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 for a crowd-demanded encore, a rarity at an otherwise precision-timed SXSW set.
We’re unabashed Olivia Ellen Lloyd fans here at Twangville, so you’re damn right we made sure to catch her as she played her way across Austin. It was everything we wanted: vivid storytelling infused in attitude and wrapped in songs that feel lived-in and wholly her own.
I’ll admit I was dragging a bit on one of the final nights of SXSW. Hardcore Chicago rapper Woes took care of that handily, sending me back out into the night with a second, third, and fourth winds. A welcome explosion of energy, he bounded around the room like a whirling dervish with songs every bit as strong as the performance.
One of my favorite things about SXSW is discovering new artists. This year, UK duo ARXX were a standout in that category. They may be a duo but their music packs a muscular punch — catchy melodies that explode with ferocious energy.
Canada’s Talk delivers pop songs with a voice that stops you in your tracks. A knee injury had him singing from a chair, but it didn’t matter — the raw power of his voice filled outdoor venue Stubbs all the same.
Boston indie rockers The Sheila Divine make one hell of a racket. These are rock anthems built for rousing sing-alongs, loudly and without apology.
Australia’s Tullamarines brought a crowd out to the backyard of clothing store Imogene + Willie on a warm, sunny afternoon. The weather was perfect, and the music — bright, happy, and irresistible — brought its own kind of sunshine to match.
Brooklyn country artist Paisley Fields always brings a party, all the better when premiering songs from the forthcoming album Are U Mad At Me.
About the author: Mild-mannered corporate executive by day, excitable Twangville denizen by night.