SXSW 2013 is now in the history books. I ended up seeing 40 shows and a total of 38 bands (I saw two bands twice). Here are a few of the highlights:
Best Show: Phosphorescent. I discovered Phosphorescent and saw them play a couple of shows three years ago. I had heard nothing else from them since, but they surfaced again this year and have a new album due out in a few weeks. This show was intense and emotional and neither the audience nor the band wanted it to stop. Before starting the last song (the nearly 10 minute long Los Angeles), lead singer Matthew Houck said that the band was just getting warmed up. I look forward to seeing them when they play The Bowery Ballroom next month.
Best Show Runner Up 1: Jim Lauderdale and Buddy Miller. Two old Americana pros team up, put together an amazing band and crank it up. I thought that this might be the best show I would see at SXSW until Phosphorescent surpassed it.
Best Show Runner Up 2: Ivan and Alyosha. I caught the tail end of a set by Ivan and Alyosha (the name references Dostoevsky, not anyone in the band) about three years ago and made a mental note to see them again. Again didn’t happen until this SXSW, but their energetic, melodic and danceable songs were just top notch.
Best Discovery: Jess Klein. While going through the SXSW Torrent, Jess’s song, Behind a Veil, jumped out at me. Seeing her live confirmed that she is the real deal. Jess and her music fit in the same neighborhood as Now I’ve Heard Everything favorites Charlie Faye and Amy Speace.
Best Reconfirmation: Caitlin Rose. I first saw Caitlin Rose two years ago at SXSW. It was clear then that she was a talent to be reckoned with. Her new record, The Stand-In, and the show I saw at SXSW confirm that. She’ll be playing NYC twice in just about two weeks.
Gutsiest Performance: Amy Speace. When incessant sound issues at her show proved to be insurmountable, Amy unplugged her guitar stood up on a table and finished her show acoustically. That decision turned Amy’s showcase into an unforgettable triumph.
