SXSW 2008 Final Report

I guess it shouldn't come as a surprise that after my initial day 1 preview, I didn't have time to preview or review any of the succeeding days. There's just too much going on in those 13 hour days for one man to update a blog. So, a week later, here's a recap of some of my favorite shows as well as photos from several of the performances I saw.

Top Five for SXSW 2008:

1) Hands down, the highlight of the festival was My Brightest Diamond at the Central Presbyterian Church. The acoustics in there are absolutely astounding and when the right performer is in the space, there's not a better place to see a show. It beats rock clubs all to hell. Songstress Shara Worden not only brought her enrapturing voice and songs to the stage, but also a backing string quartet.

Shara Worden of My Brightest Diamond.



String Section.

2) Destroyer at the Dell Lounge. Even though this show occurred at two in the afternoon, the band was plenty energized and pumped out some great songs from albums old and yet to be released. I had had "Dark Leaves From a Thread" since I got the new record and hearing it live was awesome.

Destroyer.

3) Jens Lekman at the Mohawk. The Swedish pop perfectionist has the whole package: he's a great songwriter, girls swoon, and he's funny on stage. The whole crowd was absorbed in the show, fans singing along and newcomers laughing as Lekman ad libs more background on "Nina" and her dad from "Postcard to Nina."
Jens Lekman.

4) The K Showcase at Emo's. Even though we cut out for a little bit to catch an act across town, the whole night was solid. Karl Blau kicked it off with his guitar and loop petal and show highlight "Dragon Song." Kimya Dawson was as endearing as always, playing songs dedicated to her daughter Panda and from her upcoming record, which will be a children's album. The Blow closed off the night with a late night dance party. Despite the wonderful, picture with extreme accidental redeye where Karl Blau appears to have terminator-like lazer vision, I've posted a more acceptable picture of the lo-fi pop musician.

Karl Blau.

5) Although my favorite was Shearwater, the two acts that preceded them in the stellar lineup at the French Legation on Friday were also outstanding: Yo La Tengo and Atlas Sound. Last year, my favorite show of the festival was Shearwater at the Presbyterian Church and this year I was treated to a set of almost entirely new material from their upcoming album that will be released on Matador on June 3. Yo La Tengo is of course classic and phenomenal for the second time I've seen them. Atlas Sound was actually an unknown to me until the festival, but they were superb. I was surprised to see Adam Forkner on stage with them, who I know from his various other projects, but had no idea he was playing with Atlas Sound.



Shearwater. (from left to right, Jonathan Meiburg, Thor Harris, Kimberly Burke)

A Harpist performing with Shearwater.



Yo La Tengo.



Atlas Sound.


Other highlights included Phosphorescent playing "Not A Heel," and YACHT's performance at Emo's, which included his love interest, Claire and a ton of new material. And now, other shots from shows during SXSW:


Claire from YACHT.




Basia Bulat at Antone's.




Emmy the Great at the French Legation.




Hanne Hukkelberg at Emo's.




John K. Samson at The Dell Lounge.




Kimya Dawson at the French Legation.




Lykke Li at Emo's Annex.




Lykke Li at Emo's.




Phosphorescent at the Mohawk.




Ponytail at the Mohawk.




Red Hunter of Peter and the Wolf.




She and Him (from left to right, Matt Ward, Stephanie Drootin, and Zooey Deschanel).




She and Him (from left to right, Matt Ward and Stephanie Drootin).




Zooey Deschanel of She and HIm.




Khaela Maricich of The Blow.