SXSW freebies

March 16, 2005 2:57 PM

Free stuff at the SXSW Music Festival for the wristbandless.
posted by Julie (8 comments total)

More free stuff - streaming radio via the Beeb.
Inside South by Southwest:
Listen to Steve Lamacq's documentary about South by Southwest, The Texas Chequebook Massacre, featuring the Trachtenburg Slideshow Players, Franz Ferdinand, Cooper Temple Clause and more.
Listen Again to the Documentary
Check out Steve's live photos from SxSW 04
The Kaiser Chiefs

British Invasion:
As ever, British bands have a strong presence at the festival. Find out more about who's playing, including Kaiser Chiefs, GLC, Doves and Robert Plant.
posted by dash_slot- at 3:32 PM on March 16, 2005

Cool, my colleagues' band are listed under the Cheapos Discs listing. I wish I was there. Oh well, never mind, maybe someday.
posted by TheDonF at 4:56 PM on March 16, 2005

SXSW was once a fun event. Once upon a time, 12 years ago or so, it was a fun way to go see some cool new bands and some cool new films. Now it's just total chaos. Having grown up in Austin over my life, I've seen the evolution of this thing and it's just almost impossible for the folks that LIVE HERE to get out and about and participate with all the congestion created by all the out-of-town folks unless you live within walking distance of some of the good venues (which some do, but I'm not that wealthy).
posted by PuppyCat at 5:39 PM on March 16, 2005

Yes indeed PuppyCat!
Can I have some free parking please? These events are mob scenes.
For myself; I am glad that the chaos and pandemonium of modern Austin has temporarily migrated S of the University area, if just for a week or so.
posted by buzzman at 6:13 PM on March 16, 2005

So this SXSW ... it's some sort of music festival?
posted by TBoneMcCool at 6:35 PM on March 16, 2005

And it vibrates, too. I should know, as I'm down in the thick of it.

Or maybe it's just me that's vibrating.
posted by allaboutgeorge at 7:15 PM on March 16, 2005

My only complaint, after testing the waters last night, is that some of the venues just aren't set up for music. Long, narrow corridors, low stages, crappy sound... a couple of shows last night just weren't worth seeing. The crowds I can deal with, it's just the not seeing/hearing a band that I have a problem with.
posted by blendor at 7:39 AM on March 17, 2005

I live in Austin too but personally I'm grateful that 1300 bands, most of whom rarely/never come here, are playing my fair city.

A different resource for more free shows (with a focus on the punk/garage/noise/art scheme of things):

The trusty Austin Showlist (scroll down for day parties).
posted by kongg at 10:28 AM on March 17, 2005