NXNE @ SXSW

I got into an airport cab at 715am without my jacket. My thinking: I'm on my way to Austin... in Texas. The South... I won't need a jacket. Fast forward 5 hours of travel (including layover in Chicago and an at-capacity connecting flight to Austin stuffed full of sleepy, tattooed SXSW-goers). Sepping into the hazy late-afternoon Austin heat I was instantly glad I had left the P coat back in Toronto.

First orders of business: track down a cab into Austin and check in at the hotel and pick up my badge and get some real BBQ at the Canadian Blast party and meet up with the NXNE team and... Needless to say I hit the ground running, only to be at an abrupt stand-still in the line up to R.E.M. at the annual Stubb's BBQ by 10pm. Not wanting to miss a bunch of stuff waiting in line (for what promised to be a treat of seeing R.E.M. in an intimate outside venue), I jumped the cue and headed back to 6th St. for some spontaneous venue hopping. Many jaunts into stuffed clubs with loud bands spilling onto an almost as loud street scene. By midnight I headed back to Stubb's with hopes of getting into R.E.M. Within 10 minutes was inside (the outside venue), witness to what ended up being an outstanding show. New tunes and stellar renditions of old faves. Stipe was relaxed and compelling, chatting with friends in the audience between songs and reminding me of why they're so respected: because they're really good.

Back onto the streets and down 6th again as "things that keep Austin weird" were starting to take shape.. like mardi gras for the indie rock set (or street performer, breakdancer, bucket drummer etc. etc.)...

stopped for food and meet up with friends and back for a late night at the hotel..

Welcome to SXSW..