SXSW in review (last day, March 15)
16/03/08 14:11
By SAM LADACH-BARK
AUSTIN -- There's an inherent feeling of relief when walking downtown for the last day of SXSW.
Like an unstoppable blob, the crowds keep growing with each passing day. A Saturday closer obviously has something to do with it. For those who couldn't swing a day outing Thursday or Friday becuse of their nine to fives, it's the most exciting day ever. For those of us in day three of this foolishness, we're content to walk very slowly from club to club, just trying not to get knocked over by anyone.
The day began disappointingly with news that the 12:30 set by Lyrics Born at Club DeVille had been canceled. So I headed over to Habana after hearing about free hangover-curing cocktails at the Bust magazine party. San Diego's Grand Ole Party was onstage, and I did a triple take on seeing that the lead singer looked and sounded exactly like Karen O. They played a solid set of foot-stomping, no-frills shock rock while onlooker sipped greedily on their free cocktails.
Moments after the band left the stage, lo and behold, Elijah Wood began setting up for what looked like a DJ set. When the music started, I had no idea he was even doing anything. And he kind of wasn't. His iPod was hooked into the booth and he was "spinning" with his thumb. Somehow I couldn't help but think about when Michael Jordan decided to play baseball for a year.
After getting over the spectacle of "DJ Frodo," I used the last of my energy stomping around at Emo's, where the name of the game was getting a place to sit at Mohawk for The Islands.
I'm really glad I arrived early, because Japan's Peelander-Z played a set that escapes words. It's more performance art than music, Dressed like hobo Power Rangers, they orchestrated a human bowling alley, climbed on top of the stage tents and gave audience members their instruments while they danced and jumped with toys and signs.
Then The Islands, who are ex-members of Unicorns, played songs off their new album Arm's Way, set to release in late May. Most of the new songs were similar in style to their previous work -- rolling transitions, dancehall pop and indescribably weird lyrics.
I didn't have the same momentum as night rolled around, but was pleasantly surprised by Minneapolis's Best Friends Forever. Think cute indie pop. During their first couple of songs the floor was bare. But that changed as people caught on, and their closing song was played for a roaring crowd hundreds strong.
Later I dragged myself to Elysium to see Japanese punk trio The Pillows. They played several songs from their work with the underground anime show FLCL. Good but not amazing. Time to find a pillow.
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