Wednesday, February 20, 2008

No SXSW Music Torrent This Year

I have been informed that SXSW is officially not providing a torrent file this year of mp3s from the showcasing acts. However, you can still get your fill of free music on the official site (look for artists who have a green cassette icon) as well as by using the SXSW music player.

Update: Here’s an unofficial SXSW 2008 Musical Artists torrent. Warning: ads on that site are potentially NSFW.

Monday, February 18, 2008

BarCamp Austin returns for third SXSW

They’re not saying where just yet, but it appears that BarCamp Austin is back in business (or, perhaps more aptly, “unbusiness") for 2008. What is BarCamp?

A BarCamp is an ad-hoc gathering born from the desire for people to share and learn in an open environment. It is an intense event with discussions, demos, and interaction from participants.

In other words, it’s a little bit of geeky goodness, a soupçon of “unconference”, all mixed with a dab of organized anarchy? Get it? Here’s what to expect. BarCamp Austin III runs March 7–9, alongside the first two days of SXSW Interactive.

Update (February 25): A venue has been announced. It’s GSD&M | idea city, which was for many years the site of the SXSWi opening night party.

Update (March 3): Austinist has a nice feature about BarCamp Austin III today.

Toyota site returns with Music planner

Like last year, the folks at Toyota, makers of the perplexingly-named Yaris, have put together a SXSW Music guide site called FreeYrRadio that includes such helpful features as a Music festival planner application, MP3 samples of featured bands and even complimentary rides from the airport (while supplies last). They’re also sponsoring a series of live broadcasts from the festival, in case “yr” not going to be there yrself.

Saturday, February 16, 2008

More SXSW Music by Numbers

Some interesting numbers about SXSW Music:

About one third of artists playing are unsigned or have put out their own record.
1750 acts are performing at SXSW Music this year.
SXSW expects 12,000 registrants (people with Music badges) to attend.
Last year there were about 1,400 acts and about 11,000 registrants.
There are 79 official SXSW Music venues this year.
64 officially sanctioned day parties took place during SXSW Music 2007.

These statistics are from an ongoing email conversation between Michael Corcoran and Roland Swenson, SXSW Director, on Austin360.com.

(NB: Interactive seems to be growing at a far faster rate, as 3,300 attended SXSW Interactive in 2005, but 4,700 people attended SXSW Interactive in 2006, but that number grew to 6,400 in 2007!)

More Schedule Updates: Bands, Films, Music Panels

For Music attendees:
Music Panels
Showcasing Bands

For Film attendees:
Film Panels
Film Screenings

Fingers crossed that the calendaring tool comes back soon…

Friday, February 15, 2008

Baby, we were born to…

If you’re looking to work off some barbeque or sweat away some SXSW-related stress (So. Many. Bands.), consider some roadwork with an informal group of SXSW runners organizing on Facebook. It’s a great way to take in the Austin scenery and enjoy (what we hope will be) the lovely weather.

Thursday, February 14, 2008

SXSW Music Festival: How Does It Work? How Do I Get Tickets? How Do I Get a Wristband? 2008 Version

Note: Looking for information about 2008 SXSW Music Festival wristbands? Click here.

This is a primer on how to get the most out of SXSW Music. If any of it seems familiar, it’s because a good portion of this guide is based off the guide I’ve written for past years on SXSW Baby! I’m going to cover SXSW Music in several parts, including:

What is SXSW? How does it all work?
Where do I buy tickets?
Where do I get a SXSW wristband? (hint: wristbands.sxsw.com)
What if I don’t have a wristband? I heard there were free parties and stuff.

More, after the jump. 

Continue reading "SXSW Music Festival: How Does It Work? How Do I Get Tickets? How Do I Get a Wristband? 2008 Version"...

Louis Black Explains Some Misconceptions about SXSW Music

In his column in the Austin Chronicle today, SXSW 101, he writes:

• The exact number of wristbands that are finally sold is decided on the first day of the SXSW Music Festival and is based on the overall combined number of badges or wristbands already sold.
• This year’s new wristband-distribution system for Austinites was specifically designed to address previous years’ complaints—online, it allows everyone equal access, and the time window should remove any previous handicaps. Wristband prices are kept as low as possible.
• In 2007, 8,000 acts applied, while this year that number rose to 10,500. The bands that get angry at SXSW are not the ones who get in but the ones who don’t.
• SXSW is well aware of how terrific Austin music audiences are; they add the magic, so an enormous amount of effort is put into trying to get the mix right: making sure that the badges get into venues to hear the music, so as not to shortchange the bands, while also planning to get as many wristband-wearing or single-ticket-purchasing Austinites in as well.
• The Loch Ness Monster myth of SXSW is that originally the event was specifically for unsigned bands. Everywhere it is mentioned that the event once showcased only unsigned acts. Which is interesting, except that it is not true.

Panel schedule available for Interactive, Film

The real-live-with-times-and-everything conference panels schedule for SXSW Interactive 2008 and SXSW Film 2008 have been posted, along with links to presenter bios. The schedule of film screenings is available too. Everything on those pages, of course, is subject to change.

SXSW: The election metaphor

Paste Magazine‘s Caren Kelleher discovers some emerging trends by looking at SXSW Music by the numbers:

Every winter my email inbox is flooded with emails from publicists and record labels, all inquiring about this publication’s plans for South By Southwest (SXSW) coverage and event participation. The campaigning is starting earlier and earlier, even as far out as September! After all of the campaigning is over, we have a big convention in Austin, Texas, called SXSW 2008.

SXSW has become the election season of the music industry, with bands vying for the attention of fans, critics, record executives and the media. The playing field is deep and diverse. There are buzzed-about newcomers like Vampire Weekend (NY) and Bon Iver (WI) who excite America’s college students and NPR-listeners; seasoned veterans like R.E.M. (GA) and Dolly Parton (TN), who hit the right notes with the 25-54 crowd and Southerners. Some bands already have ties to major labels, while others are running as independents. [Read more]

WRISTBAND NEWS: It’s a lottery, folks

SXSW Music officials have announced the details on wristbands for the 2008 festival. Here are the bullet points, direct from the SXSW website:

• This year, the only advance wristband sale is via an online drawing.
• 4000 wristbands will be put on sale to area residents only, at the discounted price of $139 (includes tax and service charge).
• Submit an order online from 9am, Feb. 21- 9am, Feb 25, for one or two wristbands. Submitting an order enters you into the drawing but does not guarantee eligibility to purchase wristbands.

• Entries will be drawn at random, orders for 4,000 wristbands will be filled, and your credit card billed at that time. You’ll be notified if your order could not be filled.
• You will pick up your wristband at the event, and will need to place it on your wrist at the time of pick-up.
• All entries must use a credit card with a local billing address. The name on the card must be the recipient of one of the wristband.
• You can only enter once, but you can buy one for a friend whose name you must provide at time of entry. When purchasing 2 wristbands, the authorized purchaser must be one of the wristband recipients.
• There’s no advantage to entering early.

Wristband drawing entries will be accepted online for 96 hours, (from 9 am Thursday, February 21, through 9 am Monday, February 25). At the conclusion of the 96-hour period, an automated process will draw entries in random order from all eligible submitted entries. If your entry is drawn, the credit card you provided will be immediately charged for your wristband purchase.

Click here for all of the details.

The new system seems designed to insure that the majority of wristbands go to Austin-area locals, and to thwart scalpers and after-market resellers who in past years did land-office business on sites such as eBay. Even so, it’s likely to disappoint a lot of folks. So, what do y’all think? (Tip o’ the hat to austin360.com. 2007 wristband photo by nariposa.)

Site offers music wristband for sale with hotel booking

Once again this year, SXSW has sanctioned a site called SouthByWristbands.com to sell up to two Music wristbands with a three-night minimum stay at one of nine Austin motels or hotels. The wristbands go for $165 each and the room rates range from $92–$190 per night. There are a number of rules and restrictions detailed at the site, but this remains the only official means for non-locals to purchase Music festival wristbands.

Remember, wristbands do not guarantee admission to shows; priority is always given to Music conference badge holders. From the SouthByWristbands FAQ:

A SXSW Music wristband permits admission to the live music in the venues for music fans. A SXSW Music registration badge is a priority credential for those in the music industry (and those who want to see the industry at work). It admits the badge-holder to music industry events at SXSW such as panels, keynote speech, mentor sessions, trade show, receptions, private parties, Sunday barbecue and softball tournament. In addition, Music Fest badge-holders are given priority entry (over wristbands) to Music Fest shows when venues approach capacity.

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Vote for the People’s Choice in the SXSW Web Awards

Last week, SXSW announced the list of finalists for the 11th annual SXSW Web Awards and today, they’ve opened voting for the People’s Choice Awards, your opportunity to vote (once a day) for your favorite finalist.

All of the awards, including People’s Choice, will be doled out in a gala ceremony on Sunday, March 9 at the Hilton headquarters hotel, hosted by comic Eugene Mirman.

There are always some nice surprises and new discoveries among the finalists. Any favorites?

In your spare time at SXSW

Heh, get it? “Spare” time? That’s right, friends, the Avalonstar Bowling Extravaganza (ABX) returns for its third year during SXSW Interactive. Teams are forming now or, if you don’t have six buddies to hit the lanes with, you can register as a solo player and get matched up with five other geeks in rented shoes.

ABX has quickly become one of the most popular events during Interactive week and, best of all, it’s free for both spectators and bowlers, thanks to some generous sponsors. They’ve even arranged bus service to and from the lanes. The whole thing goes down at 300 Austin on Sunday, March 9 from 7:30 pm until midnight. Visit the ABX site for all the details or to register your team today.

If you go, you gotta stay

Looking for a place to crash during SXSW? Flummoxed by the filled-up downtown hotels? Got an extra bed in your hotel room? Don’t forget about the SXSW Baby! Ride/Room Share Board. Lots of folks have posted haves and wants. Maybe you can get hooked up with a budget-friendly crib for the conferences.