SXSW 2014

In Austin, Texas, the month of March is a special month, jam-packed with noteworthy events. From the always strange and unpredictable weather patterns, to the incredible and memorable state high school basketball tournament, to the stimulating and astonishing livestock show and rodeo, there is never a dull moment in Austin. But there is one event that easily takes over all Austinites' lives for 10 intense days each March: South by Southwest.

South by Southwest (SXSW) is a Music Conference and Festival which was first held in Austin in 1987. In 1994, SXSW added a film conference and festival along with an interactive media conference to form a Texas-size event. Over the years, the Music portion of SXSW has grown into the largest music festival of its kind in the world, with over 2,200 acts performing in over 100 venues. But that is only a portion of the music that can be found in Austin during this time. There are probably as many unsanctioned music events taking place as those scheduled by the SXSW organizers. It seems like every artist known to man wants to be performing in Austin for SXSW. Pop up venues and shows occur all over town and the surrounding area.

This year from March 7 through March 16, Austin played host to thousands of mega-talented individuals, traveling from all parts of the globe, all wanting to be heard by the world.  It would be impossible for one person to see even a tenth of the awe-inspiring individuals participating in SXSW.

That being said, here are just a few of the artists Limelight Images had the great fortune to catch over just three days of the festival while covering the Berklee College of Music’s SXSW Showcase, the MTV U Woodie Awards, The Grammy U Artist Showcase and Perez Hilton’s annual “One Night In Austin” party. Some of the acts are probably familiar to you, such as Blondie, Lil Wayne, American Authors, and Aloe Blacc, while others are rising stars, like Lindsey Stirling, Sam Smith, Betty Who, and Kesington Kross.

The mtvU Woodie Awards and Fest 

SXSW Event 

March 13, 2014

Zac Barnett of the alt rock band, American Authors performs at the mtvU Woodie Awards and Fest

Iggy Azalea and Charli XCX perform during the MTV Woodie Awards during SXSW

Lil Wayne makes a surprise appearance during MTV's Woodie Awards Show

London Grammar perform at the mtvU Woode Awards and Fest during SXSW 2014 in Austin, Texas

Sarah Barthel and Josh Carter of Phantogram perform during the mtvU Woodie Awards and Fest

Shailene Woodley and Theo James announce awards during the MTV Woodie Awards 

Perez Hilton's One Night In Austin 

Austin Music Hall

March 14, 2014

Blondie

LIZ

Juliette Ashby

Kesington Kross

Lindsey Stirling

Perez Hilton

Grammy U Artist Showcase at Gibson Guitar Showroom

March 14, 2014

Aloe Blacc

Aloe Blacc

Allen Stone

Allen Stone

Grammy U Songwriter's Workshop 

at Gibson Guitar Showroom

 March 15, 2014

Grammy Award winning songwriter James Fauntleroy conducting writers workshop

James Fauntleroy

James Fauntleroy and band conduct Grammy U Songwriters' Workshop during SXSW

If you love incredible music and music festivals, but have never been to SXSW, put this event on your schedule for next year. You won’t be disappointed.

Amos Lee

Former school teacher, Amos Lee, performed in Austin, Texas on February 27, 2014 at Austin City Limits Live at the Moody Theater.

Lee, who includes on his list of influential artists Bob Dylan and Paul Simon,  released his fifth album, " Mountains of Sorrow, Rivers of Song" in 2013.

Jonny Lang

Grammy Award winner, Jonny Lang brought his unique sound of blues, gospel and rock to the stage of Austin City Limits Live at the Moody Theater on February 20, 2014.

Young The Giant

On tour in support of their sophomore album, Mind Over Matter, Young The Giant took to the stage at Austin Music Hall on Saturday, Feb 15, 2014.

The indie rock band, formed in Irvine, California in 2004, includes Sameer Gadhai on vocals, Jacob Tilley on guitar, Payam Doostzadeh on bass, Eric Cannata on guitar and vocals, and Francios Comtois on drums and vocals. 

The Bright Light Social Hour and The Tontons

The Bright Light Social Hour headlined a recent show at Stubb's on February 14, 2014.

The Bright Light Social Hour is a psychedelic rock band from Austin. The band features Chris Roush on guitar and vocals, Jack O'Brien on bass and vocals, and Joseph Mirasole on drums.

Opening on the night was The Tontons, fronted by Asli Omar. Other band members include Adam Martinez, Tom Nguyen, and Justin Martinez.

Switchfoot

Alt Rock band, Switchfoot, dropped by to entertain the audience at Emos in Austin, Texas on March 5, 2014 as part of their Fading West Spring Tour.

The band is made of lead vocalist and guitarist Jon Foreman, bassist Tim Foreman, drummer Chad Butler, keyboardist/ guitarist Jerome Fontamillas, and guitarist Drew Shirley.

New Zealand Pop Sensation, Lorde, Enchants Austin

Riding high on her number 1 smash hit “Royals,” Lorde took to the stage of the Austin Music Hall for her sold out show on March 3, 2014. Austin was the opening stop on the 17-year-old's first US tour in support of her hit album Pure Heroine.

Lorde began the concert center-stage with only a mic and her hauntingly beautiful voice. This set-up was perfect to display her Gothic pop songs. As the 70-minute set continued, the black curtain behind her dropped to reveal Lorde’s band; a simple two-man ensemble of keyboard and drums. This simplicity allowed the focus to stay on Lorde herself. Although she used backing tracks to support her songs, Lorde’s live performance never felt karaoke in the least.

One high light of the show was Lorde’s cover of The Replacements “Swingin’ Party,’ which she sang without backing tracks. She said she hopes this is the type of song she can write one day.

If this show is any indication, Lorde should have a great career ahead of her.

SETLIST:

"Glory and Gore"

"Biting Down"

"Tennis Court"

"White Teeth Teens"

"Buzzcut Season"

"Swingin' Party" (Replacements cover)

"Still Sane"

"400 Lux"

"Bravado"

"Easy" (Son Lux cover)

"Ribs"

"Royals"

"Team"

"A World Alone"

Hall and Oates

After a 34 year partnership resulting in 18 studio albums, Daryl Hall and John Oates still know how to bring soul to Rock and Roll. The legendary duo were in Austin, Texas on February 23, 2014 and launched their new tour with a sold-out show at Austin City Limits Live at the Moody Theater.

In 1987, the IRAA recognized Hall and Oates as the Number one duo in music, having sold more albums than any other duo in music history. That record still stands today as the guys continue to hit all the right notes. For their next honor, Hall and Oates will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on April 10. This is an honor which is long overdue, as many of today’s top acts list Hall and Oates as major influences on their own music and careers.

The Austin performance on Feb 23 was well received by the largely female audience whose ages represented the range of Hall and Oates 34 years of performing. Many were in awe of the seemingly ageless duo. While Daryl Hall is 67 yrs old and John Oates is 64, both looked much younger as they rocked out on stage.

After a set list of 10 classic Hall and Oates songs, the guys returned for two encore set. This is when the audience spilled into the aisles and the theater became a makeshift dance hall. As the audience filed out of the venue, many fans were heard to comment just how fantastic and talented the duo remain after all these years. 

SETLIST:

Maneater

Out of Touch

Say It Ain’t So

It’s A Laugh

It’s Uncanny

Alone Too Long

Las Vegas Turnaround

She’s Gone

Sara Smile

I Can’t Go For That (No Can Do)

ENCORE:

Rich Girl

You Make My Dreams Come True

ENCORE 2:

Kiss On My List

Private Eyes

Gordon Lightfoot

"I'm Gordon Lightfoot and reports of my death have been highly exaggerated."

That's how the 75 year old folk singer began his show at Austin City Limits Live at the Moody Theater on February 11, 2014.

After 50 plus years and a membership in the Songwriters Hall of Fame, Gordon Lightfoot hasn't lost a step. He is still able to captivate an audience with his songs and antidotes of bygone days.

While Lightfoot's voice might have lost just the tiniest bit of its radio-days power, his classic folk songs will never lose their place in music history.

If you have the chance, check out Gordon at one of his future stops along his "50 Years on the Carefree Highway" tour. You won't regret it.