SXSW 2010 Day 3

Day 3: This is the day I work for Spin Magazine for the whole afternoon at their big party. Nice to be able to stay in one location for a few hours but frustrating to be missing out on some good shows I know are happening. Plus lots of uploading & editing to be done midday that cuts into shooting time.

Anyway the Spin show starts out well. They've got 9 bands on 2 stages at Stubb's plus a couple DJs & Lou Ferigno at some point.

First up is Foxy Shazam - I've never heard of them before but they're a blast. Total glam rock fun.

Next, on the outside stage is Rogue Wave who I enjoy as well but bring the energy down a bit from the opening high.





The crowd at the Spin show at Stubb's

After some bands on the inside stage, everyone is mesmerized by the punk freak show that is the offensive but quite appropriately named Fucked Up. The pictures prett much speak for themselves here. The one thing I found relieving is that the guy actually had a sense of humor and wasn't the angry GG Allen-esque character it looked like he was going to be. He gives a good hug!

On the inside stage, Free Energy continued their run of shows to an enthusiastic crowd.

Back outside, Sharon Jones changed up the vibe with her retro soul set. Great band, great show.

The headliner was of course Courtney Love & a newly reconstituted Hole. Never a favorite of mine, they were fine & the only embarrassing bits were between the songs. Particularly the point when she told the crowd how lucky & honored they should feel to hear this next song now when it's brand new because it's so profound but, after, hearing she was running out of time, played something else instead.
The photo pit at Stubb's. this shows about 1/4 of the people shooting at the time.



Oh, yeah...Lou Ferigno (& Mini Me to boot).

After some hurried editing & uploading, we're back to the grind and first up is Romantica, our friends from home. It was a relief to have the Spin thing done and be able to sit back & enjoy a show by some friends. And to see a bunch of familiar faces in the crowd.

Duluth's Trampled By Turtles fired up the Bluegrass at the Red Eye Fly and didn't disappoint the faithful.

Japan Night is always a great SXSW tradition. Some of the wackiest & most fun shows happen here each year. You've got to admit, the Japanese artists know something about Presentation. This year, I only had time for one of them, Red Bacteria Vacuum. Not as crazy as the Pugs or some of the others but they got the job done.

Next, back at one of the Beauty Bars was John Doe. Hw was doing an acoustic set backed by vocalist Cindy Wasserman of Dead Rock West. They serve as backing band when Doe tours and Cindy was also singing with Exene Cervenka the next night.

The thing that brought us there really though were the Court Yard Hounds - who are Emily Robison & Marty McGuire of the Dixie Chicks. Considering they're 2/3 of an act that can sell out an arena, it was a little surprising how few people came but the band gave it their all despite being in a little dark room with only 100 or so people.

As we sprint to the end, I stopped to take in Local Natives back at the Galaxy Room. I'd seen them in Minneapolis and didn't love it but was more impressed here with their tight harmonies & complex yet danceable rhythms.

And last for the night was the XX playing in the Central Presbyterian church. A perfect venue for their slow, minimalist tunes. I know people love them but, with 2 or 3 hours of computer work looming, starting at 2AM, they were sapping vital energy out of me. I had to get out if I was going to stay awake.

That was it for Friday. One more to go.