Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 4/1-4/7

Happy Easter! After a long and tiring week, it is really nice to relax and celebrate. When I moved to Los Angeles 5 years ago, one of the things I knew I would miss would be sharing these big holidays with my family, but I’m pretty sure that first year celebrating Easter in LA was when I realized what a great new family I had made here. And in the subsequent years this gathering has become my yearly reminder of how many wonderful and inspiring people I have since met and claimed as my own. I’m pretty sure this year is our largest gathering yet. I mean, the leg of lamb my roommate brought home yesterday…well, I wasn’t even sure it would fit in the oven!

I hope to extend my celebratory mood into the week with the help of some excellent shows. I think the two I’m most looking forward to are the amazing string of acts at The Hotel Cafe Wednesday and Sunday nights. People often ask me what my favorite venue in LA is and I have to say The Hotel Cafe because there is no other venue that can so consistently put together solid lineups from front to back. As much as I venue hop, sometimes it’s nice to see a bunch of your favorites all in one place…

 

Monday: Western Scene FREE at Bootleg Bar (9:30)
ALSO: 8MM FREE at The Viper Room (11pm)…performance after a video screening of Tapeheads at 8pm
ALSO: Stonefeather FREE at The Satellite (10pm)
ALSO: Monday Monday FREE at Room 5 featuring Garrison Star, AG, Broken Anchor, Whispertown, etc. (8pm)

 

Tuesday: Basement Sessions FREE at Hemmingway’s featuring The Gallery and Great White Buffalo (9:30)
ALSO: Matt Hires at The Hotel Cafe (9pm)
ALSO: Low at The Troubadour (9:30)
ALSO: Beachwood Night FREE at The Piano Bar (8pm)

 

Weds: William Beckett w/ Jillette Johnson, Tyler Hilton, David & Devine at The Hotel Cafe (7, 9:30, 10:30)
ALSO: Glen Hansard at The Grammy Museum (8pm)
ALSO: Bronze Radio Return at Bootleg Bar (10pm)
ALSO: Armada and Red Circle Underground at Silverlake Lounge (9, 10)
ALSO: Fortress Social Club at Harvard and Stone (11:30)
ALSO: Air Dubai and For The Foxes at The Roxy (8pm)
ALSO: Goo Goo Dolls at The Troubadour (8pm)

 

Thursday: NO at The Troubadour (10:15)
ALSO: Justin Furstenfeld (Blue October) and Joe Firstman at The Hotel Cafe (7:30, 10:30)
ALSO: Kopecky Family Band at The Satellite (10pm)
ALSO: Zero 1 at The Viper Room (10pm)
ALSO: Colin Hay at Largo (8:30)

 

Friday: The Rescues at The Hotel Cafe (9:30)
ALSO: George Stanfrod at Harvelle’s (8:30)
ALSO: Blackberry Smoke at House of Blues Sunset (8pm)
ALSO: Soul Asylum with The Bolts, A Mayfield Affair, Still The Sky’s Limit at The Roxy (8pm)

 

Saturday: The Rescues at The Hotel Cafe (9:30)
ALSO: Keaton Simons and Lee Dewyze FREE at Universal City Walk (8pm)
ALSO: Meiko at The Hapa Festival at the Japanese American National Museum (7:30)
ALSO: Solwave FREE at TRiP (8pm)
ALSO: Taddy Porter at The Viper Room (10pm)
ALSO: Jill Sobule at McCabes (8pm)

 

Sunday: Scott Mellis, Zane Carney, Ernie Halter and Friends w/ Keaton Simons, Curtis Peoples, etc. at The Hotel Cafe (7, 8, 9)
ALSO: Zookeeper’s Palace at The Viper Room (9pm)

 

To Keep in Mind:
April 9th: Andrew Ripp at The Hotel Cafe
April 10th: Curtis Peoples at The Roxy
April 13th: Langhorne Slim at The Echoplex
April 16th: The Neighbourhood at The El Rey
April 17th: Lelia Broussard at The Hotel Cafe
April 18th: Little Green Cars at The Troubadour
April 20th: Tyrone Wells and Wakey!Wakey! at The Troubadour
April 23rd: The Revival Tour at The El Rey
April 25th: Dear Boy at Bootleg Bar
April 26th: Chappo at The Satellite
April 27th: The Virginmarys at The Viper Room
May 2nd: Lights at The El Rey
May 2nd: Crash Kings at Saint Rocke
May 2nd: Meiko at Los Globos
May 4th: The Brobecks at Amplyfi
May 4th: Alice Russell at First Unitarian Church
May 7th: Tom Odell at The Troubadour
May 7th: Dinner and a Suit at The Roxy
May 8th/9th: Milk Carton Kids at Largo
May 9th: Dead Sara at The El Rey
May 9th: Sara Watkins, Fiction Family, Kris Orlowski at Bootleg Theater
May 12th: Stephen Kellogg at The Hotel Café
May 14th: Sara Bareilles at The El Rey
May 15th: Andrew McMahon at The Troubadour
May 18-19th: Overture Con at The Mint
May 21st: Kate Nash at The Echo
May 22nd: Youngblood Hawke at Avalon
May 24th: Sir Sly at The Troubadour
May 29th/30th: Imagine Dragons at Hollywood Palladium
June 1st: Black Rebel Motorcycle Club at The Wiltern
June 1st: CHVRCHES at The Troubadour
June 5th: Jewel at Saban Theatre
June 6th: Capital Cities at The El Rey
June 7th: The Boxer Rebellion at Avalon
August 19th/20th: Ed Sheeran at The Staples Center

~ Kristen

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Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 6/18-6/24

I posted my Bonnaroo pictures today (http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.348607241875512.75890.192625794140325&type=1)!  I can’t believe it’s been a week. I’m still recovering…and ignoring the coughing and sniffling and fact that my voice is going. Probably wasn’t the best idea to follow up five days of no sleep with five days of early mornings and late nights, but I can’t imagine doing anything else. I wouldn’t have wanted to miss the big Phantom Planet reunion show. Then there was the Backstage Artist Lounge party where I discovered several great new bands including Cody Jasper who I just had to see play again the next day at The Roxy before he ventured back to Austin.

This week, the great shows continue. Glen Hansard (The Frames/The Swell Season) is in town to promote his new record, LMN Band Love, Crash Kings are making a somewhat rare appearance at The Troubadour, there are some solid line-ups at The Viper Room, and summer-staple, The Warped Tour is rolling through SoCal with stops this week in Pomona and Ventura.

I think, however, my show pick of the week would have to go to the ladies playing The Hotel Cafe Thursday night. Jasmine Ash, Kate Voegele, and Mariah McManus.

So many great musical options in LA this week. Here are the rest of my recommendations:

 

Monday: Glen Hansard FREE at Amoeba Records (6:30)
ALSO: The Rocket Boys at The Hotel Cafe (8pm)
ALSO: Spring Standards and Rhett Miller & The Serial Lady Killers at The Troubadour (9, 10)
ALSO: Songwriters in the Round at Room 5 (9pm)

 

Tuesday: Keaton Simons at Room 5 (9pm)
ALSO: Beware Of Darkness, Bullet and Snow, Jamar Rogers, and Vicci Martinez at The Viper Room (8pm)
ALSO: Kate Miller Heidke at The Hotel Cafe (8pm)
ALSO: Lisa Hannigan & Joe Henry at The El Rey Theatre (8pm)

 

Weds: Matthew Mayfield at The Hotel Cafe (8pm)
ALSO: Glen Hansard at The Wiltern (7pm)

 

Thursday: Jasmine Ash, Mariah McManus and Kate Voegele at The Hotel Cafe (9, 10)
ALSO: Vanaprasta and Crash Kings at The Troubadour (9:30, 10:30)
ALSO: The Bolts, The Rambles, and Taylor Locke & The Roughs at The Viper Room (9, 10, 11)

 

Friday: The Avett Brothers at Nokia LA Live (8pm)
ALSO: Connie Lim, King Washington, The Janks at WitZend (9,10,11)
ALSO: Matt Skiba & The Sekrets at The Troubadour (10pm)
ALSO: Warped Tour Pomona featuring Bayside, Dead Sara, Mayday Parade, New Found Glory, We Are the Ocean, We The Kings, Yellowcard, You Me at Six, etc. (11am)

 

Saturday: The Elizabeth Kill at Molly Malone’s (10pm)
ALSO: Milo Greene at The Troubadour (10pm)
ALSO: Stonefeather at The Viper Room (9pm)
ALSO: Lemon Sun at Bootleg Bar (11pm)
ALSO: Oedipus at The Roxy (10pm)
ALSO: Mind the Gap at The Hotel Cafe (10pm)
ALSO: The Cult with Against Me! at Hollywood Palladium (7:30)

 

Sunday: Warped Tour Ventura featuring Bayside, Dead Sara, Mayday Parade, New Found Glory, We Are the Ocean, We The Kings, Yellowcard, You Me at Six, etc. (11am)

 

 

To Keep in Mind:
June 25th: Graffiti6 at The Troubadour
June 29th: Fiona Apple at Hollywood Palladium
July 1st: Laura Marling at John Anson Ford Amphitheatre
July 1st: Harper Blynn and Madi Diaz at The Troubadour
July 14th: Saint Motel at The El Rey
August 3rd: Cory Chisel at The El Rey
August 10th: Jack White at Shrine Auditorium
August 13th: The Kills at The El Rey
August 14th: The Dunwells at The Hotel Cafe
September 4th: Gotye at The Greek Theatre
October 1st: Ed Sheeran at The Wiltern
October 11th: Awolnation and Imagine Dragons at Club Nokia
October 19th: Tony Lucca at The Roxy

~ Kristen

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Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 6/13-6/17

Just got back from Tennessee. The four days spent at Bonnaroo were absolutely magical. I have many a story and I will do my best to post some words and pictures soon.  After Bonnaroo we had a Nashville day spent eating BBQ, avoiding the erratic and intense bouts of rain, checking out a couple local venues, and of course a stop at Cafe Coco. I love Nashville!

But I love LA too and it’s good to be back home. Here’s what I’ve got going on music-wise for the rest of the week:

Weds: Haim and Phantom Planet at The Troubadour (9,10)
ALSO: Kyle Nicolaides at Room 5 (9pm)

 

Thursday: Mariah McManus at The Hotel Cafe (10pm)
ALSO: Cody Jasper at The Rainbow Room (11pm)
ALSO: The Mowgli’s, Avalanche City, and Walk Off the Earth (7pm)
ALSO: Blake Mills and Phantom Planet at The Troubadour (9,10)

 

Friday: Cody Jasper at The Roxy (11:30)
ALSO: Jake Newton at Room 5 (10pm)
ALSO: Leslie Stevens, Ethan Gold, and Nicki Bluhm and The Gramblers (9, 9:45, 10:50)
ALSO: Golden State at The Hotel Cafe (11pm)
ALSO: Unwritten Law at The Viper Room (11pm)

 

Saturday: So & So and Mind the Gap at The Hotel Cafe (7, 10)
ALSO: Allen Stone at The Getty Center (6pm)
ALSO: The Spring Standards and Rhett Miller & The Serial Lady Killers at Saint Rocke (9pm)
ALSO: Joel Eckles at WitZend (8:30)
ALSO: Telstar at El Cid (10pm)
ALSO: White Arrows at The Troubadour (10:30)…CD release party
ALSO: Thrice at Club Nokia (8pm)
ALSO: Scissor Sisters at Hollywood Palladium (8pm)
ALSO: Indigo Girls at The Wiltern (8pm)

 

Sunday: Jonny Polonsky FREE at The Satellite (10pm)

 

 

To Keep in Mind:
June 20th: Glen Hansard at The Wiltern
June 21st: Crash Kings at The Troubadour
June 22nd: The Avett Brothers at Nokia LA Live
June 23rd: Milo Greene at The Troubadour
June 25th: Graffiti6 at The Troubadour
June 29th: Fiona Apple at Hollywood Palladium
July 1st: Laura Marling at John Anson Ford Amphitheatre
July 1st: Harper Blynn and Madi Diaz at The Troubadour
July 14th: Saint Motel at The El Rey
August 3rd: Cory Chisel at The El Rey
August 13th: The Kills at The El Rey
October 1st: Ed Sheeran at The Wiltern
October 11th: Awolnation and Imagine Dragons at Club Nokia

 

~ Kristen

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Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 6/4-6/12

You’ll notice this week’s list is a bit…elongated. Well, that’s because I’ll be at Bonnaroo over the weekend without internet.  I don’t think I’m even going to take my computer (gasp).  I’ll be back Tuesday and hopefully fill you in on everything. In the meantime, there are a couple acts I’d really recommend checking out this week. If you didn’t manage to snag tickets to one of Ben Howard’s two sold out shows at The Troubadour, the English singer-songwriter and one of my SXSW mix picks, will also be doing a free show at Amoeba Records on Monday.

Another treat this week is that Joe Firstman is in town with The Cordovas. They are playing several shows. Today (Sunday) at The Franklin Village Festival, Tuesday at The Hotel Cafe, and Wednesday at Saint Rocke. Who knows when Joe will be back, so I wouldn’t miss out!

Here’s what else I have on my list:

Monday: Ben Howard FREE at Amoeba Records (6pm)
ALSO: Morning Parade and Walk the Moon at The Troubadour (9pm)
ALSO: Bess Rogers at The Hotel Cafe (8pm)
ALSO: Songwriters in the Round at Room 5 (9pm)

 

Tuesday: Kate Miller Heidke, The Cordovas, and Patrick Joseph at The Hotel Cafe (8, 9, 11)
ALSO: The Rocket Summer at The Roxy (8pm)
ALSO: Walk the Moon and Morning Parade at The Echo (8pm)
ALSO: Ben Howard at The Troubadour (10pm)
ALSO: The Absolute, Juke Kartel, Beachwood Rockers at The Piano Bar (7pm)… http://www.facebook.com/events/420567781316948/

 

Weds: Ben Howard at The Troubadour (10pm)
ALSO: The Cordovas at Saint Rocke (9pm)

 

Thursday: Jane Carrey and Dinner and a Suit at The Roxy (7:15)
ALSO: Anna Nalick at The Hotel Cafe (9pm)
ALSO: Kurt Vile at Largo (8pm)

 

Friday: Xavier Rudd at The Hotel Cafe (7pm)
ALSO: Jesse Thomas and Green River Ordinance at The Mint (9:30, 10:30)
ALSO: Badwater CD release at The Viper Room (11pm)

 

Saturday: Mind the Gap at The Hotel Cafe (10pm)

 

Sunday: something will come up….

 

Monday (June 11th): Daniel Bedingfield and Red Circle Underground FREE at Bootleg Bar (9, 12)
ALSO: Shawn Colvin at Barnes & Nobles at The Grove (7pm)
ALSO: It’s a School Night at Bardot featuring Broken Anchor (10pm)…FREE with RSVP http://www.itsaschoolnight.com/losangeles/

Tuesday (June 12th): Ume at The Satellite (10pm)
ALSO: Shawn Colvin at The El Rey (8pm)
ALSO: Kate Miller Heidke at The Hotel Cafe (8pm)
ALSO: Collective Soul at House of Blues Sunset (8pm)

 

 

 

To Keep in Mind:
June 13th and 14th: Phantom Planet at The Troubadour
June 15th: Joe Firstman at WitZend
June 16th: Thrice at Club Nokia
June 16th: Scissor Sisters at Hollywood Palladium
June 20th: Glen Hansard at The Wiltern
June 21st: Crash Kings at The Troubadour
June 22nd: The Avett Brothers at Nokia LA Live
June 23rd: Milo Greene at The Troubadour
June 25th: Graffiti6 at The Troubadour
June 29th: Fiona Apple at Hollywood Palladium
July 1st: Laura Marling at John Anson Ford Amphitheatre
July 1st: Harper Blynn and Madi Diaz at The Troubadour
July 14th: Saint Motel at The El Rey
August 3rd: Cory Chisel at The El Rey
August 13th: The Kills at The El Rey

 

~ Kristen

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Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 5/28-6/3

I’m not a huge fan of music videos or recorded concerts. I like my music in live form. But I must say, the musical highlight of my week was getting in the mail my new Biffy Clyro Live at Wembley CD/DVD made during their Revolutions tour. I popped in the DVD while composing this week’s show list and within one song, I was bouncing around my room in my Mon the Biff t-shirt with that stupid giddy smile plastered across my face. I spent entirely too much money importing this special package, but the unadulterated happiness it has provided is priceless. Now I have to decide where to put my new Biffy Clyro poster…maybe I should obtain a frame…

Aside from multiple watching of my new prized possession, here’s what else I’m up to this week:

Monday: The Mowgli’s and Voxhaul Broadcast at The Viper Room (8,11)
ALSO: It’s a School Night at Bardot featuring Samantha Ronson, The Miracals, and secret guest headliner (9pm)…FREE with RSVP http://www.itsaschoolnight.com/losangeles/
ALSO: Hilary Hahn and Hauschka at The El Rey (7pm)

 

Tuesday: Rocco Deluca at The Hotel Cafe (9pm)
ALSO: Y Luv, Act as If, and Midnight Hour at The Satellite (9pm)
ALSO: Wintersleep at The Echo (10pm)

 

Weds: Tyler Hilton at Saint Rocke (10:30)
ALSO: Songwriter Round at Room 5 featuring Adrianne, Garrison Starr, and Maia Sharp (8:30)
ALSO: Safety Suit and Daughtry at Nokia Theater LA Live (7:30)
ALSO: Barcelona, Terraplane Sun, and Churchill at The Satellite (9pm)
ALSO: Jack White at The Wiltern (7:30)

 

Thursday: Mariah McManus at The Hotel Cafe (9pm)…first night of Mariah’s Thursday night residency at The Hotel Cafe
ALSO: Finish Ticket and The Gallery at Amplyfi (8pm)
ALSO: Greg Laswell and Elizabeth Ziman at The El Rey (8pm)
ALSO: Jack White at The Wiltern (7:30)

 

Friday: The Shakers at The Roxy (8pm)
ALSO: The Muddy Reds at The Mint (11pm)
ALSO: Orlando Napier at WitZend (10pm)

 

Saturday: The Ruby Friedman Orchestra at The Troubadour (9:30)
ALSO: Deas Vail at Chain Reaction (7pm)
ALSO: Mind The Gap at The Hotel Cafe (10pm)…part of Mind the Gap’s Saturday night residency
ALSO: Hesher Street Fair http://www.hesterstreetfair.com/hollywood/information/

 

Sunday: The Duke Spirit at The Echoplex (7pm)
ALSO: Tyler Hilton at The Key Club (7:30)
ALSO: Franklin Village Festival at the 5900 block of Franklin Ave. featuring The Cordovas, The Dirges, Clare Means, etc. FREE (12-8pm) http://www.facebook.com/events/296990293718065/

 

 

To Keep in Mind:
June 5th and 6th: Ben Howard at The Troubadour
June 6th: The Cordovas at Saint Rocke
June 7th: Dinner and a Suit at The Roxy
June 7-10th: Bonnaroo in Manchester, TN
June 13th and 14th: Phantom Planet at The Troubadour
June 15th: Joe Firstman at WitZend
June 16th: Thrice at Club Nokia
June 16th: Scissor Sisters at Hollywood Palladium
June 20th: Glen Hansard at The Wiltern
June 21st: Crash Kings at The Troubadour
June 22nd: The Avett Brothers at Nokia LA Live
June 23rd: Milo Greene at The Troubadour
June 25th: Graffiti6 at The Troubadour
June 29th: Fiona Apple at Hollywood Palladium
July 14th: Saint Motel at The El Rey
August 3rd: Cory Chisel at The El Rey
August 13th: The Kills at The El Rey

 

~ Kristen

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SXSW Recap: Weds 3/14

Today was all about seeing music. I saw a lot of bands today. Last I counted it was 14 (two I saw twice). Too many band highlights to include them all. Free BBQ for breakfast, The double dose of both Tournament of Hearts and Queen Caveat, a shot of Free Energy, the Buzzband showcase with Dead Sara, Vanaprasta, and NO, seeing Marcus Foster for the first time, that casual run in with Eve 6…

Instead of detailing all the greatness, I’m just going to share a couple very important lessons I took from today.

Lesson 1: Always plan to change the plan

I would be completely useless without a plan. I have an 11 page detailed list of bands to see with times, places, and access levels. I live by my SXSW schedule. However, part of that plan is knowing that what you end up doing will probably vary from your first option.  Plan A this evening was to head to 1100 Warehouse to see fun. and my top pick Scottish rockers, Twin Atlantic. After getting in to the crowded sauna and waiting around for over 40min. we realized that this was just not going to happen. In addition, a couple of my favorite bands booked last minute shows at Rusty’s so we left and went there. I ended up having an amazing evening filled with many friends and a couple of my favorite bands. If I were set on sticking to the original agenda, my night might not have gone so well.

 

Lesson 2: It’s good to stick with your friends/high fives make everything feel better

I realized at the end of the day today that of the many bands I caught, only a small handful were ones I didn’t know or hadn’t seen before. I also spent most of the day in a group of people which is unusual for me when it comes to music-festival situations. However, I ended up having a blast! I love all the bands I got to see and the people I saw them with. We started high-fiving each other every time something worked out and I realized that high fives really do make you feel better. So many friendly faces up on stage or dancing with you in the audience just makes me happy and happy seems a very good thing. Side note: I cannot believe just how many people I know here in Austin. Seriously, every time I turn around, there’s another familiar face! I love it!!

I know all that isn’t very band or music specific, but hey, it’s nearly 5am and my free breakfast with Ben Kweller starts in just a few hours.

Speaking of tomorrow, there are several events I’m really looking forward to. Here are few of my musical suggestions:

  • 12pm: Tournament of Hearts at the ATN Showcase (Bayou Lounge 500 E 6th St)- yes, I just saw them twice today, but honestly, that makes me want to see them even more tomorrow
  • 1:15: The Chevin at Maggie Mae’s (323 E 6th St)- loved this Brits when I saw them in LA. Don’t want to miss any opportunity to see a great band that isn’t based in the US. They also play at 8pm at The British Embassy (512 San Jacinto)
  • 2pm: Twin Atlantic at The Cedar Door (201 Brazos St)- I missed them today. I hope this doesn’t happen again tomorrow. They are also playing 11pm at The British Embassy (512 San Jacinto)
  • 2:45: We Are Augustines (612 W 4th St at Rio Grande)
  • 3:30: Glen Hansard at Antone’s (213 W 5th St)- another must see SXSW artist
  • 4:45: Ben Howard at 715 Red River
  • 5:15: Semi Precious Weapons at The Cedar Door (201 Brazos St)- SPW invades Austin…YES!
  • 6pm: Adam Arcuragi at Second Stage Showcase/Hotel Piano (3401 S I-25). – Adam also plays at 1am at The Whiskey Room (503 E 6th St)
  • 8pm: The Roxy Showcase at Empire Automotive (604 E 7th St)- featuring Filligar, Nico Vega, and Imagine Dragons…of course I’m there!
  • 1am: The Silent Comedy at Velveeta Room (521 E 6th St) – I will end the day with a TSC dance party!

Happy SXSW!!

 

~ Kristen

Kristen’s Top 10 Bands to See SXSW 2012

We started the morning in Wilcox, Arizona. Drove 12 hours to get to Austin and immediately went to the Pure Volume House for its Late Night show featuring LMN faves Dead Sara and Foxy Shazam. What a fantastic way to begin SXSW 2012! Tomorrow officially begins the madness, so I thought I’d share with you my top 10 picks for the week:

  1. Twin Atlantic- if there is one band I try to see every time they play in Austin it will be Scottish rockers, Twin Atlantic. No matter that I’ve seen them three times in the past month. Their CD, Free, has a problem leaving my car stereo. Catch them at The British Embassy (512 San Jacinto) Friday night at 11pm.

2. Queen Caveat– This dynamic rock quartet from LA just released a new EP, Slap on the Wrist, and I cannot wait to see them turn heads and make even more new fans with their energetic live performance. Check them out at The ATN Showcase at The Bayou Lounge (500 E 6th St) Friday night at 10pm

3. The Silent Comedy– There is no greater joy than dancing with friends at a The Silent Comedy show. Some of my best memories from SXSW 2011 surround this folk-rocking band from San Diego. Only makes sense that 2012 will be a repeat. See them play the rooftop at Whole Foods Friday at 5:15.

4. The Milk Carton Kids- missing a Milk Carton Kids show is simply not acceptable in my book. This duo sing songs so beautiful my heart melts every time. They are only playing one show, The Hotel Café showcase at St. David’s (301 E 8th St.) Friday night. The line-up at this show also boasts other LMN faves such as Meiko, The Lumineers, LP, and Rachel Yamagata. The Milk Carton Kids play at 9pm.

 

5. We Are Augustines- I’ve been meaning to see this NYC-based band for some time now. I am MOST excited to finally get the opportunity in Austin. Their first show is 10pm Tuesday night at Antone’s (213 W 5th St). Seems like a great way to start the week to me…

6. Tournament of Hearts– Tournament of Hearts is my pick for best unknown band to check out. That’s what SXSW is all about, right? These rockers from LA are in Austin to show the industry that they are a band to watch. Watch them at The Bayou Lounge Thursday at noon (500 E 6th St)

7. Glen Hansard- The Swell Season puts on one of the best shows I have ever seen. It’s something about the way Glen can convey such emotion in his songs. I’m looking forward to seeing him solo Thursday 3:30 at Antone’s (213 W 5th St.)

8. Maverick Sabre- Two years ago Maverick Sabre captivated me with his song “I Need”. This past year this Englishman finally released his full length album which I looove.  I saw he was playing sxsw this year an instantly blocked out my schedule. Catch him at The British Embassy Saturday night at 11pm.

9. Marcus Foster– Marcus Foster has already sold out two shows at The Hotel Café later this month. I failed to get a ticket so I must catch him at SXSW. I’m aiming for 9pm Weds night at Maggie Mae’s Rooftop (323 E 6th St).

 

10. Dead Sara- Dead Sara has been one of my favorites for some time now. Their debut album comes out in April and they are already getting so much buzz they can no longer play smaller venues in LA. SXSW may be the last time I get to see them up close in awhile. Can’t miss that! Catch them play alongside some other fantastic LA bands at the Buzzbands showcase at Freehouse (700 W 6th St.) 1:30 Weds afternoon.

 

 

As for tomorrow, some anticipated highlights include We Are Augustines (10pm) and Band of Skulls (11pm) at Antone’s (213 W 5th St) and fiN at The British Music Emassy (Latitude 30- 512 San Jacinto)

 

Ok, now time for my 3 hour “nap”

 

~ Kristen