I leave tomorrow for home and my South-by gallop has slowed to a crawl. I've been living on street food and canned beer since Wednesday, and there's an unsettling constant ringing in my ears. (The power of a good pair of earplugs for a festival like this can not be underestimated.) Luckily, I was pulled in by the tide of people swarming 6th street Saturday night and it was easy to catch some great music.
Hit up Red Eyed Fly to see Glen Rock, N.J.'s Titus Andronicus. Falling somewhere in between the Clash and the Pogues, this high energy five piece would be a very different thing without frontman Patrick Stickles' guttural vocals and his interchanging guitar-keys-harmonica role. I counted at least three guitars on stage. Loud and sweaty set.
Went over to Vice for the packed Knux show. Maybe it's their L.A.-by-way-of-New Orleans attitude, but the two brothers have a sound that's tough and approachable at the same time, combining the craziness of Busdriver with the funk of Outkast. With “Bang Bang” and “Cappuccino,” Knux proved they could throw down with the best of them, with stamina to boot.
Stubb's Amphitheater was brimming with fans for PJ Harvey and John Parish's first appearance at South by Southwest. Harvey and her five piece band arrived on stage shortly after 10 p.m., Harvey all in white. With long time producer and collaborator John Parish to her left, the group played a short set of material from her forthcoming album. In the midst of the chaos and cacophony of South by Southwest, it was a welcome sight to see Harvey at ease and in total control, a seasoned, legendary performer. Sardonic, spiteful, unrequited, Harvey was at her best, but sadly, she didn't throw us a bone. I was hoping to hear at least one oldie, but no dice. I was happy to hear the new stuff, though – it sounded great.
Oh, South-by. If you'd issue trading cards, I'd have a wallet full by now. Another day of great bands, my evening melted away on a rooftop on 5th, with new friends, rounds of beer, and music trailing off in every direction.
How epic was PJ!?! She was such a diva. And fyi.. they did play some (two or three) oldies off the first Harvey/Parish album. Highlight of the week for me.