What can be said about seeing Dolly Parton for the first time? The hits, the stories, the people weeping with joy around me – it was spectacular. And playing “9 to 5” twice – the second time so the audience could sing it – was tremendous.
LEE BAINS III & THE GLORY FIRES
Seeing Lee Bains III and the Glory Fires is a cathartic rock and roll experience. The Alabama-reared power trio leave it all on the stage, unleashing a furious onslaught that often finds Bains in the crowd wailing on his guitar. They’ve become a SXSW must-see, times three for me this year. And you better believe that I plant myself at the front of the stage for the full experience.
I met singer-songwriter Daniel Sheron at SXSW 2019. Fast forward three years and we cross paths again. New band members and new songs, same great rock and roll.
Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard from Wales were a favorite from last year’s virtual version of SXSW, so I was particularly excited to see them in person this year. They didn’t disappoint with a great set (well, caught them twice) that blended classic rock with a modern edge. Singer Tom Rees is quite the front person, strutting around the stage in energetic fashion.
Louisville, Kentucky’s Bendigo Fletcher were a late night discovery at last year’s Americana Conference. I was excited to catch another set of their brooding yet melodic folk-rock that is punctuated by singer Ryan Anderson’s soaring vocals and falsetto.
An Austin tradition! Mike Barfield, the self-proclaimed Tyrant of Texas Funk , and his band lit up Lucy’s Fried Chicken on Sunday afternoon with their roaring R&B.
Evan Dando and company performing It’s a Shame About Ray in its entirety, stopping only to ask the photographers to leave the photo pit when said photographers overstayed their allotted three song limit.
Mojo’s Mayhem, Mojo Nixon’s day long party at the Continental Club, is a Saturday tradition. This year I kicked things off with London’s Ferris & Sylvester. The duo, accompanied by a drummer, shifted effortlessly from folk to rock and back again, their harmonies adding a magical touch to the songs.
Whether it’s a soulful ballad or rip roarin’ R&B, Austin’s the Greyhounds bring the grooves.
I first saw and met these fellas in Dallas earlier this year. I missed their official SXSW showcase but got to see them play an extended set Sunday afternoon. It was a bit mellower than the late night club show that I saw in Dallas, it was an afternoon after a week-long marathon after all, but they still brought some rock.
I only caught one song from Austin’s Madisons and it was simultaneous enough and not enough. Enough to whet my appetite for more and not enough to satisfy. They’ve got the standard rock band instrumentation PLUS a banjo, cello, accordion, and trumpet. And some great songs, well at least the one that I heard…
All photos by Danzig, expect Dolly Parton (credit: Joel Parks)
About the author: Mild-mannered corporate executive by day, excitable Twangville denizen by night.