what is the point of SXSW?

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Seriously. What is the point of SXSW? As a recent austinite (this is my first time being here for the festival) and as a musician, I honestly dont' understand what the point of this festival is. I WAS under the impression it was a great place to see new bands, for labels to check out unsigned artists, but it seems the only shows anyone wants to go to are the hyped already signed bands like Bloc Party and M.I.A (unimpressed by her live show sadly but still love her). So what is the point? You need a badge to go everywhere past six pm, there are lines around the corner for tons of shows and noone even cares about the unsigned bands. That said I must now hypocritically admit the best shows I saw were of signed bands (Dead Meadow, Edith Frost, Psychic Ils and Grizzly Bear (the latter two I had never heard of before the festival and am now a fan)) Anyhow, industry people, are you listening? is this just a self congratulatory week where you can show off the latest "it" band? can someone please explain it to me?

― SXSW IS POINTLESS, Sunday, 20 March 2005 18:11 (twenty-one years ago)

ps. the double were also amazing

― SXSW IS POINTLESS, Sunday, 20 March 2005 18:12 (twenty-one years ago)

it's just a self congratulatory week where you can show off the latest "it" band, which keeps it from being "pointless."

― miccio (miccio), Sunday, 20 March 2005 18:16 (twenty-one years ago)

so the point of it is to further promote already overpromoted bands?

― SXSW IS POINTLESS, Sunday, 20 March 2005 18:26 (twenty-one years ago)

― j blount (papa la bas), Sunday, 20 March 2005 18:30 (twenty-one years ago)

blount otm

― miccio (miccio), Sunday, 20 March 2005 18:57 (twenty-one years ago)

I wonder what the Dyzlexic Clown Convention is like.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Sunday, 20 March 2005 18:58 (twenty-one years ago)

I went to an indie comic convention with my cartoonist ex-gf back in '01 and the ICP Merch Exhibit brought way more kids than Dave Sim and the stick figure man guy and all the lesser folk. shocker. them juggalos were interesting in an uninteresting sort of way.

― miccio (miccio), Sunday, 20 March 2005 19:10 (twenty-one years ago)

Friend and ILC denizen Matt M. had stories about the con he's been attending this weekend in Long Beach. Apparently that's where Catherine Bach can be found these days.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Sunday, 20 March 2005 19:12 (twenty-one years ago)

i bet the juggalos wild out more when they aren't surrounded by literate nerds

― miccio (miccio), Sunday, 20 March 2005 19:13 (twenty-one years ago)

o man did ringo and her get divorced?

― j blount (papa la bas), Sunday, 20 March 2005 19:18 (twenty-one years ago)

still together acc. to imdb

― miccio (miccio), Sunday, 20 March 2005 19:22 (twenty-one years ago)

Barbara vs. Catherine

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Sunday, 20 March 2005 19:25 (twenty-one years ago)

The point is to get drunk and sleep with that hot publicist you've been talking to on the phone for 2 years.

― blingbling, Sunday, 20 March 2005 19:43 (twenty-one years ago)

Then every spring there's a spate of unlikely four-star reviews.

― lovebug starski (lovebug starski), Sunday, 20 March 2005 19:48 (twenty-one years ago)

"This hot publicist really gave all in performance at SXSW..."

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Sunday, 20 March 2005 19:48 (twenty-one years ago)

"...later that night at Liberty Lunch, I caught a sweaty writhing seductive set of electroclash-flavored alt-country love songs performed by up and comers Hot Publicist."

― lovebug starski (lovebug starski), Sunday, 20 March 2005 19:54 (twenty-one years ago)

I see no crunk in that description = YOU WERE WATCHING OLD PEOPLE

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Sunday, 20 March 2005 20:18 (twenty-one years ago)

To see everyone from Erase Errata to Exene Cervenka to The Revillos to Amy Rigby!

― Ian Riese-Moraine. Sweeter than a lorry load of white Toblerones. (Eastern Mantr, Sunday, 20 March 2005 22:27 (twenty-one years ago)

(The first three apparently played all at the same time at different venues, though. Or was it John Doe and not Exene? I can't remember but I think I was Exene...)

― Ian Riese-Moraine. Sweeter than a lorry load of white Toblerones. (Eastern Mantr, Sunday, 20 March 2005 22:28 (twenty-one years ago)

Or was it John Doe and not Exene that was playing? I can't remember but I think it was Exene^ -- as I most certainly was not a member of X. (However, if you listen to Bugs Eat Books - "Ian is Going to New Zealand" it suggests that I'll be joining The Bats, but that's for another thread.)

― Ian Riese-Moraine. Sweeter than a lorry load of white Toblerones. (Eastern Mantr, Sunday, 20 March 2005 22:30 (twenty-one years ago)

that's the point though. everyone is playing at the same time. most shows yhou need a badge or wrist band , there are lines. even for bands I really liked, the feeling is always (what's next? what am I missing? what am I late for) I found the whole thing to be so UN music friendly.

― SXSW IS POINTLESS, Sunday, 20 March 2005 22:38 (twenty-one years ago)

how so?

― j blount (papa la bas), Sunday, 20 March 2005 22:40 (twenty-one years ago)

well, it's not music friendly in the sense that it promotes short attention span viewing. every band has a quick time slot, it's all so touch and go. I don't really think it works for bands that aren't party music...hence why Bloc Party, M.i.a , ratatat and all those are the ones that seem to "work", otherwise it's just a million bands playing over each other on the streets, with a barely captive audience

― SXSW IS POINTLESS, Sunday, 20 March 2005 23:20 (twenty-one years ago)

Seems like most festivals, once they succeed, will become too big. I don't know if any festival organizer would ever say, "No, please we have enough big-name talent. Stop calling us."

So which festivals are still worth the trip? I mean, here in Portsmouth NH we have a weekend every summer called Market Square Days, where they set up a stage for local bands and they have hot dog and gyro vendors, and you can enter a lottery to win a PT Cruiser. It's pretty easy to cover everything that's going on at that festival. But maybe someone could suggest a better alternative.

― Chris Dahlen (Chris Dahlen), Sunday, 20 March 2005 23:25 (twenty-one years ago)

i just think it's not the right place to seriously listen to music. it's more about the hype and the party. i mean even coachella is better. at least you are sitting there at one or two stages, instead of having 1000 things going on at the same time and 30 diff wristbands you need. i had the best time here during the free day parties. nights generally sucked hard.

― SXSW IS POINTLESS, Sunday, 20 March 2005 23:37 (twenty-one years ago)

SXSW started out as an event to attract record industry types to Austin. It wasn't really about having music fans come and see their favorite bands play. It may be headed that way, but its industry focus remains apparent... it's expensive, sets are short, and fans are not a priority.

If you are looking for a more traditional Austin music festival, you want Aquadays, not SXSW. But who in their right minds comes to Texas in late July?

― fortunate hazel (f. hazel), Sunday, 20 March 2005 23:57 (twenty-one years ago)

the bats updated their website but no mention of their new album, gah. just minisnap news.

― keith m (keithmcl), Monday, 21 March 2005 00:12 (twenty-one years ago)

the new album is finished, paul and robert have been looking for a distributor, but haven't had any bites yet... they're thinking of distributing it themselves in NZ, but they need a small-scale european or us label...

― chris andrews (fraew), Monday, 21 March 2005 01:04 (twenty-one years ago)

The best music festivals I've been to are Pasture Music Festival & Jubilee in Wisconsin, the first year of No Fun Fest in NYC, and the Second International Noise Conference in Miami.

― Ian John50n (orion), Monday, 21 March 2005 07:39 (twenty-one years ago)

Um, you didn't happen to catch Edith Frost and Grizzly Bear on Sat. afternoon, did you?

― jaymc (jaymc), Monday, 21 March 2005 14:08 (twenty-one years ago)

the double were interpol-lite. so disappointing. i was also disappointed that everyone wanted to see big name acts. i mean, cant you guys do that in your respective hometowns? i had a blast seeing smaller bands, like the psychic ills and whatnot.

― maria tessa sciarrino (theoreticalgirl), Monday, 21 March 2005 14:47 (twenty-one years ago)

Let me tell you young folks something- I remember the good old days when the lowest level of SXSW access identification, the roadie/friend-of-the-band wristband, could get you in almost anywhere- certainly to any show. The only place you couldn't go was maybe Jimmie Dale Gilmore's dressing room, and even then you might be able to get by if accompanied by a beautiful Cherokee maiden. Then I remember when it all changed, when I feared bodily harm from a crazed bouncer when I came backstage to bring my friend a sandwich, and when I saw some poor family man refused readmittance to a Lucinda Williams show at La Zona Rosa, I think, because he foolishly tried to beat the piss queue by using the men's room in the restaurant proper.

― Ken L (Ken L), Monday, 21 March 2005 15:09 (twenty-one years ago)

I was hoping Blount's pic would be a SPRING BREAK SHARK ATTACK pic.

― David R. (popshots75`), Monday, 21 March 2005 15:17 (twenty-one years ago)

Did anyone mention the delicious, filling and cheap breakfast burritos at Tamale House yet?

― Ken L (Ken L), Monday, 21 March 2005 15:23 (twenty-one years ago)

I'm increasingly realizing that like to do things on their own time -- some of them may, in fact, not get a chance to check out a lot of up-and-coming bands that play late night shows at clubs on work nights. They probably like the chance to have all the bands they need to see in one place at one time.

― Hurting (Hurting), Monday, 21 March 2005 15:27 (twenty-one years ago)

I'm increasingly realizing that industry-folk like to do things on their own time -- some of them may, in fact, not get a chance to check out a lot of up-and-coming bands that play late night shows at clubs on work nights. They probably like the chance to have all the bands they need to see in one place at one time.

― Hurting (Hurting), Monday, 21 March 2005 15:28 (twenty-one years ago)

hurting, thats how i approached it. i dont have unlimited cash/free time to see lots of bands right now, so id rather just sav up for SXSW and catch up on everything in one shot.

― maria tessa sciarrino (theoreticalgirl), Monday, 21 March 2005 15:40 (twenty-one years ago)

The best music festivals I've been to are Pasture Music Festival & Jubilee in Wisconsin

I haven't heard of this, what is it??

― Jordan (Jordan), Monday, 21 March 2005 15:42 (twenty-one years ago)

I see no crunk in that description = YOU WERE WATCHING OLD PEOPLE
I'm just an Indie Caveman. I fell into a moshpit. I was thawed out and went to business school. Your world ... is strange and different.

― Ken L (Ken L), Monday, 21 March 2005 15:49 (twenty-one years ago)

The point is for people to come here and spend lots of money.

― Austin Still (Austin, Still), Monday, 21 March 2005 19:56 (twenty-one years ago)

im OK with that. austin is 100% awesome.

― maria tessa sciarrino (theoreticalgirl), Tuesday, 22 March 2005 06:28 (twenty-one years ago)

The point is for a faux mellow town in Bushland to suck more cash from the mouths of hungry new york children in the wake of the absence of New Music Seminar. Curse you, Giulianiiiii! Bring back the Dust Devils panels and save CBs...

SXSW attendees: those fake Texas ribs forcefed you by waxy publicists are the skeletal remains of 9-11 victims! Show your patriotism next year by supporting Javits/Jets conventions. No rock for oilllll...

― Ian Christe (Ian Christe), Tuesday, 22 March 2005 06:45 (twenty-one years ago)

Jaymc-- I did
how funny! wasn't a very big show either. what did you think? i loved both of them....wasn't wild about Canasta though...

― SXSW IS POINTLESS, Wednesday, 23 March 2005 17:34 (twenty-one years ago)

eighteen years pass...

The defense industry has historically been a proving ground for many of the systems we rely on today. These institutions are often leaders in emerging technologies, and we believe it’s better to understand how their approach will impact our lives.
— SXSW (@sxsw) March 12, 2024

Bands pulling out of SXSW 2024

Eliza McLamb
TC Superstar
Shalom
Mamalarky
Lambrini Girls
Proper
Gel
The Curls
cumgirl8
Horse Jumper of Love
Abe Batshon
Buffalo Nichols
Buggin
Scowl
BODEGA
The Armed
TAGABOW
Reyna Tropical
Being Dead
Proper
Enola Gay
Farmer's Wife
Kneecap
Gavin James
Robert Grace
Chalk
Mick Flannery
Sprints
Soda Blonde
Cardinals
Gurriers
NewDad
Farmer's Wife
Mei Semones
MEDUSA
TC Superstar
Omni
Trauma Ray
Mamalarky
Subsonic Eye
Birthday Girl
Groa
Winona Forever
Little Marzan
Tetchy
Discovery Zone
Friend
Lady Apple Tree
Allegra Krieger
Jess Cornelius
Lip Critic
Godcaster
Lucía Beyond
May Rio
Greg Freeman
babybaby_explores
The New Eves
Ben Aqua
Bloomsday
Strange Joy
Madison Baker
Luge
This is Lorelei
Conchúr White
Fantasy of a Broken Heart
Tomato Flower
Merce Lemon
Gold Dime
Vera Ellen
Vilagerrr
Font
Fust
Kolb
Frances Chang
Sarah Morrison

― kurt schwitterz, Thursday, 14 March 2024 15:21 (two years ago)

that can't be real?

― budo jeru, Thursday, 14 March 2024 15:47 (two years ago)

LOL at a group called Enola Gay dropping out

― Ward Fowler, Thursday, 14 March 2024 15:50 (two years ago)

The drummer from NewDad

― an icon of a worried-looking, long-haired, bespectacled man (C. Grisso/McCain), Thursday, 14 March 2024 15:50 (two years ago)

ok so

Elon Musk Answers Your Questions! Join us tomorrow for a very special Q&A with SpaceX and Tesla CEO @ElonMusk. This event will be livestreamed - stay tuned for more details. #SXSW https://t.co/nJWaaS6bAy pic.twitter.com/qn0NRX1DEz
— SXSW (@sxsw) March 11, 2018

― budo jeru, Thursday, 14 March 2024 15:50 (two years ago)

https://x.com/gregabbott_tx/status/1767611026671833264?s=46

― kurt schwitterz, Thursday, 14 March 2024 16:04 (two years ago)

Abbott bravado.

Despite all the negative takes now on S x SW, I still see on IG some folks I follow who have gone, and some local bands and other groups from all over who are still down there too. I wonder if it has gotten smaller by much this year

― curmudgeon, Saturday, 16 March 2024 05:03 (two years ago)

SXSW IS POINTLESS at 11:34 23 Mar 05

Jaymc-- I did
how funny! wasn't a very big show either. what did you think? i loved both of them....wasn't wild about Canasta though...

lmao

― jaymc, Saturday, 16 March 2024 05:34 (two years ago)

"The defense industry has historically been a proving ground for many of the systems we rely on today"

It's a weird flex, but it's a pretty accurate statement for most modern electronic music. How to Wreck a Nice Beach (a book i think a lot of people here have read) goes in depth on the topic. The vocoder is a military product. Yamaha manufactured military equipment and musical instruments. DARPA created the internet, Autotune was adapted from Exxon technology etc,etc,etc

― bbq, Saturday, 16 March 2024 07:11 (two years ago)

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