I'll be updating this page with my tasty adventures in and around Austin, TX, during the 2012 South by Southwest Interactive, Film and Music Conference. My goals for my first SXSW experience: Lots of food trucks, free parties (especially those with free drinks) and spotting famous people. Because why else do you come to South By?
SXSW – 3/16/12 – Day Seven Recap and Day Eight Freebies & Events
Is there anything free left anymore? And why does hardly anyone celebrate St. Patrick's Day here? These questions and more will be answered later. Stay tuned!
SXSW – 3/15/12 – Day Seven Recap and Day Eight Freebies & Events
Wow. I got out into the streets to be one with the masses (and wait in line for over an hour for a show) last night — and I wasn't even on Sixth Street. This is how I imagine New Orleans feels during Mardi Gras, but instead of beads, people are covered in wristbands.
I have to say that I miss all the free stuff that the Interactive portion of the fest had. These bands and venues aren't as keen on giving out free grub, open bars and crazy schwag (like the lab tech goggles I got from the Nokia party).
As for shows and venues yesterday, my cohorts were able to see Glen Hansard (The lead singer of The Frames and that Irish dude from the sappy indie flick, Once). at The Pandora Discovery Den. He played an amazing acoustic set, even unplugging his guitar from the amp at one point and playing in the audience. The coolest bit was when Glen brought up one of his fans from the audience to sing with him whom he recognized from doing a cover from one of his songs on YouTube. Talk about a down-to-earth artist.
[More after the jump…]
This article appears in Mar 15-21, 2012.