So, as a person who has never yadda yadda sxsw yadda, I feel like "free show" must not convey the entire story. Obviously this is not some kind of super secret last-minute show since mrflip already knows about it. It also seems obvious to me that Antone's is not infinitely large and so will not be able to accommodate anybody that just walks up. Wouldn't everybody with a wristband or badge or whatever that would be interested in seeing Blonde Redhead in the evening, during their normal slot, also be interested in this show? Speaking only from what I hear from others, you are lucky to get into a night show even if you have a wristband, let alone if you just walk up and try to pay cover.

Ergo, would it not be at least as hard to get into this show as their regular night show, seeing as how all those badge holders PLUS all the leaches like me that just want to get in for free will all be vying for a slot? Am I wrong here? I've been known to get up at 6AM for a Wii but not to sit on the concrete at 5th and Lavaca, sorry. 

posted by natedogg at 02:21PM CST on February 18

The trick is - show up, look drunk yet hip - like you belong there, completely ignore door people/security (again, like you're supposed to be there), walk right in. If anyone asks or hassles you, mumble something and keep going. They won't know what hit 'em. Trust me, surprisingly - it works! 

posted by pablo at 03:50PM CST on February 18

I really enjoyed albums from Girl Talk, Mew, and Fujiya & Miyagi recently. The albums by Persephone's Bees and Barbez have their moments but I suspect zieglerfe enjoys Barbez on a much deeper level than me. I am excited to see Michael Showalter, Aziz Ansari and TimandEric.com getting around (there seems to be some kind of comedy showcase).

I don't know anything about Mando Diao except that the name sounds Spanish but they're from Sweden and I once got a hold of a bunch of their stickers, cut them in half, and decorated frisbee golf discs with the first word.

Calling Dengue Fever "world music" somehow does a disservice. I mean, I guess it is or whatever but it rocks harder than that label suggests. thanks to javelina for that one and who saw them last year at a free show.

Finally, I think it is incumbent upon us to whittle the list down to find the absolute worst band name playing at sxsw this year. My initial nomination goes to the band "Brighton, MA" which actually hail from Chicago. That's like scheduling Friday Night Lights on Tuesday. One that I can't decide between greatest name or worst name ever would be "Steaming Wolf Penis."

It seems to now be past my bedtime. 

posted by natedogg at 02:54AM CST on February 19

the first torrent is now downloadable 

posted by soku at 11:48AM CST on February 20

And.... SxSW hearts Gore. Or at least the planet. (I know, it's kinda old news, but I didn't see it posted here before.) My org hearts SxSW. 

posted by ms cegenation at 08:58AM CST on February 21

It is not about enjoying Barbez on a much deeper level than you, it is about trying anything with a detached air of superiority... 

posted by zieglerfe at 05:06PM CST on February 23

Two free dayshows that you can actually get into quite easily, one featuring the Melvins and the other featuring Ghostface Killah and Rakim (of Erik B & fame). Don't sweat the technique, just head over to the link above and give 'em your javelinasmomatgmaildotcom@yahoo.com email addy. I've been to these in past years -- it's a bit odd (and somewhat low-energy) to see hiphop in brigh sunlight midday, but still: Ghostface and Rakim are legends, and the show is free. 

posted by mrflip at 03:09AM CST on March 03

Also, KVRX is hosting two free shows with free brew: one at independence brewery on Freitag and one at Bella Blue on Donnerstag. f'n sweet.
 

posted by reid at 11:04AM CST on March 11