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.

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.