No SXSW badge? No problem!
Two of our favorite Austin music experts stopped by the Austin News at Noon studios this week to map out a great musical plan of attack for anyone attending SXSW music festival without a badge or wristband. The best part – most of the events are free!
We started the week with John Kunz, the owner of Waterloo Records. Waterloo is putting on their most impressive group of SXSW companion concerts ever this year. They’ve taken their traditional in-store and moved it outside to a huge, solar-powered set-up in the parking lot. That means a bigger line-up of bands and more space for listeners.
Kunz’s personal picks include locally raised and nationally acclaimed multi-instrumentalist and singer Carrie Rodriguez playing Thursday at 5 p.m., legendary rock guitarist, pianist, singer and songwriter John Hiatt who goes on Friday at 1 p.m., and British rockers Soft Pack who take the stage Saturday at 2 p.m. Expect straight forward, back-to-basics rock from the Soft Pack with a little 50s surf, 70s punk, and even 80s college rock mixed into their sound.
You can’t go wrong with any of the Waterloo Records parking lot performances; just ask Raoul Hernandez from the Austin Chronicle. He was our second music expert on the show this week.
Hernandez says he’d especially be sure to stop by Waterloo on Thursday. That’s when the Drive-by Truckers, cellist Be Sollee (“the next Andrew Bird” according to Hernandez) & Daniel Martin Moore, Kunz favorite Carrie Rodriguez, indie folk songbirds T he Watson Twins and others will take the stage.
All of the Waterloo outdoor performances start at 1 p.m., preceded by a smaller in-store show each day at noon. The last band takes the stage each day at six.
Local
The latest news from around North Texas.
Find a complete line-up of Waterloo’s outdoor shows below this article.
As for Friday, Hernandez says the free show at Auditorium Shores is a good bet.
It’s all ages, and gates open at five. Cracker takes the stage at 6 p.m., the BoDeans play at 6:45 p.m.
Cheap Trick headlines at 8 p.m. If you turned on a radio in the '80s or '90s, you’ll know their sound. One of their biggest hits is 1979’s live version of “I Want You to Want Me.”
Hernandez and Kunz both said this year’s South by Southwest festival wouldn’t be complete without topping it off at the Austin Music Hall Saturday night for the Austin Music Awards.
The only paying show Hernandez or Kunz recommended, the Austin Music Awards offer a big musical bang for your buck.
Expect to see Geoff Muldaur's Texas Sheiks, Sarah Jarosz, Will Sexon & Sahara Smith, Mother Falcon, The Explosives with Peter Lewis and Stu Cook, Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears, Hosea Hargrove and more that night.
Hernandez reminded us that Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears will be going on last, so they’ll play as long as they like. Plus, you never know who will join them in the end of show All Star Jam.
Tickets are $15 at Waterloo Records before the show, $20 at the door. The show starts at 7:55 p.m. sharp Saturday night.
Thursday, March 18
Waterloo Records Parking Lot Show (free)
Titus Andronicus - 1 p.m.
Drive-by Truckers - 2 p.m.
Ben Sollee & Daniel Martin Moore - 3 p.m.
Ola Podrida - 4 p.m.
Carrie Rodriguez – 5 p.m.
The Watson Twins – 6 p.m.
Friday, March 19
Waterloo Records Parking Lot Show (free)
John Hiatt – 1 p.m.
Shearwater – 2 p.m.
Miles Kurosky (of Beulah) – 3 p.m.
Serena Maneesh 4 p.m.
Sweet Apple (J. Mascis) – 5 p.m.
Rye Rye – 6 p.m.
Auditorium Shores Outdoor Show (free)
Cheap Trick – 8 p.m.
BoDeans - 6:45 p.m.
Cracker – 6 p.m.
Saturday March 20
Waterloo Records Parking Lot Show (free)
Lawrence Arabia – 1 p.m.
The Soft Pack - 2 p.m.
Pearl Harbor - 3 p.m.
Happy Birthday - 4 p.m.
A Sunny Day In Glasgow - 5 p.m.
Hollerado - 6 p.m.
Austin Music Awards ($15 advance, $20 door)
**Starts at 7:55 sharp
Geoff Muldaur's Texas Sheiks
Sarah Jarosz
Will Sexon & Sahara Smith
Mother Falcon
The Explosives with Peter Lewis and Stu Cook
Hosea Hargrove
Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears and more.
This story appears courtesy KXAN.com.
