SXSW: Music Day 3: Yoko Ono, OMD, the Kills, Matt & Kim…

Photos: Daniel Boczarski and Words: Josh Antonuccio

With the weekend in full swing, South by Southwest is now exploding with activity, with Sixth Street and it’s immediate surroundings engulfed with people and an endless array of musicians, playing wherever they can, both on the streets and in the venues.

Day 3 started off with a fascinating interview with Yoko Ono held at the Convention Center. Starting with a 10-minute retrospective film, the interview covered her creative life through her work as an artist and her collaborations with John Lennon. It was an emotional event for all involved as one of the closest people to the late Beatle shared personal stories of their work and relationship with one another, as well as her artistic journey after his death. She and Sean Lennon will both be performing tonight.

Merge Showcase was a packed house at the Parish with the likes of American Music Club (who seemed to struggle through their set and had a hard time connecting musically), and Times New Viking on hand. Seattle trio Telekenesis delivered a rousing performance to a packed house.

The formidable outfit known as Yuck played a majestic performance as many people at the festival are increasingly getting excited about this fine band. This is their third performance of the week and they have a lot of enthusiasm building behind them. A great throwback to ’90s era underground rock and terrific songs.

The much-lauded Ariel Pink’s Haunting Graffiti, whose 2010 album was seen as an iconic breakthrough, suffered through sound, and seemingly personal problems, on stage to an adoring crowd. However, it wasn’t enough to dampen the mood as many joyously sang and danced along through the set. Elsewhere, Indie favorites North Mississippi Allstars, Menomena and Soundtrack of Our Lives all played to throngs of fans. Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears returned home with a set at the Moody Theater.

Friday night was also a singer-songwriter-lover’s heaven with Josh Ritter, Lucinda Williams, Josh T. Pearson and Damien Jurado all playing sets throughout the evening.

 

The Vaccines perform during the SPIN@Stubb’s event during SXSW 2011.

more pictures

 

OMD (Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark) perform during the Spin@Stubb’s event during SXSW 2011.

more pictures

 

The Kills perform during the Spin@Stubb’s event during SXSW 2011.

more pictures

 

TV on the Radio perform during the Spin@Stubb’s event during SXSW 2011.

more pictures

 

Ellie Goulding performs at the FADER FORT by FIAT during SXSW 2011.

more pictures

 

The Smith Westerns perform at the FADER FORT by FIAT during SXSW 2011.

more pictures

 

Odd Future perform at the FADER FORT by FIAT during SXSW 2011.

more pictures

 

Matt & Kim perform at the FADER FORT by FIAT during SXSW 2011.

more pictures

 

TOKIMONSTA performs at Mohawk’s during SXSW 2011.

more pictures

 

White White Sisters perform at Elysium during SXSW 2011.

more pictures

 

HOTTUB perform at Beauty Bar during SXSW 2011.

more pictures