SXSW 2014

The Joy Formidable

So there's a good possibility that I will be attending SXSW next month.  I'm pretty excited about it.  I've been to SXSW twice and its unlike any other festival I've ever experienced.  I think its very unique in that most of the bands are not as known and even the ones that are are playing at small venues that are close and personal.

The Flaming Lips

!!! (chkchkchk)

I've never been to Coachella or Bonaroo or any of those mega-festivals, but I think the festival is losing its luster.  There are so many festivals with so many bands, it seems like every single city has one and its lost the coolness of it.  I think its gotten a little out of hand.  Just like everything, you over-saturate the market, you'll see some of these festivals start to fall off the map.  I believe they are too distant and impersonal and they are very expensive.

 

With SXSW, you can attend it for free.  The evening shows you do need a pass to attend those shows which does cost quite a bit of money but you get nearly a week of music versus two days at the other festivals.
When I was there last year, I saw so much music I was sick of it by the end.  I just wanted to sit in a room that was quiet for a day to just decompress.  I didn't pay a dime to get into any of the shows that I saw and I saw pretty much everyone that I wanted to.

Local Natives

The pictures that I've posted I took without any kind of media pass.  The artists are for the most part easily accessible to talk to or to take pictures with.  Its just an enjoyable experience in comparison to the over-crowded rave, drug induced, bare all festivals that happen from spring till fall.

I'll probably end up going to one of those festivals eventually and I'll probably have a good time, but its just nothing in comparison.

Charles Bradley