Never mind that CD sales are dropping and record labels are downsizing.
As usual, South by Southwest just keeps growing. The annual music-biz schmooze-athon runs Wednesday through Sunday with a record-breaking 1,700 acts playing 80 stages around Austin. Factor in hundreds of unofficial gigs, parties and street-corner busking sessions, and you've got a nonstop jam worthy of the Guinness World Records.
Courtesy
Folk-rock singer-songwriter Van Morrison
Here's a primer on the 22nd SXSW:
IF YOU'RE GOING:Your four last-minute options are: (a) Buy an all-access laminated badge for $625, (b) Try to snag a $180 wristband before they sell out (they'll be on sale Wednesday night at Austin Music Hall), (c) Pay a cover charge at each concert (expect insufferable lines at many shows), or (d) Stick to free shows that are open to the public (see last item).
Kirk McKoy
Rapper, actor Ice Cube
WHO'S PLAYING? Old-timers range from R.E.M. to Van Morrison. Up-and-coming buzz acts include New York Afro-pop rockers Vampire Weekend and Israeli singer Yael Naim, who's featured in the new Apple laptop ad. See all the performers at 2008.sxsw.com/music/showcases.
WHO'S SPEAKING? While late-night partiers sleep, artists and industry folks gab the day away at the Austin Convention Center. Lou Reed gives the keynote address Thursday morning. Other speakers include Ice Cube, Daryl Hall and Moby. Panel topics range from the return of vinyl to "Is Technology Leading the Music Business Around by the Nose?"
WHO'S CARPETBAGGING? Musicians aren't the only publicity-seekers at SXSW. The weirdest double-bill is Saturday's Beauty Bar party with food celeb Rachael Ray and Napoleon Dynamite actor Efren "Pedro" Ramirez.
NO-DOUGH SHOWS: Free concerts are everywhere. Auditorium Shores at Town Lake hosts Spoon (Thursday), the BoDeans (Friday) and Ice Cube (Saturday). Also Saturday, the Breeders headline the huge "Don't Mess With Texas" show at Waterloo Park. Waterloo Records has Shelby Lynne on Friday, and Carbon/Silicon, featuring Mick Jones of the Clash, on Saturday. Other free concerts are listed at www.unknowncity.com and www.showlistaustin.com.
