SXSW 2011: We begin here (w/links to RSVP to party for FREE)

We're less than 4 1/2 weeks away until the official SXSW begins right in our neighborhood(s) and it's time to get you some information now before parties/events/badges/tickets/wristbands get sold out or filled up.  I'm here to educate you first.

SXSW officially begins March 11th with the Interactive and Film festivals where you can see Lt. Jim Dangle from Reno 911 and watch trailers of the movies to premiere here.  The Music festival dates are officially March 16th - 20th.  Now when I mean "officially" I mean this - where you gots to drop down $700 - or $750 at a walk up rate (this is a good hundred more than my rent) for just a music badge that gives you access to all 'official' SXSW showcases, artist/label Q&A sessions and panels, free BBQ, a softball tournament, a fancy ass bag w/swag in it, some flatstock posters, and in to all the 'official' SXSW music parties.  Now that price and those perks are ONLY if you want to see the music portion of the festival.  If you want to enjoy the film aspect AND the music you will have to come up with at least $900 or $950 if you walk up day of the festival. 

Yes, prices are absurd and frankly let me tell you this - do not spend more than $100 TOTAL the whole week of the festival if you are a local!  You DO NOT need to buy a music festival pass to have fun during SXSW.  I have been rolling for free the last 4 years at SXSW and have yet to purchase a badge.

If you are not a local (even if you are and want/plan to volunteer) and want a badge perhaps volunteering and/or winning a free badge from some contest in town or radio station is your best bet if you cannot afford to purchase a stinkin' badge.

If you are pretty serious about wanting to attend the Interactive or Film part of the festival I recommend you either pay for a day pass to get into the venue where the event is taking place at (they may have a cover to get into the venue or club).  You are going to have to consider the capacity of the venue (to determine if you get in or not), the exclusiveness of the event (as in check to see if the event indicates "Badges Only" which means you need a badge to get in), and/or if there will be a popular musical guest/group at the event.  These things will prevent you from having some "official" fun if you don't have an 'official' badge to the 'official' SXSW events.

Usually a few weeks before (last year I think it was a week before the kickoff) SXSW is set to begin, there will be an opportunity for any local Austinities interested in attending the music showcases of SXSW to gain a wristband that ranges somewhere between $140 to $180 bucks (last year was $139 online and $180 in person).  This wristband is good to attend all SXSW venues and showcases with no cover charge, AFTER the badge holders are let in to the venue, and before the single admission ticket holders for that show.  Access is not guaranteed, however, and again, you are let in to the venue AFTER those badge holders depending on if the venue is at it's capacity.  More about local wristbands here - also, keep in mind you need 1) a credit card to purchase and 2) an Austin billing address that matches that credit card holders name/account.  Oh yeah, and you can only purchase 2 wristbands at a time and they sell out quickly!

Still here? If you stayed with me this whole time THANK YOU.  It's a big fucken headache trying to explain this to my friends who come in from out of town to attend SXSW or even to my friends who live here and think their Spring Break is doomed because they didn't spend it at a beach or purchase an overpriced badge to the conference.

That all being said here are some links I recommend you signing up for NOW before the sponsor/band/venue closes the RSVP links and/or reach their limit capacity.  I suggest you sign up for anything and everything you think you may or may not make it to.  You never know when you end up having some free time when the SXSW week comes. I definitely don't apperciate those procrastinators who end up asking me to have them as a tag along as my +1 to these events during SXSW week.  Sign up for your own shit.

Here is what I know so far:

IODA (independent online distribution alliance) has put up a link to their 7th Annual SXSW Opening Day Bash on March 16th at Emos Annex (the big tent right across from Emos venue on Red River side).  Gold Panda, Beach Fossils, Typhoon, True Widow, The Bewitched Hands, and Aphasia will be performing for free!!! Alls yous gots to do is RSVP.  No badge is required and the party begins at 12pm and lasts til 6pm.
Also, if you have no idea who the bands are you should listen to a sample here.

This party here at Auditorium Shores is always delightful, stress free (if you get down there early or bike), and the best thing is you don't have to RSVP to any of these shows.  Get ready for Man Man, Wavves, Bright Eyes, The Felice Brothers, and Blue October (meh.) will be playing for FREE!  

Wavves, "So Bored" Acoustic version @ Maggie Mae's, SXSW 2009 from Marina Pierri on Vimeo.

Here is another free SXSW showcase w/2 stages you can attend without any badges or wristbands here.  Book mark this link so you can go back to it to check out what bands from Seattle, S.F., LA, Santa Cruz, and Texas will be playing when they are released.  The showcase is on March 18th with SFitall.

I am a big fan of The AV Club and they will have a free show on March 18th at The Mohawk that features music from Sharon Van Etten (!!!!yes!!!!), Baths, Ted Leo, Low, Small Sins, Maritime (I love these guys), No Joy (who recently came through town with Wavves and got in a car accident - with no injuries - and had to cancel their free Waterloo Record store appearance because of it), and Tristen.  This is going to be an amazing show!!!! No RSVP needed now but find out who else will be playing here.




Texas Jumpstart Party has now moved their "100% free and 100% free beer" SXSW party to Hole in the Wall this year with The Midgetmen, Ezra Furman, Shilpa Ray, and more.  This is seriously going to be a great show with free beer and free cover without all the mess of being downtown.  Line up here and you need to RSVP to this one.

Friday, March 18th is a busy day and you will have to make decision on what show(s) are the best to split your time with or if you are like me, you will make every single band I wanna see via bike.  Braids, Foster the People, Friendly Fires, The Naked and Famous, Toro y Moi (!!!), and more will be playing at Emos. No RSVP needed as of now and it looks like Scion will be hosting this party.


The good folks at Spinner released 140 free tracks from artists and musicians who will be playing SXSW 2011.  Download and listen. It is worth your time to listen and learn a few more bands to show up and go support.

More to come soon and I will keep you posted as it all comes along and comes flooding in to my email.  Again, RSVP for yourself and don't complain if you can't get in because you waited to long.  Don't be left out and do let me know if you see any cool parties or free shit.