Making it to and from Austin never seems to be an easy task, especially when there's a weird Salt Lake City stopover involved, but I discovered last night that the convention center is relatively empty by 9 p.m. on the first night of SXSW. That's because most people are already about two bands and five drinks into the night by then, which is why it sucks to be in the convention center picking up your badge at 9 p.m. on the first night of SXSW. So my first night was short but oh so sweet, thanks to the ladies from Yo Majesty.
Wednesday, March 14
10:32pm: Sub Pop has filled its showcase at Emo's IV Lounge with lots of new signees, including Stockholm's Loney, Dear. Even though the crowd behind the pit is making a lot of noise, leader Emil Svanängen is appreciative of the love he's getting from the people who are bouncing along to the band's pleasant pop, which brings to mind The Hidden Cameras. Without all that pee talk, of course.
11:32pm: After walking past Red Eyed Fly and realizing it's unlikely that the line will be much shorter by the time Les Savy Fav hits the stage at 1, we stand behind Stubb's and get to hear Lily Allen dis show presenter NME and close with "Alfie."
1am: Following the lead of former Promise Ring guitarist Jason Gnewikow, we venture outside of the official SXSW schedule to see Tampa rap outfit Yo Majesty play at what is supposedly a leather bar, but Chain Drive just seems like a normal gay bar. Though marred by some early technical difficulties that made the ladies seem like the hip-hop version of Cat Power, the show quickly turns into a capital P party, and eventually Yo Majesty becomes the hip-hop version of Girl Talk. Except for the stinky guy in front of me with the swinging elbows, I couldn't imagine a better way to start off this year's SXSW.