One of my favorite things about SXSW (well, after the music) are the crazy comments that you hear along the way. Here are a few choice selections from SXSW 2026. Whoever your favorite band is, their favorite band is Los Lobos. NPR DJ introducing Los Lobos at their Thursday afternoon set We played three songs, […]
SXSW 2026: The Sounds, Part 3
NAKIA Austin’s Nakia was a favorite SXSW discovery from nearly 20 years ago. I caught two sets towards the close of SXSW – a fitting way to round out the week. The Wednesday afternoon set at C-Boys, in particular, brought me right back to that first encounter — the voice, the energy, the songs, all […]
SXSW 2026: The Sounds, Part 2
LOS LOBOS It doesn’t get much better than Los Lobos. Seriously. They’ve shared more than 50 years of great music and performances with the world, and they ain’t done yet. Their introduction at the NPR day stage spoke volumes: “Whoever your favorite band is, their favorite band is Los Lobos.” They were even brought back […]
SXSW 2026: The Sounds, Part 1
JON DEE GRAHAM AND WILLIAM HARRIES GRAHAM News broke last Friday night that Jon Dee Graham had passed away that morning. What was already a SXSW performance highlight suddenly felt like something more. Jon Dee had battled serious health issues for years, making his reflection on the experience and performance of “I Can See Clearly […]
SXSW 2026: The Scene
For me, the true harbinger of spring is the arrival of the SXSW Conference and Festival in Austin, Texas. Or rather, spring begins for me when I arrive in Austin for the annual event. With upwards of 1,000 artists and tens of thousands of attendees from around the world, SXSW is the world’s premiere music […]
SXSW 2025: Say What?!
One of my favorite things about SXSW (well, after the music) are the crazy comments that you hear along the way. Here are a few choice selections from SXSW 2025. I’m from the Brian Eno school of music. What is out of tune? It’s just choices. St. Vincent If you can’t tell, I have my […]
SXSW 2025: The Sounds, Part 3
ST. VINCENT It’s hard to beat a surprise set by St. Vincent, all the more so when it takes place at a Rivian showroom. The set was short but potent, including a few from her most recent album. And thanks, Rivian, for the limited edition vinyl of said release. WILLI CARLISLE Although he’s been on […]
SXSW 2025: The Sounds, Part 2
BABY SAID I saw sisters Veronica and Jess Pal deliver two blistering sets of rock and roll, sweetened by their catchy pop melodies and perfect sibling harmonies. Even those two times was not enough – here’s hoping they return soon for a proper tour. JOELTON MAYFIELD My favorite Americana discovery was Nashville by way of […]
SXSW 2025: The Sounds, Part 1
JOHN FOGERTY “I just got my songs back and I’m gonna play every one of them,” said Fogerty at the start of his show, celebrating the return of his song publishing rights. He wasn’t kidding. He and his band cranked through hit after hit, culminating with a bruising “Fortunate Son”. The icing on the cake? […]
SXSW 2025: The Scene
For me, the true harbinger of spring is the arrival of the SXSW conference and festival in Austin, Texas. Or rather, spring begins for me when I arrive in Austin for the annual event. With upwards of 1,000 artists and tens of thousands of attendees from around the world, SXSW is the world’s premiere music […]