SXSW 2018
At this year’s South by Southwest music festival (SXSW) I saw almost 100 bands perform in 6 days. That’s a lot of music.
My seven (it was going to be five but I couldn’t make those cuts) favorite performances were:
Urban Renewal Project– this 13+ piece jazz band from LA is the future. They combined traditional jazz with soul, funk, and a huge dose of hip hop. It would be impossible to not smile and dance a little if you ever are lucky enough to see this band perform.
Lucy Dacus– She was number one on my list of musicians I really wanted to catch at SXSW 2018. Through bad luck I had missed both her stops in KC. Her newest album- Historian- is my favorite release this year (so far). She was exactly as I suspected. Charming, somewhat shy, playing and singing with precision. Her set included one of those perfect SXSW moments. Her song Night Shift is a multilayered, almost three part song. It starts out slow and thoughtful, and then there is a burst of power about half way through. A the exact moment Lucy hit that power chord a huge gust of wind came through the courtyard she was playing, blowing her hair and everything not tied down, around. It couldn’t have been planned any better. She smiled. We all smiled and were just glad to be in that exact spot at that exact moment.
Ron Gallo- So I had heard of Ron Gallo- thought he was a hip hop artist… I was mistaken. As often happens at SXSW you see some of your favorite performances while waiting to see another band. I am making this call. Ron Gallo is this generation’s Frank Zappa. He is a clown, a street performer, highly intelligent, and a guitar virtuoso. Maybe he will run for President. I’d vote for him. Check out his music.
Sunflower Bean– I love these kids. So much talent. So much fun. Their new album “Twentytwo In Blue” is amazing. All the hooks, all the harmonies, and just the right amount of fuzz. I was able to see them twice at this years SXSW. Both shows were very different. The picture above was from the Levitation showcase. They played to their audience. It was loud and raucous. I loved every minute.
Vandoliers– This band of cow punks from Dallas TX were having what the regulars to the Bloodshot Records day party at the Yard Dog Gallery call the “audition”. There is usually at least one band not already signed to the label who will play the party. These boys tore the tent down. I’ll be surprised if they aren’t signed soon. They seem an obvious addition to the Bloodshot family. They describe their sound as “Ameri-Kinda”. I like it and I liked their set immensely.
Sarah Shook and the Disarmers– Sarah and the boys have only gotten better since I saw them last year. I said it after seeing her set this year and I’ll say it again now. She is as close as I will ever get to seeing Hank Williams. New album and local KC show coming soon. Don’t miss either if you like “real” country music.
Mojo Nixon and the Toad Liquors- Mojo said this was his last performance ever (he has said this before). If it is, he can rest peacefully knowing he went out in a blaze of glory and the chants of Mojo! Mojo! Mojo! will ring out forever. He did announce his run for the Presidency. He thought his past (present) would have made him un-electable. He knows better now. Mojo 2020.
Very high honorable mention go out to A Place To Bury Strangers, Hi-Lux and Tomar and the FC’s. I loved their sets too!
If you want to see more pictures and videos of my SXSW 2018 adventures follow my Instagram and Facebook pages.
Here is the complete list of all the bands I saw this year:
Tuesday March 13th
Mando Saenz- White Horse Saloon- Saustex Records Showcase
8Ball Aitken (Australia)-White Horse Saloon- Saustex Records Showcase
The Differentials- White Horse Saloon- Saustex Records Showcase
Folk Uke-C-Boys Heart & Soul- Swollen Circus
Kathy McCarthy- C-Boys Heart & Soul- Swollen Circus
Walter Salas-Humara- C-Boys Heart & Soul- Swollen Circus
Michael Hall and Johnson City- C-Boys Heart & Soul- Swollen Circus
Steve McCarthy- C-Boys Heart & Soul- Swollen Circus
Julie Lowery- C-Boys Heart & Soul- Swollen Circus
Amy Cook- C-Boys Heart & Soul- Swollen Circus
William Harries-Graham- C-Boys Heart & Soul- Swollen Circus
Jon Dee Graham- C-Boys Heart & Soul- Swollen Circus
Winona Forever- C-Boys Heart & Soul- Swollen Circus
Rotten Mangos- C-Boys Heart & Soul- Swollen Circus
Wednesday March 14th
Durand Jones and the Indications- The Blackheart- Pledgehouse
Warbly Jets- The Blackheart- Pledgehouse
The Whale- Lazarus Brewing- Nextbop’s Jazz For The Masses VI
Urban Renewal Project- Brewing- Nextbop’s Jazz For The Masses VI
Ben Dickey- Sam’s Town Point- Where’s The Hideout?
The Kernal- Sam’s Town Point- Where’s The Hideout?
Ruby Boots (Australia)- Sam’s Town Point- Where’s The Hideout?
Becca Mancari- Sam’s Town Point- Where’s The Hideout?
C.W. Stoneking (Australia)- Sam’s Town Point- Where’s The Hideout?
Tony Joe White- Sam’s Town Point- Where’s The Hideout?
The Texas Gentlemen- Sam’s Town Point- Where’s The Hideout?
Nikki Lane- Sam’s Town Point- Where’s The Hideout?
Jonathan Tyler- Sam’s Town Point- Where’s The Hideout?
Ramsay Midwood- Sam’s Town Point- Where’s The Hideout?
Charlie Sexton- Sam’s Town Point- Where’s The Hideout?
Rayland Baxter- Sam’s Town Point- Where’s The Hideout?
White Denim- Sam’s Town Point- Where’s The Hideout?
Golden Dawn Arkestra- Sam’s Town Point- Where’s The Hideout?
Thursday March 15th
Lucy Dacus- Cedar Street- Floodfest 2018
Bifannah (Spain)- Flatstock
Durand Jones and the Indication- Banger’s- Collide on Rainey Street
Liza Anne- Banger’s- Collide on Rainey Street
Hinds (Spain)-Hotel Vegas-Levitation SXSW 2018
Acid Dad- Hotel Vegas-Levitation SXSW 2018
Goat Girl (UK)- Hotel Vegas-Levitation SXSW 2018
ORB- Hotel Vegas-Levitation SXSW 2018
Night Beats- Hotel Vegas-Levitation SXSW 2018
La Luz- Hotel Vegas-Levitation SXSW 2018
Bubble Puppy- Hotel Vegas-Levitation SXSW 2018
Single Lash- Hotel Vegas-Levitation SXSW 2018
Mint Field- Hotel Vegas-Levitation SXSW 2018
Yamantaka Sonic Titan- Hotel Vegas-Levitation SXSW 2018
Moaning- Hotel Vegas-Levitation SXSW 2018
Ron Gallo- H Hotel Vegas-Levitation SXSW 2018
Holy Wave- Hotel Vegas-Levitation SXSW 2018
Drab Majesty- Hotel Vegas-Levitation SXSW 2018
Sunflower Bean- Hotel Vegas-Levitation SXSW 2018
A Place To Bury Strangers- Hotel Vegas-Levitation SXSW 2018
The Blind Suns (France)- Hotel Vegas-Levitation SXSW 2018
Friday March 16th
Joe Purdy- Yard Dog Gallery- Bloodshot Records Party
Vandoliers- Yard Dog Gallery- Bloodshot Records Party
Jon Langford’s Four Lost Souls- Yard Dog Gallery- Bloodshot Records Party
Ruby Boots- Yard Dog Gallery- Bloodshot Records Party
Sarah Shook and the Disarmers- Yard Dog Gallery- Bloodshot Records Party
Durand Jones and the Indications- Hotel San Jose-SXSJ
Erika Wennerstrom- Hotel San Jose- SXSJ
Dan Jones and the Squids- Shangri- La- Midcoast Takeover
Pink Fuzz- Shangri- La- Midcoast Takeover
Headlight Rivals- Shangri- La- Midcoast Takeover
Drop A Grand- Shangri- La- Midcoast Takeover
Hi-Lux- Shangri- La- Midcoast Takeover
The Phantastics- Shangri- La- Midcoast Takeover
Saturday March 17th
The Mooks- Continental Club- Mojo’s Mayhem
John Doe- Continental Club- Mojo’s Mayhem
Two Hoots and a Holler- Continental Club- Mojo’s Mayhem
Jon Dee Graham- Continental Club- Mojo’s Mayhem
James McMurtry- Continental Club- Mojo’s Mayhem
Shoulders- Continental Club- Mojo’s Mayhem
Mojo Nixon and the Toad Liquors- Continental Club- Mojo’s Mayhem
Liz Cooper and the Stampede- Hotel San Jose-SXSJ
U.S. Girls- Hotel San Jose-SXSJ
Sunflower Bean- Hotel San Jose-SXSJ
Rayland Baxter- Hotel San Jose-SXSJ
Okkervil River- Hotel San Jose- SXSJ
Archie Bell- C-Boys Heart & Soul
Soulman Sam- C-Boys Heart & Soul
Tomar and the FC’s- C-Boys Heart & Soul
Sunday March 18th
White Heat- Empire Control Room-Uncle Doug’s Chili Dog Fest #9
Air Traffic Controllers- Empire Control Room-Uncle Doug’s Chili Dog Fest #9
Salem Walk- Empire Control Room-Uncle Doug’s Chili Dog Fest #9
Crack Pipes- Empire Control Room-Uncle Doug’s Chili Dog Fest #9
The Ripe- Empire Control Room-Uncle Doug’s Chili Dog Fest #9
Scott Yoder- Empire Control Room-Uncle Doug’s Chili Dog Fest #9
Billy King and the Bad Bad Bad- Empire Control Room-Uncle Doug’s Chili Dog Fest #9
Genital Panic- Empire Control Room-Uncle Doug’s Chili Dog Fest #9
Rocket 808- Empire Control Room-Uncle Doug’s Chili Dog Fest #9
Knife In The Water- Empire Control Room-Uncle Doug’s Chili Dog Fest #9
A Place To Bury Strangers- Empire Control Room-Uncle Doug’s Chili Dog Fest #9
Lo Jinx Orchestra- Continental Club Gallery- Orphans of SXSW
Curtis McMurtry- Continental Club Gallery- Orphans of SXSW
Adam and Trish Carroll- Continental Club Gallery- Orphans of SXSW
Matt the Electrician- Continental Club Gallery- Orphans of SXSW
Ben De La Croix- Continental Club Gallery- Orphans of SXSW
Cathy McCarthy and Brain Beadie- Continental Club Gallery- Orphans of SXSW
Michael Hall- Continental Club Gallery- Orphans of SXSW
