REFLECTING ON SXSW 2014 MUSIC

Another SXSW year has come and gone, which basically means that all the sexy leather jacket wearing, bearded musicians have all gone back to wherever they came from and the city has significantly quieted down.

As everyone tries to get back into their normal routines, I can imagine that most people who partied hard for the week are probably still trying to recover from their week long hangovers or sleeping to try and make up for the all nighters. SXSW definitely tests your endurance, stamina and for most people - their alcohol tolerance. It can get pretty sloppy out there but it just adds to the charm I guess. And although the festival is such a massive event - drawing in crowds from all over the world and with thousands running all around the downtown area, there are still tons of opportunities to see your favorite bands and discover new ones in quite intimate settings. Anywhere goes for putting on a show. Bands set up in alleyways, rooftops, parking lots, pedestrian bridges, bars, tents, backyards and even churches- basically anywhere your band and an audience can squeeze into, thats your spot to show what you've got. It really makes for a unique experience. An experience you can't quite get in a park setting where a typical music festival takes place.

The energy of South By Southwest is thrilling and it is for sure something to be witnessed first hand. No matter where you turn you see on everyones face that they are just letting loose and loving life. The days are jam packed with non-stop music and memorable moments. And if your not from Austin, by the end of it you'll fill up on so much tex-mex, damn good tacos, barbecue, trailer truck food, music and booze that it will for sure hold you over till next year when you get to do it all over again.

Above I chose some of my favorite photos that I took throughout the week. Some of the things I got up to during the week included going to see Jimmy Kimmel Live in Austin, where afterwords Aloe Blacc performed a short set as the musical guest. I also went to the mtvU Woodie Awards for the second year and it was such fun, as was to be expected. We waited in line for the Woodies for over six hours. Long story short: After waiting in line for 3 and a half hours, we finally got in but then left right away to catch The Orwells play at another part of downtown. We got to that location only to realize that we got the set times confused. So we missed their show and we were so bummed/pissed off about it. We made our way back to the woodies but found out that we had to get back in line even though we already had wristbands. So we waited over 3 hours again. At least we were entertained by London Grammar and Sam Smith while we waited. It was lovely. Unfortunately we couldn't see them through the gates, but we heard them! So that's cool. Clearly our detailed plan fell through and at times we didn't even think we'd make it through since at that point the woodies was at capacity and they were doing one in one out. Hectic times but it was all so worth it in the end! Finally, when we made it back into the woodies and we had just enough time to eat some free brisket sandwiches and green chili macaroni provided by Salt Like BBQ. We downed some more free drinks and then made it over to the stage as quickly as possible for the start of the show. We saw American Authors, Iggy Azalea, Lil Wayne, Charli XCX, Childish Gambino and my favorite band ever - The 1975. My next post will be dedicated all to them because oh. my. god. *Insert heart eyed emoji*

The next few days while at the Waterloo Records daytime parties we were introduced to a new band from the UK called Temples. They are amazing!! My brother and I each bought their album and had them sign them at the meet and greet after they played. It was really cool! We also saw Jake Bugg play live again which we loved and were really looking forward too. I saw him last year at SXSW then at ACL music fest, and again at this years SXSW.  Gosh I can't even remember the other people we saw since there were so many but Ex Hex, Wild Child, Phantogram, Jeremy Messersmith and Radkey were some bands we were introduced too and ended up really enjoying.

The last night of South By we went over to Butler Park to see Childish Gambino perform again, I'm not much into rap/ hip hop anymore but this guy is amazing and everyone else wanted to see him. Of course there were many more things that happened in-between but I just thought it would be best to highlight on a few. All in all we had an incredible time and cannot wait for next year. In the meantime I'll just look back at all the photos and videos on my phone and weep a little knowing that the fun is over and I'm back on the school grind.