For those of you who like reading something earnest and thoughtful, we wrote this post right here. However, if you just want the quick and dirty SXSW recap, you’re in the right place. We tried to keep what we had to say about these sets to a single sentence if not a simple phrase. We hope you had as much fun this year as we did! Click any image to open the set in slideshow view. All images © Bryan Parker and Pop Press International.
1. Nick Cave at Stubb’s — obscenely beautiful and theatrically captivating.
2. Yeah Yeah Yeahs at Stubb’s — I’ve wanted to see this band live for a long time now, and Karen O’s enthralling stage presence didn’t disappoint.
3. Flaming Lips at Auditorium Shores — Although their set at the Belmont probably hit us in the heart more strongly, this one offered a startling and visceral visual poetry to accompany their new artist vision The Terror.
4. Dana Falconberry at Cheer Up Charlie’s (sponsored by Pop Press INTL.) — Almost every set Falconberry plays is one of the best sets we’ve ever seen; to say she’s on the rise is a vast understatement. One of our favorites.
5. The Joy Formidable at The Belmont — Ritzy Bryan literally climbed into the crowd and threw her guitar into some unsuspecting dude’s hands. What a set!
The Joy Formidable at The Belmont for Warner Sound Showcase
6. Body Parts at Valhalla — Oddly captivating and full of chilled-out grooves. Spot on set.
7. Social Studies at Cheer Up Charlie’s (sponsored by Pop Press INTL.) — This is one of indie-rock’s tightest touring acts, a band that functions together like no other. It’s hard to get people to even listen at SXSW, much less care, but Social Studies had them pouring in the small room at CUC to dance.
8. Brazos at The New Movement (sponsored by Pop Press INTL. — This had to have something to do with the energy and emotional embrace of Austin’s crowd welcoming home former resident Martin Crane. We love Brazos and can’t wait for the new album out soon on Secretly Canadian!
9. The Smashing Pumpkins at Red Bull Sound Select — At least a little bit of this must be influenced by my sixth-grade self finally being appeased, but Corgan and his new crew really did kill it.
10. The Sour Notes at Cheer Up Charlie’s — The thing about the sour notes is that they deliver a powerful set every time. Their songs slowly reveal secrets in the texture you hadn’t noticed before, and they actually focus on and consider their live show. Only a few things that makes them great.
11. Local Natives at Mohawk — Despite a little bit of glitchy sound at the Mohawk, Local Natives possessed thunderously raw energy.
12. The Tontons at Cheer Up Charlie’s (sponsored by Pop Press INTL. — Asli Omar is plain adorable out front of this wonderfully upbeat Houston indie-pop group that is making huge waves.
