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Entrepreneuring at SXSW.
If you can't beat 'em, charge 'em. Re: Californians visiting.
Mathematically, March comes around every year and every friend of mine from CA visits. Every one.
Buy and sell hotel rooms for fun and profit from the people making our city's real estate so effen expensive.
Ah, South by...
Never have I ever seen such ridiculous collections of trend-whoring douchebaggery than during the time you're in town. First the sideburn-and-wide-rimmed-glasses explosion that comes in followed shortly by the cracked out skinny-jean-wearing band crowd, none of whom seem to be able to understand stop lights. Good to know that individualism has gotten so widespread.
Pro:
free shows with free booze and free food.
Pro:
The SXSW shows have lots of bands you might not otherwise see
Con:
...if you have a badge, arrive three hours early, or wait in line long enough.
Pro:
Some cool movies get shown.
Con:
...some of them suck pretty hard, too.
Pro:
If the convention center were suddenly sucked into a vortex during sxsw, the overall pretentiousness of America would drop by 14.2%.
Con:
This hasn't happened yet.
Pro:
There are some cool events you can go see during the non-music part.
Con:
There's a crapload more invite/badge only things that go on and take over otherwise fun places to go hang out.
Pro/Con:
6th is completely packed.
SXSW does do one thing really well. It demonstrates the lack of suitable infrastructure that Austin has to house larger conferences. If you really love live music, or film or interactive, then it's probably a good place for you.
Just learn what those flashing signs at the corners of streets mean before you walk in front of a moving car.
We are rapidly approaching a douche bag singularity.
Please go back to California now, and for the love of god, don't get any ideas about moving here - we're all full up, thanks.
The Good:
:: it's here in town so that's good for people who live in austin!
:: plethora of free shows to see.
:: diversity of shows. something for everyone, i promise you that
:: plethora of free parties with free booze flowing and sometimes even free food
The Bad:
:: really need to have a badge to get into the gold shows. however, badges are $$$$$$
:: plethora of free shows to see. you can easily get overwhelmed by the # of offerings. to get the most out of sxsw, you should really take time and do your homework
:: the logistics. since it's shows going on all over town, the chances of you seeing all you want to see are hit-or-miss unless all you want to see is downtown. i'd recommend the locals get around via scooter (i do every year and it's gold) or bike.
:: long long lines to get into very popular shows. blah.
:: having to rsvp for some free parties when it doesn't even freaking MATTER. they only make you rsvp so they can get your information and sell it to marketing companies or spam you later. i guess that is the price for free booze
The Ugly:
:: ALL. THE. F@CK&*G. HIPSTERS. ENOUGH OF YOUR STUPID OUTFITS, YOUR HORRIBLE TIGHTS, YOUR DISGUSTING BALLET FLATS, YOUR SKINNY JEANS, YOUR WOVEN HEADBANDS, YOUR IRONICALLY BAD HAIRSTYLES. i wanted to mow through the throngs of hipsters with a bulldozer and smush them all
Would I go back? Because I am a glutton for punishment, I probably will next year. What the hell is WRONG WITH ME.
This event is SOMEWHAT/BARELY in.
Not to rub it in, but Rachel Ray and Perez Hilton don't host CMJ parties.
I had fun.
Saw the "20x2" show at SXSWi and it rocked. I did want to scream "Why are you displaying a badge just walking around?" at all the people on the street, though.
Hung around near 6th on Saturday and listened to about six bands, most were pretty good. Great people watching, lots of posers and hipsters and goofballs.
Took a bunch of photos, drank some beers, hung out with some friends - the city was crowded and alive and fun.
I can't ever see myself buying a badge or wristband, but if you just "go with the flow" and not try to develop an agenda which causes you to rush from spot to spot to try and make some special event, its a good time.
And, in a recurring theme, I felt ancient most of the time. I was, seriously, old enough to be the father of 95% of the people walking around.
SXSW: A Play.
SCENE OPENS on RANDOM KID standing on 6TH STREET and CONGRESS AVENUE on Thursday evening. RANDOM KID is 15 years old, dressed in slightly baggy jeans, a hoodie, and carries a busted up old skateboard. CROWD surrounding RANDOM KID is a mix of TRANSIENTS wearing torn up old clothes and in need of a bath and a good night's rest, BUSINESS PROFESSIONALS wearing suits and office wear, young HIPSTERS dressed in 80s revival neon, and MIDDLE AGED PEOPLE, dressed mostly in black with intentionally bad haircuts. Some of the HIPSTER and MIDDLE AGED PEOPLE carry tote bags with skateboard decks peeking out over the top. RANDOM KID approaches a MIDDLE AGED WOMAN.
RANDOM KID: Lady, please be kind. I only got this busted up old Alien Workshop deck. It belonged to my BROTHER for Christ's sake and no offense, but I don't see you needing a new
MIDDLE AGED WOMAN: Stop! Just STOP! Why can't you people leave me alone! Here, here's a dollar! Just STOP!
RANDOM KID takes dollar and approaches MIDDLE AGED MAN with the same tote bag.
RANDOM KID: Hey guy, I don't want to bug you but if you give me that deck I swear I'll not only give you my only dollar but I will also be eternally grateful to you. (smiles pathetically)
MIDDLE AGED MAN: (worlds slurred) You looooook likea nisssssss youn' man. Can youuuuu tyell me wheeeerethechugggy monkin s'at?
RANDOM KID: I can if you give me that deck that's in your tote bag. (grins broadly)
MIDDLE AGED MAN: ohyeahdat. I sssssssell daton ebay.
RANDOM KID: The Chuggin' Monkey, huh? Hmmm... I don't know where that's at. Oh look. My bus. G'bye cruel world!
RANDOM KID jumps on the #27 southbound, hangs out the door before it closes and shakes his fist at the heavens.
RANDOM KID: CURSE YOU, SOUTH BY SOUTHWEST!!!
Fini.
This is the time every year that all these 'industry' douche-bags walk around town with tags around their neck acting like they're some kind of bad asses.
And then the young shitty bands in their punky-street wear that seems to be the de-facto costume of crappy punky bands for like my entire life.
Guess what, you unoriginal tools,,, there are other colors than black. and take a damned bath.. While you're at it, please learn to write better music. thankx.
I hate Austin during this time because I have to witness these blow-hards at every glance...
It'd be more interesting to witness if the outcome of this conference lead to actual album sales. Because it doesn't, and hasn't for a decade or more, I'm pretty sure this conference is just a self-important circle-jerk....
P.S., the organizers of this event are dicks.
Now I can only comment on the music portion of SXSW, also know as one of the greatest weeks in human history for any music lover. Each year this wonderful city is transformed into a complete mad house. Chaos reigns supreme starting on Wednesday and doesn't really end until early Sunday morning.
The vibe and excitement that SXSW brings to the city is amazing and is easily the most thrilling time of the year. Now why after all these great compliments would I only give the festival FOUR stars, vice FIVE?
Well that's easy, it's a corporate crap nightmare. For the last four years I have run my own showcases shunning the "Sanctioned" event status and without question my events have always been far more successful than the "Sanctioned" crap they usually throw at you. Anyone who has spent any time at SXSW knows that the non-"Sanctioned" shows that take place around the city are always the best and even better....THEY ARE FREE.
By becoming a "Sanctioned" event you instantly cut out the most important part of any show, THE FANS, because now people have to pay HUNDREDS of dollars just to see a show. It's outrageous. I have never bought a "pass" and never will yet I have never had a problem getting into any show I want. To think that they charge people up to $600 just to go to shows is absolutely insane.
SXSW the CONCEPT and what it brings to the city by way of people and fun is FIVE STARS. SXSW the company is TWO STARS. It is very frustrating for any artist who has to play the actual SXSW showcases, schedules are always late, messed up, venues can be really shoddy, and the shows usually suck pretty bad unless you are already an established band. But hey if you are an established band they WHY play SXSW?
Oh and did I mention that IF you are putting on your own event and going to go through SXSW you STILL have to have THEM sign off on your bands and you may or MAY NOT get them to play your event!! In other words, your bands have to PAY to register so that SXSW can make more money. I though this was about music?
Don't get me wrong, SXSW is my hands down FAVORITE time of the year. All my bands and friends come to town, we throw one hell of a show, we have a great time and we get to do it all in the name of music. Now if only SXSW themselves could figure out that music is more important than $600 badges, bad scheduling and random bands playing your venue.
If anything I highly recommend avoiding buying "badges" and worthless "wristbands" and stick to the killer shows on Sixth Street that are FREE and the always impressive secret shows that come about.
SXSW 2008 - virgin voyage for me
hosted a trainhopper on my couch from canada, met the girl who picked her up on the road
girl basically has a PhD in indie music.
team up with said girl for all three days.
used showlistaustin to find out all the good free shows and cover shows.
Managed to see Vampire Weekend, Shout Out Louds, MGMT, Kate Nash, Sara Bareilles, She & Him, Meiko, Ingrid Michaelson, Yeasayer, DeVotchKa, Sea Wolf, Jen Leksman, Bon Iver, Le Loup, and many others for only $35 total.
Met so many awesome people during the shows, totally changed my musical tastes.
Managed to retain a big Super Mario pinata from some electronic show at Thirsty Nickel. It stares at me at night sometimes and makes me nervous.
Said PhD in indie music managed to somehow purchase a $14 ice cream concoction at Amy's.
Trainhopper girl not seen for 2-3 days, finally showed up on my doorstep sat night at 3:30 am.
Good times.
It was so fuking great it was damm near euphoric.
I didn't buy a badge or wristband. Fuk that shit!
Or should I quote the commonly sold tourist shirt that reads...
"Fuck you.. I'm from Texas!"
So no, I didn't feel the need to pay, especially since I was told that they had tons of free shows.
If I really wanted to see a band I could pay the 10 dollar cover. I only had to do that twice out of the 5 days I was there.
The other shows were free or I would find a way in those stupid "badges only" shows. Walking in like you own the place can sometimes get you through, that or walking in after a band.
The free food and beer was awesome! I thought that the mass consumption of tacos and pizza up and down 6th street was hilarious. Damm shame there had to be visitors that were so friggin messy. Disgusting!
I came, I ate too much, I watched some bad arse shows, and had the best time ever. Thank you Austin for being so fucking cool.
Oh lovely South by Southwest, it is truly my favorite time of year. Sure many local Austinites detest having the eyes of the music, film, and computer industry thrust upon our little oasis for a full week because it brings in all sorts of loonies and wackos from around the world. Granted, it does get crowded with all of these new loonies coming in on top of our already generous batch of local loonies but that's what makes this such a fun event.
This will be my seventh year to attend and my fourth year to volunteer (hence I get a nice shiny badge with my pretty picture on it and I can cut ahead in all of the lines). I missed last years conference because I was living in the SF Bay area at the time and I felt like a kid left behind at school while all the other kids got to go on a field trip to the pixie stick factory... but I digress.
You will never find another place where so many "in" people converge to grease palms and sweat it out on the mean streets while armies of eager hipsters fan out of downtown clubs and movie theaters for a chance to check out the next big thing. If you are ambitious enough you can see enough new movies and bands (as well as a few old favorites that may play to surprised audiences) to last you a whole years worth of entertainment.
Aside from the nightlife SXSW brings in a nice selection of speakers, celebrities, and panelists to give workshops and briefings about their particular expertise. These can be invaluable tools for anyone trying to break into music, film, or computers and new media.
If you don't get a badge or wristband (which can be a bit pricey), there are a ton of day shows, parties, and movies that you can see without dropping a huge wad of cash. These are often some of the better things to attend because they often have fewer people, free food, and even the occasional free beer!
If you have never been before, don't just go to a show or two, take the week off of work and really immerse yourself in the whole SXSW experience to really appreciate what a wonderful joy it can be.
...and take those ridiculous skinny jeans with you!!!
Tip for locals:
VOLUNTEER, for either the film or music portion (not sure how Interactive Media works).
Forty hours of your work time gets you in to where you want to go, whether it's schlepping VIPs around or helping bands set up. And lots of perks abound as you work the festival.
The volunteer process is a scene at the Convention Center about 6 weeks (?) prior, so prepare to wait in line and get through the entire library on your Ipod.
But once you get through your forty hours of work, the city is ALL YOURS....
Five years in Austin, and I'm just NOW getting into SXSW? What's wrong with me?
A brief timeline of my SXSW experiences:
1997: I read that Hanson* (my, like, totally favorite band! soooo cute!) got "discovered" at SXSW in this mythical town three hours north of Houston, where I live and attend junior high school. How cool!
2003: I move to Austin. I go out of town for SXSW week every year, though. What better time to get away than when everyone else is invading town?
2007: Friends suggest going to look for SXSW fun on Friday night. We wander aimlessly in bad footwear and don't get in to any shows. I am disillusioned and cranky about the whole thing. "Never again!" I swear.
2008:
03/12: Spend the afternoon at Jo's Coffee on SoCo listening to about four bands and getting free copies of GOOD magazine. Guys from the band Salt and Samovar convince me to lunge at their car in traffic for a CD and party invite. Head to Paramount for a screening of a documentary about the life of Eagle Pennell (eh). After sushi at Silhouette, work my way past metal detectors into "Choke" premiere (helps to work with pushy guys with badges!).
03/13: Another afternoon on SoCo: pizza at Homeslice, The Cool Kids at Yard Dog Folk Art, various bands at Guero's and Jo's, all before work. Something leaves me ill in the middle of the night, but I decide to carry on!
03/14: Some awesome afternoon rock at Red-Eyed Fly, ended early by a sharp jab to the chest from a wayward elbow. Wandering aimlessly and thirstily in 97-degree heat, a wink and a smile get me into the Levi's/Fader Fort, where precious (free!) bottles of Vitamin Water await. Meet up with a bevy of Yelpers, get taped for a short clip on http://videothing.com, photo booth, cool music, etc. Work again. That evening, use my awesome street cred (and the luck of a clueless doorperson) to get into SuperSuckers at Emo's Annex (aka Emo's had so many acts they had to set up a tent to hold 'em).
03/15: Cool bands and pizza at Homeslice (I really love Homeslice!); Sadies and Chuck Prophet at Yard Dog; more music and coffee at Jo's, then off to work. These Are Powers and Matt + Kim at Mohawk at night.
*Hanson was also playing at SXSW on 03/15/2008, apparently. I made no effort to see them.
Awesome week, awesome company.
My complaints: The crowds and the overwhelming schedule. TOO much to see! TOO much to do! Badge/wristband/general confusion!
Thank you SXSW for turning my city up a notch in every way for one week a year!
WING.
It looks like there's a spattering of one-star and five-star reviews here, so I'll shoot straight down the middle.
Let me start with the common complaint of many of the reviewers here - hipsters. As far as I saw, there were two uniforms - one, all black, tight jeans, coupled with the ugliest neon accessories one might acquire, and two, the hipster "girl chic" - oversized boots, a dress made in her grandmother's era, a necklace that reaches down to her bellybutton, adorned with some sort of horn or bone, and glasses big enough for Shrek. I don't have a problem with fashion, but the wearers of these attires just don't seem very original or fun. When I see a punk rocker, biker, or glammed up rocker, I think, "Yeah, that dude/chick is going to be fucking crazy and fun." When I see a mini-gaggle of hipsters, it just appears to me that their highest order of cool is smoking Parliaments and looking morose, a la the American Apparel catalog. Another thing it makes me feel is fat. I don't want to judge people, but it seems as if you'd need to spend an inordinate amount of time focused on yourself in order to create such a precious public presentation. And that, my friends, is what you call boring.
However, I did see a whole bunch of free shows. There's a band from NYC called Semi-Precious Weapons that blew my mind. Total glam rockers, with a lead singer that is about 6'5" in heels, tearing the roof off. Another band I enjoyed was No Age, a two-piece punk/noise group. I noticed a lot of the music this year was noisy, as in they were looking to fill every inch of space of the club with sound, distortion, feedback, fuzz. I liked it, but I wish I had seen some M. Ward or something of the like to even things out.
My girl and I were able to ride our bikes to the festival every day, which made it very convenient to come and go and not have to worry about traffic. I recommend going, because it's fun to see people you didn't imagine actually existing, walking amongst you in throngs. The only wish I have for next year is more free parties with free beer! (Please St. Arnold's/Dogfish Head/Real Ale!) - Cheers!
Good times
If you can't afford a badge or volunteer for one, there's a ton of free stuff to do around the city, that's often just as good as anything the VIPs are doing. You just have to keep your eyes open.
Awesome! Every part of it. We went to the interactive and music and had a blast and guess what? We're going next year too.
One of the best reasons/most proud moments to share with some sad soul who lives in let's say, Kalamazoo that you are from Austin. Everyone knows SXSW , near and far, but it's really amazing to see how's this festival has grown over the years into basically 3 parts: Interactive, Music (duh) and FILMS! Films, being the part I choose to Yelp about today because, well, it's my favorite. I think I've been 5 years now and just look forward to it every year. I've been to Sundance and I wouldn't trade our festival for that AT ALL. That scene is just too much fluffiness surounding their movies...Paris Hilton and all.
Basically, you can pre-read and pre-plan as much or as little as you like, but half the fun is going with the flow or getting shut out of a film you thought you wanted to see and just falling happenstance into a wonderful memorable flick! The Alamo continues to be an excellent venue, but the old one downtown was really hard to get into, with all the badge, then pass holders. Alas, this year will be interesting to see if their new site holds more people. You can't beat it, from the sometimes odd opening trailers to the films themselves, this is a most magical time of year.
Nothing's perfect, but by my take there are several things that I've always enjoyed about SXSW. As one who takes in healthy portions of all three conferences, I'd be remiss not to mention the big ideas that are floating around the Interactive conference, the indie films of repute that make the Film conference fun, and the 1300+ bands that wash through town annually. Sure, it's crowded and like most oases (oasises?) it makes some of the locals fussy...but you can't beat the memorable experiences that you might find when you open yourself up to the possibilities within. That's within the conference, and just perhaps, within you.
$125 Level One Improv Class
Neighborhood: East Austin
Happy Hour til 9pm every day!
Neighborhood: East Austin
Austin, TX
Category: Music Venues
Austin, TX
Category: Local Flavor
Neighborhood: University of Texas
Category: Bars
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)
Category: Local Flavor
Neighborhood: 78704 (South Austin)
Category: Music Venues
Snafus, unhappiness and poor service. Lies, crazy…
