SXSW First Timers
-
So I was talking to Alyssa about SXSW, both us being first-timers, and we agreed--let's have a thread about our SXSW experiences, questions, concerns, and meet-ups. If you returnees want to contribute a meet-up location, or answer a question or what have you, cool--but this thread is intended to serve as resource for those of us who don't know anyone going, need a suggestion which party to check out, want to find a buddy to drink boos with at 2PM or 4AM, or just want to tell that crazy story they had the night before.
Let's start by responding and saying whether you're a first timer. If you're promoting a show for the first time. If you're attending for the first time. If you're a first time performer. Whatever. First-timers, first time it. -
Also, one of my coworkers has this fabled food binder of the best places to eat in Austin... excerpts to follow....
I'll be attending for the first time, and also there for work, with Team Clermont. We're putting on a day party with MBV and another with New Granada. -
first timer
-
This will be my first time at a music festival or concert.
-
First timer as well.
Would love advice on how feasible it is to traverse from one club to the next. Or should I just stay in one place? -
I can't afford the festival (only got the half discount for a press pass) or the flight out there. Being a 19 year old blogger doesn't help my chance of getting out there!
-
wait, what's a music festival?
-
I borrowed a bicycle from some friends last year and it was INVALUABLE. I would highly recommend renting one if you can (there are a few rental places in Austin) or borrowing. Some of the venues are pretty spread out so it makes it a lot easier to get to them quickly
-
this will be my first time in person.
i've had lots of practice alone in my computer room.... -
@Autopsy IV
We're talking about SXSW right?
@Welistenforyou
Way to go! I know that feeling. It's great. Rest up! It's going to be a hell of time so I hear
@Brandon
Are you kidding me! You're first time? I wouldn't have suspected that from the man of Elbo.ws. Fantastic.
@Alyssa
I am looking forward to that list. -
lulz @ Autopsy
-
oh you kids.
this will be my sixth. I think that gets me the "grizzled veteran" badge.
if you got questions, I've got pithy, somewhat factually correct answers. -
@chromewaves - what are some mistakes people make when they arrive at SXSW? Thinking they can see every band? Falling asleep in the back of a venue at 1am? Getting lost?
-
@katarokkar - if the club is in the grid between Congress and I35, 2nd and 11th or so, then barring human traffic you can get from one room to the next in 10 minutes or so. And most of the clubs in the city are there. If you're keen on something like La Zona Rosa, Austin Music Hall or the west side towards Lamar, then budget another 10-15 minutes from the edge of downtown. Personally, that's enough to get me to bail on a show for something closer by.
general thoughts:
finding decent food can be tough. not a lot of restaurants downtown and the lineups are massive. Street vendors have pizza and sausage and whatnot, but it's not great and not great for you. People will recommend places but getting a seat can be an hour or more wait.
wear comfy shoes
have backup plans and backups for those backups
use day shows to check off your must-see lists.
if there's a lineup, be a bit patient. badges seem to give people ADHD and after they've seen a few songs, they often wander elsewhere.
-
@seasoned grizzled veteran....you're input is invaluable..thank you.
-
finding decent food can be tough.
trying to remedy that issue with our two-day party. so at least thursday and friday, that might not be as much of a problem. we'll see, though. -
yeah, if you happen on a party that's got grub, you're good. But if you're wandering 6th St in the evening, it can be hazardous.
some of those pizza joints are really bad. -
People will tell you SXSW gets old, boring, same shit year after year. Ignore them. If you love music you will have a great time. I think this is my 6th or 7th year and I'm always excited about SXSW.
Frank's advice is solid. I cannot stress enough how important it is to bring comfortable shoes and backup plans. Also, DO NOT go off the beaten path to any event or party where you'll assume a cab can be called and actually show up, especially after midnight -- I've learned the hard way. Late night parties are simply not worth it to me anymore, unless you have a designated driver, reliable transportation or there's a seriously great lineup that can't be missed. -
oh yeah, cabs are a total crapshoot. Since most of downtown is closed to traffic, you have to wander a ways to find somewhere cabs are pooling. Sometimes people wait on the I35 off ramp to hail a cab, and it still takes like 20 minutes to move 3 blocks through traffic.
in short, your time is almost always better spent seeing a band than trying to find something that might be cool way off in the east side. -
I'll be there for #2 time.
EDIT: that makes it sound like I'm going there to use the bathrooms.
EDIT 2: which will happen
Anyway, last year was my first year, and I had a really easy time of it. I had a badge, but from what I could tell, aside from one particular showcase, the difference between that and a wristband was minimal. You still wait in lines like a mug. Otherwise, listen to Frank.
Though if you want to listen to me, I'd highly recommend if you're able to do it: stay with a pal in town and try to score a bike. Last year I stayed on the floor of some guys (in a band) that I went to college with and hadn't seen in a decade. Saved about 1k in hotelage, and they loaned me a bike (they lived about 5 miles away). This year I'm staying with an ex-girlfriend who goes to UT, and she's got an extra bike.
Aw hell: http://www.indyweekblogs.com/scan/author/ericharvey/ <-- that's what got me the free badge, and also those are my first-year adventures, fwiw. This year I'll be with A Sunny Day In Glasgow; it's their first time too. -
3rd time is the charm!
-
@Chromewaves: a little advice to you for this year, if you end up at A Peelander Z show watch out for flying drumsticks ;)
-
I'm-a staying far away from those guys this year! they have a vendetta!
-
Haha Peelander Z played after some friends of mine at The Earl one time. I was amazing at their fan-girls in full color coordinated costumes.
-
I can't stress the shoe thing enough -- wear comfortable shoes. Your legs/feet will feel like cement blocks by the end of the day...and then you will still have 5-6 hours left of music to see.
-
So cloggs? Ridiculous or perfect?
-
funnily sadly the free Saucony Jazz shoes that they were giving away to bloggers a few years ago are still my favourite concert-going shoes. My feet still kill by the end of the day but far far less than if I'd been wearing anything else I own.
I JUST PLUGGED SOMETHING I GOT FOR FREES OH NOES -
Posted by: chromewavesfunnily sadly the free Saucony Jazz shoes that they were giving away to bloggers a few years ago are still my favourite concert-going shoes. My feet still kill by the end of the day but far far less than if I'd been wearing anything else I own.
I JUST PLUGGED SOMETHING I GOT FOR FREES OH NOES
and the bonus is/was if you saw someone on 6th St wearing the same shoes, then "hey what's your site" is a perfectly legit icebreaker -
There a great vietnamese place on 4th I found and kept going to last year on 6h st (in the venue epicenter) that often stays not too crowded + is inexpensive.
Mekong River: http://www.yelp.com/biz/mekong-river-restaurant-austin
The Pho is light yet nutritious and is perfect for long nights of music and dancing. -
Nice description. Any plans on starting a food blogreggator, Anthony?
-
http://urbanspoon.com has that covered, hehe
-
I find myself going back to this cart daily, pretty damn tasty: http://www.thebestwurst.com/
-
Also, BREAKFAST TACOS. There are lots of places to get some, including Chilitos on Congress and 8th. (a bit away from the epicenter, but worthwhile to visit).
I have been unable to find glorious breakfast tacos (and burritos, if you are that hardcore) anywhere other than TX. They are so delicious!
Chorizo+egg, egg+bacon+cheese, combinations are endless! -
Anthony--come to San Francisco, the breakfast and regular burritos capital.
Back in the day, when I returned from college my mom would greet me with a burrito from my favorite spot. mmmh... -
"Anthony--come to San Francisco, the breakfast and regular burritos capital."
meh - San Fran? Nothing beats Texas... ;-)
Sorry don't mean to "troll" or "spam" this thread. Not going to SXSW but lived in Dallas for a numer of years.
Anthony is spot on.TEXAS = TEX-MEX = AWESOME
-HM ♥ ♫ ☮ -
The Hideout on Congress and 7th is my favourite place for coffee and breakfast tacos. soooooooo good.
Best Wurst is a damn fine piece of street meat as well. -
I'm not going but this might help w/ pre-gaming: All the MP3 files publicly available on the SXSW website (torrent)
-
2nd time. Cannot wait.
The shoes thing is the most pertinent thing mentioned. My feet fucking killed me last year. I have EJ Loudersoft to thank for picking me up in my stupid mission to walk out to the Mad Decent party on the last night. A fun adventure.
Anthony - that Vietnamese restaurant kicked ass. I'm going back there this year. It was the only good meal I had all week. I didn't have any tacos last year either but that's cos I spent most mornings writing about the night before.
make sure you plan plan plan and RSVP to everything. -
Any chance this Vietnamese restaurant has avocado shakes? (my favorite, Just Pho (And More) serves them, and they are like a cloud in a cup... but better)
-
A cloud in a cup eh? Sounds like a down pour of rain. Can't say I agree with you Alyssa on this one. Avocado's belong on sandwiches or plain by themselves with a touch rice vinegar or salt--oh, and as guacamole --of course.
-
avocado shakes?
i'll try anything once. can't promise I won't vomit though -
I get the gin shakes occasionally. What are avocado shakes?
-
I was skeptical at first... I'm guessing they make them with vanilla icecream, avocado, and angel farts? At present, I have not figured out how to hack them into a cocktail... I'll get to work on this.
-
I like angel farts on Valentine's Day. You know the little toot of the horn right before a kiss. Actually, I like fart jokes in general. What? I'm unemployed, young, and im/mature. Don't tell this to my girlfriend.
-
WAIT WAIT WAIT... so when you get older, fart jokes stop being funny? Say it ain't so! Can someone confirm/deny this travesty?
To stay at least slightly on topic, found out today we are staying at the Embassy Suites for sxsw. Apparently it is conveniently located, which will minimize my late-night 5-year-old lost in the grocery store disorientation. -
I will be staying at a friend's very large place, 20mins outside Austin. AKA, should be fun place to be, but uhm--won't be going back and forth much--so uhm, anyone wanna hang out/let me crash on their floor for an hr--I would be much obliged.
-
I would endorse Mekong River as well - if you have some time to do a real sit down meal. Plus last year there was a Shiner Bock girl there handing out free Shiner swag (all of which I lost within a day).
I would also highly recommend skipping big showcases with huge lines in favor of seeing lots of multiple shows (unless you have an actual badge). Unless you really want to see a particular band, I think it is always more fun when you don't have to wait in line very much.
Oh yeah, and find day parties with free food/free beer and get there early -
Unfortunately I can't open up my floor to anyone :( It's our office room. I think right now there are 6 of us in there.
-
I am still not 100% certain, but I think I am coming this year.
Most. Exciting.
Howdy, Stranger!
It looks like you're new here. If you want to get involved, click one of these buttons!
Categories
- All Discussions3,267
- General2,523
- Band Promotion217
- Blog Promotion259
- MP3 Blog Tips148
- MP3 Blog Tools120
- Private Messages0