SXSW ’13 – Day 2

*warning: having issues uploading pictures so come back later for some photo fun!

It’s quite a bit later than I’d like it to be, but I’m still bouncing and full of energy from today’s events…everything feels good (except for my feet and over-fed stomach). I’m in my happy place. I’m at SXSW!

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Today began by picking up credentials (a breeze!) and meeting friends at The Great British Breakfast where we dined on sausage, eggs, beans, bacon, and toast. Sometime during breakfast, the Spotify line-up was announced and included twenty one pilots to play mid-afternoon. The rest of the morning was a blur of meetings and photobooths with only that one clear item on the agenda. When we approached the Spotify house and found ourselves at the end of a line that wrapped around the house and well down the street, I’d say “dismay” was an understatement for my emotional state. Luck, however, was with me and we all got in nearly 40 min. later right as the first song was starting. The twenty one pilots duo did their best not to let the heat and crowd full of industry folk deter their typically dynamic and engaging performance. The set seemed short, but it did the trick to propel me through the afternoon.

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Having a badge this year for the first time, I was able to spend some time wandering around the Trade Show where we ran into a 10 ft. astronaut, walked through a giant yam, created a post-it work of art, snacked on some delicious mini-desserts, and, of course, heard some music (including a band in a box!)…all while wearing cowboy hats.

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After a brief respite and dinner of mini burgers and fries at The German Haus, the evening started to take its musical shape. We ended up at Hype Hotel to catch a bit of Ivan & Alyosha, a SXSW favorite from last year, and eat some Taco Bell (yes, there was a lot of eating today). Afterwards we headed to The British Embassy where Lucy Rose was sitting comfortably in a chair singing with an acoustic guitar surrounded by a full rocking band. It wasn’t exactly what I was expecting, but I had no complaints. Next, we went to celebrate the two year anniversary of LMN favorite The Milk Carton Kids whose gorgeous harmonies, melancholy tunes, and unforgettably hilarious banter had the entire room at The Central Presbyterian Church completely transfixed…they received a standing ovation at the end of their set.

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I was debating staying at the church to catch Gaby Moreno, but even the short time between sets was too much for me to be without music, so I ran back to Hype Hotel to sample Irish songsters Little Green Cars (and maybe grab a burrito), then headed back to The British Embassy to close out the night. I got a boost of energy in the form of Willy Moon whose lively stage presence was infectious. Finally, perhaps the highlight of my night, after waiting well over a year, I FINALLY GOT TO SEE BASTILLE!! Before the set, I spoke with a Manchester native who told me that it would be near impossible to see this incredibly popular band over in England is such a tiny venue, let alone so close to the front of the stage. The buzz in the room before and during the set was electric and I certainly felt incredibly grateful to be there as the quartet took over the room with songs from their recently release, Bad Blood. Two hours later, and I still can’t quite shake the excitement of that set. But I can, I will, and I must, for I need to get some rest before tomorrow’s adventures.

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Here are a couple of the events I’m most looking forward to tomorrow:

Day Party: Horseshoe Casino presents a screening of Butch Walker’s Out of Focus followed by performances by artists including Butch Walker, Six60, Air Traffic Controller, and The Royalty.

Night Party: The Nikon/Warner Sound Party at The Belmont featuring The Rubens, twenty one pilots, Tegan & Sarah, Paramore

And some artist I’d love to see tomorrow:

The Virginmarys at The Blackberry House (2pm)
NO at Cheer Up Charlie’s (2:15)
Mike Mains and The Branches at The Acquarium (7:15)
Youngblood Hawke at Hype Hotel (8pm)
Holy Esque at British Music Embassy (9pm)
Middle Class Rut at Mohawk Outdoors (10pm)
The Chevin at Buffalo Billards (11pm)
BOY at Central Presbyterian Church (12:30am)
Foxes at Red Eyed Fly (1am)

 

~ Kristen

Kristen’s LA Concert Calendar: 8/27-9/2

I only have one thing to mention this week. Tuesday night High Voltage Magazine is throwing a party in Santa Monica at TRiP. If you’re in town, you should come. We will have our newest edition of the magazine in which I showcased another band that I feel is “on the rise”. To see which band I selected, you’ll just have to check out the issue. There will also, of course, be some fantastic bands playing (Roman Candle Wars, The Young Romans, Italian Japanese, and The Janks). And did I mention cupcakes? There will also be cupcakes.

Here are my other show recommendations this week. We’ve got a couple great acts from Philadelphia in town this week playing at The Hotel Cafe: Hoots & Hellmouth on Weds and Adam Arcuragi on Thursday…sorry I guess that was a second thing I wanted to mention…

 

Monday: Jess Furman, Air Traffic Controller, and Bleu at The Hotel Cafe (7,8,9)
ALSO: Max and The Moon FREE at Bootleg Bar (9pm)
ALSO: Wildcat!Wildcat! FREE at The Echo (11pm)
ALSO: Francisco The Man at The Satellite FREE at The Satellite (11pm)
ALSO: Haim at The Smell (8pm)
ALSO: Keaton Simons, Nikki Leonti and more at WitZend (7pm)
ALSO: Fire in the Hamptons at The Central (10pm)
ALSO: Monday in the Round at Room 5 featuring Ryan Darton, Irene Diaz, Phoebe Bridgers, and Joel Eckels (9pm)

 

Tuesday: High Voltage Party at TRiP Santa Monica featuring Roman Candle Wars, The Young Romans, Italian Japanese, and The Janks (8pm)
ALSO: Tommy Walter (Abandoned Pools) and Wakey!Wakey! at The Hotel Cafe (8,9)
ALSO: The Ross Sea Party and The Dead Ships at The Central (10,11)
ALSO: The Record Company at Harvard & Stone (?)
ALSO: Beachwood’s Summer Piano Bar Sessions FREE at The Piano Bar (9pm)

 

Weds: David & Devine and Hoots & Hellmouth at The Hotel Cafe (8,9)
ALSO: Je T’aime at Skinny’s Lounge in NoHo (9pm)
ALSO: Makepeace Brothers at WitZend (9pm)

 

Thursday: Adam Arcuragi at The Hotel Cafe (9pm)
ALSO: Terra Naomi and Sonia Rao at WItZend (8,10)
ALSO: The Record Company at Los Globos (10pm)
ALSO: Nina Storey at Molly Malone’s (9pm)

 

Friday: Desaparecidos at The Troubadour (10:15)
ALSO: Irontom and Maudlin Strangers at El Cid (10:30, 11:30)
ALSO: The Janks at The Satellite (9pm)
ALSO: Mind the Gap acoustic at Room 5 (10pm)
ALSO: Jesse Thomas at The Hotel Cafe (10pm)
ALSO: Old 97’s at The El Rey (8pm)
ALSO: John Williams at The Hollywood Bowl (8pm)

 

Saturday: John Williams at The Hollywood Bowl (8pm)
ALSO: Clare Means at The Hotel Cafe (8pm)
ALSO: Red Circle Underground at The Roxy (11pm)
ALSO: Old 97’s at The El Rey (8pm)
ALSO: FYF featuring Warpaint, Tanlines, Chairlift, Two Gallants, and more at L.A. State Historic Park  (noon)

 

Sunday: Jake Newton at Bootleg Bar (8pm)
ALSO: FYF featuring Desaparecidos, Against Me!, Cursive, and more at L.A. State Historic Park  (noon)

 

 

To Keep in Mind:
September 4th: Gotye at The Greek Theatre
September 7th: The Silent Comedy at The El Rey
September 9th: The Ataris at The Roxy
September 12th: Allen Stone at Hollywood Bowl
September 14th: Teitur at The Hotel Cafe
September 14th: The Hives at The Wiltern
September 19th: Band of Skulls at The Fonda Theatre
September 20th: Howie Day at The Hotel Cafe
September 22nd: Epicenter at Verizon Wireless Ampitheatre
September 22nd: Sondre Lerche at The Troubadour
September 27th: Mary Chapin Carpenter and Sara Watkins at Club Nokia
October 1st: Ed Sheeran at The Wiltern
October 1st: Safety Suit at The Roxy
October 2nd: Garbage at The Hollywood Palladium
October 2nd: The Lumineers at The Fonda Theatre
October 4th: The Milk Carton Kids at The Largo
October 6th: Ben Howard at The Fonda Theatre
October 11th: Awolnation and Imagine Dragons at Club Nokia
October 16th: First Aid Kit at The Fonda Theatre
October 19th: Tony Lucca at The Roxy
October 19th: Frightened Rabbit at The Troubadour
October 19th: Allen Stone at The Music Box
October 20th: Stephen Kellogg & The Sixers at Saint Rocke
October 24th: The Darkness at Club Nokia
October 25th: Bayside at Club Nokia
October 27th: Queen Caveat at The Roxy
November 2nd: NEEDTOBREATHE at Fox Theater Pomona
November 3rd: All American Rejects at The Wiltern
November 6th: Jens Lekman at Fonda Theatre
November 8th: The Kin at The Roxy
November 16th: Joshua Radin and A Fine Frenzy at The Wiltern
November 20th: The Postelles and Mayday Parade at House of Blues
November 20th: Rachel Yamagata at The El Rey

~ Kristen

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