2005 South by Southwest Rockzillaworld Round-Up
By Dante Dominick
 Another year, another
installment of Rockzillaworld reports from South by Southwest
(SXSW) via yours truly.
2005 was the largest in the event's history; over 1300 bands
were "official" SXSW acts. The actual number of performances
by musical acts in the city of Austin during this four-day period
was likely closer to 4000. It's staggering really. Concert stages
spring up in parking lots, venues that don't exist for 51 weeks
open their doors, art galleries, plant nurseries, taco stands
and gas stations host multiple concert events.
The offerings run literally 24 hours. Official showcases,
spread over 50 venues, start at 8pm and end, according to Austin
law, at 2am. Ridiculous after parties follow that test attendees
endurance and/or sanity. By day are the bulk of the "unofficial"
showcases. Riding the coattails of the main event, these free
concerts sometimes trump the nightly performances. Free music,
free food...water, two dollars. That's the cold, hard facts ladies
and gentlemen: food, beer and music are endless, renewable resources
during SXSW. Water, however, apparently proves more difficult
for event organizers to round up.
This was the 19th annual SXSW. For those that have never been,
this is no ordinary music festival for reasons beyond the boggling
numbers. By day are also various panels and discussions, moderated
by industry big wigs, which dissect every aspect of the music
biz for aspiring musicians, managers, publicists and sundry industry
weasels representing every continent (excluding that frozen one).
An equal number of people are here to network as there are folks
just interested in checking out music. Maybe even more actually.
It can be nauseating.
"And what of the performers?" you ask. Glad you
did. The scope is, it likely goes without saying, enormous. From
Robert Plant to Vanilla Ice to panels with Roky Erickson and
Brian Wilson. And there are even acts that are relevant to today's
world of music (sorry, couldn't resist).
Seriously though, everything is covered. There is a very heavy
emphasis on two genres in particular: the Americana/roots rock/singer-songwriter
genre (yes, I did just roll that into one) and the loud/blaring/art
metal/whatever the hell you call it/I guess this is rock and
roll today/punk genre. Those two fields combine for easily over
half of what is presented.
Below are some of the highlights from my SXSW 2005. But first,
this disclaimer: excruciating tooth pain hampered me. Despite
the urgent need for oral surgery, I pulled through to bring the
following stories and pictures to you. Some reporters brave mortar
shells in far away lands. I brave sticky floors and throngs of
partiers in my haze of prescription painkillers. I even used
straws to drink when opening my jaw became too much: that's how
dedicated I am folks.
Idol to
the Idols
New Orleans
Night
Bloodshot
Bash 2005
Random Notes
Reporter's Scrapbook
Contact Dante Dominick at dominick-at-rockzilla.net
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