Random Sightings of Interesting Things

  

  This was the seen outside of Emo’s club one night after the last concert. The music spilled out into the street where an impromtu concert/conga line turned into performance art. There were drums and trombones, and as you can see less clothing required. Proof that some of the best shows at SXSW are not scheduled in any venue. Just walking the streets is a show in itself. 

  Anyone at the festival is overwhelmed with paper, ads for this product or that service. This one caught my eye. It is for a dating service, the target audience? Rock and Rollers. I have no idea if they are any good or not, but I have to give them credit for knowing their audience.

         

  In the last few years the BIG technology to come out of SXSW is hands-down Twitter. The “in the moment” text messaging service is what everyone was using to keep their audiences up to date with what they are doing. I agree with that.. but to me THIS is what was seen everywhere. The Trios – Blackberries – Iphones have replaced the cigarette lighter as the concert accessory. The tiny glow of the screens lit up the crowds and you could watch as they emailed the pictures to friends. If a singer jumped into the crowd or smashed his guitar, 20 different phones went up in the air.  

  The other must-have accessory…. earplugs! The venues are small but the sound is BIG. I discovered this the second day and was grateful every night after. No more ringing ears. Amazingly, you hear the concert a little more clearly with the buffer. CVS was selling these 2 pair for $1.

Another popular spot.. anywhere you could find free stuff… 

At this parking lot venue, the company YR radio was giving away free t-shirts with your choice of words on the back…

And free buttons… you pointed out a picture in a magazine and they created a button… Here’s mine.

 

 The Ice Cream Man gave away free fruit flavored popsicles… you can see the line. They were the perfect treat for what ended up being the hottest day of the festival.

  This was another common sight, bands leaving their cards all around the city to promote their performances. This was one of the more creative, attaching a condom to their card with the words “Get Lucky!”.  

  This next one is just a scene that kept repeating in the morning hours as bands moved from one location to the next. It was just fun to see all the people carrying instruments through the streets.

~ by sxsworbust on 1, March 19, 2008.