SXSW / Austin, TX

BamaPJFan

Is anyone on the board familiar with SXSW? I do know that it's a big music business expo that's held in Austin every spring with musical performances from various artists throughout the week on stages that are set up outside various venues. It takes place next week.

I'm going to be in Austin next week for work (I'm not in the music industry and I won't be there specifically for SXSW). My question is the following. Are the music performances during the afternoons/evenings ticketed events that only attendees of the expo may attend, or can just anyone walk around and watch the concerts on the street? In other words, if I go down to this area will I be turned back if I don't have some type of ticket or credential? I've been to the SXSW website, but they don't make this very clear. A few of the artists' websites don't either when mentioning the shows on their tour pages.

facepollution

I remember reading about it a couple of years back, and I think you have to buy a ticket which gives you access to all the shows, but it's on a first come first served basis as to whether you get into the venue or not. Not sure I read anything about bands playing outside though :? From what I remember the tickets aren't cheap.

I'm sure someone else will be far more informative than me

JOEJOEJOE

http://www.austin360.com/music/sxsw-mus ... 93791.html

Some events are for badgeholders only, while others are open to everyone. Lots of free meals and swag to be had...oh, and some good bands to see as well!

BamaPJFan

facepollution wrote:

I remember reading about it a couple of years back, and I think you have to buy a ticket which gives you access to all the shows, but it's on a first come first served basis as to whether you get into the venue or not. Not sure I read anything about bands playing outside though :? From what I remember the tickets aren't cheap.

I'm sure someone else will be far more informative than me

I've been doing some additional digging over the last few minutes and you are right. You have to have at the minimum, a wristband which gives you access just to the music (not the conference). Those are only sold to Austin residents for $140.00. There are a few free shows during the week, but these are very limited in number.

If you attend the full expo/conference, it will cost you several hundred dollars for a pass. (Definitely not my cup of tea)

BamaPJFan

JOEJOEJOE wrote:

http://www.austin360.com/music/sxsw-music/sxsw-side-parties-database-2011-1193791.html

Some events are for badgeholders only, while others are open to everyone. Lots of free meals and swag to be had...oh, and some good bands to see as well!

Now that's a much better site. Thanks for posting. I noticed Liam Finn is playing one of the free shows next week.

Of The Aggie

I've lived in Austin for 8 years and have never been to SXSW. It's just not my thing. Ridiculous crowds and intense commercialization is a total turn off. Luckily I live away from downtown and it doesn't affect me all that much. I might have been interested when it first started and was a lot smaller. I think that was like 25 year ago.

Ledbetterdays

I have been and it is fun to go to the free shows. You cannot get into any of the good evening gigs without a badge. Wristbands will get you in to see bands no one has heard of before but not any of the big name bands.
Tres Mts is supposed to be playing at Stubbs BBQ on Saturday night.

Check out these free shows:
http://www.waterloorecords.com/sxsw2011.html

Cob

BamaPJFan wrote:

facepollution wrote:

I remember reading about it a couple of years back, and I think you have to buy a ticket which gives you access to all the shows, but it's on a first come first served basis as to whether you get into the venue or not. Not sure I read anything about bands playing outside though :? From what I remember the tickets aren't cheap.

I'm sure someone else will be far more informative than me

I've been doing some additional digging over the last few minutes and you are right. You have to have at the minimum, a wristband which gives you access just to the music (not the conference). Those are only sold to Austin residents for $140.00. There are a few free shows during the week, but these are very limited in number.

If you attend the full expo/conference, it will cost you several hundred dollars for a pass. (Definitely not my cup of tea)

When you get to town, pick up a Austin Chronicle, there are TONS of free shows, not just a few free shows during the week, Ian Mclagan plays on Thurs @ the Lucky Lounge for free from 6-8, he used to play with The Faces and played on the Rolling Stones Some Girls LP and toured with them also. There is the free ($5.00 donation for Cancer Research) live broadcast by KGSR at the Four Seasons hotel on Wed-Sat from about 7 am to 10 am, there are free shows @ Auditorium Shores. Trust me when I tell you this, no one here in Austin buys a wrist band as there is SO MUCH free stuff during the week. If you want me to show you around just sent me a PM before you head this way. The Strokes play free on the 17th and actually Ian Maclagan will be playing @ the Dog and Duck free that night because it's St Patty's Day. KUT also has free shows at the Hilton Hotel.

http://sxsw.kgsr.com/?page_id=40

http://sxsw.com/music/shows/auditorium_shores

http://sxsw.com/music/shows/day_stage

Attaway77

SXSW is pretty big, especially for a great city like Austin... If you can go, go....It's like every other festival out there, everything cost something but for a few days of music and just getting the fk away from the norm, why not?