Why can’t SXSW be every single day?

My trip to Austin for SXSW might very well have been the best week of my life so far. My friend Jess was a fantastic host, even when I broke important parts of her home (sorry).

Check out the following player — one song each from almost every band I caught! (Two local Austin bands I saw weren’t available through Project Playlist — ecclectic 8-piece band the War Against Sleep and long-haired rockers Scorpion Child, the latter of which I can’t see myself listening to normally, but who put on a great live show.)

One of the best things about SXSW overall was how frickin nice everyone was. For five action-packed days, my noon-to-2am drunken haze was filled with crowds of considerate, hilarious, lovely music-lovers who I instantly felt like I’d known forever. Between shows, it just felt good to walk Austin’s downtown strip — venue after venue after venue, music floating through the air constantly — and to be surrounded by so many good people having such a genuinely good time.

Just a few highlights…

• When Tapes ‘n Tapes ended their set at Emo’s with their new single “Hang Them All,” I danced my little ass off harder than I did during any other song the whole week (which was a lot). Oh god so good.
• Coolest makeshift venue, hands-down, was the Austin Children’s Museum, which SXSW took over for a showcase that included the Mae Shi, who began their set singing “I Want Almost Everything” from the circular balcony above and then made their way down to the floor to rock so hard & good & insanely that I distinctly remember thinking, “This may be one of my best concert experiences ever” — though later I realized a solid factor in that might’ve been that I’d been drinking for some 11 hours by then.
• Belaire at Beauty Bar was a sweet, poppy favorite of Jess and her friend. I, however, spent most of their set wondering where I’d seen the guitarist/keyboardist before. Was I crazy? Had I seen him in a dream??? (Nope — he’s also the guitarist from Voxtrot, who I saw last summer at Coney Island. Phew.)
• Also at Beauty Bar, I happily held it when a DJ set from Yo Majesty broke out right in front of me on my way to the bathroom. That was some craziness. Crowd went wiiiild.
• The only band I saw at SXSW that I’d already seen before was the Octopus Project at the Red Eyed Fly, and happily so. Not sure that band could be any sweeter or more fun to see live, really.
• And, as I mentioned previously, the highest highlight of my entire week was seeing She and Him (Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward’s music project) at an outdoor show just before I left Austin. I actually found a YouTube clip from the set, which I’m enjoying watching over & over, thinking to myself “I was there!!!” Check out the gorgeousness below.

Best week ever, honestly. This write-up doesn’t even scratch the surface. I feel rejuvenated & refreshed & relaxed & happy & like I never want to stop seeing live music ever.