Local Music Nation

Amanda’s SD Concert Calendar 3/28-4/3

Posted on March 28, 2016 by Amanda

I seem to be the only one of our SXSW foursome who developed a cold but I’m also the only one who didn’t end up being crazy busy right when I got back. Ah well. I’m still not up to 100% but I’m a lot better than I was earlier in the week. I’m not sure if it’s enough of a recovery to make it out and about this week but I will make an effort. You should too.

Monday: My Body Sings Electric, Good Graeff, MRKTS @ Casbah at 9pm
AND: Tori Roze & The Hot Mess @ Bar Pink at 9pm
AND: My Digital Escape @ The Irenic at 6pm

Tuesday:

Wednesday: The Struts @ House of Blues at 8:30pm
AND: Andres Osborne, Sister Sparrow & the Dirty Birds @ Belly Up at 8pm
AND: Allan Rayman @ The Hideout at 9pm

Thursday: Banners, The Moth & the Flame, Pop Etc. @ House of Blues at 8pm
AND: Weatherbox @ Soda Bar at 9pm
AND: Listen Local Radio All Access Fest @ Music Box at 6pm
AND: Ocelot @ Belly Up at 8pm

Friday: Matthew Logan Vasquez @ Casbah at 9pm
AND: Patty Griffin, Sara Watkins, Anaïs Mitchell @ California Center for the Arts, Escondido at 7:30pm
AND: Redwoods Revue @ Music Box at 8pm
AND: Eric Hutchinson, Tess Henley @ Belly Up at 9pm
AND: Ernie Halter @ Lestats at 9pm
AND: Peter Murphy @ The Irenic at 7pm

Saturday: White Denim @ Belly Up at 9pm
AND: The Killers @ Harrah’s Resort So Cal at 7pm
AND: Jesse Daniel Edwards @ Lestats at 9pm
AND: Mothers @ Soda Bar at 9pm

Sunday: East Cameron Folkcore @ The Merrow at 9pm
AND: Into It. Over It. @ The Irenic at 6:30pm

Keep in Mind:
April 5th- Wild Feathers @ Belly Up
April 5th- Tori Kelly @ Humphreys
April 8th- Third Eye Blind @ The Observatory North Park
April 10th- The Darkness @ House of Blues
April 15th-17- Coachella Weekend 1
April 17th- James Bay @ Humphreys
April 21st- Parachute @ House of Blues
April 22nd-24th Coachella Weekend 2
April 23rd- Say Anything @ House of Blues
April 27th- Jamestown Revival @ Belly Up
May 3rd- Gin Wigmore @ House of Blues
May 4th- Blaqk Audio @ House of Blues
May 6th- Violent Femmes @ Humphreys
May 14th- Billy Joel @ Petco Park
May 20th- The Cure @ Sleep Train Amphitheatre
May 21st- Jewel @ Humphreys
May 26th- Walk the Moon @ Cal Coast Credit Open Air Theater
May 27th- The Lumineers @ Cal Coast Credit Open Air Theater
May 27th- The Who @ Valley View Casino Center
June 4th- Thrice @ House of Blues
June 5th- X-Fest @ Sleep Train Amphitheatre
July 16th- Halsey @ Cal Coast Credit Open Air Theater
July 24th- twenty one pilots @ Viejas Arena
July 26th- Modest Mouse and Brand New @ Sleep Train Amphitheatre
July 31st- Duran Duran @ Sleep Train Amphitheatre
August 3rd- Weezer, Panic! at the Disco @ Sleep Train Amphitheatre
August 5th- Warped Tour @ Qualcomm Stadium Parking Lot
August 23rd- Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals @ Humphreys
August 30th- Journey @ Sleep Train Amphitheatre
September 21st- Leon Bridges @ Humphreys

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 3/28-4/3

Posted on March 27, 2016 by Kristen

This week I transitioned from SXSW into WonderCon where I walked amongst an interesting array of Deadpools, Disney characters, and superhero bunny rabbits (Happy Easter!). There are definite differences when it comes to interviewing musicians versus actors so it was an interesting change of pace. I guess my big takeaways from the convention are 1) I’m very much looking forward to the new show on SyFy, Wynonna Earp (the music in the first two episodes is on point!), 2) actors are generally on the short side and when they are tall, sometimes they will awkwardly position themselves during interviews to be on your level (thanks, Chris Gorham!), and 3) always RSVP yes to parties that involve free bowling!

Thinking back to a week ago, a few of my top SXSW acts are in town this week. Lukas Graham (the establisher of my SXSW “Graham Bar” has two shows, sadly both sold out). Wednesday night at Club Bahia is going to be a general re-play of my SXSW with another top pick, Banners along with three other great acts who were also in Austin. Finally, AudioDamn! is opening for a SXSW 2015 fave, Highly Suspect at The Troubadour Sunday night. It’s going to be a great week for music. Seriously.

Here are all my picks:

Monday: Lukas Graham at The Troubadour (7pm)
ALSO: LP Residency FREE at The Echo (8:30)
ALSO: Mating Ritual Residency FREE at The Satellite (9pm)
ALSO: It’s a School Night at Bardot f. Larkin Poe (8:30)
ALSO: The Absolute Residency at The Hotel Cafe (9pm)
ALSO: The Joy Formidable and Everything Everything at The Roxy (8:30)
ALSO: Cocorosie at The Fonda Theatre (9pm)
ALSO: Monday Monday at The Hotel Cafe second stage (7pm)

Tuesday: American Authors at The Troubadour (7pm)
ALSO: Austin Plaine w/ Ben Limpic at The Hotel Cafe second stage (7pm)
ALSO: The Black and The White at The Echo (9pm)
ALSO: The Joy Formidable and Everything Everything at The Roxy (8:30)
ALSO: Lissie at The El Rey (8pm)
ALSO: The Living Room f. Jacob Luttrell at The Hotel Cafe (10pm)

Weds: Banners, The Moth and The Flame, Pop Etc., Barns Courtney at Club Bahia (8pm)
ALSO: Ernie Halter and friends, Curtis Peoples at The Hotel Cafe second stage (8, 9:30)
ALSO: Josiah & The Bonnevilles, Alex Dezen, Ulysses S Grant at The Hotel Cafe (8,9,10)
ALSO Andra Day at The El Rey (8pm)

Thursday: Lukas Graham at The Resident (8pm)
ALSO: Battle Tapes FREE at Mrs. Fish (11:15)
ALSO: Kris Angeles at The Hotel Cafe second stage (9pm)
ALSO: White Denim at Teragram Ballroom (9pm)
ALSO: The Mynabirds w/ The Bulls at Bootleg Bar (8:30)

Friday: Raglans w/ KOMOX, Mount Holly at The Hotel Cafe (7, 10)
ALSO: Franky Perez w/ Special Guests at The Viper Room (9pm)
ALSO: Paper Pilots at The Hi Hat (8pm)
ALSO: White Denim at Teragram Ballroom (9pm)

Saturday: Matthew Logan Vasquez at Bootleg Bar (8:30)
ALSO: Chris Stills at The Hotel Cafe (8pm)
ALSO: Elvis Costello w/ Larkin Poe at The Ace Theatre (9pm)
ALSO: Into It Over It at The Troubadour (6:30)
ALSO: Adam Lambert at Orpheum Theatre (8pm)

Sunday: Highly Suspect w/ AudioDamn! at The Troubadour (7pm)
ALSO: Paul McDonald at The Viper Room (9pm)
ALSO: Grand Ole Echo at The Echo f. Brian Whelan (3pm)
ALSO: Geographer w/ The Crookes at Teragram Ballroom (9pm)
ALSO: Elvis Costello w/ Larkin Poe at The Ace Theatre (9pm)
ALSO: Patrick Joseph at The Hotel Cafe second stage (9pm)
ALSO: Nikka Costa & Strings at Largo (8:30)
ALSO: Songwriter Sundays FREE at The Fox and Hounds (8pm)

To Keep in Mind:
April 4^th: Aurora and Tor Miller at The Troubadour
April 6^th: The Wild Feathers at The Troubadour
April 9^th: Third Eye Blind at The Wiltern
April 12^th: Wakey!Wakey! at The Hotel Cafe
April 12^th: The Darkness at The Belasco Theater
April 18^th: The Big Pink at The Mayan Theater
April 18^th: Hands Like Houses at Teragarm Ballroom
April 19^th: James Bay at Theatre at Ace Hotel
April 19^th: Matthew Perryman Jones at The Hotel Cafe
April 19^th: The 1975 at The Shrine
April 22^nd: Jon McLaughlin at The Fonda Theatre
April 26^th: Josh Kelley at The Troubadour
April 28^th: The Shadowboxers at The Hotel Cafe
April 29^th: The Avett Brothers w/ The Milk Carton Kids at Greek Theatre
April 29^th: Zane Carney at The El Rey
April 30^th: Skylar Grey, Atlas Genius at The El Rey
May 1^st: Tyrone Wells at Saint Rocke
May 2^nd: Tegan and Sara at The Roxy
May 3^rd: Tegan and Sara at Teragram Ballroom
May 5^th: Gin Wigmore at The El Rey
May 6^th: Rooney at Teragram Ballroom
May 6^th: Stone Foxes at The Viper Room
May 7^th: Royal Teeth, Handsome Ghost at The Roxy
May 10^th: The Griswolds at The Fonda Theatre
May 10^th: Jay Nash, Garrison Starr, Jesse Thomas at The Hotel Cafe
May 11^th: The Neighbourhood at Microsoft Theater
May 13^th: Coasts, Knox Hamilton at The Fonda Theatre
May 14^th: Matthew Mayfield at The Hotel Cafe
May 18^th: Doton at The Orpheum Theatre
May 21^st: Bernhoft at The Troubadour
May 24^th: Frightened Rabbit at The Fonda Theatre
May 25^th: Greg Holden at The Hotel Cafe
May 26^th: Ivan & Alyosha at Teragram Ballroom
May 31^st: Iron & Wine at The Fonda Theatre
June 3^rd: Thrice at Shrine Expo Hall
July 17^th: Collective Soul at The Greek Theatre
July 18^th: Sting at The Hollywood Bowl
July 23^rd: twenty one pilots and MUTEMATH at The Forum
August 9^th: Dawes at The Greek Theatre
October 5^th: The Lumineers at The Hollywood Bowl
October 10^th: The Dixie Chicks at The Hollywood Bowl

~ Kristen

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Amanda’s SD Concert Calendar 3/21-3/27

Posted on March 21, 2016 by Amanda

Well, I did it. I survived another year of SXSW and came away with some new bands to check out. I’m not yet in the air but will be home soon. Thankfully this week hasn’t been as exhausting as it has been in previous years but there is still a definite amount of tiredness, brain fog, and the inability to type correctly right off the bat. So if anything is wrong here… I blame that.

This week is chock full of show options. I don’t think you can go wrong with anything on this list here. Will I be at any of these shows? Just let me finish my recovery and I’ll get back to you….

Monday: Finish Ticket @ House of Blues at 7:30pm
AND Greg White Jr. Band @ Tin Roof at 7pm

Tuesday: Ra Ra Riot @ The Irenic at 7pm

Wednesday: Wolfmother @ House of Blues at 8pm
AND: French Horn Rebellion @ Casbah at 9pm
AND: Keith Harkin @ Music Box at 8pm

Thursday: Little Hurricane, Grizzly Business, Taken By Canadians @ Music Box at 8:30pm
AND: Daughter @ Belly Up at 9pm- SOLD OUT

Friday: Coriander @ Tin Roof at 9pm
AND: She Wants Revenge @ House of Blues at 8pm
AND: Elephant Revival @ Belly Up at 9pm
AND: Jen Foster, Kylie Rothfield @ Lestats at 9pm

Saturday: Brian Fallon & The Crows @ House of Blues 8pm
AND: SWIMM, The Verigolds @ Music Box at 9pm
AND: Hey Marseilles @ Soda Bar at 9pm
AND: Yonder Mountain String Band @ Belly Up at 8pm- SOLD OUT
AND: Lady Dottie & The Diamonds @ Park & Rec at 9pm
AND: Coriander @ Tin Roof at 10pm

Sunday: They Might Be Giants @ Belly Up at 8pm- SOLD OUT

Keep in Mind:

April 5th- Tori Kelly @ Humphreys
April 8th- Third Eye Blind @ The Observatory North Park
April 15th-17- Coachella Weekend 1
April 17th- James Bay @ Humphreys
April 21st- Parachute @ House of Blues
April 22nd-24th Coachella Weekend 2
April 23rd- Say Anything @ House of Blues
May 3rd- Gin Wigmore @ House of Blues
May 6th- Violent Femmes @ Humphreys
May 14th- Billy Joel @ Petco Park
May 20th- The Cure @ Sleep Train Amphitheatre
May 21st- Jewel @ Humphreys
May 26th- Walk the Moon @ Cal Coast Credit Open Air Theater
June 4th- Thrice @ House of Blues
June 5th- X-Fest @ Sleep Train Amphitheatre
July 16th- Halsey @ Cal Coast Credit Open Air Theater
July 24th- twenty one pilots @ Viejas Arena
July 26th- Modest Mouse and Brand New @ Sleep Train Amphitheatre
July 31st- Duran Duran @ Sleep Train Amphitheatre
August 3rd- Weezer, Panic! at the Disco @ Sleep Train Amphitheatre
August 23rd- Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals @ Humphreys
August 30th- Journey @ Sleep Train Amphitheatre
September 21st- Leon Bridges @ Humphreys

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 3/21-3/27

Posted on March 20, 2016 by Kristen

Today, I’m still in Austin winding down from the crazy wonderful week of music courtesy of SXSW. I hope you’ve been reading our recaps all week so I won’t need to say much here other than check out the site if you haven’t…there was a lot of falling in love with new music last week…

Back in LA tomorrow and I’m very excited about Monday night’s LP show at The Echoplex. My other show pick would be Ra Ra Riot Thursday at Teragram Ballroom (I’m loving their new album). Also, if anyone wants to take me to see Chris Thile for Easter, I would not say no… Here’s what else I have on my docket:

Monday: LP, Kolars FREE at The Echoplex (9pm)
ALSO: The Absolute Residency at The Hotel Cafe (9pm)
ALSO: Mating Ritual Residency w/ Teenage Wrist, The Soft White Sixties FREE at The Satellite (9pm)
ALSO: K’s Choice at The Viper Room (8pm)
ALSO: Hunnpot FREE at The Mint (7pm)
ALSO: It’s A School Night at Bardot f. The Rubens (8:30)
ALSO: Monday Monday at The Hotel Cafe second stage (7pm)

Tuesday: Lelia Broussard at Molly Malone’s (8pm)
ALSO: John Isaac Watters Residency FREE at The Hi Hat (8pm)
ALSO: The Living Room f. Jacob Luttrell at The Hotel Cafe (10pm)
ALSO: Coheed and Cambria at Hollywood Palladium (6pm)
ALSO: Marina Kaye at Club Bahia (9pm)

Weds: The Naked and Famous w/The Rebens at Teragram Ballroom (9pm)
ALSO: Matthew Jordan at The Hotel Cafe second stage (10pm)
ALSO: Northern Youth at Silverlake Lounge (10pm)

Thursday: Ra Ra Riot at Teragram Ballroom (9pm)
ALSO: Bose Troubadour Tour w/ Jeff Campbell, Matthew Szlachetka, Jamie Kent, and Megan Slankard at The Hotel Cafe second stage (8pm)
ALSO: Zookeeper’s Palace at The Mint (10:30)
ALSO: Bones Muhroni, LA River Bend at The Hi Hat (8pm)
ALSO: Plague Vendor FREE at Amoeba Music (6pm)

Friday: X Ambassadors at The Wiltern (6:30)
ALSO: Jared & The Mill at The Satellite (9pm)
ALSO: The Wrecks at Rusty’s Surf Shack (10:45)
ALSO: Talisco at Harvard and Stone (7pm)
ALSO: Milk & Bone at Bootleg Bar (8:30)
ALSO: Hey Marseilles at The Echo (10pm)
ALSO: The Naked and Famous w/ The Rubens at The Troubadour (7pm)
ALSO: Joanna Newsom at The Orpheum Theatre (9pm)
ALSO: Daughter at The Theatre at Ace Hotel (8:30)

Saturday: Talisco at Harvard and Stone (7pm)
ALSO: Polaris Rose at The Hotel Cafe (10pm)…record release show
ALSO: Ghost Lit Kingdom at The Mint (9:30)
ALSO: Good Graeff at Resident (8pm)
ALSO: Honey County at The Hotel Cafe second stage (9pm)
ALSO: Eyes on the Shore at El Cid (10pm)
ALSO: Umphrey’s McGee at The Wiltern (7pm)
ALSO: Wolfmother at The Fonda Theatre (9pm)
ALSO: Sean Watkins at Largo (9:30)…record release
ALSO: Joanna Newsom at The Orpheum Theatre (9pm)
ALSO: Smashing Pumpkins at The Theatre at Ace Hotel (8pm)

Sunday: Chris Thile at Largo (8pm)
ALSO: The Smashing Pumpkins at The Theatre at Ace Hotel (8pm)
ALSO: Songwriter Sundays FREE at The Fox and Hounds (8pm)

To Keep in Mind:
March 28^th: Lukas Graham at The Troubadour
March 28^th/29^th: Everything Everything at The Roxy
March 29^th: Lissie at The El Rey
March 29^th: American Authors at The Troubadour
March 30^th: Banners at Club Bahia
March 30^th: Ernie Halter at The Hotel Cafe
March 31^st: Lukas Graham at The Resident
April 3^rd: Highly Suspect at The Troubadour
April 3^rd: The Crookes at Teragram Ballroom
April 4^th: Tor Miller at The Troubadour
April 6^th: The Wild Feathers at The Troubadour
April 9^th: Third Eye Blind at The Wiltern
April 12^th: Wakey!Wakey! at The Hotel Cafe
April 12^th: The Darkness at The Belasco Theater
April 18^th: The Big Pink at The Mayan Theater
April 18^th: Hands Like Horses at Teragarm Ballroom
April 19^th: James Bay at Theatre at Ace Hotel
April 19^th: The 1975 at The Shrine
April 22^nd: Jon McLaughlin at The Fonda Theatre
April 26^th: Josh Kelley at The Troubadour
April 28^th: The Shadowboxers at The Hotel Cafe
April 29^th: The Avett Brothers w/ The Milk Carton Kids at Greek Theatre
April 29^th: Zane Carney at The El Rey
April 30^th: Skylar Grey, Atlas Genius at The El Rey
May 2^nd: Tegan and Sara at The Roxy
May 3^rd: Tegan and Sara at Teragram Ballroom
May 5^th: Gin Wigmore at The El Rey
May 6^th: Rooney at Teragram Ballroom
May 6^th: Stone Foxes at The Viper Room
May 7^th: Royal Teeth, Handsome Ghost at The Roxy
May 10^th: The Griswolds at The Fonda Theatre
May 10^th: Jay Nash, Garrison Starr, Jesse Thomas at The Hotel Cafe
May 11^th: The Neighbourhood at Microsoft Theater
May 13^th: Coasts, Knox Hamilton at The Fonda Theatre
May 14^th: Matthew Mayfield at The Hotel Cafe
May 18^th: Doton at The Orpheum Theatre
May 21^st: Bernhoft at The Troubadour
May 24^th: Frightened Rabbit at The Fonda Theatre
May 26^th: Ivan & Alyosha at Teragram Ballroom
May 31^st: Iron & Wine at The Fonda Theatre
June 3^rd: Thrice at Shrine Expo Hall
July 17^th: Collective Soul at The Greek Theatre
July 18^th: Sting at The Hollywood Bowl
July 23^rd: twenty one pilots at The Forum
August 9^th: Dawes at The Greek Theatre
October 10^th: The Dixie Chicks at The Hollywood Bowl

~ Kristen

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SXSW 2016 – Saturday Recap

Posted on March 20, 2016 by Kristen

Well, I’m tired and my face is as red as a lobster, but I still can’t help but smile at all the music I was able to see today. We started out with a series of interviews for High Voltage. I chatted with new band love Judah & The Lion and SXSW 2013 faves, The Virginmarys. It’s always a treat to get to know a band outside the hectic and noisy club.

After interviews we took a free car (thank you Mazda!) across town to Whole Foods. The Quantum Collective party, I must reiterate, booked some stellar acts. Today we caught Green River Ordinance, Great Caesar, and The Arkells – there was plenty of dancing. I unfortunately missed Wild Feathers, but that was in order to bounce across the street to the Waterloo day party to see Kaleo. My how this band has grown since I saw them last summer at Make Music Pasadena! Kaleo melts the heart and stirs the soul. The play both gorgeous falsetto heavy ballads and down and dirty rockers. It’s the dichotomy that really fascinates, but it totally works!

My evening’s schedule presented itself with quite a few tough choices so I made the decision to walk 20+ minutes from Whole Foods down to Shady Grove to see a late afternoon set from The Virginmarys. Amanda was such a trooper and came with me and we met up with a couple of friends to witness what had to have been the hardest rocking set ever at the outdoor burger joint. Sticks went flying as the UK band busted out a few new tunes from their forthcoming album, Divides, as well as some old favorites (sing: “hey girl, lay off my dead man’s shoes”). Afterwards, the band was gracious enough to give us a ride back downtown. My take-away from that adventures is that I’m very glad I’m not driving through Austin during SXSW.

After picking up some free food at the South Bites area (chips and guac, spicy pulled pork mac n cheese), I ventured to the church for what was my most anticipated set of the week – Judy Collins + Ari Hest. They opened with their duet of Ari’s “Strangers Again” which just filled me with such joy and nostalgia, it brought tears to my eyes. They have an album coming out and played many newer songs, but busted out a few of the oldies that Judy is known for.

More difficult decisions lead to an evening of sampling. And while no band quite reached the “Graham Bar” for new discoveries, I do have plenty of additions to my must see list. The most fun was probably had during Mainland’s set at The Sidewinder where dancing was an absolute must. From there we ran up the road to catch Drowners, but left after a couple songs (the place was packed) to make it to the McDonald house to see The Score and have an ice cream sundae. While walking up to the venue, the band starting playing the song I wanted to hear (“Oh My Love”) which I took as a sign that I was in the right place. Due to some set time switches we wandered aimlessly for a bit before settling in at Ester’s Follies where we caught a promising new act from Los Angeles called Runaway Saints. The night (and the week) then ended with one of my recently discovered new favorites, Dreamers.

And that was all she wrote, folks. Another SXSW down. Tomorrow we’ll catch a few more bands to ease out of the madness, wait it out at our favorite cafe for some Mad Mud, and see what else Austin has for us after the masses depart.

Thanks for reading!

~ Kristen

SXSW 2016 Friday Recap

Posted on March 19, 2016 by Kristen

Happy Birthday to me! Since I’d like to gift myself an extra hour of sleep, we’re going to keep this brief with a simple list of my day’s highlights:

BMI Brunch – always the primo spot for food, networking, and music, this year brought eating with Jay Nash and Drawing North, sets from Tor Miller and Shawn Hook (among others) and of course running into…well just about everybody.

The Quantum Party on the Whole Foods rooftop – after a failed attempt to get into the Key Bar, we eased on down the road to Whole Foods where I drank Mama Chia (win!), discovered a fantastic new LA band, The Heirs, and chatted with Gingger Shankar.

30 seconds of Blue October – because walking past the maxed out venue and only getting to see/hear a snippet of a song is better than no Blue October at all (and probably one of the best musical moments of my week).

Bday Chai – Starbucks gifted me a free drink so I took it! The largest most delicious chai was the perfect pick-me up to get me though the day. It even came with a golden ladybug type creature which I will take to be extra special luck.

Aussie BBQ – the two stages packed in tons of great Aussie acts. I was able to catch Tigertown and Drawing North before the impending storm put a pause on any outdoor music venues.

Compelling singer-songwriters – I spent all night at a church or the ASCAP showcase sampling singer-songwriters and none of them disappointed: Matt Woods, James TW, Billie Marten, Jay Nash, Jake Bugg, Jake McMullen, and a surprise special set from Lapsley (the perfect way to end a wonderful day of music).

Can’t believe tomorrow is the last official day of SXSW!

~ Kristen

SXSW 2016 Thursday Recap

Posted on March 18, 2016 by Amanda

Thursday was more than just a little bit of a late start for me. Sheer tiredness and a completely nonsensical brain made me stop my recap last night and work on it this morning instead. If you happen to think it was a little long and rambling, I apologize but that is where my head was last night. Today I seem to have gone past that wall and entered a weird state of delirium. Everything just seems so funny to me and although I’m tired and sore, it doesn’t seem to matter as much to me today. Tomorrow might be different, but you never know.

I didn’t make it out of the hotel room until after 1:30pm but I thankfully missed the rain that came down earlier in the day. I started off at on the west side at the Cedar St. Courtyard for some breakfast tacos and Barns Courtney. There was a bit of a lull so the only logical thing to do is trek back to the east side and past the freeway to pick up the line skipper pass for the Rachel Ray party at Stubbs on Saturday. I told you, delirium. Anyways, from there it was back to the more central part of goings on for the Music is Universal party, which was conveniently located around the corner from our hotel. I caught the tail end of The Strumbellas, which included a song of theirs I know (always a perk) and enjoyed some free water, cold air, and space to sit and relax for a bit. The band I was really there for was DNCE and they were exactly the fun and high energy bit of silliness I was anticipating. It was nice to see a band and be able to dance just because it makes you want to move. It was a lovely late afternoon delight that made me feel less bad about not pounding the pavement first thing in the morning like Kristen. _DSC2575

I bopped over to the Westin to catch Flor because it was right next to the YouTube space where I was going to be later. Honestly, I think I was just thankful for a place with a couch to sit on that had air conditioning. Flor was good but I was anxious to get in to YouTube before any kind of crazy line formed and I couldn’t make it in for Lukas Graham. You never know with lines during SXSW. The fates seemed to be on my side because I walked right in and proceeded to get a spot right up front. Also unlike yesterday, no one seemed to be having any technical difficulties and everything was running relatively on time. Huzzah! Also scored some yummy snacks at Youtube which included a layer dip, corn salsa, and a chicken wing. Score for me. If I’m being honest, I had the corn salsa twice. It was that good. You know what else was awesome? The fact that I Lukas Graham played a 45 minute set and I was up front for it. I think he’s someone who is going to just blow up soon. The whole set was amazing and it’s something I’m still talking about hours after the show. _DSC2721

The one disappointment of the evening was hoofing it over to Rainey St. to see Wild Wild Horses at Javelina, and get there only to see the last song and a half because their set time was moved up without your knowledge. Bummer. But you know what? That’s just SXSW and some things can’t be helped. But there is almost always a shot at turning the tide. I walked over to Bar 96 to catch Audiodamn! again and this set was nothing like the other one I saw. They seemed to be loose, energetic, and chomping at the bit to put it all out there. I wish I wasn’t so tired and sore because I would have loved to stayed up front and stuck it out for the whole set but I couldn’t. I would like to think that their crazy awesome energy was enough to carry me back to the hotel room for a recharge. I mean, those guys were tearing up the place and everyone I saw seemed to be totally digging them. Kudos! _DSC2818

It was time for one last jaunt across the river to the Continental Club for Eli “Paperboy” Reed. He was enjoyable but not entirely what I had anticipated. As Kristen said, he had a Willie Moon vibe but I also picked up a bit more of a punk/ska thing too. But don’t quote me on it. I wanted to get back to downtown for The Young Wild and Mainland at Esther Follies but ended up at a party at the historic Arlyn Studio. At this point, it was pushing 1am and I just couldn’t hang anymore. But the studio had a wonderful vibe, lots of cool space, awesome vintage things, and plenty of comfortable seating. It was a lovely way to end my evening. _DSC2820

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