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The Best of SXSW: 3 Ways + Playlist

Three BD music writers voyaged to SXSW, took a bunch of gorgeous photos, and documented three very different experiences while down there

The Best of SXSW: 3 Ways + Playlist
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Coming down from the ‘high’ of  SXSW has made for a befuddling few days back in Brooklyn. I went to the festival for the first time this year – totally alone…and damn! I am so happy I did! Every morning commenced with free coffees, Bloody Marys and countless promotional snacks being tossed into my straw bag. While I had a jam-packed spreadsheet of shows to catch,  I was often deterred by wayward sounds that lured me into unexpected showcases. was the first show I caught at Austin’s beloved Swan Dive bar. Dreamy harmonies and transcendent synths were the perfect compliment to my morning adrenaline buzz. Philadelphia group  were hands-down the most insane live performers of my SXSW week. The boys pounded the stage so hard that the soles of their tennis shoes flopped in defeat. The group has a playfulness on stage – the three guitarists shred together in what can only be described as perfect chaotic garage band choreography. Seriously, these guys are so sick I had to skip other shows just to catch them again the next day. Still, little came close to the sheer magic of my final night in Austin, when hometown heroescurated a spectacular lineup at DIY “venue” (essentially a tent pitched in somebody’s yard) The Owl. Because the universe loves me, one of my favorite bands on the planet, Detroit’s , happened to share the bill. Courtesy of my buds from Bushwick’s own, I received an unexpected lift during the band’s set and went soaring into the crowd (I even found this pic, which serves as proof, while trolling around the interwebs). Not too shabby for my first South By experience. My highlights were scattered across many venues and many parties, the main destinations between pitstops for kimchi fries, free breakfast tacos, and way too much free booze (thanks, ). The most stunning performance I saw was at The Spin Party, from up-and-comers , the Baltimore-based “synth rock” band. Their sound is pure genius, with raw and archaic vocals, dance-based beats, and subtle orchestral synth fills. The performance touched me with its genuine energy, power, and intention of the songs and Sam Herring’s stage persona. The Beehive’s excellent bill featured Kishi Bashi, High Highs & others, but the first band of the day were the ones that stole my heart. The NY-based , whom I’d never heard of, left me feeling invigorated. The band’s tribal beats, pop buildups and powerful chanting vocals made them a standout. UK’s , one of our , didn’t disappoint in their first ever US performance at the Hype Hotel, a club-like warehouse run by . With an enriched psychedelic sound and beautiful, haunting vocals, their SXSW performance was hypnotizing. LA/NY band  blew my mind with a rare house party performance at a coop in North Austin (only at SXSW). Their Psychedelic Motown sound is soulful, genuine, and perfectly poppy; it really hits somewhere deep with listeners. Lead singer Shaun Fleming’s performance was full of raw energy and his vocals were truly flooring. Also on the bill that night were Garden & Villas, Slow Magic, & Supreme Cuts. The showcase on the last night of South By was one of the most anticipated showcases of the festival. Packed with bands like La Luz, TogetherPangea, Gap Dream (all on our ), and tens others across four stages, I knew I would walk away with some new faves. I didn’t expect to get hooked on a band fronted by a just-turned-17-year old called from LA. The band seem like the posterchildren for , where they premiered their awesome single “Teenage Girl.” Their sound has the indifferent and vaguely emo vibes with which only teen musicians can properly infuse their music, and lyrics that are playfully small-minded (pizza monsters play a role), but with postpunk and surf rock influences, their quiet, drawn out songs present a precious vulnerability, and some definite potential to grow into. See you next year, SXSW!

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