Doing SXSW-Music right

SXSW – I went to the interactive part of the conference for work. But the music side is what everyone wants to get in to. The way SXSW works is that you can buy a badge (couple hundred bucks) for each part: Interactive, Film, or Music. Or you can get a Platinum Badge that gets you in to everything (mega bucks). Or you can buy a wristband for a few hundred dollars. And, finally, if you only want to see a few things you can queue up and pay a per show charge – but you are not guaranteed to get in.) Pretty much, only badges are guaranteed in. In front of every show – there are three lines. Badge, wristband, and cash. Many of the venues are so small they have to close the doors after the badges. But, see the real secret behind SXSW is the parties. The parties are invite only – doesn’t matter if you have a badge, if you don’t have an invite – you can’t get in.

Thank goodness for Jax and French – they have all the invites. Last night we went to three shows. The Meat Puppets. Public Enemy. And The Feds.

First, the Meat Puppets. The South Austin Speed Shop (I kid you not – a classic car auto body shop) held a party and upended their garage up for the party.

Then we headed over to Auditorium Shores to see the free Public Enemy show. Only thing was – VIPs get really good seats. It was awesome! Back stage...

Flavor Flav and Chuck DIt was Flavor Flav’s b-day. Some other spinner, named DJ Lord. Ian says too bad it wasn’t Terminator X. But the guy was good. The clock!

Peace and F*%$ George W. Was the message of the night.
Artful shot of Jax and I.

After Public Enemy let out we went down to 6^th Street it was super crazy.

But we battled the crowds to get over to the Rockfest for the Feds (not that great, little too heavy for me). With more fantastic seats. We all kept marveling at what a nice “happy new home” celebration the city threw for us! Most thanks goes to The Quads for the awesome night!