SXSW, day 1

So, today (wednesday) is the official kick off of SXSW music, and also Saint Patrick’s day. What more could a man wish for. Started the day with a bike ride into town, where I bumped into Walter of the Roadburn festival, and Joep, promotor of 013 Popcentre in Tilburg. We decided to go to the dayshows at Waterloo Records, one of the biggest record stores of Austin. High on Fire was playing in the parking lot. There were about 200 people there, and High on Fire delivered as always. They played stuff of the new album, which I haven’t heard yet, except for one song, which sounded a bit too polished for me.

After that, I went to the party of the city of The Hague, who invested tons of money in a SXSW – Crossing Border cooporation. As a festival organizer myself, I’m really jealous about the fact that a city invests so much money to promote their music abroad. However, I’m a bit skeptical as well. My experiences from the past are, that parties like these just don’t work to get your stuff noticed amongst other people, besides the ones involved in the parties or the project. The Hague flew in 60 (!) people, 5 bands, a camera crew and invited a shitload of people over for the party with free beer and food. At the party, the exact 60 people, camera crew and bands were there, but almost no other people showed up. I mean, what’s the use of playing for the people that brought you over there in the first place. They already know you. Hope for the bands that the other shows will have a better turn out, otherwise, this whole thing is a terrible waste of tax payers money. I think, for example, the way the Capsule did the whole “Home of Metal” / Lemmy thing (see blogpost 2 days ago) is a way more natural way to promote your bands and city.

Anyways, after 45 minutes of saying hi to people like Frank Satink, Frank Helmink, Marco Roelofs, and some of the bands, I decided to split, and go to Emo’s, to see the Black Angels. Emo’s during the day is always fun. Good hang-out in the beer garden, cool people, good bands. Hung out with Walter Roadburn and some other Dutch friends. Met the label owner of TeePee records, and saw 40 minutes of the Black Angels. They were awesome. After that, black metal outfit Withered played inside. Quiet ok, but not too interesting. Up next was the mighty Torche, who we booked already twice with Incubate. They ripped the Extase in Tilburg apart, and repeated this at the Emo’s inside. Sound was loud as fuck, even with one guitarist less as usual. All the hits came by, and the crowd (and band) went nuts. When they did the downtuned “bomb string”  thing, Emo’s literally shaked on it’s foundations. Great way to end the afternoon.

After that, had some excellent BBQ at Stubb’s, and went to the Mohawk venue together with Walter. There was a showcase with lots of loud bands there, can’t recall who was throwing the party, but there was a pretty long line. This is the moment that owning a badge really pays off!  Checked out one band, which wasn’t all that good, and talked to the guys from Zoroaster and High on Fire a bit. After that, I went to Emo’s, where The Strange Boys were playing again. I think this band might become my festival favorite. Really good, once more. Hope to catch them in Europe soon. Bumped into a Dutch delegation. Jeps of Mojo, Johan of the Tivoli venue in Utrecht, Frank Satink of Goomah / Ev’Hands and Bas Flesseman of Belmont bookings. Always nice to meet people you know from back home on the other side of the Atlantic. Went on to see Here We Go Magic after that with Bas, Johan and Frank. Had a good conversation about the whole The Hague thing once more, and enjoyed some Tecate, when all 4 of us got a text message on our phone that Alex Chilton died…….

Damn….I was really looking forward to seeing Big Star this friday here, but that won’t be happening anymore….RIP Alex Chilton……..

After the bad news, I went on to see Elle Bandita in the Red Eyed Fly. There were quiet a few Dutchies there. Had drinks with Nick Helderman, the guys and girl from Drive Like Maria, the Rotterdam cultural commisioner girls, and quiet a few other people. Really good hang out! Elle Bandita did a pretty solid show. They are a pretty basic rock band now, since the keyboardist left. I like them better this way. After Elle Bandita, it was time to go see Canadian metal veterans VoiVod at Red7. It wasn’t all that busy over there, I’d guess about 250 people. I expected more people there, but I guess this is VoiVod’s fate….saw ‘m 10 years ago with Neurosis and Today is the Day once, I guess there were 100 people there back then…too bad, because VoiVod is an excellent band. Had some drinks with the girls from Capsule and Johnny Doom, the guy who interviewed Lemmy a few days back.

VoiVod was pretty bad ass, too bad Jason Newsted isn’t playing live with them. When VoiVod were done, I went over to the Red Eyed Fly, my home away from home, again. Had some last drinks, and went home tired, but satisfied. 3 more days to go!