A couple more busy days down in Austin catching some great bands - some new ones and some old favourites.
I started off tuesday with a trip back to the british music embassy to catch Travis is a Touristin their afternoon show. Great turn out - everybody makes the most of what SXSW has to offer by cramming in as much as they can and they sure weren't disappointed by this show. The guys, again faced with equipment problems thanks to airlines losing stuff, managed to borrow a bass guitar and get on stage to play a blinder of a set. Ranging from soft melodies to rocking choruses this is definitely a band who know what they're trying to achieve and they went down a storm.
After that It was a rare night off for me so I made the most of the chance to grab a burito and then try out one of Austin's favourite past times other than music - roller skating. I headed out to the rink on the outskirts of town and laced up my boots for the first time since I was about 11. It was so much fun - the music ranged from Snap's 'Rhythm is a Dancer' to Rob Zombie, with the skaters pulling off amazing choreographed dance routines and making me feel drastically inferior.
After that it was back to town to catch Protex, a punk band from home. Sadly in true SXSW fashion I got stuck in traffic, finally making it to the venue to catch the end of their set but the venue had three stages and the guy on the door sent me to the wrong one, so I saw another random punk band which was fun all the same but not quite what I planned.
After that it was back to town to catch Protex, a punk band from home. Sadly in true SXSW fashion I got stuck in traffic, finally making it to the venue to catch the end of their set but the venue had three stages and the guy on the door sent me to the wrong one, so I saw another random punk band which was fun all the same but not quite what I planned.
Heathers at SXSW
Wednesday was my crazy day - up early to plan my schedule I shot Cheerleader, a great band for the summer from Philadelphia. I actually managed to catch them twice today and am shooting a portraits shoot with them this weekend. Their lovely hazy sunny vibes were then blasted away byRadkeyand Trashtalk, who I was shooting for Kerrang review. After this it was 2 hours of queing to see Against Me!, follwed by a couple of hours at the Irish Showcase in the Gibson Room. This place is what Hugh Hefners mansion would look like if he liked guitars instead of women - leopard print everywhere and an amazing looking venue. I got to catch Dottand Heathers, before heading on to try again to shoot Against Me - this time with slightly more success.
I didn't get lost on the cycle home last night, but I woke up this morning to hear the sad news that a car had crashed through a pedestrian area outside a venue and killed 2 people, injuring many more. Absolutely awful news and a tragic end for people just out to enjoy a good time and see bands they love. Our thoughts go out to all of them.
I didn't get lost on the cycle home last night, but I woke up this morning to hear the sad news that a car had crashed through a pedestrian area outside a venue and killed 2 people, injuring many more. Absolutely awful news and a tragic end for people just out to enjoy a good time and see bands they love. Our thoughts go out to all of them.
Carrie Davenport
