This is one of those “better late than never” posts, right? I know I’m cutting it close, but as the music week of South by Southwest hasn’t begun yet – I think I’m okay. Here’s my list of bands I’m going to attempt to see this year. It’s always chaos trying to coordinate your “must-sees” with your friends’ lists, and then there are overlapping band schedules to deal with, and figuring out how to get from one venue to the next, aand it doesn’t help that every single day I’m discovering another “must-see” band is in town that I somehow previously missed… Basically to do SxSW right you need to have a clone. It’s a special sort of madness.
I missed South-by last year, but you can find 2012’s write-ups HERE and HERE and HERE and you can see a bit of what I mean.
* This post is dedicated to my loves who aren’t making the annual trek to Austin. South by Southwest is always a massive reunion and this year I will feel the absence of some of my favorite people on the planet.
** This post is also dedicated to Robin of Robin’s Music Portal. As usual I have been a master procrastinator and he dared me to write this post. Truly. A dare. It’s been ages since I’ve been dared to do anything! And I love a good dare. 🙂 Challenge accepted, dear sir.
All right — without further ado, and in no particular order, let’s dive into this glorious mess of sensory delights. I think you’ll find this list pretty eclectic. I don’t know how I’m ever going to choose!! (Well, yes I do. I will choose by not choosing. I will go wherever the wind blows… and try not to sweat the bands I miss seeing.)
ANDREW BELLE
There are no words for how excited I am to hear the new album live.
HUNTER HUNTED
JACK WILSON
JAMESTOWN REVIVAL
JEREMY MESSERSMITH
JOHNNYSWIM
So beautiful it almost hurts. Just like I like it.
KISHI BASHI
KRIS ORLOWSKI
LITTLE DRAGON
MATRIMONY
MIDI MATILDA
** I just got word that the Midi Matilda fellas ARE NOT going to make it this year, but I’m leaving this video here because it’s excellent.
MIGHTY OAKS
Those of you who follow along with my chatter will know that I’m also over-the-moon about these guys coming across the pond.
MOSES SUMNEY
NOAH GUNDERSEN
I saw Noah Gundersen live for the first time last March at the Hotel Cafe in LA. His live show rendered me speechless, absolutely took my breath away.
RUN RIVER NORTH
In the same breath that I discovered Midi Matilda wasn’t going to make it to SxSW – I discovered Run River North will be there!! So much musical goodness! It’s a miracle I don’t spontaneously combust.
SERYN
I really strive to see bands I haven’t seen or bands that don’t play the US often, but Seryn is too incredible to miss. If you haven’t seen this group live – make sure you don’t miss them next time they are near.
SIVU
SNOWMINE
TO KILL A KING
I’ve been waiting what feels like FOREVER to see these fellas. The time has finally come!
UNTIL THE RIBBON BREAKS
This band was in town last month and I actually won tickets to see them live and then had a bizarro medical emergency and couldn’t make the show. I’m excited to get a do-over!
VANCE JOY
Yes. Yes. Yes. YES. Really, is there anything else to say? It gutted me to miss Vance Joy and SxSW last year, but the gods have smiled on me and he’s coming back!
WILD CHILD
Most of these bands I’m featuring have new albums recently out or soon-to-be out and I’m trying to share new stuff, but I love this one of Wild Child’s too much.
Music is my First Language 
See you there, my friend. Really looking to spending some time with “y’all” this year