My Wishlist for SXSW 2009
By Nick Manteris · 0 Comments · Leave a Comment
This is my SXSW schedule for 2009. I’m not actually going to SXSW this year, but these are the bands that I would go see if I had the chance to attend. Some of my choices might give you some insight into my musical tastes...and, btw, the links will send you to reviews that I've written about each artist.
On Wednesday, March 18, I would first head to Stubb's at 9:00pm to see Ladyhawke. Then I would make it to Karma Lounge in time for The Egg at 10:00pm. I encounter my first dilemma at 11:00pm: Laura Marling or Magneta Lane? (Three Canadian girls or one from England?) Three girls win and the next stop is Habana Calle for the 11:00pm show. At midnight it’s back to Stubb's for The Decemberists. Finally, at Back Alley Social, Zion I plays the final Wednesday show at 1:15am.
Thursday, March 19, starts early at 2:00pm with Jenn Grant and Haley Bonar at 2:30pm at the SESAC Day Stage Cafe Austin Convention Center. Then there’s a long break before the first quandary of the day: Elvis Perkins In Dearland or The Von Bondies? (Oh wait…I also have to pick between these two at midnight, so I see one of them now and one of them later…distance will be the deciding factor. Central Presbyterian Church or Cedar Door?) After one of those shows I travel to St David's Church to see Nellie McKay at 7:00pm. K'naan is next at 8:20pm at the Austin Music Hall, but I might have to leave early in order to catch one of the next performers. It's the first real choice of the day: Erin McCarley or Julie Doiron? (Pop or folk?) Folk beats pop so I head to the 9:15pm Mohawk show with Julie Doiron. Then it's N.A.S.A. vs. Tori Amos at 10:00pm. (This one's easy because I've seen Tori live before.) The 10:00pm show with N.A.S.A. at Emo's Annex should be interesting because I doubt that they will have any of their guest artists with them. Next it's either Amanda Palmer or The Asteroids Galaxy Tour at 11:00pm. (Do I have to mention the Dresden Dolls?) No contest...it's the Central Presbyterian Church at 11:00pm to see Amanda Palmer. Finally, it's either Elvis Perkins In Dearland or The Von Bondies again at midnight...whichever one I didn't see earlier in the day.
Friday, March 20, starts at 8:00pm: Bassnectar or Shiny Toy Guns? (I've seen Shiny Toy Guns.) So it's Stubb's at 8:00pm for Bassnectar. Then I travel to the Alley Entrance of The Ale House for HoneyHoney at 10:00pm and Erin McCarley at 10:30pm. (Good thing I skipped Erin yesterday.) At 11:00pm I attend the O + S show at Radio Room even though the MC Frontalot show at 11:15pm would probably be fun. Here's where things start to get crazy. Lady Sovereign vs. Laura Marling vs. Melissa Auf der Maur vs. The Bird and the Bee. (I've seen Auf der Maur and the others are a tough choice.) The Bird and the Bee win because of cuteness and I catch the midnight show at Karma Lounge. If it's even remotely possible to make the 12:20am exclusive DJ set from DJ Shadow at Stubb's then I will. At 1:00am it's another four-way choice: Asobi Seksu, Cursive, MC Lars and Okkervil River. (I'm not a huge fan of any of these.) MC Lars will probably be the most fun so at 1:00am I go to Prague for the last show of the day.
Saturday, March 21, doesn't start for me until 8:00pm when the choice is Terra Naomi versus The Asteroids Galaxy Tour. (I will probably see Terra Naomi eventually...she lives in L.A.) Maggie Mae's at 8:00pm for The Asteroids Galaxy Tour. Emo's Main Room has The Octopus Project at 9:00pm. Then it's PJ Harvey (!) & John Parish at 10:00pm at Stubb's. And at 11:00pm it's Alessi's Ark vs. The Duke Spirit vs. The Knux. (Wow. This decision is difficult.) I guess, because I've liked them longer, I would see The Duke Spirit at Antone's at 11:00pm. And once again, if it's at all possible I would try to see some of the 11:20pm La Zona Rosa with The Crystal Method. Saturday ends early for me.
Sunday, March 22, doesn't begin until midnight...which is technically Monday. It's Asylum Street Spankers vs. Silversun Pickups vs. Perry Farrell at 12:00am. (Fun vs. awesome vs. ex-Jane's Addiction.) Antone's at midnight for Silversun Pickups. And the final showdown is between Juliette & The New Romantiques, Marcy Playground, MSTRKRFT, Ra Ra Riot, Shiny Toy Guns and The Crimea. (Not much of a choice for the last show of SXSW.) I make my way to Dirty Dog Bar at 1:00am to rock out with Juliette & The New Romantiques. This will hopefully be an excellent show to end the entire SXSW experience.
