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 2022.
I’m not gonna say it’s good to be back. We know that shit. John Doe
We got booked for SXSW and we were so excited. Then we found out that they booked other bands. Fragile Rock
Welcome to the battle of the bands. Le Ren
I’ve been here 2 days and it feels like 2 weeks. Beck on the SXSW experience
I just want to tell you that my drink is right there. Woman next to me, putting her glass down in front of me
I’ll try not to drink it. My response
Usually when I play this song I totally unplug. But we gotta be louder than the neighbors. James McMurtry on competing with the band on the stage next door
Bring our shit up. We are about to have a war. Sugaray Rayford when he realized what he thought the music he was hearing before his set was coming from the house PA – it was really coming from a band performing next door
That’s usually my leaving song. Dolly Parton after finishing “9-5” for the 2nd time; she then closed with “I Will Always Love You”
Here’s a new one so you can take a bathroom break. Eric Pulido of Midlake
We’re gonna put the Stooges with Ornette Coleman and Ferrell Sanders. Mike Watt of freeform power trio mssv introducing their encore
Let’s have some fun… well disclaimer on that, I’m gonna play some really sad, slow songs. Beck
You can’t clap on the one. John Doe stopping mid-song to correct the audience
The girl wins with “Funky Cupcake”. I’m sorry man. Barfield, to a guy in the audience who lost the request shout-out competition
This is dangerous territory but does anyone have any requests of songs I might know. John Doe
Would you really want to hear the song “Los Angeles” on the acoustic guitar? I appreciate your knowledge of the one X song that everyone knows. John Doe a minute later
You better get your ass home or it’ll be your ass and your fault. Dolly Parton explaining how “Jolene” was inspired by her husband spending too much time at the bank trying to get a loan for his asphalt company
Follow us on Spotify, Instagram, Facebook and Tinder. Sam from Beatnik Bandits
I currently live in my uncle’s basement. If you stream my EP maybe I won’t have to live there any more. BER
He said it was the closest thing he’s had to a Beatles moment. James McMurtry on what Ray Wylie Hubbard told him about playing the McMurtry-penned “Choctaw Bingo” at Choctaw Casino in Oklahoma
If you came here tonight with someone you don’t want to leave with, this is your conversation. Fragile Rock introducting their song “Wake Up to the Break Up”
We’re kind of a 1am band. Tom Rees of Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard at the band’s 5pm set
All decisions get worse from here on in. Aeon Station playing their 1am set.
It was the 90s so there wasn’t a lot to protest about. I mean we protested shopping malls. Beck introducing “Pay No Mind (Snoozer)”
We’re all from Los Angeles. This song is about the mistake of moving there. Daniel Sheron of Balto introducing their song “Black Snake Mojave Blues”
It’s changing a bit. I’m like is that a Hermes store? I was looking for some Hermes cowboy boots. Beck on how Austin has changed over the years
Oh my God, I just said y’all. That sounds really weird coming out of my mouth. Charlotte Cornfield from Canada
Rumor has it we had a record out last August. I’ve heard that it’s not bad. James McMurtry
I love you too but I told you to wait in the truck. Dolly Parton responding to a shouted profession from the crowd
If you want to find out how to spell that, you can look at the poster. Malin Pettersen about her last name
Everyone knows how to drive but no one knows how to drive. Cabbie wisdom
The blues is the roots, everything else is the fruits. Sugaray Rayford
I had dreams. Dolly Parton on moving to Nashville when she was 18
About the author: Mild-mannered corporate executive by day, excitable Twangville denizen by night.