Whether you listen to hip hop, punk, pop, rock, or electronic, no matter what the genre is, SXSW will have a band you will enjoy. The greatest thing about this festival is whether it’s a big mainstream artist, an up and coming underground band, or somewhere in between, SXSW has it all.

More at El Pasino. We couldn’t agree more – and if you missed it, our 2012 Music Sampler is still available!

The price of Lone Star was fairly consistent. On the downside, mainstream America fully embraced SXSW after slowly creeping in on the festival for years. Whether it was the 60-foot-tall Doritos vending machine, the party sponsored by Nike, or American Express broadcasting a live Jay-Z concert on Sixth Street, everybody wants a piece of Austin. SXSW is still about music, but it’s also so much more.

With his favourite (and worst) bands, events, recycling, and the love affair from the hipsters for his Moleskine… it’s a fun read over at HuffPo.

And on through an hour, two hours, Bruce played. He crowd surfed, at the end of songs he’d heave his guitar 30 feet through the air to a roadie, he climbed on amps and drum kits. He delivered most of his new album to rapturous applause. The hits pushed the crowd into group swaying and singing that seems like it could cure disease…

Even if you think in advance that you’re not someone who sings at concerts, you belt this stuff out. And everyone does, so there’s no reservations. And it’s not like anyone hears you. We’re all standing in the face of a 32-legged hurricane, a jet-turbine engine, the E Street Band. The sound is huge, so huge you don’t think it could have ever been matched in rock history.

More at A+E Interactive.

Interactive: March 8th – March 12th 2013.
Film: March 8th – March 16th 2013.
Music: March 13th – March 16th 2013.

• Yellow Submarine (1968) Newly Restored (UK) (SXSchedule)
12:00pm Paramount

• Rachael Rays
Stubbs (Just stay there for the day, trust us)

• The Do-Deca Pentathlone (SXSchedule)
9:45pm Stateside

• Bug Girl
3.00pm Trophys Bar

• Under the Radar
Flamingo Cantina

• Third Man Records
The Stage on Sixth

Jonathan Lisecki and Jenn Harris (Gayby),

Chat and music from Nive Nielsen.

Follow the SXSW Baby blog for more South by Southwest fun, and what we’re up to on the ground via Twitter and @SXSWbaby. Got news about SXSW for us? Get in touch via SXSW Baby’s contact form! Don’t forget to follow the podcast via the RSS feed!

Simon Willison and Natalie Downe (Lanyrd)

Nir Paniry and Gabriel Cowan (Extracted)

Music from Gemma Ray.

Follow the SXSW Baby blog for more South by Southwest fun, and what we’re up to on the ground via Twitter and @SXSWbaby. Got news about SXSW for us? Get in touch via SXSW Baby’s contact form! Don’t forget to follow the podcast via the RSS feed!

• Rock ‘N’ Roll Exposed: The Photography of Bob Gruen (SXSchedule)
1:45pm Ritz 1

• Blondfire (SXSchedule)
1100 Warehouse 8:00-8:40 pm

• Scottish Music Showcase (SXSchedule)
Starting at 8:00pm at Easy Tiger Patio, 709 E. 6th St.

• SXSW Trade Show (Info)
11:00am – 6:00pm

• Parties
Canadian BBQ(SXSchedule)

Mark Kendall, director of La Camioneta.

Artist Hugh MacLeod, www.gapingvoid.com.

Music from Anamanaguchi.

Follow the SXSW Baby blog for more South by Southwest fun, and what we’re up to on the ground via Twitter and @SXSWbaby. Got news about SXSW for us? Get in touch via SXSW Baby’s contact form! Don’t forget to follow the podcast via the RSS feed!

Director Timo Vuorensola and Proucer Tero Kaukomma talk about their “Nazis from Space” feature, Iron Sky.

Steven Lowe talks about the impact on SXSW Interactive on a ‘regular’ delegate.

Music from The Balkan Beat Box, “War Again”.

Follow the SXSW Baby blog for more South by Southwest fun, and what we’re up to on the ground via Twitter and @SXSWbaby. Got news about SXSW for us? Get in touch via SXSW Baby’s contact form! Don’t forget to follow the podcast via the RSS feed!

John Yost, CEO of Super Better.

The cast and crew of King Kelly.

Music from Ruby Jane.

Follow the SXSW Baby blog for more South by Southwest fun, and what we’re up to on the ground via Twitter and @SXSWbaby. Got news about SXSW for us? Get in touch via SXSW Baby’s contact form! Don’t forget to follow the podcast via the RSS feed!

I’ve always been the “music guy” amongst my circle of friends and wanted to find a way to spread my wings a bit. I discovered SXSW my first year in Texas in 2009, but was completely overwhelmed and ended just bouncing around catching random bands. It was wonderful, but I learned that coming in with a plan helped. The next year, I took the task of building my own spreadsheet of ratings to catch the best of the best and plan out what showcases I wanted to hit up.

Telling folks “I listened to all of them” yielded some dropped jaws and I knew I was onto something. Leading up to last year’s SXSW, I made my first Tumblr account and just started writing. A year later, I feel like I have a second full-time job!

Read the full interview here.

Seryn – “River Song” 

I first caught Seryn about two years ago in my hometown festival, what was then called NX35 (now 35 Denton).  I had heard the band’s name in the months prior as an exciting new local band, but was stricken with goosebumps when I first heard them live on a little patio off Denton’s main square.  With a mix of acoustic and electric instrumentation, the band created a wall of sound and vocal harmonies that was unlike anything I’ve seen.  After praising them to everyone I know, I continued to catch Seryn throughout the DFW area, racking in at least five shows over a ½ year period.  The short-term obsession always paid off; I consistently walked away more amazed than the time before.  Since then, Seryn has released their debut LP, became a Paste favorite and have started touring nationwide.  If you have any leanings towards orchestral folk music, Seryn is a must-see while they continue to hone their craft.

Click after the jump for more from The Robert Glasper Experiment, Polarsets, Of Monsters and Men and Milo Greene.

Robert Glasper Experiment – “Ah Yeah” (feat. Musiq Soulchld & Chrisette Michele) 

New York City’s Robert Glasper is best distinguished by how he adds hip hop rhythms and experimental soundscapes to a pop jazz sound.  Glasper helms up the keys, moving from a clean piano sound to some out there electronic melodies.  Even though Glasper strectches his musical boundaries, he has one foot in the Miles & Coltrane camp, not steering away from traditional jazz chording and song structures.  Even for the light listener, Glasper has a bounce to much of his tunes that warrants breaking out the dancing shoes every once in a while.   The Robert Glasper Experiments’s latest Blue Note release, Black Radio, is coming out this Tuesday and features hip hop and R&B collaborations with Erykah Badu, Lupe Fiasco, Musiq Soulchild and Bilal.  Maybe will see some more collaborations down at SXSW at Glasper’s sure-to-be-buzzy showcase.

Polarsets – “Morning”

The song “Morning” includes a recurring synthetic phrase that draws its power from the same source as the very best global trance tunes of the turn of the millennium.  Polarsets don’t attempt to repeat what guys like Armin Van Buuren and Paul Van Dyk mastered years ago.  Instead, they harness that sweet little 16-bar theme and layer guitar, bass, drums, and a vocal lead that doesn’t get in the way.  This is a band that suppresses the youthful impulse to climax like so many predictable dance tracks.  Leave that to the remixers who will get their hands on Polarsets soon enough.

Synth staccatos.  Synth melodies.  Hold up!  Is that a synthesizer or a guitar?  Soul-warming journeys that compel a physical response involving pumped fists, swinging hips, and bouncing balls of feet.  Polarsets.  Instead of relying on the keyboard or the machines, these dudes mimic the sounds of raves and clubs with their hands and strings. But they edit themselves and don’t stoop to the lowest common denominator.  Crowd pleasing sounds don’t require the silence-to-shock buildup.  Polarsets.  I hope you spend a minute or two listening them. I’m as stunned by their sound as I was the first time I heard Tiesto’s Magik 6 (this is a high compliment in my world).  Spellbound.  Polarsets.

Of Monsters and Men – “Six Weeks” (Live on KEXP)

Our first “10” comes from one of the most exciting new bands I’ve heard this year.  Of Monsters and Men’s music is a triumph.  Every song on their debut record, My Head is an Animal (not yet released in the United States), is a mini-adventure.  They ebb and flow in intensity, moving from a quiet folk duo to a full rock orchestra in matters of seconds.  The changes are perfectly placed.  Of Monsters and Men have such a knack for dynamics not unlike The Arcade Fire, a band they’ve already been compared to by Rolling Stone critic David Fricke in a recent piece.  Of Monsters and Men distinct themselves by bringing a brighter and more pastoral direction, in turn creating an entirely new and unique sound.  The band hails from Iceland, a country with a proven track record of rock/pop beauty.  Their anthemic songs like the first single “Little Talks” is nicely balanced by the simple and understated delivery of “Love Love Love”.  This level of diversity exists within single songs as well.  “Your Bones” moves from a simple pop melody to an arena-ready celebration.  I’m so excited for Of Monsters and Men to break into the States and SXSW will surely provide the perfect jumping point.

Milo Greene – “1957” (live)

Fans that caught onto The Head and the Heart at SXSW last year may have found their next buzz band. Milo Greene (it’s a band, not a person) combines strong vocal harmonies and a folk-rock mentality into really well crafted pop numbers.  Drawing from a diverse array of influences (they all came together after being in different bands), it’s equal parts indie rock as it is rootsy Americana.  I was amazed when I learned Milo Greene hasn’t even released an album, especially given the cohesiveness and maturity of their sound. They also draw favorable comparison to another exciting new band: Of Monsters and Men.  Milo Greene uses guy/girl vocals in a really endearing way, but instead of the pastoral influence of Iceland, their sound draws from American roots, from Nashville country to the shiny pop defined by their hometown of Los Angeles.  Something tells me these guys may be a big deal months from now, but decide for yourself with the excellent “1957”.

But that takes real dedication. Kevin’s been highlighting some of his favourites every week, but after the reaction to our MP3 Sampler from the 2011 we all knew that we’d be putting together another eighty acts you really must listen to at this year’s South by Southwest music.

DOWNLOAD the SXSW Baby! “Best of SXSW 2012″ sampler
Rapidshare link (279MB)

A little bit about the process. Through Kevin’s listening we got a rather nice “long list” of acts to listen to, and into that mix the SXSW Baby! team threw in their own favourite bands. We also asked a number of our friends in the music industry to suggest a few names as well.

From then it was a matter of listening to them all again, debating favourites, comparing a few songs that were incredibly similar in head-to-head decisions, and once we had a provisional list, any new song that demanded to be included had to bump an existing song out of the playlist.

After all that, we’re left with 80 tracks (all of which are freely available to listen to online folks, we’ve just got them in one place), and a big jigsaw to get a great running order. As last year, I wanted to create some great moments when listening to the songs, to have the music flow into each other, to have sequences that would allow you to both dip in and out of the sampler, or stick it on a five hour playlist (which should just about reach from the TSA screening at your local airport to the reception desk of your hotel – or twice through if you’re flying from Europe).

If the eighty tracks feels too much for you, then you can break it down to eight ten-track playlists.

• That’s SXSW in a nutshell (Tracks 1-10)
• Playing the notes against the beat (Tracks 11-20)
• We have both kinds of music, Rock and Roll (Tracks 21-30)
• A little heart in your lyrics (Tracks 31-40)
• How the west was put in the South By (Tracks 41-50)
• Bouncing along 6th Street (Tracks 51-60)
• Slow down and watch the world (Tracks 61-70)
• Pop goes the weekend (Tracks 71-80)

If you’re not sure, here’s the deal. Listen to the first ten tracks. I’m confident that not only will this give you a great hit of SXSW Music, but you’ll want to listen to the rest of the sampler.

And if you want more after that and SXSW Music hasn’t started, ask Simon at Outroversion nicely for his mix!

Oh and those bands in full?

Against Me, The American Secrets, Anamanaguchi, The Apache Relay, Backburner, Balkan Beat Box, Band of Skulls, Beach Fossils, The Big Pink, Biters, Bliss n Eso, Blondfire, Boy, Bug Girl, Caveman, Chasing Kings, Chris Smither, Cosmo Jarvis, Crystal Antlers, The Dandies, David Ramirez, The Drowning Men, Dry the River, El Hombre Del Saco, Electric Eel Shock, Emma Louise, The Ettes, Fallulah, The Farewell Drifters, Fort Lean, Free Blood, Gary Clark jr, Gemma Ray, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, Grieves and Budo, Hans Chew, The Heavy, Horse Feathers, Hospitality, Howler, Ivan and Alyosha, Joe Pug, Jonquil, Jukebox the Ghost, Just a Band, Kat Edmonson, Kevin Devine, Laki Mera, Library Voices, Loquat, The Love Language, Lydia Loveless, Madi Diaz, Marianne Dissard, Matthew Perryman, Meiko, Metric, Mujeres, Nite Jewel, Oberhofer, Of Monsters and Men, OK Sweetheart, Parlove, Plants and Animals, Punch Brothers, River City Extension, Saint Motel, Scars on 45, Scattered Trees, Scoundrels, The Shins, Speak, Stars, Talib Kweli, Talking to Turtles, Three Blind Wolves, Tumi and the Volume, Valient Thor, Yearbook Committee, and Yukon Blonde.

“The biggest problem in the 21st century is not piracy but obscurity”, Cory Doctorow.

We’re still putting the finishing touches to the SXSW Baby! sampler, so pardon us if we don’t look at Outro’s list in full just yet (so we don;t spoil our picking skills!) but after previous years, we trust him to choose good music.

More thoughts and the band list on his site, or you can dive straight in and grab the musical archive.

In an upprecedented (and unexpected) twist, SXSW is holding a Lottery to determine who will get a cherished ticket to see The Boss perform.

The show will be “a special show in an intimate venue for SXSW attendees on Thursday evening, March 15th”, what that venue is will announced later.

From the SXSW website:

From Monday, March 12th through Wednesday, March 14th, eligible badge and wristband holders can go to any of the four Connection Centers in the Austin Convention Center to enter the drawing. Badges and wristbands will have their RFID tags scanned to enter each person into a random drawing.

After entry in the drawing ends on March 14th, the individual winners will be sent an email with further instructions at 10am on Thursday, March 15th. Those who are not selected will also be notified by email at this time. Winners will be instructed where to go to obtain their tickets for the show.

Connection Centers will be inside the Austin Convention Center at the following locations and will be open the following hours:

March 12: 9AM to 6PM
Level 1, 4th Street
Level 1, Trinity in front of Exhibit Hall 4
Level 1, Trinity in front of Exhibit Hall 2
Level 4, near Ballroom D

March 13: 9AM to 9PM
Level 1, 4th Street
Level 1, Trinity in front of Exhibit Hall 4
Level 1, Trinity in front of Exhibit Hall 2
Level 4, near Ballroom D (closes at 6PM)

March 14: 9AM to 12AM
Level 1, 4th Street
Level 1, Trinity in front of Exhibit Hall 4
Level 1, Trinity in front of Exhibit Hall 2
Level 4, near Ballroom D (closes at 6PM)

Those eligible to enter the Lottery are Platinum Badge Holders, Music Badge Holders, Artist Wristband Holders, and those SXSW Music Wristband Holders who have already obtained their wristbands online (any wristbands sold during the week of SXSW will not be eligible). No other credentials are eligible to enter the drawing. If you win, you only get a ticket for yourself, and it’s not transferrable.

So if you want to go to this show, make sure you get your credentials and enter the Lottery. Good Luck!

Lost Lander – “Cold Feet” 

Matt Sheehy has been gigging around the West Coast for the past few years, but he may have struck gold with his latest project, Lost Lander.  Granted, only one song, “Cold Feet”, has been released under the moniker, but it’s a real winner.  The song starts out with some ambient electronic elements, adding in layers of rhythm and melody throughout.  Listening to “Cold Feet” for the first time draws memories of self-discovering Local Natives or Real Estate.  There is something about tribal drum rhythms and spacey indie pop working in harmony that is so engaging.  The song somehow is dense and light all at once; Sheehy has a real knack for interplaying melodies together.  I’m making my call that this song will be a pretty big deal in indie rock circles next year.  Keep an eye out for Lost Lander – a full LP looks to be “coming soon”.

Click on the jump for more from Joe Pug, Jonquil, Just a Band and Kopecky Family Band

Joe Pug – “Hymn #101” 

My first experience with Joe Pug was at SXSW a couple years ago.  In a sparsely attended tent in the early afternoon, Pug delivered what ended up being my favorite set of the conference.  Lyrically, Pug draws inspiration from the greats, from early Bob Dylan to Gram Parsons.  Then, he delivers those words with ferocity, even when presenting a soft ballad.  Joe Pug oozes honesty.  His clever wordplay comes from heartbreak and joy, passion and apathy.  Joe Pug is one of my favorite singer-songwriters for the sheer amount of depth in his lyrics.  He’s the kind of songwriter that makes young musicians want to quit since they know they’ll never write a verse as good as any on either of Pug’s “Hymn” pieces.  It’s been over a year since the release of Pug’s debut album, so hopefully this year’s SXSW is an opportunity to highlight some new material.

Jonquil – “Mexico” 

There have been a few bands in the past few years to find a really solid way of incorporating African-based percussion into bright and poppy indie rock.  Jonquil fits right in with the Vampire Weekends and Givers of the music world, combining interesting melodies with some incredible drum patterns.  Their sound is accessible while still firmly rooted in experimental soil.  The Oxford-based band has been releasing records since the mid-2000s and their maturity really shines on their 2010 EP One Hundred Suns.  The tracks range from the super-catchy “Get Up” to spacier material like “Compound”.  What started as a side-project for musician Hugo Manuel, Jonquil has expanded its aural landscapes to break into some new territories.  Next year could be a big one for Jonquil as they are due to release another record in 2012’s early months.  They’ve grown so much since their last LP, 2007’s Lions, that this record could serve as a reintroduction to a new and far-reaching audience.  If the recently released single “Mexico” is any indication, Jonquil is heading in exactly the right direction.

Gary Clark Jr. – “Bright Lights”

There is no shortage of guitar players at this year’s SXSW, but no other artist has made the impact on a six string last year like Gary Clark Jr. has.  One of my friends just caught a gig of his up in Boston a couple weeks back and was ecstatic the following day, raving about one of the best shows he’s seen.  Clark is a bluesman playing rock and roll, interjecting ounces of soul into every run.  With just a four-song EP to his name, he’s been able to create a significant buzz purely off of his live performances, a rare feat in recent years.  I could go on and on about Clark’s guitar skill and emotive playing, but it is also worth mentioning his powerful and guttural vocals.  I grew up on the jamband circuit in the Nineties and Clark brings me back to my first experiences watching Ben Harper or Warren Haynes just destroy their instruments while still creating passionate and expressive songs in their purest forms.  I feel a little bad for whatever bands are showcasing at the same venue as Gary Clark Jr.  This guy will always come out on top.

Click on the jump for words and music on The Heavy, Hey Marseilles, Hurray for the Riff Raff and Imaginary Cities:

The Heavy – “Sixteen”

If you are wondering, “Where do I know this song from?”, you most likely aren’t alone.  The Heavy’s “How Do You Like Me Now?” helms an instantly recognizable Kia ad, but I went with “Sixteen” as a highlight to show a slightly different side of this blues-rock outfit.  The Heavy exude soul and stand up right next to their buzzy neo-soul counterparts in the Dap-Kings crew.  The band draws from blues-rock that wouldn’t be out of place on a Black Keys record and vocalist Kelvin Swaby adds an engaging James Brown swagger.  The Heavy pay further tribute to their rock and soul influences by sampling phrases from 60s-era artists throughout their two-record catalog.  The Heavy will most featuring new music at SXSW as a preview to an upcoming 2012 release.

Hey Marseilles – “Elegy”

I’ve heard the name Hey Marseilles a few times in the past couple of years, but this is the first time I’ve been able to give them a proper listen.  Their debut record To Travels & Trunks, originally released back in 2008, is quite an orchestral rock gem.  The band uses folk and classical instrumentation, prominently featuring piano, guitar and strings.  Hey Marseilles can draw favorable comparison to The Decemberists, creating traditional sounding songs that maintain a pop sensibility.  The music is mainly low key, but there are few Mumford-like barnburners interspersed throughout their catalog.  The band dropped a two-song 7” last year, but most likely they are setting up for a sophomore album in 2012.  These guys have a ton of potential and I count myself as a fan after just a few spins today.  I have the feeling these guys are going to gain a really positive reception at this year’s SXSW.

Hurray for the Riff Raff – “Too Much of a Good Thing” (live at SXSW 2011)

The leading lady behind Hooray For The Riff Raff is Alynda Lee Segarra, who writes and sings all of the band’s music.  Her voice is much like that of Jolie Holland, as she produces truly beautiful, country folk tunes.  At times their music veers a little bit toward bluegrass, effortlessly fusing the harmonica and guitar together.  They have a unique energy, jamming out their songs by letting the instrumental sections organically ebb and flow.  The end result includes a pop influence worth mentioning; they aren’t revivalist as much as they are a hybrid of the traditional and current folk rock sound.

Imaginary Cities – “Ride This Out”

I was pretty pumped when I saw Imaginary Cities on the SXSW 2012 roster.  The band caught my ear through last year’s project and their debut record Temporary Resident has been in my iPod rotation all year. For new listeners to the band, these guys come from the same angle of recent buzz-band Alabama Shakes, with a soulful front-woman leading an indie rock band.  Imaginary Cities’ music draws more influence from electronic pop as compared to Alabama Shakes’ southern rock sound, but vocalist Marti Sarbit combines jazz and soul to create a catchy sense of musicality throughout the album.  The band explores different sides of pop too, from the upbeat handclaps of “Hummingbird” to the back porch R&B of “Ride This Out”. Imaginary Cities are the real deal, so hopefully this second year of touring behind Temporary Resident will get their sound to ears beyond their Canadian base.  Add Imaginary Cities to my “Must See” SXSW list.

These were the “for Austin residents only” bands to allow access to the music showcases part of SXSW (after badge holders were admitted), and music badges are still available for those of you out-of-town coming down for the fun. And there will be a number of wristbands available at the Registration Desk (although we don’t know the exact number).

Bottom line, if you want to be one hundred percent sure of getting into music… you’re gonna need a badge.

Booth Design

Booths should be inviting and allow for space for visitors to enter the booth instead of just talking across the table from the aisle. This allows for better traffic flow and provides for better interaction.

 Staff

Some visitors will want to chat about the product, others may just want a pamphlet. To avoid scaring away the masses, don’t play used car salesman (ie; don’t jump on each visitor with a canned spiel). Instead introduce yourself and offer to answer any questions they may have.

SWAG (What everyone *really* wants)

We’ve seen every sort of SWAG, some that stick around and others that just get discarded. For the best impact and long lasting brand recognition, we suggest the following pointers:

Stuff we can use DURING SXSW:

• Sharpies – either the regular ones or the baby ones. These are almost a necessity during SXSW and are guarded jealously
• Pens (but Sharpies are better)
• Small notebooks – not everyone comes prepared for class
• Blistex – This is really useful, and if you use the name brand item it is more likely to be held onto past SXSW (ie lasting brand recognition)
• Sunglasses – cheap is okay, there are going to be lost, broken, forgotten shades, and they will be retained past SXSW
• Gum
• Bandannas

Stuff we can use AFTER SXSW:

• Bottle openers – unique shapes will catch the eye.
• USB drives – these are a great resource. We’ve even seen some companies provide content on them, which is very useful, but don’t make it so that the drive cannot be formatted for general use after the content has been viewed, otherwise it winds up in the landfill.
• Phone cases
• T-shirts – These are always a favorite, but try to have “SXSW 2012” somewhere on it, it’ll mean more and be less likely to wind up at Goodwill.
• Reusable shopping bags

Stuff that doesn’t have staying power (stay away from this, if it is taken it will most likely not stay around long)

• Lanyards – everyone already has one. Suggestion: pony up to sponsor official SXSW lanyards.
• Mints – especially in non-recycleable containers
• Mini flashlights – most people just use their iPhone so these wind up in the trash when the battery dies
• Hand fans
• Stickers, magnets, sweatbands, guitar picks, lighters etc. (unless your marketing plan is to advertise on guitar cases)

By the way, SXSW announced their list of Trade Show Exhibitors yesterday. Go check it out.

My money is on the PR and management teams working to create an artistic vacuum.

But no matter, it just frees up more time for SXSW Music fans to find artists like Gemma Ray. Yaay!

Along with the Film trailers on the site, you can also find Music videos, SXSW 2011 coverage, and some neat info on what SXSW is all about. I’ve spent my morning watching Film trailers (all 47 that are up so far as of this writing)… What did you do?

1. You can only buy two.
One of them must be for the person named on the credit card that purchases the wristbands, the other must be nominated at the time of purchase. ID will be needed when picking up the wristbands from Registration in march, and they will be placed on your wrist at that point in time.

2. They are for Austin residents.
The address on the credit card must be in a local zipcode (the official list is here). Although the ‘plus one’ can be from anywhere the first wristband must be for a local.

The wristbands should always be thought of not as a part of everyone’s SXSW Music, but as a way for SXSW to do outreach to local music fans in Austin, and as a thank you for letting the conference take over the city. A music badge is currently  $700, and the wristband price is considerably less… the first 2000 advance wristbands will sell at $149 inc tax, the next 2000 will sell for $175 inc tax, with a walk-up rate of $225 for any that are left over.

All set? Then you can buy your wristbands now!

That does have some advantages, not least that IODA have two stages to fill with great new music. This year’s roster is:

Outside Stage: Ruthie Foster, Dan Mangan, Polica, Tycho, Thee Oh Sees, and The Wedding Present
Inside Stage: Daniel Ahearn and The Jones, Bam Bam, Tiago Iorc, Bright Moments, Y La Bamba, and Oddisee.

There’s some familiar names in there, and of course IODA’s musical radar will have found some great new music as well. You can find out more about the line up, event details, send in an RSVP (no SXSW badge required), follow their blog, and more, at www.iodasxsw.com.

Oh, and they’ve got the annual SXSW CD Sampler you can download to get into the Southby music mode right now!