Andrew Wade: SXSW has rapidly become my favorite event of the year. Travel, free booze, music, free booze, partying, good friends and… free booze. There’s also a massive opportunity to meet and watch some of the best musicians and groups in the world today. Here are my highlights for the 2012 event; I’ll be endeavoring to get to each and every one of the showcasing events of these artists.
Larry Heath: I couldn’t imagine a world without SXSW in it. It’s an addiction. It’s some strange version of crack/cocaine. I love it, but it treats me so mean. Everytime I get slammed with a “Hey here’s someone you really want to see!” notation, another artist comes along and says the same thing. And then this happens about 5 more times until you’re sad. Here are also six of the artists I reckon I can’t leave SXSW without seeing.
Larry: Lanie Lane – Lanie Lane will be performing at Jack White’s showcase. The possibility of Jack and Lanie performing together sends chills down the spine. This is one performance I don’t want to miss.
Andrew: Future Of The Left – possibly one of the best modern rock bands. Given their excellent tour from late last year, the Welsh rockers simply put on one of the best live shows ever. Seeing them in the cramped and drunken confines of the various Austin venues is going to be a blast.
Larry: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band – Do I really need to say why?
Andrew: Andrew W.K – coming over to Australia in May for Groovin’ The Moo, I’m taking any chance to get my fill of the party god that I can. Infectious party rock that predates the soullessness of LMFAO means that Andrew W.K. is a perfect fit for the craziness of SXSW.
Larry: Bass Drum of Death – Everyone is telling me to see this band. Everyone can’t be wrong, surely. By name alone this is a band worth seeing. They’ll be heading to Australia shortly too so will hopefully be able to give you all the word!
Andrew: The Jesus And Mary Chain – it’s the fuckin’ Jesus and Mary Chain! I did a double take when I saw them on the schedule, and then a little dance for joy.
Larry: Zulu Winter – The buzz is high on this band, but the verdict is out on whether this is a band who will deliver – at SXSW I’m excited for the chance to get to make up my own mind on that front…
Andrew: Bonfire Nights – Brisbane readers should know of Bonfire Nights. After departing to the UK sometime in 2010 (or was it 2011?), it’s been a while since I’ve taken them in, and I’m looking forward to it. Alongside the other Brisbane bands like DZ Deathrays and Bleeding Knees Club, Queensland has the best presence of the Aussie contingent this year.
Larry: Trust (aka TRST) – This Toronto based synth-duo are being touted as the next Crystal Castles… or at the very least an evolution on from their stylistic approach. Hmm… I’ll be the judge of that. To a South By show I must go!
Andrew: Dr John – N’awlins blues and jazz! I saw Dr John at Bluesfest a few years ago, and I’m looking forward to round two. It’s a shame that it clashes with a showcase for country singer Roger Alan Wade, but so is the nature of SXSW.
Larry: Fiona Apple – “Holy shit” were the words I uttered when I heard she would be playing. Some of you may also be uttering “where the hell has she been?” Well, at SXSW we’re going to find out, and you better believe I’m pretty excited about it… did I mention she’s playing in a CHURCH?
Andrew: Trash Talk – last over in Australia for Soundwave 2011, the LA hardcore outfit have showcases everywhere that only last twenty minutes, but those twenty minutes are full of some of the best and most brutal pure hardcore tunes of the last few years. Take your pop punk and throw it down a well; Trash Talk are proper hardcore in the vein of Black Flag and Circle Jerks.
The AU Review’s LIVE from SXSW coverage kicks off Tomorrow! Stay tuned for an epic week of news, videos, photos and much more… followed by no doubt several weeks, if not at least a month, of the content we couldn’t get online while we were at the event. If you have ever been, you know why that can prove difficult…
