21 sweaty pics from SXSW: a small slice of our 2016 festival fun
Photos by Nick McGregor, except Tracy Morgan photo by Rebecca Adler
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Nick McGregor, except Tracy Morgan photo by Rebecca Adler
The best SXSW experiences always come about randomly, and this year kicked off for me with that kind of spontaneity when I received an invite to Tracy Morgans Funny or Die-sponsored secret show last Monday at the Scoot Inn. Technically part of the SXSW Interactive conference, the guest list-only crowd was gently hip and glued to their phones, but Tracy blew all that tech vanilla-ness up with a raunchy, rowdy, race-skewering routine that used his near-tragic car accident as the catalyst for most material.
Nick McGregor, except Tracy Morgan photo by Rebecca Adler
Ive been a huge fan of Ezra Furman ever since I first stumbled on his 2007 debut Bangin Down the Doors. Once a yelping, howling next Bob Dylan, Ezra and his most recent band the Boy-Friends now dial up what they call genre-less, gender-less, saxophone-anchored pop-rock that feels both positive and heartbreaking. Furman bounces between mania and preternatural calm, sometimes within the same line, as evidenced on Ordinary Life and Lousy Connection. If you like heightened emotion and high energy, dig into any part of his prolific discography and I guarantee youll find something to love.
Nick McGregor, except Tracy Morgan photo by Rebecca Adler
I finished my Wednesday night, and my Thursday night, and my Friday afternoon with doo-wop/garage pop/50s rock revivalists Shannon & The Clams, and all three of the shows were solid in different ways: variegated set lists, different versions of standout hits like Point of Being Right, the addition of a keyboardist for extra depth, and adjusted energy for the 1 a.m. closing set at Barracuda for Wichita Recordings showcase, the 11 p.m. prime-time slot at Cheer Up Charlies, and the 6 p.m. cap-off at Hotel San Joses popular #SXSJ outdoor party. Frontwoman Shannon Shaw raved about her love for touring in Florida, both in Orlando and St. Augustine, and said she cant wait to bring the Clams back later this fall.
Nick McGregor, except Tracy Morgan photo by Rebecca Adler
Austins own A Giant Dog sent the Barracuda crowd into a frenzy with their hyper-driven, drunken hard rock. Frontwoman Sabrina Ellis cut a sexy, empowering figure in her sequined American flag bodysuit, and when she brought a Donald Trump piñata on stage, her co-vocalist and songwriter Andrew Cashen told the crowd they better be angry enough to tear that motherfucker to pieces. Which the crowd did, stomping on the Donald, ripping his arms and legs asunder, and then dancing away the afternoon on the popcorn that once filled him up to irresistible jams like Sex & Drugs and All I Wanted. Stay tuned for this bands first album on Merge Records out May 6, cause its a banger.
Nick McGregor, except Tracy Morgan photo by Rebecca Adler
Vaadat Charigims glacial, towering stoner rock provided a nice antidote to his Burger Records labelmates positive slop-pop.
Nick McGregor, except Tracy Morgan photo by Rebecca Adler
Fast-rising New York hardcore crew Big Ups dont let anyone in the audience get into a comfort zone, even at 12:30 in the backyard of one of Austins finest dive bars, Side Bar. Big ups to frontman Joe Galarraga for still finding some unsuspecting 50-something dudes to wrap his mic cable around, as is his tradition.
Nick McGregor, except Tracy Morgan photo by Rebecca Adler
Providence, Rhode Islands Downtown Boys deliver a message of queer and minority empowerment that resonated with the mostly white crowd at the Ad Hoc Showcase at Cheer Up Charlies, Austins most inclusive and welcoming bar. Prior to every song, vocalist Victoria Ruiz delivered a passionate stream of consciousness diatribe, summed up perfectly in their song 100% Inheritance Tax, which is about exactly what you think it is.
Nick McGregor, except Tracy Morgan photo by Rebecca Adler
Charles Bradley, the Screamin Eagle of Soul, is the most passionate 66-year-old performer on the planet, a man whose message of endless positivity, infinite love and basic human kindness could get him elected president if he tried. Bradley brought down the house as the headliner of the Billy Reid Shindig at Weather Up, a beautiful outdoor venue in East Austin. After a 10-minute rendition of Changes, Bradleys heart-rending cover of the Black Sabbath ballad, followed by a 15-minute session of passing out sweaty hugs to everyone in the audience who wanted one, the audience was treated to a splendid sunset over Austins rapidly growing skyline, a moment everyone will remember in a totally non-ironic way (promise).
Nick McGregor, except Tracy Morgan photo by Rebecca Adler
Prince Rama, who boast Florida roots sisters Taraka and Nimai Larson were raised on a Hare Krishna commune outside of Gainesville delivered possibly the trippiest art-pop performance of the entire week, matching outfits and electronic grooves and thumping beats combining into a swirl of hits from their new album, Xtreme Now.
Nick McGregor, except Tracy Morgan photo by Rebecca Adler
New Paltz, New Yorks Diet Cig is a two-piece pop-punk powerhouse that feels like the friendliest band on the planet. Thats mostly because of frontwoman Alex Lucianos high kicks and impassioned delivery, although drummer Noah Bowmans provided the sonic and rhythmic foundation for her restless energy.