SXSW 2005 rocks downtown Austin (Photo by Alix McAlpine, The Daily Campus)
There are a few events in life that are innately hard to describe – leaving our senses too saturated with input at the time they occur to be able to recount every feeling accurately – like a first kiss, or childhood holidays with family.
South by southwest is one of those experiences – and the chaos that surrounds the five day music showcase seems, most times, too incredible to tell. The streets of Austin, ordinarily serene and navigable roadways, become saturated with the young, the hip, the talented, the fashionable and the famous – like the Texas fair on its busiest day, only this time filled with musicians and fans, not the usual mundane section of population. For a 20-something year old music fan, this is the apex. Bands become friends as fans are approached like equals and the admired and the admirers stand side by side – a rare occurrence.
This year’s SXSW seemed even more chaotic than usual, despite good intentions and precise scheduling. The parties (arguably the best part of the festivities) were harder to find, less accessible – if the elite did not rule before, it undoubtedly did this year (Spin and Vice party were like laminated gold). Every show was filled to capacity and more, leaving strands of audience members shuffling awkwardly outside of venues for a glimpse at the band of their choice in case, by chance, a spot opened up to let them. Somehow SXSW seems to be all about the music and not about it at all – the sound system at most clubs was sub-par and bands played tiredly from long days and even longer nights, but after all, it is more the atmosphere – the indescribable buzzing that comes along with participating in such events that brings the crowds to Austin in the middle of March.
The most coveted bands – those which saw the wristband (second in priority to badges, which cost around $500 this year) line cut short or completely turned away included British post-punk darlings Bloc Party and the Futureheads, as well the Go Team and Canadian favorites Hot Hot Heat. This was, indeed, the year for the upbeat. More melodious bands, such as the quasi-orchestral ensemble The Dears still drew a crowd, but nonesuch as enthusiastic as the ones for newcomers The Bravery, from New York or The Lashes, from Seattle, who managed to pack the Emo’s main room before the clock hit 9 on Friday night.
Rock bands weren’t the only ones attracting large crowds. On Saturday night, Saul Williams – who produces socially conscious poetry set to hip-hop beats – drew a huge crowd with his enthralling performance.
SXSW is not for the impatient, the tired or the faint of heart – but for those armed with a strong will and a consummate love for music, this is the ultimate event to anticipate – only 12 months until the next one!
