SXSW 2009 Wrapup: Day 1
March 20th, 2009
After 26 hours, 2 motel rooms, 10 bathroom stops, 6 fast food restaurants, 4 DVD movies and countless hours of bad American radio I’ve finally made it to Austin City for the South by South West Festival. First indication was the sea of cargo vans converging on the city centre, second signifier was the overwhelming rumble of music being blasted from every bar that lines 6th street.
Now SXSW is something you need to come and experience. It feels like mardi gras, it feels like the happiest and most debaucherous place on earth. I was told there were 1900 bands playing this weekend; that number was overwhelming but exciting…so much music! I decided to start off my SXSW experience off proper and lined up to see the 4AD showcase taking place at the Central Presbyterian Church.
The nights line up was impressive. Each act could hold their own on a headlining bill but tonight they were mashed together in a delicious medley of indie rock royalty. Here was the line up and here is my review of the show. Unfortunately I missed Camera Obscura.
Anni Rossi
Viola virtuosa Anni Rossi has her work cut out for her. Its hard not to make obvious comparisons to fellow stringers Final Fantasy and glitter Brit Patrick Wolf, all of which incorporate beautiful orchestral musings and idiosyncratic tales of whimsy. Rossi’s songs were pretty, her voice was perfectly shrill and her cover of Ace of Base’s Living in Danger was a highlight but she looked bored, perhaps nerves got the best of her but when you play a packed house it’s nice to be a little engaging - the songs were good but would have been better if she smiled a bit.
M. Ward
M Ward took great advantage of the setting and let his raspy voice soar and echo through out the cavernous Central Presbyterian Church. Appearing alone on stage with only a guitar, M. Ward commanded a respectful hush. Playing a determined set of old and new material, Ward never fails to impress. Couple raging guitar solos with silky crooning and you’ve got a set that keeps an audience interested from beginning to end.
Department of Eagles
Despite critical acclaim for their debut In Ear Park and anxious buzz from an excited line up of fans outside the venue Department of Eagles struggled through notable sound issues with an uncomfortable performance and awkward stage banter. With fellow Grizzly Bear’s watching in the audience, Rossen shyly sang through a revised version of No One Does It Like You and showcased new songs that flourished in harmonic grandeur. I didn’t like the performance as much as I wanted to but know that the potential of this band is explosive. I look forward to seeing them again.
St. Vincent
Playing to an audience of fellow Texans, Annie Clark brought the evening the perfect injection of raucous rock. Slender and delicate in appearance, Clarke’s music is the antithesis of her angelic aesthetic. She muscled her way through thunderous guitar solos and showcased a mature and enigmatic musicality. With her new album entitled ACTOR coming out in May, this performance made me eager and excited to purchase her new material.
Posted on Friday, March 20th, 2009 at 2:59 pm by Casey and is filed under Concerts.
