SXSW 2016: Tears, tantrums and the music

Image: Gooch Palms at the Aussie BBQ. Credit:Cian Davis and Bianca O’Neill

Although the weaker Aussie dollar reportedly kept somebands and attendees away this year, SXSW still loomed large as ever on the music industry radar, delivering everything from tears and tantrums to big names and small burgeoning bands.

We recounted Tony Visconti’s charged keynotelate last week, in which he opined on the dire future of the music industry (read that here), but besides his tears at the podium there were many more key moments that SXSW surprised us with this year. Here are our highlights below:

1. All the Bowie memories flowed at SXSW this year, from the aforementioned Visconti’s keynote stories, to the panel specifically dedicated to his visual collaborators (includingBlackstar album art artistJonathan Barnbrook) – his presence was lovingly felt. Iggy Pop threw in a performance of China Girl, some Argentinian rockers worked their way through the Ziggy album, and a local radio station threw a kids-themed Bowie boogie night. Only the Starman himself could appreciate such a diverse showing.

Image: Iggy Pop. Credit:SXSW

David Bowie Visual Collaborators with Mark Goodman, Lawrence Peryer, Carolynn Cecilia, and Jonathan Barnbrook. Photo Credit: SXSW /JEALEX

2. Crystal Castles were one of the hotly anticipated acts to play SXSW this year, with long lines (and a long wait after some weather warnings set the playing times back over an hour) at the outdoor stage at Stubbs.

Photo Credit:Teresa Jarrell / SXSW

After what seemed like an eternity of sound checking and some issues with the equipment, Crystal Castles appeared on stage, only to be hampered with poor sound after only a song or two. Some frazzled sound guys appeared to attempt to fix the problem asEthan Kath andEdith Frances hid behind the decks, only to restart – when Frances’ mic didn’t work. Kath immediately stormed off stage, leaving his confused bandmates to saunter off behind him. The tantrum was met with lacklustre boos.

Crystal Castles just played the most disappointing set in the history of #SXSW at Stubb’s. #sxsw2016 pic.twitter.com/hKS34ixpZc

— Louis Impagliazzo (@slyfocks) March 19, 2016

3. Drake surprised everyone with a non-official gig at the Fader Fort, which this year went invite-only and off-schedule. Perhaps ’surprised’ isn’t the word – it was one of the worst kept secrets at the festival. Amongst playing a short set, the rapper announcedhis new album was set to drop in April, calledViews From the 6, and also an upcoming tour. Watch fan footage below:

4. The old school was strong this year at SXSW, with more memories flowing on the Ramones panel whereRolling Stone iconDavid Fricke andJohnny’s widow, Linda Ramone, joined Sire Records co-founder Seymour Stein andpunkpioneerJohn Doe.

Linda Ramone and Stein were the highlights, delivering some great punk moments in music history via one liners and recounted stories. There was talk of the Ramones dripping in spit after playing with the Sex Pistols, there was discussion of how much Johnny liked to wind people up (perhaps the source of his being a Republican and a punk rocker?) – but best of all was Ramone’s delivery of Johnny’s audition process for new band mates. “Oh god,” she told the audience, “he goes ’one of them had curly hair.’ “

5. Besides the Aussie BBQ (of course), one of our favourite curated nights was the Montreal pop up at Barracuda. Nancy Pants delivered a 60s/90s mash upfor those inclined toward garage pop fused with punk, and although we may not have understood what Chocolat was saying, we understood the language of an out-there rock hybrid featuring an eccentric singer and a keyboardist with luxurious long blonde hair. Rock on:https://chocolatmtl.bandcamp.com/