New Cassettes
