SXSW 2009: Initial Band List Revealed
Hard to believe, but it's just about time for a trip to Austin, Texas. (03/18 - 03/22, to be more exact.) In the midst of these tough economic times, it's unclear if things will be as hedonistic as in years past (free Sparks? No free Sparks? Sparks without the active ingredient?) or if we'll be forced to bring down our own discount BBQ and bulk beer from New York. What is clear, though, is that there will be actual bands playing. We have the proof: A partial list's been revealed. Buckcherry's not on it. But Black Cherry is, along with two Crystal bands and the oldest Gallagher. You can also catch Dead Prez, Primal Scream, and Peter Bjorn & John, among others. Process:
8Ball & MJG (Memphis, TN)
Akron/Family (Williamsport, PA)
Al Kapone (Memphis, TN)
Alina Simone (Brooklyn, NY)
Amanda Blank (Philadelphia, PA)
Amber Smith (Budapest, HUNGARY)
Angry vs The Bear (Essex, ENGLAND)
Anthony Snape (Sydney, AUSTRALIA)
ARABROT (Oslo, NORWAY)
Arc Angels (Austin, TX)
Asher Roth (Morrisville, PA)
Asobi Seksu (Brooklyn, NY)
Astrid Williamson (Shetland Islands, SCOTLAND)
B.o.B. (Atlanta, GA)
Banda de Turistas (Buenos Aires, Argentina)
Bar-Kays (Memphis, TN)
Bavu Blakes (Austin, TX)
Ben Kweller (Austin, TX)
Benny Gallagher (West Wickham, ENGLAND)
Black Cherry (London, ENGLAND)
BLACK SKIES (Chapel Hill, NC)
Blaqstarr (Baltimore, MD)
Blue Scholars (Seattle, WA)
Bomba Estereo (Bogota, Columbia)
Brick Bandits (Philadelphia, PA)
Buck 65 (Halifax, NS)
Buraka Som Sistema (Lisbon, Portugal)
Candy Coated Killahz (Toronto, CANADA)
Cashier No.9 (Belfast, IRELAND)
Casiokids (Bergen, NORWAY)
Charles Hamilton (New York, NY)
Choc Quib Town (Bogota, Columbia)
CHOO-CHOO (Bern, SWITZERLAND)
Chris T-T (Brighton, ENGLAND)
Come On Gang! (Edinburgh, SCOTLAND)
Crystal Method (Los Angeles, CA)
Crystal Stilts (New York, NY)
Damero (Berlin, Germany)
Dananananaykroyd (Glasgow, Scotland)
Dave Alvin (Los Angeles, CA)
David Garza (Austin, TX)
Dead Prez (New York, NY)
Dekadens (Bucharest, ROMANIA)
Dirtblonde (Liverpool, ENGLAND)
Division Miniscula (Matamoros, Mexico)
Doctor Krapula (Bogota, Columbia)
EBONY BONES! (London, ENGLAND)
Ella (Bristol, ENGLAND)
Empire ISIS (Montreal, CANADA)
Explosions in the Sky (Austin, TX)
Flood of Red (Glasgow, SCOTLAND)
Franki Chan (Los Angeles, CA)
Free Sol (Memphis, TN)
Futumomo Satisfaction (Tokyo, Japan)
Gabi Almedia (Sao Paolo, Brazil)
Gary Clark Jr. (Austin, TX)
Grimy Styles (Austin, TX)
Hacienda (San Antonio, TX)
Hickoids (Austin, TX)
Ida Maria (Stockholm, Sweden)
Insite (Mexicali, Mexico)
Invincible (Detroit, MI)
Jokers of the Scene (Ottawa, ON)
Kap Bambino (Bordeaux, France)
Kid Sister (Chicago, IL)
Killer Mike (Atlanta, GA)
LA Riots (Los Angeles, CA)
Los Fancy Free (Mexico City, Mexico)
Madi Diaz (Nashville, TN)
Manana (Basil, SWITZERLAND)
Mandi Perkins (Los Angeles, CA)
Mexican Institute of Sound (Mexico City, Mexico)
Micachu (London, ENGLAND)
Midnight Youth (Auckland, NEW ZEALAND)
Mika Miko (Los Angeles, CA)
Mike Badger (Liverpool, ENGLAND)
Mistah FAB (Oakland, CA)
Monokino (Amsterdam, THE NETHERLANDS)
Moriarty (Montreuil, FRANCE)
Motel (Mexico City, Mexico)
Mundo Livre Sa (Recife, Brazil)
My Crew Be Unruly (Baltimore, MD)
My Federation (Hove, ENGLAND)
Nacho Vegas (Gijon, Spain)
Nacional (Glasgow, SCOTLAND)
NAVEL (Erschwil, SWITZERLAND)
Outasight (New York, NY)
P.O.S. (Minneapolis, MN)
Pato Machete (Monterrey, Mexico)
Peter Bjorn & John (Stockholm, Sweden)
Peter Rosenberg (New York, NY)
Port O'Brien (Cambria, CA)
Primal Scream (Glasgow, Scotland)
Reflection Eternal (Ohio/New York)
Rob Quest (Houston, TX)
Sage Francis (Providence, RI)
San Quinn (San Francisco, CA)
Scribe (Christchurch, NZ)
Shad (London, Ontario)
Shawn David McMillen (Austin, TX)
Simplifires (Mexico City, Mexico)
Soulico (Tel Aviv, Israel)
St. Vincent (Dallas, TX)
Suzy & Los Quattro (Barcelona, Spain)
T Bird & The Breaks (Austin, TX)
Tanya Morgan (Brooklyn, NY)
Temposhark (London, ENGLAND)
The Beat Poets (Belfast, IRELAND)
The Carrivick Sisters (Devon, ENGLAND)
The Courteneers (Manchester, UK)
The deBretts (London, ENGLAND)
The Deep Dark Woods (Saskatoon, CANADA)
the Devil Wears Prada (Dayton, OH)
The Everyday Visuals (Boston, MA)
The Knux (New Orleans, LA)
THE MOOG (Budapest, HUNGARY)
The Pepper Pots (Girona, Spain)
The Sonics (Seattle, WA)
The Temper Trap (Nth Fitzroy, AUSTRALIA)
thecocknbullkid (London, ENGLAND)
Thee Oh See's (San Francisco, CA)
This Bike Is A Pipe Bomb (Pensacola, FL)
Tittsworth (Washington, DC)
Tommy Tee (Oslo, Norway)
Toy Horses (Barry, WALES)
Twilight Hotel (Winnipeg, CANADA)
Virgin Passages (London, ENGLAND)
Volodja Balzalorsky (Ljubljana, SLOVENIA)
WAZ (Los Angeles, CA)
We Have Band (London, ENGLAND)
We Should Be Dead (Limerick, IRELAND)
White Lies (London, ENGLAND)
Whitechapel (Knoxville, TN)
Willem Maker (Turkey Heaven, AL)
Willy Joy (Chicago, IL)
Yarah Bravo (New York, NY)
We're told the list is subject to change. Who would you like to see added? You can keep updated over at the SXSW site.
Posted at 5:47 PM by brandon
Tags: SXSW
A little dissapointed in this list, the only ones I'd want to see are the oh see's and Ida Maria. what's up with whitechapel on the list?
Score = -2
Admittedly not a strong looking list at first glance, but really just looks like a whole lot of bands I'd get an opportunity to be introduced to and possibly love (at least dig).
Besides, Akron/Family and Port O'Brien, yay!
Score = 3
Well, Port O'Brien would be fantastic.
Score = 3
Whitechapel is my favorite Twee band.
Score = 3
Yo sxsw is always a good time. wish i was at the original Austin Battle of the Bands
Score = 0
By "the oldest Gallagher", I was secretly hoping you actually meant Gallagher.
Score = 8
This list is terrible. As the years pass, SXSW gets more expensive and crowded while the acts get worse.
Score = 1
Remember when SXSW actually had UNSIGNED bands?
Score = 5
Nothing to really write home about here. Besides a couple of acts that are just good, not great, the list leaves a lot to be desired.
Score = 2
^^^ it's almost impossible to get in if you are an unsigned band who is not on a booking agent or with major management. all the spots are taken by label showcases (where they put all the bands on their label on automatically). many awesome unsigned bands get left out in the cold.
Score = 2
Mika Miko!
Score = 2
I wouldn't bank on Sparks anywhere.. ever again. This link isn't for the squeamish.
http://www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/stories/2008/12/15/daily63.html
Score = 0
meh
Score = 0
explosions in the sky!!
Score = 2
Dude they just have to walk out their fucking front door to play the festival, not exciting.
Score = 0
the fucking bar-kays?! that's pretty awesome, despite the fact that there's probably one original member left.
Score = 0
If you haven't heard of these bands than that's your reason to go. There is a ton of music, you might find something new that you like.
It is VERY easy to have a good time at SXSW.
Score = 6
We can have our own StereoGumByCommentsWest = SGXCW
Comment - bands that should be there- Here's first entry:
http://www.myspace.com/sirlordvonraven
Score = 0
we're playing...and we're unsigned. just sayin'. Also - I should say that I treating myself to a glass of scotch, because this is our first mention on stereogum. superb.
Score = 6
Congrats! Hope it goes well.
Score = 2
Thanks man! ...and, by the way, if you're wondering - one glass of scotch turned into 3.
Score = 7
apparently i need to get out more, or maybe not, this is a giant list of who could care less as far as i can tell...
Score = -3
This list definitely does not make me want to pay $500 for a pass. I'd probably just go to see Peter, Bjorn, and John & The Sonics. A couple of free shows wouldn't be so bad though.
Score = 0
A decent (maybe even solid) lineup, but, once again, not worth $625.
Score = -2
weren't beach house in the lineup? I swear they were......
Score = 1
...if only this festival weren't so RIDICULOUSLY expensive. shit.
Score = 1
You're right. All those free shows and free booze and free merch (albeit shitty) and ability to see a lot of good bands known and unknown should be cheaper. jesus. Your comment begs the question if you have ever even stepped foot on red river rd. while this shit goes down.
Score = -2
Just wanted to mention that Jump Back Jake will be playing 2 shows at SXSW. Who? Well, stream their entire debut album here: http://jumpbackjake.bandcamp.mu. For those who dig rock n' soul music.
Score = -4
WHITECHAPEL?!?!?
hahaha has anyone on stereogum ever even listened to whitechapel?
kids are gonna get blood on their pricey american apparel get-ups.
see you in the pit...at sxsw?
Score = 1
Wow, they want me to drive to Austin for this crap? Pass....
Score = -3
Animal Collective and Grizzly Bear would sure be nice additions.
I guess it's time to "discover" something new
Score = 2
SXSW is the funnest week in the history of music. I'll be there!
Score = 2
AT the moment it looks like the weakest week in music history
Score = 0
Don't buy the passes. They are absolutely not necessary. All of the day parties are free and if you really want to see a showcase or band in the evening, you can just throw down $20 for the show. In addition, it is not difficult to get a hold wristbands that they sell to the locals in Austin. I have been down there the last few years and it is by far one of the best musical experiences. You always try to plan it out and ur plans never work out. SXSW turns into a little adventure leading you all over Austin to bars, restaurants and random homes to see bands.
Score = 5
Yes, SXSW is an EXPERIENCE. You don't need a wristband to have a good time, but it helps. I get one (of the cheap ones) just to better my chances of getting into the bigger showcases. And for those not familiar, this list is just the begining of what grows to over 1,000 bands. Signed, unsigned, mainstream and unknown. And if you do your homework you'll catch some "unknowns" that will be household names by the end of the year. It is an adventure. As I said above... Funnest week EVER.
Score = 3
Please tell me you guys are having another party (or parties) this year! I was there last year and it MADE MY WEEK!
Score = -2
Don't know about some of those, maybe they will be excellent. But Midnight Youth deserve this exposure for sure.
Digging For Days
Score = 0
IT'S NOT A FESTIVAL!!!! It's a conference, and you don't pay $500-600 for a "pass." The only reason to get a badge is if you're in it for the conference-y part of SXSW (or have enough money to just not give a fuck.) What makes SXSW great is that it unique... it's not often you can walk a mere 6-7 blocks in a city and potentially see 75 shows going simultaneously. Plus the mix of unknowns and established acts is great. 95% of people who talk shit about SXSW have NEVER BEEN. The other 5 are just fucking jaded.
Score = 3
Don't know about some of those, maybe they will be excellent. But Midnight Youth deserve this exposure for sure.
Digging For Days
Score = 0
OMG, these bands aren't obscure enough.
Score = 6
relax...this list barely scratches the surface...loads more announcements to come...plus there will be loads of day-party only bands that won't be on the official sxsw lists. donewaiting.com has a lot more "unconfirmed bands" that i'm sure are actually confirmed.
Score = 2
only one band from Japan so far...?
Score = 0
Like Dodge said - this is not a full list - I know there are two unsigned bands playing the Memphis showcase that are not on this list (along with the Bar Kays) - plus - "signed" band has such multiple meanings these days. There are only a handful of indie labels where signed means anything...
Score = 1
WHITECHAPEL fucking owns... Tennessee Deathcore - they had one of the best metal albums of 2008... crushing/brutal/great songwriting...
www.myspace.com/whitechapelmetal
the youth are starting to change... and the future is intelligent metal
Score = -2
Wait... Reflection Eternal? That's ridiculous.
Score = 0
SXSW is the biggest party of the year. Anyone who knocks SXSW for this initial list, most of which just includes unofficial bands doing little parties around town, is a friggin moron. That is all.
Score = -2
i lost all interest in reading anything else after seeing dead prez. ill pay anything to see just that. just me
Score = 0
i thought human highway, too. they aren't even good, i just have deep unicorns nostalgia from my youth.
Score = -2
Seriously, these bands are shit... I'm gonna go... but it's going to fucking suck and I'm going to bitch about it for a year...
Score = -5
B.o.B. will be the worst group at SXSW no matter who else ends up going
Score = 0
if i actually had the cash to blow it'd be totally worth it to just see This Bike is A Pipe Bomb le sigh....
Score = 0
I wish The Raveonettes were playing again, I saw them last year and they were the best!!! Excited to see them on Friday at Webster Hall though!!!
Score = 1
I wish The Raveonettes were playing again, I saw them last year and they were the best!!! Excited to see them on Friday at Webster Hall though!!!
Score = 0
dananananaykroyd is one of my top 5 bands! they finally come to America for a show and i can't afford to see them.
man.
Score = 1
For those of you planning to attend:
1. If you have questions about SXSW, feel free to ask me. I'm not saying I'm the Oracle, but I live in Austin and I've done this for years now. (No, I don't have badges, wristbands, or a place for you to crash).
2. Do512 has a pretty good resource going of bands slated to appear (including the not-officially-confirmed bands that have made it public through myspace, tour annoucements, whathaveyou). It also has links to myspace and youtube for most of them.
http://do512.com/sxsw2009/bands
Score = 0
holy fuck EITS. instant massive boner.
Score = 0
Hooray for P.O.S.
Score = 0
Post the updated list!!!!!
Score = 0
Yay! Toy Horses.......came across them a few months ago. Nice.
Score = 0
I heard Iran have been added to the American Apparel showcase. That's cool.
Score = 0
There's plenty to see without buying a badge...and why anyone in their right mind would bring BBQ from NY to Austin is beyond me, but go figure. Amped for this year's conference & festival to get here already..
Score = 0
Is STEREOGUM throwing a SXSW day party this year? When and Where. The day party last year was awesome.
Score = 0
grizzly bear is going!
Score = 0