SXSW 2014

About three weeks ago I was in Austin. I was there for SXSW, a festival showcasing gaming, film and music. I was there for the last week, the music part. I had no SXSW pass but visited the free unofficial gigs. My favourite venue was Gypsy Lounge located on the east side.  I considered getting a free flash sailor jerry tattoo but hesitant when discovering I would be inked according to a chance wheel. In this venue, I saw the three piece rock surf band Guantanamo Baywatch. What a great name, I thought. I also loved the LA electronic duo Youth Code, these guys were unique and quite something.  I spent some nights walking through Downtown. Downtown was a haven when events had finished. It was bustling at 2am and a party itself. Some people looked like they had been hanging around there all day.

 SXSW uses a mix of local and mainstream.  Lady Gaga was there and had a vomit artist to, well, vomit on her. While Kanye West, Snoop Dogg, Blondie and Damon Albarn performed.  I met a local who remember what SXSW stood for. It started back in 1987 known as a festival for emerging artists. He now believes it is a place for big named artists to buy into the scene. 

This poor dude got trampled on

SXSW was not without its own controversy, this put a damper on the festival. An intoxicated driver killed three and critically injured 25. Not to mention Tyler the Creator was a douche. He player at a free Thrasher party, first in best dressed. This suited me as I was happy to get their early to see Fucked Up. The problem was, once Tyler got on stage he yelled out to the rest of the plebs who hadn’t gained entry and urged them to barge in. This was not cool as about 200 people entered and overfilled the venue making it unsafe. Tyler was bratty, giving know viable reason other than wanting people to get into the venue. Tyler should have at least acknowledged it was a dangerous move. He was later arrested at the airport for “inciting violence”. Someone described it best online that Tyler is a cry-baby and attention seeker.

The chaos begins

I stayed a day after the festival. It was a little weird. I felt like I should have gone already. Locals breathed a sigh of relief and un- ironically said the words y’all. It was sad to see businesses close and food trucks drive away. I stood there hoping the owners will have enough money until next year, I suppose.