So my intention was to report everyday on my experiences. That did not happen because A: I didnt bring my computer. B: I was having too much fun. C: I will do this right next year okay?
I ultimately did not buy any sort of ticket or wristband prior to this event. Who has $750 dollars to spend? Not me folks. Not ever me.
TIP #1 I did however, under the sage advisement of Seth Graves, RSVP for a shit ton of free parties everyday through Austin360.com
which I highly RECOMMEND, but create a different email address or get spammed all year. I also downloaded a free app for my phone.
We (mostly Seth) drove 13 hrs, all night, to arrive in Austin around noon, Wednesday the 16th. Seth got his press pass from the convention center and on NO SLEEP, we began to drink and see bands at one of many free parties, including the PUREVOLUME party (free booze). Note on PureVolume: Although great on some levels, the long lines and general doucheyness of this everyday party makes me think I will avoid it next year. Right off the bat I saw Jason Isbell play and Caitlin Rose so I was pretty stoked, that was at the Swan Dive. I also at some point went over to Emos (Yeah? I think?) and saw the Fruit Bats while enjoying free Sparks. Which brings me to...
TIP #2. Get all the free shit you can. Free drinks are yours if you plan accordingly, as is free food (and holy shit the breakfast tacos are plentiful at SXSW) just get there early. But you can generally get at least 1 free shirt everyday (I got a rad free SXSW shirt at an Eventbrite party, a Firefly Vodka shirt and a random shirt featuring Richard Pryor with Dre headphones. I dont get it, but I do love it). But there are so much other freebies, strings, water bottles, cell phone cases, hair dos, photobooth pictures, tote bags galore and even capos! The free parties are where you get this shit, plus free music. Just RSVP in advance although hardly anyone checked it.
I literally saw so many bands that I cant quite remember everything, plus I was admittedly quite drunk. I managed to only pay for 6 shows there and they were all pretty reasonable. Jason Isbell ($15 at Swan Dive), the Heligoats ($10 I think, Easy TIger) Joey Cape and Screeching Weasel ($20 at Scoot Inn ugh but thats another story, see TIP 11), Joey Cape at the Fat Wreck CHords showcase ($15 maybe at Barberella ?) the wonderful Smoking Popes ($20 Maggie Maes Gibson Room, good venue) and probably best bang for my buck, Mean Jeans and River City Tanlines (Easy Tiger for a measly $5). So my conclusion...
TIP #3. Don't buy a badge. I spent less than a hundred dollars and saw most of everything I wanted since the Strokes were free and most everyone else played several free day parties. The badges are several hundred dollars and yes you dont always have to wait in a line and you have more flexibility to go between shows, but SHIT! Theres so much music at all times that its overwhelming. You will be fine.
TIP #4. Nap. Between noon and 7pm ish, there are free parties and booze and wonderful times to be had. The shows start about 8ish with the good headliners after 11pm. It is tempting to think you are gonna party all day, catch J Mascis at 6pm (He literally played everyday around 6 somewhere I was), eat your 50th free taco and then start your nights shows. NOPE, YOU WILL CRASH AND BURN. I say, get home by 5ish, take a power hour nap and get in line around 8 for the hard to get in shows and up to about 9 for everything else. How to get home at 5pm for said nap?...
TIP #5. Dont think you can drive or get a cab friend. Not a wise move AT ALL. Cabs and parking is few and far between. If you do cab it, get a cabbies name and number asap and try to call them first. My housemates found a Pantera listening to, pothead cabbie who was super nice and helpful. But ultimately bicycles, walking, or a 24 hr bus pass ($2) is definitely the way to go. Oh and speaking of walking...
TIP #6. WEAR COMFORTABLE SHOES! Seriously. Everyone there is absolutely gorgeous and super fashionable so rest assured you will not be the best dressed there regardless of what you do. But even comfortable shoes will hurt your arches if you have been on your feet for several hours so be prepared. Oh and layer. The desert is hot in the day, cold and breezy at night so a light jacket you can wrap around you/sit on during the day will be your saving grace at night. This was especially true at the Mess with Texas Party.
TIP #8 MESS WITH TX RULES! RSVP (though they wont check) and plan on going to the free Mess With Texas Party. Not an official event of SXSW, it is a little far off from the main area of shows, couple miles maybe. It was at a huge outdoor venue with lots of amazing eats, reasonable shade and two stages. Ted Leo, Deer Tick, Screaming Females, OFF!, Lemuria, !!!, Fresh and Onlys, The Oh Sees, Surfer Blood, Dead Milkmen and Odd Future all played. It was definitely my favorite event. Come on, THE DEAD MILKMEN PLAYED!
TIP #9 Go with cool people who hopefully are veteran South Byers, or at least be ok with going solo and do your research. I had the pleasure of going with a friend with similar taste, but he had a press pass which sometimes meant, I was slummin it solo. But I met a lot of cool people (free rides!) and stayed with 8 people who all seemed pretty rad so I was generally not alone. That being said, for at least a couple hours every day I was by myself, but I had a blast. Why? Because I go to do whatever I wanted. And I am a nice, sociable person. However, I wasnt there to socialize, I was there for music. And that was never in short supply. Speaking of my friends...
TIP #10. Dont lose your cell phone!!! You will be fucked. get a tracker app if possible just in case. Carry extra batteries or at least a charger. For God's sake dont lose it because you will just be screwed. Payphones arent real anymore. My friend Seth had his stolen at the Pure Volume douchery over shitty vodka and probably shitty music. I left mine at Barberella but luckily the people there were cooler and someone turned it it, and I rewarded those good samaritans with Jameson shots. I would have had a small aneurysm otherwise. Someone elses phone magically appeared in a tote bag when were back in TN which means someone else lost their phone when their totebag got mixed up with my friends. DONT LOSE YOUR PHONE, YOUR LIFE WILL BE OVER.
and last but not least, BONUS TIP #11. Dont throw Ice or beer or a dirty look at Ben Weasel, or he will punch you in the face or kidneys. Especially if you are a girl.
Evidence:
Next post: Reviews of especially rad/ memorable bands from SXSW.
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