South by South Madness

My first (and only) day of South by Southwest 2009 was pretty great. I've decided that ACL and SxSW are totally differently overwhelming. ACL is huge and overwhelming because you are running from one stage to another, through thousands of people and an all-encompassing cloud of dust, trying to see all the bands you want, all the while trying to not lose your friends. SxSW is completely the opposite. I mean, its scale is SO much bigger, that you can't possibly run around from stage to stage trying to see everything. And you can't possibly hope to run in to people. You just head out, sans plan, prepared to be completely content with what you are seeing, and not thinking about the fact that similar parties are happening at every other bar. And on every other street corner. In the entire city. For the entire day. For 4 days in a row. If you were to think about that, your head would explode.

This year we spent Thursday afternoon at Mohawk's on Red River. The line was short, the cover was non-existent, and the beers were complimentary. We haven't even gotten to the shows we saw yet, and it's already sounding like a perfect day - ain't it?! Not to mention the weather. It wasn't too hot yet, just right. Warm enough for sandals and a tank top and sunglasses, but not hot enough that people were disgusting.

We got to the outdoor stage at Mohawk's, beers in hand, in time to see most of the set for Glasvegas. I'd not really heard them much, but I've since seen them twice on the late night TV circuit. They were really good, I'm a new fan. After their set, and another free beer, we had a little break on the roof deck of Mohawk's. The last show of the day at Mohawk's was Austin's own ...And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead. The had a much bigger following than Glasvegas, the place really filled up, and the crowd new all the words to all the songs. Not me. But, I did still like them - it was a good show.

From there we headed down to Auditorium Shores for the free concert series. (Admittedly, on our way we took a break at BD Riley's to grab some grub and the first of the March Madness games.) We arrived in time to catch the end of one show, now I forget who, and managed to see a pretty good set by Cold War Kids.

After this, we were pretty beat, and headed home with dreams of burritos and watching a movie. A plan that was only thwarted when everyone involved passed out cold within the first 5 minutes.

All in all, another great day in the live music capitol of the world!