renton Posted February 19, 2007 Share Posted February 19, 2007 I'll be attending SXSW for the first time in a couple of weeks. Anyone have any tips for a first timer? I'll have a wristband but not the VIP pass or badge. I'm curious about how easy it is to attend various shows, how early I should plan on getting in line for bigger acts, (IE - Kings of Leon at Stubb's )etc. Basically just looking to get a feel for the best overall strategy. Thanks in advance. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
echo Posted February 19, 2007 Share Posted February 19, 2007 Tips: Wear really, really comfortable shoes. Bring ear plugs. Plan your day ahead of time. Have a back up show ready. Experiment, don't just see shows of bands you're familar... most bands play several showcases and not just the "official" sxsw one. meet people, share info, and you'll get to see the band you're after... I've always done the badge but it seems getting into shows isn't a problem. I went about 90 mins early for arctic monkeys and flaming lips and walked right in... Longest line I stood in was for Hot Chip. Wear really, really comfortable shoes. See you there. e Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DrNo Posted February 21, 2007 Share Posted February 21, 2007 Some more tips: Eat tacos. Dress comfortably. I second the shoe thing wholeheartedly. Don't go see anyone British unless you're pretty sure you'll never get the chance to see them again and they're your favoritest band in the whole world, because every year the fest is abuzz about the next Coldplay/Bloc Party/Arctic Monkeys, making these shows hard to get in to. Research. Research. Research. Print out a day party list (showlistaustin.com has a good one) and some maps. You'll be able to catch some stuff at day parties that you won't be able to get into at night. Use the bike taxis downtown when venues are far apart. After 4 days, your dogs will thank you. If you want to remember everything, make a list as you go along. Listen to the mp3s on the SXSW site. Find some bands you've never heard of that you like and go check them out. Then when they end up on the OC or whatever, you can say how much they suck now and how they were so much better when you saw them at blah blah blah back in '07. It's the circle of life. Bring plenty of cash. CDs, swag and food will milk you dry. If you're into poster art, check out flatstock in the convention center. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Hodie Posted February 21, 2007 Share Posted February 21, 2007 May I commend you both on an incredibly helpful thread? I don't even know why I read it, since I'm not planning to attend, but this is so sane and useful that I may as well just grab my comfortable shoes and go. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
socbret Posted February 21, 2007 Share Posted February 21, 2007 This is going to be my first time attending too. Anyone attending the Guitartown party? I'm planning to shoot that with a few other people. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
tugmoose Posted February 21, 2007 Share Posted February 21, 2007 Day shows pretty much rule - Yard Dog on South Congress has a good vibe with Bloodshot (Friday) and Yep Roc (Saturday) parties. Guitartown party is a good way to kick things off on Wednesday. Cheapo's and Waterloo Records have free day shows that can get pretty crowded. New West has a great party on Thursday at Club Deville, but you need an invite (e-mail Clare at New West Records, you might get lucky). I've done the wristband (twice) and the badge (twice), and for getting into the hot shows at night, you need the badge. Last year I had zero problem seeing the New Pornographers at Stubbs from 9-9:45, then jogging five blocks to see the Flaming Lips at Fox & Hound, but only because I had a badge. I've decided if I'm making the effort to go to SXSW, it's worth the extra $250 to avoid standing in line and getting shut out. But there is plenty of great stuff to discover off the beaten track - that's the real rush (having Megan Hickey of The Last Town Chorus hand you a copy of her unreleased CD, then kiss your hand! ). Don't be shy/cool - be a total music geek, rave about your fave stuff to anyone who will listen and even those who won't, tell 'em you dig their shirt/hat/earrings, ask what's their big shows that day and they'll start babbling away. Lots of information just waiting to get out about unannounced shows. It's pretty much music geek central at SXSW, everybody's pretty friendly/drunk. I tend to bring a variety of comfy shoes and mix 'em up - helps avert pressure points developing. Save steps whenever you can. Foot power's good for avoiding blisters, have bandaids handy, too. Speed a must if you're hitting the after-showcase parties that start at 2 a.m. If you're still around on Sunday, Alejandro Escovedo closes SXSW in style with his annual benefit show at the Continental Club. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
socbret Posted February 21, 2007 Share Posted February 21, 2007 A few friends are coming down from St. Louis and since it was a last minute thing, we have neither badges nor wristbands. If our expectations are low (ie not getting into any big shows) will there still be plenty for us to do if we go downtown and mull around. I'm just lookin for recomendations for those of us going down there with nothin. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
renton Posted February 22, 2007 Author Share Posted February 22, 2007 Thanks everyone for the response. Definitely gives me a better feel for what to expect going in. Pitchfork is hosting a party at Emo's Friday w/Peter, Bjorn, and John, RJD2, and Girl Talk. I'm for sure hitting that. Other than that, I'm pretty wide open. I've decided not to get too set on seeing one show in particular and just goin w/the flow. Should be a great week, can't wait. Thanks again. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
monkmoose Posted February 22, 2007 Share Posted February 22, 2007 Thanks everyone for the response. Definitely gives me a better feel for what to expect going in. Pitchfork is hosting a party at Emo's Friday w/Peter, Bjorn, and John, RJD2, and Girl Talk. I'm for sure hitting that. Other than that, I'm pretty wide open. I've decided not to get too set on seeing one show in particular and just goin w/the flow. Should be a great week, can't wait. Thanks again. Most important is make sure you eat at Rudi's BBQ or the Salt Lick. The supermoist brisket at Rudi's is second to none! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DrNo Posted February 22, 2007 Share Posted February 22, 2007 A few friends are coming down from St. Louis and since it was a last minute thing, we have neither badges nor wristbands. If our expectations are low (ie not getting into any big shows) will there still be plenty for us to do if we go downtown and mull around. I'm just lookin for recomendations for those of us going down there with nothin. Do the day party thing and you'll be fine. Don't expect to get into anything big unless you get there early and stand in line. You can see a ton of shit without a wristband, though. The first year I went I didn't have one and I saw 25 bands in 2 days. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
socbret Posted February 22, 2007 Share Posted February 22, 2007 That's great news DrNo. I'm goin to the Salt Lick tomorrow night...mmm. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Saint Genevieve Posted February 22, 2007 Share Posted February 22, 2007 There's a conference I wanted to go to over the weekend, but I was vacillating about it because that's when the Big bands are playing (the Stooges, etc.). But from the sound of it, I'd have better luck seeing the smaller showcases during the week. Hmm, what to do, what to do... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
socbret Posted February 26, 2007 Share Posted February 26, 2007 FYI everyone, wristbands went on sale today at Waterloo, there were 1200 left around 4:30, so if you go right now you still have a chance. I have a question though, on the wristband it says "most venues restrict minors", what does this specifically mean? Both my friend and I who I bought these wristbands for are 20. I hope I didn't just spend 300 bucks to get rejected from most shows. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DrNo Posted February 28, 2007 Share Posted February 28, 2007 FYI everyone, wristbands went on sale today at Waterloo, there were 1200 left around 4:30, so if you go right now you still have a chance. I have a question though, on the wristband it says "most venues restrict minors", what does this specifically mean? Both my friend and I who I bought these wristbands for are 20. I hope I didn't just spend 300 bucks to get rejected from most shows. It means exactly that. If a venue is 21 + and you're a minor you can't get in with a wristband. I had to deal with that for a couple years and it was a major drag. You can get into most of the bigger venues as a minor though, just not the places that are normally bars and not music venues. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
bböp Posted February 28, 2007 Share Posted February 28, 2007 Here's my advice: Go the Schuba's party at Yard Dog, hang out until Neil Young shows up and then be in the background of the picture the Austin Chronicle takes of him. No, actually, the main insights I gleaned from last year were to avoid bands that just seem to be getting a little too much hype, really try and focus on seeing acts that you might not otherwise get to see and, above all, don't sweat it (because there's no chance you're even gonna be able to see a fraction of what you plan to see)... Quote Link to post Share on other sites
passenger Posted February 28, 2007 Share Posted February 28, 2007 Go see my son's band, The Morning Pages. (check out www.zealousrecords.com)They got an invitation to play SXSW this year, and they're really excited about it. Unfortunately, I have to be out of the country on that weekend or I'd be there, too. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
socbret Posted February 28, 2007 Share Posted February 28, 2007 Well guys, I think I've decided to try to unload these and go without. I've looked at the options and I think we would be better off going sans wristbands, especially since we have to be back in Dallas Saturday night anyways. PM me if your interested, I have 2. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
OOO Posted February 28, 2007 Share Posted February 28, 2007 I'm leaving for austin in a week and a day. hoo-ray! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
El Picador Posted March 7, 2007 Share Posted March 7, 2007 I just found out I can go to sxsw and found a cheap round trip ticket. I have a bunch of good friends in Austin who are music dorks who say that a wristband is not necessary. There seems to be enough free stuff going on that one might be able to save a lot of cash by not buying one. Anyway, I'm just extremely excited that I get to go. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
socbret Posted March 8, 2007 Share Posted March 8, 2007 http://www.messwithtexasparty.com/I can't wait for this party. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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