In keeping with today’s appropriately named title/theme, Of Awesome Parties and Technical Difficulties, several shows today were either super late, cut extremely short or didn’t happen at all due to technical issues. With the sheer amount of shows taking place this is bound to happen but it just seemed a particularly plaguing problem today.
Fortunately, during SXSW, there is always something else around the corner. A very late AudioDamn! set turned into a free lunch from Chick-fil-A via Pandora’s Discovery Den. When Everything Everything starts breaking down the stage without even playing a note it allowed for discovery of two exciting new artists: the charming (and quite petite) Aurora and the ferocious Grace Mitchell.
Banners
But not everything was plagued; While UK artist Banners (a High Voltage Top 20 of SXSW act!) may have brought us to the YouTube Music House, it was the food and general ambiance that made it difficult to leave. Like the popcorn bar featuring six flavors, the gluten-free baked goods, the fresh cold-pressed juices and the servers walking around with trays of goodies both nutritious and delicious. The aforementioned Discovery Den not only provided Chick-Fil-A’s classic chicken sandwich, but a relaxing space full of opportunities for fun (Scavenger hunt! Bean bag toss! Swag!). Showtime’s Roadies house presented by Culture Collide also impressed with a slew of giveaways and a stellar line-up including Bronze Radio Return and Grizfolk.
If you’re looking for good mingling opportunities, Reeperbahn Hambergers had you covered with their picnic area quiet enough to hold a conversation while munching on burgers and fries. Perfect for meetings or just to recharge before the evening showcases.
Mainland
After sunset, Blackheart on Rainey Street was a great place to be. American-born German resident Sara Hartman transported, Tor Miller charmed and William Joseph Cook got the crowd dancing. Over on Congress, Conscious Immaturity was throwing a day long bash. The Non Profit organization always curates a lineup worth seeing and their event at Shiner’s Saloon was no exception. The sets were running late, of course, but that afforded the opportunity to be introduced to Germany’s Kytes before we caught New York City’s Mainland who injected the room with a blast of energy, coming out into the audience to invigorate and entertain just as the tiredness was becoming unbearable.
And then finally the night (or shall we say early morning) ended with a jolt of nostalgia from Robert Schwartzman performing, with a new set of musicians, as Rooney. Playing the hits and a slew of new songs to who played to a very excited crowd even well after the venue starting shutting down. Who cares about last call? Who needs a PA? Who needs sleep? All you need is music, right?