The Big Takeover: SXSW 2006 Report [Part III]: Thursday, March 16, 2006 : SXSW 2006 Report [Part III]: Thursday, March 16, 2006

by Rachel Pesin
31 March 2006

[Continued from Part II]

Thursday morning, I woke up nice and early for my second day of the craziness that is SXSW. First I went to the Victory Grill, a venue that is a bit of a walk from the main 6th Street-area.

First up was ENVELOPES. They’re a quirky, psychedelic indie pop band from Sweden. They seemed to really enjoy their afternoon gig, even though it was incredibly hot and, as a result, not too many people made the trek out there; I’m glad I did.

Up next at the same venue was JIM NOIR, from Manchester. I feel like it’s only a matter of time before he’s well-known over here, because he makes the most wonderful sunshiney-pop I’ve heard in a long time. There must be something in the water over there in Manchester because it’s been giving us band after band that comes out with great music. (That’s JACK COOPER in the photo on guitar with Jim, another amazing Manchester musician.)

After Jim’s set, I crossed the street to see London’s THE YOUNG KNIVES at the Longbranch Inn. These guys have mastered the art of dance-y punk-funk-pop. Plus, brothers HENRY DARTNALL and THE HOUSE OF LORDS’ onstage banter and mock (?) insult-throwing is hysterical and only adds to their fun performance.

Because I really like them, I decided to go see THE RALFE BAND again, who were playing in some random place. And when I say random, I mean a parking lot with a small stage twenty minutes by car from 6th Street. But I’m glad I went because the band gave an amazing performance, albeit in front of about ten people while construction workers fixed up a house across the street. This is what happens at SXSW!

I then went to the other side of town (across a bridge even!) to see SPOON (again) at the Town Lake Stage at Auditorium Shores. This was a free-for-everyone show that took place in a massive field that had been turned into a fairground. The audience was a crazy mix of families, teenagers, spring-breakers and old people, yet everyone seemed to be there for Spoon! I’ve never seen the band so happy and so proud during a gig. They were in their hometown, feeling the love, and giving it their all.

After Spoon’s set I walked a lengthy distance (again) to the Saengerrunde Hall for Diesel-U-Music’s showcase. I went to see my current favorite band, THE BOY LEAST LIKELY TO. Their set was marred by technical difficulties that caused them to cut the set short, but the songs they did play were still as wonderfully childlike and joyful as ever. I love this band!

I went back to 6th Street to see TWO GALLANTS at the Parish and encountered the complete opposite of TBLLT. This was the most intense show I’ve ever been to, and I ended up feeling bad about feeling happy! This San Francisco duo plays the most incredible mix of blues, soul, punk, and deep rock n roll. I was right in the front and the sound coming out of the monitors practically blew my eardrums out, but I’d do it again to be blown away like that.

After this performance—and a day of walking around way too much—I was just too tired to find a band to see for the midnight time slot, so I went over to Buffalo Billiards to wait for THE CLOUD ROOM. But, as is known to happen at SXSW, a great band was playing, and I didn’t even know it! Austin natives THE SOUND TEAM, a band I’d never heard, was playing and I was very impressed. They were a funny and fun dance-y pop band who I have every intention of seeing again – by then I have a feeling that I will know all their lyrics!

My last band of the night was The Cloud Room. Yes, I have seen them before and yes, they are from New York, but I know they’re a sure-thing if you’re looking for a fun dance party. I was really surprised by the audience’s response—the band went on at 1:00 AM, but the crowd acted as if it the night had just started. From the first note played, everyone was dancing and singing along. What I love about The Cloud Room is that they’re not only hand-clapping pop; they’ve also got some great mellower songs that with great melodies. Their best song, “Hey Now Now,” which might be the catchiest song ever written, is one of the most fun songs to sing and dance along to (that would be my sister on stage with the band during said song; they like to invite the audience up to jump around and go nuts for a few blissful minutes!)