Friday, April 2, 2010

SXSW 2010 Day 4 - last one!

Day 4:
Well. despite running on fumes at this point, it's starting to feel like a routine. Get up, eat something, go take pictures of musicians for 14 hours,edit, upload, sleep a little, do it all over again. But this is the last day and here goes. The weather has changed radically from the previous 4 beautiful days to COLD, drizzling and windy. Of course, the first part will once again be outside at Stubb's where Rachael Ray's Feedback party is quickly becoming an annual tradition.

This time there are 2 outdoor and one indoor stage. I missed the first couple but caught the end of Austin fav Bob Schneider's early set on the main stage.


Dr. Dog braves the elements on the second outdoor stage.




OK, so I know I'm a little late to this party but I'd never paid much attention to Andrew WK before but I have to say he does one of the more pure fun shows I've seen. Probably the most memorable set of the festival for me so far.





The front row at Stubb's

Then Justin Townes Earle plays on the indoor stage.




Rachael Ray introduces the bands.

Next, Jakob Dylan and Three Legs featuring Neko Case & Kelly Hogan. Very good stuff. A little higher energy than his set in St. Paul a couple years ago but definetely rootsier & quirkier than Wallflowers music.

Note Neko's down jacket!



Steve Conte of the current version of the New York Dolls cranks it up on stage 2.


And, lastly She & Him play their new material with a full band. Definitely improved from their debut.




After moving on from stubbs, we finally catch Fanfarlo who we'd been missing for days despite several appearances.



Also Ponderosa at 40 Watt Club party.

A few street scenes




As the night shows begin, Jeremy Messersmith plays with the Hang Ups' Brian Tighe at the Central Paresbyterian Church.


Jonathan Tyler & the Northern Lights play their southern rock at the Glalaxy Room.


I managed to squeeze in part of a set by Visqueen who I'd never seen up until now. Great band!


But looming over everything on saturday night was the Big Star show that was scheduled for midnight at Antones. In the wake of Alex chilton's sudden death, the other members of the band decided to go on with a tribute show of sorts with various singers & guitarists filling in for Chilton. Knowing it would be a tough one to get into I headed over early and spent the rest of the cold night inside.

Getting there early, I caught part of a set from Dwight Twilley.




Also, the Postelles from New York. I really enjoyed these guys. They have a new album produced by one of the guys from the Strokes and the Postelles had a similar cool NYC vibe.


Original Big Star member Jody Stevens along with Posies Jon Auer & Ken Stringfellow then came on after a note from Chilton's wife was read to the crowd. Auer explained that this tribute show was probably the best alternative they could come up with, given the circumstances.

They started off on their own with Back Of A Car. They did a few of the songs as a three piece which made Chilton's absense even a little more poignantly felt. Then the guests came on.

Curt Kirkwood of the Meat Puppets

Chris Stamey

M. Ward


Original bass player Andy Hummel


Mike Mills of REM


John Doe did I'm In Love With A Girl


Sondre Lerche

Chuck Prophet

Evan Dando & Amy Speace




And the appropriate finale, September Gurls with Susan Cowsill, the Watson Twins, Mike Mills.



Jody Stevens says a few words of thanks.


Setlist

And that was it. Till next year maybe.