SXSW Music 2013 – Weekender

We’re just past the midway point of the 2013 SXSW, and amidst a seeming unending run of 85 degree days, the city is abuzz over some major performances, with the rumor mill continuing to churn through some intriguing possibilities. The first two days and evenings have emphasized valedictory appearances by major stars, including the return of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs after a hiatus (Karen O. had a yellow suit to match her gold locks), David Grohl’s keynote and all-star Sound City jam featuring Ricks from Nielsen to Springfield, an edition of the mtvU woodies which cemented Macklemore and Ryan Lewis’ status as major stars, and an all-star hip-hop lineup curated by LL Cool J at the giant Dorito machine, with appearances by Public Enemy, Ice Cube, and Doug E. Fresh. Over the next two days, appearances by Depeche Mode, Prince, Green Day and Justin Timberlake will dominate attention, and while the special events generate a lot of excitement, there is some concern that the major events distract attention for those who still see SXSW as a proving ground for emerging and indie artists.

To help guide you through the final 48 hours of SXSW, when an already conference swells to unheard of levels with weekend visitors, we highlight some of the remaining opportunities to catch artists who may be on the last legs of their SXSW gauntlet, or are expected to use SXSW as a springboard for shows this spring.

1. The Specials

The Specials are in the midst of playing four shows in Austin before a West Coast leg prior to a spring UK tour. The buzz has strangely quiet, perhaps the public still hasn’t grasped the concept that these are the SPECIALS, who are returning to the States for pretty much the first time in 30 years. I saw pretty much because a handful of the members did reunite to play a song or two at a major festival, before the original band as a whole (with the notable exception of co-founder Jerry Dammers) reunited in 2009. There was talk of a full blown tour of the US, but their touring has largely been limited to special shows on the coasts. Their show at New York’s Highline Ballroom, their first since the ’80s, was at turns riotous and packed with drama, as one wondered, when Terry Hall would saunter off stage right, whether he might keep walking and not return. To this day, the refrain from “Ghost Town” retains its ghastly effect. It will be curious to see if a Message to You speaks to a new generation of boys and girls when the lads hit the US, starting with the West coast. In the meantime, one can see them close out the night at Stubbs on Friday. (12:30 am).

2. The Joy Formidable

The affable Welsh trio of Ritzy, Rhydian and Matt have been a joy, something fierce, since arriving stateside in 2010. Their debut album, The Big Roar, did just that and the Joy ran the gauntlet of shows at SXSW in 2011. Despite playing major festivals, and catching the eye of David Grohl, who plugged the plucky trio into a slew of arena opening slots for the Foo Fighters, the Joy Formidable press on in support of their quite lovely sophomore release, Wolf’s Law, with an ambitious SXSW schedule which has them playing somewhere every 20 minutes. Oops, there they go, playing again. Check them out now, in an hour, or on their upcoming spring tour. And don’t forget the earplugs. (Lustre Pearl, Friday, 11pm).

3. Austra

Expectations are running high for Olympia, the band’s followup to one of the most acclaimed albums of 2011, Feel It Break. Katie Stelmanis’ vocals soar over beautiful harmonies, pulsating rhythms and an intoxiacting blend of electronica and dark wave. It’s a delight to see the band live, as the band expands to a sextet to include backup singers. Check out Austra this weekend (Elysium, Saturday, 1am).

4. Sleigh Bells, Flying Lotus, Justin Timberlake, Theophilus London (and more TBA) at My Space

My Space is back and they’re bringing their friends with them. At least that’s the inspired vehicle behind the MySpace secret shows that kicked off yesterday with Diplo and Kid Cudi. Tonight, Sleigh Bells and Flying Lotus are the mystery guests at the MySpace secret show, at the warehouse space on 5th. While not achieving quite the alliteration you would get from Friday with Freddie Fender at Friendster, for at least the next few nights, MySpace will really matter. The only catch, you have to be a MySpace member, or be able to retrieve information. I found one, and with it a lot of lost Roller Derby footage from the stone age of social media. So start searching for those MySpace passwords and get your RSVP stat.

5. The Palma Violets

The British are coming. Actually, they’re already here. Once again, the British Music Embassy (Latitude, 502 San Jancinto) has served as the Austin home for a bevy of British artists who are striking gold this year, the next step in a pipeline that at previous SXSW festivals, involved a gauntlet of sets that helped the likes of We Were Promised Jetpacks, Frightened Rabbit, the Kaiser Chiefs, and Bloc Party find their footing. The week has seen Alt-J building upon their commercial and critical acclaim with a show at Stubbs, while Bastille electrified a rapt audience, buoyed by the announcement that the band’s debut album had entered the UK Charts at #1. The Palma Violets have been anointed best new band by tastemaker NME, and conjure up comparisons to Jesus and Mary Chain, My Bloody Valentine and Libertines. Their single “Best of Friends” was a breakout 2012 hit. Their spanking new 2013 release 180 continues to spin on the platter. (Club De Ville, Friday, 1am).

6. Savages

Yet another British buzz band, the girls and boys of Savages made quite the impression at CMJ last fall, and are poised to leap into the festival circuit. But not before making the rounds of SXSW showcases. To get a flavor of the intensity of the band’s live act, take a look at this clip from their Brooklyn Vegan show at CMJ, and then make plans to catch them tonight or on tour this spring. (Club De Ville, Friday, 11pm).

Gold Fields, Haim and more…

7. Gold Fields

The annual Aussie BBQ is always a good place to discover who’s new. Last year’s favorite were Melbourne’s Voltaire Twins. This year, we’re raving about Gold Fields, another band from the west whose blend of new wave, tribal percussion conjures up Cut Copy or Faith-era Cure, kicked off this week with an absolute knock out of a set, blowing up the Daily Motion party before several dozen delighted partygoers. Gold Fields will be appearing on back-to-back nights. (Buffalo Billiards, Friday, 9pm), (Maggie Mae’s Rooftop, Saturday, 10pm).

8. Sky Ferreira

Sky has been the subject of considerable old-school buzz, owing to her major label placement, with fans left to wonder what is up with an album that was shelved, and then some personnel changes. What’s undeniable is her voice, even as she experiments with different looks which in the latest incarnation, may draw some comparisons to a young Debbie Harry. Sky took some tentative steps at CMJ. At the Daily Motion her new look saw her singing backed by a full band, and she will be making a major appearance on Saturday (Stubbs, Saturday, 10pm).

9. Icona Pop

This Swedish duo are fast becoming a global sensation, in a few short months building upon a smash appearance at CMJ with their international dance hit “I Love It”, which features co-writer and fellow buzz artists Charli XCX, who joined them on stage at their first SXSW set on Tuesday night. “I Love It” looks to be the 2013 answer to the Ting Ting’s “That’s Not My Name”, a girl power anthem featured in the pop culture phenomenon Girls. While Icona Pop may have reached the finite limit of sets in a week, Charli XCX will be appearing Saturday night at Austin Music Hall, where she will focus on her material, revealing a darker, more indie side than her pop hit.

10. Blue Hawaii

The land of smoked meats and poutine has been the hot hand of late in the indie world, the likes of Merrill Garbus and Tuneyards, Purity Ring and Grimes fast becoming the next big exports after Arcade Fire shook up the free world with their Grammy land grab. Arbutus Records, the local Montreal record label which helped launch Grimes, is the home of Blue Hawaii and a host of other young and talented artists who typify the sense of shared community found in Montreal. Whatever they put in the water of Montreal’s Mile End community, we’ll have here. The duo of Raphaelle Standell-Preston (also behind Braids) and Alexander Cowan have amazing chemistry, and put together summery, shimmering sounds on their latest, Untogether that sets a stunning counter-point to a place that’s likely still pretty icy now. Catch Raphaelle in both her projects at the Arbutus Records showcase Friday (Swan Dive, 11pm; Braids, 1am).

11. A Tribe Called Red

EDM artists and mixologits are enjoying a major renaissance, transforming the indie world with their mashup culture, given the interchangeability of LCD Soundsystem, Girl Talk, and the Hood Internet. Indie dance fans, get ready for the next thing to consider, Pow Wow Step, club music that integrates dancehall, hip-hop, and electronica with relentless pow wow beats. The Tribe Called Red collective, hailing from Ottawa, showcase their pioneering ability to mesh styles, as well as a wicked take on pop culture by mashing up video clips of their favorite Indian stereotypes as seen in old Westerns, cartoons, and shoot them ups, and tracks titled “Red Skin Girl” and “Native Puppy Love”. Check them out this weekend (Speakeasy, Friday, 1am; Townhouse, Saturday, 10pm).

12. Metz

The Toronto trio wielded unyielding intensity throughout their 2012 release, and as a live act, pack a ferocity which their Sub Pop bio accurately likens to the legacy of Shellac and Jesus Lizard. Having honed their craft at a succession of basement shows and alternative venues, the band are poised to break out in 2013. Check out this clip of the band from CMJ, and then check them out this weekend or on tour. (Bar 96, Friday, 10:30 pm).

13. Haim

A year ago, sisters Este, Danielle, and Alana Haim played a buzzed about set on the second floor of a restaurant. This week will be a crash course in adapting to the demands of their meteoric rise, which they share in the family, as the girls love to banter about being best friends (aww.) The band finished a breakthrough gig at the Music Hall of Williamsburg (first headline show, first sellout, first time they were asked to encore). by having their parents join them on stage. The band’s set typically includes a cover of Fleetwood Mac’s blues classic “Oh Well”, an opportunity for the girls to demonstrate their musicianship and appreciation for rock standards. Haim played a number of raucous sets this week, including an appearance at the mtvU Woodies festival. Expect to see a starmaking turn this weekend at one of their biggest gigs to date. (Stubbs, Saturday, 11pm).

14. Chance the Rapper

Last year saw Kendrick Lamar and A$AP Rocky emerge from the mix tape world with highly acclaimed releases that showcased the depth of talent percolating in the underground. This year, Chance the Rapper represents another in a wave of artists that are shaking up the music world, with irressibtiblly inventive arrangements that careen, with a wicked, at times stream of consciousness sense of humor grounded in Chance’s Sweet Home Chicago roots. Here’s hoping that his mixtape Acid Rap, and his single “Juice” continue to streak of ambitious releases that make it onto year end top ten lists. If by chance, you happen to be anywhere near Suite 101, say 10:15 on a Saturday night, check out Chance the Rapper (Suite 101, Saturday, 10pm).