Saturday, the 13th
Flaming Lips @ NX35 in Denton, TX
photo by Bebot
It was weird to go to Denton for a visit, because when I was living there I would usually go to Austin for a visit. But this show was well worth the 3 hour drive because it was FREE and the Flaming Lips are one of my top 5 favorite bands.
The show was at Fairgrounds, right behind the Kroger grocery store that I went to 99.9% of the time when I lived there. Surprisingly with 10,000 reportedly in attendance, no one was turned away because the venue never reached capacity.
The Flaming Lips put on a great show. It was a full production with backup dancers, a sunshine man, a fog machine, a circular wafer-thin videoscreen, confetti, lights, gigantic balloons, and a dancing dinosaur. Wayne Coyne busted out with his clear human hamster ball and these huge prosthetic laser hands.
photo by Bebot
They ended the set with "Do You Realize??" Even though I was far away from the stage, the show was magical.
photo by Bebot
Sunday, the 14th
Barbara Lynn @ San Jose Hotel
I got back to Austin barely in time to see her because of the damn time change and partying/waking up late in Denton.
I discovered Barbara Lynn on Soul Night at the Alamo Drafthouse, where they play old video clips of music acts. So she is definitely up there in age, but she's still rocking. I first got there in time to see Barbara Lynn do a duet with her son, her playing guitar & singing / him rapping. Then she played the song that I saw her play so long ago.
Monday, the 15th
Beijing Taxi @ Austin Convention Center
I was 20 minutes late, because I decided to go last minute. I think that looking disheveled from furiously riding my bike got me in for free.
The movie, according to the trailer, is about three taxi drivers in Beijing. I only noticed two. Maybe something happened to the third one in the 20 minutes that I missed? The stories of the two taxi drivers that I get to know in the movie were very heartbreaking. One was a young woman who wants to be independent and loves her daughter above anything else. The other is an older man who has cancer and tries to make the taxi system work for him. The movie is during the Beijing Olympics. The opening ceremony of the 2008 Olympics made me cry. So did this movie.
Wednesday, the 16th @ Antone's
ChocQuib Town
This band was a pleasant surprise while waiting for Bomba Estereo. They really had the place going. I couldn't help but dance.
Bomba Estereo
Not what I was expecting. I like their music so much more en el estereo, or on the radio. I was really worn by the end of the day, so I only stayed for two songs.
Thursday, the 18th
White Lines @ Alamo Drafthouse
The first person in line was to see this movie that played last in a series of documentary shorts. I can understand why he lined up so early, because this documentary is so intriguing. At the end of it, I did feel a little sad for the loss of Junebug and can only wonder what awesome music he would've produced today.
Ozomatli @ Auditorium Shores
I couldn't see them up close and personal, because I couldn't get int because I had my dog Peabody with me. Which is funny, because it was set up at the dog park. The music was still good as we sat on the hill, across the street at the Palmer Events Center.
Friday, the 19th
Dr. Dog @ Cedar Street Courtyard
I happened on this by chance on my way to the Austin Music Hall. I had heard that Dr. Dog was playing, but I also heard it was so crowded that I didn't think it was worth going. Well, it's always a joy to see Dr. Dog. And although the venue was small, Cedar Street Courtyard has a really nice old world charm.
@ Austin Music Hall
Raphael Saadiq
I felt like a giddy teenager when I saw Raphael. It's hard not to have a crush on someone who has great music and great style. I danced and loved every minute of his music.
Smokey Robinson
This guy was still rocking and very charming, even though he's 70. He joked with the crowd and danced really great. It felt like a show in Vegas, where everything is overproduced. But I still sang along with the crowd to all the songs he played.
Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings
This is the second time I've seen Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings. At this point I was exhausted from dancing and singing along, in the crowd, with the previous acts. But Sharon came out with this awesome energy.
Saturday, the 20th
Black Keys @ Mohawk
It was cold & rainy this day. Jon & I drove downtown and stood in line early morning for this FREE show that started at noon. It was worth the wait. I saw the young DJ Rye Rye perform while waiting for the Black Keys to play last.
The Black Keys of course were incredible. It blows my mind how just two people can come out with such a rocking sound. Best. Free. Show. Ever.
Anita Tijoux @ Maggie Mae's
I discovered Ms. Tijoux from the 9 GB sampler of SXSW music. Her song "1977" was a beacon among the sea of mediocre and really bad songs. In person, she's sexier than her photos. And man, can she rap. Girl crush!
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