Amusingly this update came to us with the heading of “lost track of date”, but we can confirm it’s for March 14!
Day two of SXSW was yet another action packed one with undoubtedly the highlight being the Body of War gig at Stubbs. The queue to get in was the longest seen at any SXSW event. The event was a chance for a series of artists to show their support to the film of the same title, which is released here in the USA this week and hopefully, will be released soon in the UK too. The film follows Thomas Young, an American paralysed while serving in Iraq, in his efforts to speak against the war.
The event started with a series of up and coming American singer song writers performing one or two songs. Serj Tankian then performed two songs while playing the piano.
Billy Bragg followed playing three songs and gave one of his powerful speeches, which went down just as well here as it would have done back in East London. After Billy Bragg, Ben Harper played three songs and was joined by Tom Morrello for the last one. Tom then took over the show playing some more tracks on his acoustic guitar including ‘Guerrilla Radio’. Finally everyone got on stage for a one song climax to the gig. One of the more memorable shows of SXSW.
Earlier in the day it was back to Emos again, who seem to be getting some very good bands playing there, for Ra Ra Riot and Los Campesinos! Los Campesinos! played a storming set with lots of dancing and hand claps in the crowd, especially to ‘You Me Dancing’ and ‘Sweet Dreams Sweet Cheeks’. I have a feeling Los Campesinos! are going to have a great time over here and make lots of new friends. In between Ra Ra Riot and Los Campesinos! we were treated to three American comedians from Comedy Central including Eugene Mirman, who was on Flight of the Conchords here, which made a nice change and brought lots of laughs.
Also during the day I managed to catch Irelands Fight Like Apes through the window of BD Rileys as part of the Irish Music Federation event. Sadly it was too full to get in by the time I arrived. Instead I just crossed 6th Street to see Semi Precious Weapons again, who are without doubt one of the most entertaining live bands around at the moment.
I have heard that both New York's MGMT and Toronto's Holy Fuck both played great sets last night but with so much happening at the same time it's a nightmare trying to figure out where to go and what to see. It's a tough life.
Today sees the heat being turned up here in Austin, quite literally. It's still morning and it is already the hottest day so far this week and I thought
the first two days were hard work!
Check back over the weekend for more updates, and
click here for yesterday’s round up.