The twenty fifth SXSW was my twentieth anniversary SXSW. I think this year was the most talent laden. I spent almost three weeks listening to the radio player on the site and jumping to band websites to get in more listens and background. It was grueling but I managed to photograph almost fifty bands. I wanted to cover bands that were new to me. I did not go to the big shows. I mostly depended on my own instincts and a few blog sites to start my list. Based on live performance and some listens to recordings I developed a best of list. Some bands happened to share a bill with ones I wanted to see and were nice surprises.
#1 Jeff the Brotherhood: White Stripes, Ramones, Nirvana, Tony Iommi guitar riffs,
#2 Kopecky Family Band: the next Arcade Fire?
#3 Jim Jones Review: kick ass rock n roll
#4 Austra: Bjork, Enya soaring vocals with electro/dance pop songs
#5 Bright Light Bright Light: high mainstream potential. Songs, vocals, electro, dance, pop
#6 Ponderosa: great band in tradition of classic southern rock with great inde label backing
#7 Oberhaufer: loved the unpredictability and sudden excitement reminded me of Lily Electric.
#8 Dead Stars: the best recording I came across, great songs, vocals. Neil Young guitar riffs.
#9 Oh Land: Had I caught the full set might be higher. Another mainstream success band compare to No
Doubt.
#10: Kitten: fronted by 16 year old singer that rocks like Pretty Girls Makes Graves, Paramore
#11: Dry the River: UK band who’s singer has such emotion in his voice and in his eyes.
#12: Neon Hitch: Although backed by major label, I liked her fearless, raunchy delivery. Dance pop with
dual conga’s on one song sold me.
#13: Givers: fun, energetic band that turned Cajun into something new
#14: Foster the People: great band that probably deserves a better ranking but I’m trying to bring
attention to less fortunate( bands without lots of backing), MGMT fans will like them.
#15: Cults: same opinion as FTP.
#16. Twin Shadow: reminds me of Block Party at times but more psychedelic.
#17: Final Club: Denton band that you need to know about. Different than anything else out there.
#18: Sweet Jane: Dublin band’s short set at Musebox so the recording was another nice surprise and explains why you should see this band.
#19: Heaven: Psychedelic, faster U2.
#20: John Maus: this might surprise people but the intense, melodic, spoken word really grabbed me
#21: Twin Tigers: last band of the night I had high anticipation for. Recommendation, when press asks for a cd have one available.
#22: Birds of Avalon: very 60’s which I liked. The lack of lighting took away from the show.
#23: OK, Sweetheart: I need to rank this band higher but where do I put them? The lead female singer was one of the best at SXSW and the record is really good.
#24: Lelia Broussard: She does have a great voice, good songs and hope she makes the cover of Rolling Stone.
#25: Secret Colours: In the tradition of Warlocks, Brian Jonestown Massacre
Best of rest: Nexcyx, Yuck, Vaccines, Civil Wars, Eisley, Lost in the Trees, Trampled By Turtles, Delicate Steve, Diamond Rings, Polyphase, Tristen, Fences, Friendly Fires, Kids of 88, The Kills, Operator Please. Some of the bands I missed that would have been up there: Alcoholic Faith Mission, David Wax Museum, Head and the Heart, Rural Alberta Advantage. I had a much bigger list. Apologies to any bands I forgot or deserved more attention or ranking but you know how SXSW is. I tried until my feet were swollen to get there. And I think this is my last. My favorite thing about it? The hope that bands have of discovery, sharing their message. Meeting them and feeling it from them. But, it’s too big and too commercial. ie: Can’t get into Spin Party. Thanks to all the bands for sharing. Don’t give up! To ICM and crew. And to press liaison Elizabeth from SXSW.
