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Mar 24, 2023
SXSW 2023 ended this previous weekend, and was as regular full of expertise. Actually 1000’s of bands from around the globe converged on Austin, Texas, to offer an unbelievably wealthy cornucopia of musical ardour, exuberance, leisure, and flat-out enjoyable for the week.
It’s unattainable to see ALL the bands who present up at SXSW, however I noticed a LOT of them. By my rely, some 45 or so, not counting those I walked out of, or the various bands who popped up at Sixth Avenue bars and avenue corners. I didn’t love all of them, however I certain did like an terrible lot of them. I’ve been coming to SXSW for twenty-three years. Yearly brings a brand new crop of children (and grown-ups!) from throughout the planet — all seeking to present their expertise, play for crowds, and construct a following. And almost all of them deserve it.
Of all of the bands that I noticed, these acquired my consideration and struck me as essentially the most notable performances of SXSW 2023.
Ron Gallo
Ron Gallo made my must-see record on the power of “Younger Girl, You’re Scaring Me”, and “Entitled Man”, which seems on the Official SXSW Playlist. I like the straight-ahead, power-chord infused type he has, and edgy, staccato lyrics he delivers. I noticed him on the SXSW Day Stage Thursday. The Day Stage is an indoor, modestly outfitted venue with viewers seating, like a present, and isn’t as thrilling as different venues. However the sound high quality is great. The occasion was sponsored by a SoCal radio station. Go determine. Ron Gallo is from Philadelphia, which he describes as “the polar reverse of Southern California.” The band belted out a number of of its tunes, and sounded nice. I noticed the band once more at Olive Bar on Friday — similar set, however a livelier crowd and setting, and so they sounded even higher. They performed a number of different units through the week, however there’s too many different nice bands to take a look at, so I handed on these. I do, nevertheless, have tickets to see them once they play New York in a few weeks.
Osees
The Osees appeared to completely OWN the gang that gathered to listen to them each day at Resort Vegas. The SoCal band (a/ok/as Oh Sees, Thee Oh Sees, Orange County Sound, OCS, and Orinoka Crash Suite — don’t ask me why) rocked it out continually, giving the dirt-floor crowd one thing to mosh about. This was an IDLES-class mosh pit, full with death-defying physique slams, elbows, knees, damaged bones, and crowd-surfing casualties. (Me, I’m an Outdated Man who doesn’t want any extra bodily harm than I’ve already had, so I’m usually taking part in protection at this stuff, holding girls, youngsters, and myself outta hurt’s approach as finest as potential, so I can maintain nodding and foot-tapping to the beat.). The band is led by guitarist and lead shrieker John Dwyer, and options guys whaling away on two drum kits. By their final present on Saturday, Dwyer had had sufficient, “Even I’m sick of us”. Time for Osees to go residence! Listed here are a couple of clips from their exhibits.
Otoboke Beaver
The all-girl thrash band from Japan is aware of find out how to work the SXSW crowd, large time. I noticed them Thursday at Resort Vegas, the place they bashed out a full set earlier than whizzing over to a different gig at Austin Metropolis Limits throughout city scheduled lower than an hour later. Then they blasted off for Mexico, Hawaii, Indonesia, and Japan to finish their around-the-whole-world journey. I had seen them final month in New York, on the recommendation of a barely wicked buddy of mine. However my curiosity acquired the very best of me, so I confirmed up and was blown away. They’re bat-shit loopy, in your face, and really gifted. I used to be pleasantly stunned that they had been in a position to get to Austin, given their equally bat-shit loopy journey schedule. And apparently they’ve forty-seven methods to say “F-CK you!” In Japanese and English. I believe their finest quantity is “S’Il vous plait”. Verify them out.
Avalanche Get together
For some purpose, I’ve had actually good luck on Tuesday nights at Seven Grand. Yearly at SXSW, they stack up nice bands that weren’t in my radar, however are glorious. This yr was no exception. Avalanche Get together’s opening set that night time was excellent. That they had a ton of vitality. I cherished their reside model of “Critical Dance Music”. Listed here are a couple of clips from their efficiency Tuesday.
Jealous
One other of my “must-see” bands. “Ok-Gap II” jumped off the Official SXSW Playlist, with its sultry tones and jangly guitars. That they had one official time slot at SXSW, and I wasn’t going to overlook it. Once I acquired the thirteenth Flooring, I acquired all the pieces I anticipated and extra. It seems, “sultry” is a fairly good descriptor. The band, from Germany, consisted of two scantily-clad killer guitar women and a backing drummer. They arrange like final yr’s stars, Nova Twins, and had been simply as highly effective, even within the small venue. They performed a fantastic set, had a ton of vitality, and set the place on fireplace. That they had all the products. I’d see them once more in a heartbeat.
The Scratch
Phrase-of-mouth works fairly properly at SXSW. By the top of the week, The Scratch had popped into a number of conversations as among the finest bands to see. I had one final shot at them, Saturday afternoon on the Worldwide Day Stage. It was the day after St. Patrick’s Day, and these Irish guys had been out to play yet one more set at South By. They had been only a wee bit hungover, perhaps. However they had been nice. Three guitar gamers, and one man sitting on a field and banging away on it like a drum. They appeared like a cross between an outdated Irish folks band and Flogging Molly and The Dropkick Murphys. They inspired dancing, however no one acquired harm. That they had a contemporary, younger sound and had been loaded with pleasure and keenness for his or her residence nation. They fired up the gang with their model of Irish folks music and rock’n’roll.
After the present, I caught up with the band members. That they had simply performed New York, and had been itching to get again to play among the greater venues. Once I instructed them I lived close to Asbury Park, one of many guys’ eyes lit up, “The place the Stone Pony is!” We shared tales about journeys to Eire, and I discussed visiting Rory Gallagher Plaza in Dublin, after listening to about one in every of their idols. One other of the blokes jogged my memory of the well-known Jimi Hendrix line in response to being requested the way it felt to be the best guitarist on the earth: Jimi replied, “I don’t know — you’ll must ask ‘Rory Gallagher”.
The Scratch was enjoyable, the blokes had been tremendous cool and pleasant, and so they really had been among the finest bands to see at SXSW 2023. Verify them out right here.
Fuse
A humorous factor occurred to me on the best way to see Amber Arcades, who had been being featured as a part of the Dutch showcase held Monday at Wax Myrtle’s downtown. Amber Arcades had proven up on my must-see record, and I occurred to indicate up early.
Wax Myrtle’s was a pleasing shock. A venue on the fourth flooring of a comparatively new constructing, it was completely tricked out like a W lodge with much more cash for furnishings. It felt like a live performance setting in somebody’s lounge. Somebody very wealthy, with very costly style. WAY extra elegant than a lot of the shitholes these bands play in, to paraphrase my buddies from Black Insurgent Bike Membership at a current gig in New York.
Anyway, whereas I used to be sipping on Sauvignon Blanc out of an actual wine glass, our hosts launched their opening act, Fuse. Fuse was an elegantly-dressed group of six musicians, 5 string devices — as in violins, viola, cello, and bass violin — and a percussionist. They performed a handful of neo-classical items written not too long ago by buddies of theirs in Holland, and by themselves. In Austin. At South By. And so they had been terrific. This was an excellent group of musicians, who had simply as a lot ardour for his or her artwork, their music, and their viewers as any act I ever noticed at SXSW. And so they performed their devices superbly. You may see and listen to a couple of clips right here.
I have a tendency towards punk, various, and onerous rock, however this was lovely, and breathtaking.
These had been the very best. However I’ve acquired loads to say about many different nice bands I noticed at SXSW.
Amber Arcades couldn’t purchase a break. I used to be excited to listen to them play “It Modifications” and among the new materials from their new album, which is why I confirmed up Monday at Wax Myrtle’s. However the identical sound system that supported the attractive classical music of Fuse fully failed them, even after a number of minutes of tuning and sound-checking, and a number of other false begins on the music. “It Modifications”, their best-known track, sounded horrible and muddy. The vocals had been approach too gentle. Whereas I favored the brand new materials so much, it was actually onerous to make out, and put up with the sound challenges. I attempted to present them one other shot Thursday night time at Resort Vegas, however most of their set was KO’d by the hour-long thunderstorm that night time. That they had one other gig at Resort Vegas later within the week, however I used to be too afraid to indicate up, for concern that their drummer may explode or another calamity befall them.
You may by no means go unsuitable exhibiting up for The Black Angels. They had been my final present Monday night time, at Empire Storage. They’re a staple at SXSW, for each me and the locals in Austin, and I’ve seen them in all probability yearly since they confirmed up in 2004. They’re persistently darkish, deliver out new materials, and maintain the gang engaged with their heaviosity.
Youth Sector made disco and funk cool once more. They confirmed up in fits and wide-collared costume shirts at Seven Grand, and acquired the gang juiced up with their upbeat, enjoyable set. Listed here are a couple of quick clips to indicate off their work.
Saloon Dion introduced their total fan membership from Bristol, UK it appeared. Their entourage was there at Cooper’s BBQ — a real-live saloon, go determine — Tuesday night time to celebration and present assist for the native guys from residence, and so they did. Saloon Dion was fully unpretentious, took a laid-back, we’re-not-too-serious strategy to their type, which was enjoyable and entertaining. I noticed them once more at Vendor’s Underground Saturday night time after the highly-touted Sports activities Crew pissed me off by burning the primary 10 minutes of a 40-minute set by verbally assaulting the State of Texas, the Metropolis of Austin, and the members of the Metropolis Council who had been in attendance. Saloon Dion was far more pleasurable.
Nitefire performed a superb set at Vaquero Taco. They performed so much older than they regarded. They needed to take care of the occasional “Jason, your tacos are prepared” announcement. I got here again Saturday for the tacos.
Warmduscher made my must-see record on the power of their hit, “I Acquired Pals”, which is a home celebration all by itself. I used to be anxious to see them carry out it reside, and take a look at the remainder of their items, which had been simply as raucous. The gang bobbed and weaved, pushed and shoved however stored it comparatively secure. They closed out my Tuesday night time at Sellers Underground, the place I had simply seen Lounge Society, children from UK. They belted out “Burn The Heather” and different numbers with a barrage of guitars, and had been giddy about being right here. “I can’t consider we’re this removed from residence!” exclaimed one of many lads.
Wednesday began off with one other of my must-see bands, Bike, a bunch from Brazil. I like their track, “Boca Del Sol”, with its haunting melody and driving bass line. They strike me as a Brazilian model of The Black Angels. Who sing in Portuguese, after all. I caught them on the SXSW Day Stage, the place they did a fantastic set comprised of a 30-minute medley of “Boca” and a number of other others. They had been terrific.
From there I hiked throughout city to Resort Vegas to see one other of my must-see bands, Ghum. I acquired there early sufficient to get a sneak preview of The Osees, who had been simply wrapping up one in every of their (many!) reside units there. Ghum caught my ear with “Shallow”, and I picked up some further buzz about them. Within the tiny Volstead Stage, I used to be within the entrance row, virtually uncomfortably near singer Laura. She requested everyone to take a step ahead, which might have positioned me behind her and in entrance of the drum equipment. Guitarist Jojo Khor performed a superb fuzz guitar that might have been proper at residence with The Pixies or Sonic Youth. Their sound jogged my memory of Courtney Love’s band, Gap, too.
I completed up Wednesday night time again at The British Music Empire, the place I noticed Low Island and Dream Spouse. Neither band blew me away. Low Island was fairly low-key pop, and a bit too digital for me, particularly late night time. I had large expectations for Dream Spouse, given all the excitement across the all-girl trio, however I discovered them a bit showy and plaintive. Possibly I missed the sarcasm behind “Sizzling”, and I wasn’t too eager on “I Simply Wanna Fuck You Up”. Or perhaps I used to be simply drained. I gave them one other shot on the Olive Bar earlier than Ron Gallo, however nonetheless no sale.
Thursday afternoon had me again at British Music Embassy, the place Junk Drawer led off a cavalcade of artists from Northern Eire. They performed a brief, tight set that led off with jangly guitars and “Railroad King”, after which acquired bluesy after which considerably psychedelic. I favored them so much. And I might have skipped lunch, since their hosts catered a full-on spaghetti dinner that you just may see on the Knights of Columbus corridor or at a bar-mitzvah in Staten Island.
After the Day Stage with Ron Gallo, I used to be off to East Austin for a slew of exhibits that aligned on that facet of city, regardless of steady warnings of lightning and thunderstorms. Once I left the Conference Middle, the solar was so vibrant I had to purchase some memento SXSW sun shades for the stroll over.
The Dying Valley Ladies had been on the primary stage at Resort Vegas, first up. I assumed they had been terrific in entrance of the large crowd, and had enjoyable delivering the products. Loads of uncooked vitality. Subsequent up was Protomartyr, who banged out their set led by a man (Joe Casey), who regarded like a bored Massive 4 auditor who wandered into the unsuitable assembly. And he acted the half, exhibiting zero enthusiasm for any of their songs. However the group packed a stable punch, and I actually favored “Processed By The Boys”. Subsequent up, Otoboke Beaver, and also you’ve already heard me wax eloquent on that loopy crew.
After Otoboke Beaver burned down Resort Vegas and skipped west to the ACL Theater, I moved down the road to the comparatively quiet Latchkey. I had met guitarist Ryan Fitzgibbon final yr at SXSW, the place she had performed guitar with Los Bitchos, one in every of final yr’s finest bands. She additionally performed in any respect of Los Bitchos’ US tour stops final yr, together with the 2 exhibits in New York that I attended. I knew she was taking part in with an area band, Porcelain, and so they scored an official SXSW slot at Latchkey, and I wished to listen to them, too. Ryan launched me to steer man Steve ( who, by the best way, works the sound stage at Chess Membership downtown, the place we’d meet once more). Steve warned me, “We just about sound nothing like Los Bitchos. We’re fairly fucking loud, man.” I instructed him if I might survive The Cloud Nothings in New York, I ought to be capable to deal with Porcelain’s quantity. However he was proper — they had been fairly fucking loud, man. And I dined on avenue tacos at Latchkey earlier than my subsequent transfer.
So, my subsequent transfer was again to Resort Vegas, the place home-town faves Annabelle Chairlegs was on the primary stage. I’d seen them final yr, similar venue, perhaps even similar time, and so they proceed to place out nice sound. Annabelle Chairlegs is the place nation rock meets psychedelia, and they’re simply down-home enjoyable.
So, my grasp plan concerned heading subsequent door to the Low Down Lounge to see fellow New Jerseyan Shred Flintstone, after which a fast journey again to Resort Vegas for Amber Arcades, UNI And The Urchins, and The Osees. Didn’t fairly work out that approach (btw, just about nothing works out that approach at SXSW, and often you’re higher off for it).
Shred Flintstone was insane. All through the soundcheck, he wandered across the tiny venue, bumping into individuals, crawling on the ground to have a look at imaginary bugs, scaring the patrons, together with me, who had been all questioning, “what the fuck is with this man?” After the remainder of band wrapped up the soundcheck, they fired away. Because the title signifies, we’re speaking shredding. Rocket-fueled guitar blasts. Excessive vitality. Two songs in, the lightning and thunderstorms that had been promised all day by the Nationwide Climate Service kicked in, virtually as if summoned by Shred Flintstone. It poured fucking rain. The sky lit up. Then the roof of the Low Down Lounge began to leak. A trickle grew into waterfalls. All arms on deck on the Low Down Lounge ran round, frantically making an attempt to hold up tarps, gathered all of the buckets within the bar, like a dozen little Dutch Boys making an attempt to plug the VERY leaky dike. Or a bunch of Johnny Depp pirates making an attempt to not drown of their leaky boat within the storm. The SXSW Stage Supervisor, seeing the upcoming doom of water assembly electrical gear, closed down the present, to he horror of Shred Flintstone, and despatched the friends scurrying to the relative security of the primary bar, which had a roof that really stored collectively okay.
The thunderstorm and lightning raged furiously for about an hour, throughout which many SXSW occasions (particularly the outside ones) acquired fully tousled, postponed, or cancelled. Telephones had been buzzing with emergency messages from SXSW Administration and the Nationwide Climate Service.
However after ready out the storm, the SXSW Stage Supervisor gave the all-clear for Shred Flintstone’s crew to fireside up the gear once more. And so they did. And so they shredded, once more. So, hat’s off to Shred Flintstone for surviving the storm, and residing to complete the set.
Heading again to Resort Vegas, the place regarded just like the aftermath of a nuclear conflict. A handful of survivors ready round to see if the exhibits would start once more, and when? I’d had sufficient drama, so I marched again downtown to see some bands at indoor venues who had an affordable shot of really occurring.
Subsequent cease was Elysium, the place Blacklist was taking part in. For me, the spotlight was their track, “In Shadow Mild”, which capped off their set. Then I headed over to Seven Grand to listen to Enumclaw, who has an enormous following. They didn’t do it for me. Their lead guitarist was pissed off about having a few of his gear stolen, and he couldn’t get previous that to ship a coherent set, so I bolted.
I wandered over to the Chess Membership, anxious to see The Courettes, who had been on my watch record. There I used to be first handled to a set by Gus Baldwin And The Sketch, who completely rocked the place. They squeezed 4 guitars and a full drum equipment on the tiny Chess Membership stage.
And The Courettes had been enjoyable, too. They’re a duo — he’s from Brazil and performs drums, she’s from Denmark and sings and performs killer guitar. Their sound is a mix surf music, 60’s go-go, Ventures, and Ramones. They put out a ton of sound for 2 individuals. This was their first journey to the US and to South By, and so they had a ton of vitality contemplating they had been jet-lagged and needed to borrow a guitar to interchange the one which acquired misplaced in transit.
Friday began out on the Sounds Australia showcase at Lucille. Over a double espresso, I heard CIVIC’s opening set, which lived as much as the hype and their model of speed-rock, after which Annie Hamilton, who has a a lot softer contact. Annie Hamilton’s finest track is “Panic” which she nailed in her set. I’ve by no means seen a much bigger smile on a stage than hers. She cherished being there. Together with her beauty, large black Angel wings, and black fishnets, she regarded a bit like a fallen Victoria’s Secret mannequin. However her voice and guitar and backing band members had been nothing however candy.
After a second dose of Ron Gallo and Dream Spouse at close by Olive Bar, and a return journey to the the Osees at Resort Vegas (after all), I took in a few bands from Nashville at Lamberts. Rock Eupora was glorious. I actually loved their power-pop sound, and their track “Intimacy” is terrific. Later, in the identical venue, I used to be handled by The Minks to their model of nation rock swing, and I favored that, too. “Creatures of Tradition” was my favourite quantity. Punk rock with a twang.
The Dangerous Ends depressed everyone at Antone’s with their set loaded with unhappy songs however nice music. It’s humorous — they don’t take themselves very significantly, are filled with self-deprecation, however there’s not a contented story within the bunch! Entrance man Mike Mantone stored apologizing, “No, this one’s not any enjoyable both….” after a gentle string of heartbreaks and trainwrecks. “The Ballad of Devil’s Bride” was my favourite quantity from the set.
Friday night time ended with Balaklava Blues, a Ukrainian trio by the use of Canada. I used to be anticipating one thing like Gogol Bordello, however no. What I acquired was a transferring, stirring, lovely, dramatic plea for hope and peace for Ukraine. Their emotional set included “You Shoot Me” and “Shelter Our Sky”. You couldn’t assist however be fully blown away by their fervor.
Saturday night, after taking in The Scratch, I noticed Voka Light at The Speakeasy, the place they had been filling in for Crawlers, who had been a no-show. On fairly quick discover, Voka Light confirmed up, and performed a stable set that I loved, even when their music is a bit out of my vary.
Afterwards, I wandered over to the thirteenth Flooring to see Muck And The Mires. They proved that Outdated Guys can nonetheless rock, and punched out track after track just like the Ramones. They performed like a 70’s storage rock band, and so they may really be sufficiently old to be one. Anyway, they had been large enjoyable. And The Courettes confirmed up in assist!
I took a shot at Mainly Nancy, a three-piece all-girl band from Savannah, Georgia. They performed on the Iron Bear, which could be the gayest bar in Austin, if not all of Texas. They nonetheless had Halloween decorations up the day after St. Patrick’s Day. No matter. Mainly Nancy had been indignant, in a PJ Harvey or Courtney Barnett form of approach — uncooked, hearts-and attitude-on-their-sleeve. I favored them.
Die Spitz was one other buzzed-about band. They’re Punk with a capital P, primarily based in Austin. Hordes of followers crammed into to Chess Membership to see them. A bunch of them (us?) had been moshers seeking to wreck the place, and Die Spitz obliged, with “The Revenge of Evangeline” and different head-banger numbers. I assumed for certain that moshers on this tight house had been going to get thrown by way of a window, or a brick wall, and that crowd surfers had been going to get slammed into the low ceiling. None of that occurred, and Die Spitz nailed their set in proud Punk type.
My final present at SXSW was THICK’s efficiency proper after Die Spitz at Chess Membership. THICK, one other all-girl trio, hails from New York, so I’m hoping to catch them again residence once they set some dates. This was one other band that everyone was speaking up, and I’m glad I acquired to see them earlier than the week was out. They led off with their best-known quantity, “Happiness”, and blasted by way of a fantastic, punchy set.
I met Freespirits final yr at SXSW. They had been “unofficial”, however performed a fantastic set at Dizzy Rooster on a Monday afternoon. I actually favored the UK trio’s straight-ahead, rock’n’roll type, I acquired to fulfill with them, and I highlighted them in my “Greatest Bands of SXSW 2022” piece. I adopted them this previous yr, listened to their new songs, and was blissful to listen to they’d be returning to Austin this yr. However first, they stopped in New York, then drove, old-school type, in a van with stops at small gin joints in Philadelphia, Virginia, North Carolina, and Tennessee. I began my SXSW 2023 expertise by assembly up with them once more at Dizzy Rooster, Monday afternoon a yr later, similar bar, similar time, similar small crowd. They nonetheless sounded nice, and entrance man Giancarlo Mariani did his ever-loving finest to get extra individuals into Dizzy’s, together with taking part in his guitar out on Sixth Avenue in entrance of the afternoon passers-by. They nonetheless strike me as the guts and soul of SXSW — gifted, enthusiastic, passionate younger musicians, coming from a faraway place to play in entrance of individuals right here within the reside music epicenter of the world, seeking to make it large. God Bless Them and all the opposite bands who present up right here at SXSW. In fact, I purchased the t-shirt.
I didn’t get to see almost as many bands as I hoped. I missed out on The Accidentals, Massive Cream, Massive Mountain County, Blacklist, /The Carolyn, Crawlers, Lady Scout, The Golden Dregs, Letting Up Regardless of Nice Faults, Free Articles, Patriarchy, Silverbacks, and Sorry Mother, amongst many, many others. Some I’ll must catch again in New York or close by.
And I’ll be again subsequent yr.
Listed here are my spotlight reels from my six days at SXSW 2023:
Right here’s my Greatest Of SXSW 2023 playlist: Take pleasure in.
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