UPDATED for 2016 - 5 Ways to Find the Best SXSW Parties and RSVP

South by Southwest (SXSW) Music, Film and Interactive Festival is only 4 weeks away. The festival takes place March 11-20 in Austin. Each year there a hundreds of sponsored, free parties with live music, complimentary food, drink and swag for party-goers.

With the growth of SXSW Interactive, there are top tier music events to attend during interactive as well as the music week. All you need to do is RSVP and arrive early enough to enter the venue before it reaches capacity. Keep in mind, badge holders will have priority at official showcases. The amount of listings, can be daunting, so we compiled a short list of resources to... Continue reading

Live music review: White Denim are ready to be Austin's next big thing

Austin writers have a penchant for prematurely announcing the "next big thing" in regards to local bands, however, there is nothing premature in claiming White Denim is an act that is going places. We knew it from the first time we saw the band several years ago at the old Emo's downtown. Last Thursday the band displayed a maturity in their live performance at Stubb's BBQ that indicated theJames Petralli-led group has already jumped from buzz act to national recognition. The jammy, psych-rock infused set the foursome played featured almost no... Continue reading at Examiner.com

Photos: SXSW 2014 - Kurt Vile, Dum Dum Girls, Big Freedia at Sailor Jerry House

Dum Dum Girls showing off their Oliver Peck tatttoos

Our favorite flavored spirit, Sailor Jerry Rum hosted the Sailor Jerry House at the Gypsy Lounge from Tuesday to Saturday during the South by Southwest (SXSW) Music Festival. The week kicked off with a surprise acoustic performance by Kurt Vile. The Dum Dum Girls also performed (and got tattoos) from legendary artist, Oliver Peck who starred on reality show, Ink Masters. Fans were offered free Sailor Jerry tattoos chosen at random by a spin at the wheel by... Continue reading at Examiner.com

10 SXSW 2014 breakout bands to watch

Quiet Company

South by Southwest (SXSW) closed with a bang Saturday despite drizzly weather that put a damper on outdoor shows during the day. We saw sets by Snoop Dogg, Gary Numan and Phantogram among others. Snoop was fun. Gary Numan could teach a few young artists a thing or two about stage presence. Phantogram (sounds like a start-up app) were good too. But what we are really excited about are the breakout bands we saw perform for the first time during the festival; Desert Noises, July Talk, Future Islands, Bearcubbin, Lucius and Lucas Nelson and the Promise of the Real. Our list includes top tier Austin bands... Continue reading at Examiner.com 

Live music review: Willie Nelson rocked Heartbreaker Banquet at SXSW 2014

The third annual Heartbreaker Banquet sponsored by Electric Lady Studios and Robot Fondue at Willie Nelson's Luck, Texas ranch Thursday during SXSW featured a surprise appearance by the red-headed stranger himself. The event held during South by Southwest (SXSW) Music Festival has featured Jim James (My Morning Jacket), Gary Clark Jr., Father John Misty and Shovels and Rope in the last couple of years. This year's lineup was possibly Heartbreaker Banquet's finest as The Wild Feathers, Lucius, Shakey Graves and Lucas Nelson and the Promise of the Real performed in front of approximately 1,000 fans at the intimate venue. The evening ended with... Continue reading at Examiner.com

5 for SXSW 2014: NITF, White Denim, Snoop Dogg, Future Islands, Fader Fort preview

Officially the South by Southwest Music Festival (SXSW) began yesterday, but March 10 (often called overlap day) featured day parties stocked with bands and booze. Monday was also the first Jimmy Kimmel Live taping at the Long Center with Austin's own White Denim. Yesterday we hung at the Spotify House for Jungle and Future Islands then beat it over to the Fader Fort preview with Charli XCX and Chromeo. Tuesday evening ended at the Sailor Jerry House where surprise guest... Continue reading at Examiner.com

Exclusive Interview: My Jerusalem's Jeff Klein speaks out on SXSW

Austin indie-rockers My Jerusalem have had a hell of a year. After releasing their second album, "Preachers" recorded at producer Jim Eno's Public Hi-Fi studio, they embarked on tours with Psychedelic Furs, Electric Six, played Austin City Limits Music Festival and toured Europe. Founder and lead singer, Jeff Klein was also featured in Forbes Magazine last week after local radio personality and music critic Andy Langer quoted the musician in a Facebook rant on the crass commecialization of South by Southwest (SXSW). The post and subsequent article re-ignited an ongoing debate regarding SXSW. Has the festival become too commercial and lost the original purpose of the festival (to get bands noticed and signed)? Who better to ask than the well-read Klein? Read why Klein might take sponsorship dollars from... Continue reading at Examiner.com

Live music review: SXSW 2014 kicked off with Octopus Project, Jason Schwartzman (Photos)

The behemoth that is South by Southwest (SXSW) kicked off yesterday in Austin. Both the Interactive and Film portions of the festival officially began on Friday as attendees arrived from all over the world to participate in what has become the largest independent festival of its kind. Early in the evening we caught an excellent Overheard PBS taping with host Evan Smith (Texas Tribune) and film actor, Jason Schwartzman. The evening featured several big name performers. Director, Jon Favreau hosted a party with surprise guest, Gary Clark Jr. at the Mohawk after the screening of his road trip foodie film, "Chef." Big Boi headlined the Verizon opening night party at Cedar Street. Local Natives performed at ACL Live as the featured act for the Umbel / Vox event. G Love and Special Sauce (see slideshow) entertained fans at Stubb's BBQ. Examiner opted to support local artists at Do512's Epic Interactive Party featuring Robert DeLongwith one of Austin's best acts... Continue reading at Examiner.com

Top 5 Free SXSW 2014 music parties with RSVP links

Flaming Lips at Auditorium Shores SXSW 2013  Photo: Tye Truitt for SXSW

There are thousands of events scheduled during South by Southwest (SXSW) 2014. Admittedly that is an unmanageable number so we waded through the mountain of parties to find our top five music parties for you to attend. Announcements on artists just added to SXSW in the last 48-hours are included in this party round-up. We love headliner acts, Kurt Vile, Gary Numan, Washed Out, Soundgarden, Phantogram and Blondie as much as the next guy, but we urge out-of-town attendees to see some of our favorite Texas bands like... Continue reading at Examiner.com

Live music preview: The Shears CD release, The Pixies, 2nd Street Soundcheck

With the South by Southwest interactive, film andmusic juggernaut around the corner one would think the Austin live music calendar would be relatively sparse. That would be a false assumption because the "Live Music Capital" never rests not even to take a deep breath before the insanity that is SXSW. This weekend Austin will host a free street festival in the 2nd Street District, a really great electro-pop band, The Shears (see interview below) and legendary alternative rockers... Continue reading at Examiner.com

5 Austin music festivals we love and why they kick ass

Due to the extreme heat each summer, music festival season in Austin arrives late in the year. Better late than never. Local music festival afficianados annually pray the weather in Austin will cool off before heading out to catch national and local bands as the summer wanes. In this week's list we tell you about our favorite five Austin music festivals and tell you why...continue reading at Examiner.com

5 SXSW Music 2013 Must Watch Acts

 John Paul Pitts of Sufer Blood getting up close to fans at SXSW

South by Southwest (SXSW) 2013 Music Festival has been over for almost a week which has given time to let the avalanche of live music performances sink in a bit. As often happens during the festival, new, exciting bands emerged from the cacophony of sounds heard throughout Austin during the event. This short list of artists you must watch is... Continue reading at Examiner.com

Live music review: Smashing Pumpkins SXSW Red Bull Sound Select secret show

The final evening of the 2013 edition of South by Southwest (SXSW) Music Festival concluded with several marquee "secret shows". MySpace brought in Justin Timberlake, Samsung invited the Purple One (Prince) and ACL Live hosted John Fogartywith an all-star bill that included Austin favorites, the Wheeler Brothers. Add The Smashing Pumpkins to that list as.. Continue reading at Examiner.com

Live music preview: Top 5 SXSW 2013 Free Day Parties

f you are attending South by Southwest (SXSW) Festival then you have likely been overwhelmed by the sheer number of day parties held during music week. Frankly, we feel just like you. In the list created for you, find a recommendation for each week day that do not require a badge or cost anything. Selected events are heavy on Austin bands because we love Austin music and we want you to know about all the great artists like... Continue reading at Examiner.com

5 ways to find the best SXSW parties and RSVP

South by Southwest (SXSW) Music, Film and Interactive Festival is only 4 weeks away. The festival takes place March 8-17 in Austin. Each year there a hundreds of sponsored, free parties with live music, complimentary food, drink and swag for party-goers. With the growth of SXSW Interactive, there are music events you will want to attend early in the week as well as the music week. All you need to do is.... Continue reading at Examiner.com

Year in review: Best live music performances of 2012

Delta Spirit - ACL TV 

As the year end approaches we revisited the best live music performances we saw during 2012. Exceptional live shows by Radiohead, Leonard Cohen, Alabama Shakes andJack White took place in Austin over the past year. Texas acts, Hacienda, The Toadies, Ruthie Foster, Hard Proof and Alejandro Escovedo played electrifying sets as well. In all, 2012 was a good year for Austin both musically and... continue reading at Examiner

Live SXSW music review: Delta Spirit, Springsteen, Quiet Company, Soldier Thread

With one half of SXSW music week behind us, we took a look back at the standout performances thus far. Rather than take the approach of skipping local acts we can see all year, Austin bands were mixed into our schedule with national acts. There were notable appearances by Spirit Animal, Delta Spirit, Bruce Springsteen, Ruthie Foster, Carolyn Wonderland, The Soldier Thread and Built To Spill. 

Continue reading on Examiner.com Live SXSW music review: Delta Spirit, Springsteen, Quiet Company, Soldier Thread - Austin Concerts | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/concerts-in-austin/live-sxsw-music-review-delta-spirit-springsteen-quiet-company-soldier-thread-review#ixzz1pIqfQvrH

Spirit Animal (NYC)

SXSW music preview: Top 5 day parties

We know how daunting the listing of South by Southwest (SXSW) parties can be so we waded through a gargantuan pile of invites and selected our top five day parties for you. Below is only a sampling of the hundreds of events planned next week when the music officially kicks off on Tuesday. We chose one day party to highlight through Saturday. Yes, SXSW events scheduled on Sunday, but if your calendar is as full as ours is, you are going to want to rest at the end of what promises to be a jam-packed week of great independent bands performing in Austin.

Continue reading on Examiner.com SXSW music preview: Top 5 day parties - Austin Concerts | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/concerts-in-austin/sxsw-music-preview-top-5-day-parties#ixzz1oGzyAWNn

SXSW Party Announcment: Sx Fusion II slated for March 13 on Town Lake

Some of you may recall I hosted an event with Mike Dominguez during South by Southwest (SXSW) Festival last year. This year, with my schedule busier than ever, I vowed to attend and cover the event and not try to plan a party during a week of countless parties. We had an offer we could not refuse from a venue location that is perfect for SXSW.

Joe's Crab Shack Town Lake has offered full support of the event which will feature warm appetizers from Joe's, musical guest, Chelsea Crowell (granddaughter of Johnny Cash), downtown views from the patio along Town Lake. Thankfully the venue is conveniently located 11/2 blocks East of S. Congress Ave in walking distance to downtown. We are excited about the event and invite you to join us.

 

Presented by

Riverbat Media and Greg Ackerman

 

VIP Reception:

Noms by Joe's Crab Shack

Make Your Own SxFusion T-Shirt  by Kong

Learn about Austin micro-donation company: Snoball

Live Music Lineup:

Chelsea Crowell

David Martinez

Special Guests

NYC Psychrockers

Spirit Animal

 

"They start at James Murphy cool, but occasionally stretch

as far as Anthony Kiedis kooky." - MetroMix

 

Sponsored by

 

March 13, 2012 at Joe's Crab Shack

600 East Riverside Dr, Austin, Texas 78704

Snoball

Roky Erickson tour documentary featuring a SXSW show in works

Austin psych-rock pioneer, Roky Erickson will be the subject of a tour documentary, Two-Headed Dog that follows the eccentric and oft-troubled musician and his son, Jegar on a tour beginning March 1st in Los Angeles and culminating in a South by Southwest (SXSW) Music Festival performance at Threadgill's downtown after stops in New Zealand and Australia. The film's preproduction costs are being funded entirely by

Continue reading on Examiner.com Roky Erickson tour documentary featuring a SXSW show in works - Austin Concerts | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/concerts-in-austin/roky-erickson-tour-documentary-featuring-a-sxsw-show-works#ixzz1mI9flHdh