marko86 wrote: 

Same here.

 ScottFromWyoming wrote: 

Oh, if you want to do that other stuff, the price goes up.  Way up. The prices I listed are for attending music venues only, not conferences.  Film is separate as well (although they have the pass for the whole ball of wax that costs about a mortgage payment).

I got friends who go, but they seem to get insider info. I was jealous of their last years highlight of seeing Dan Auerbach (Black keys) at an after hours show at someones house. But overall it's just too busy, too much running around. The festival is my preference,, they have smaller fests that go one as well in Austin.

 ScottFromWyoming wrote:  Roky's Elevator doesn't go all the way up, if you know what I mean.

 ScottFromWyoming wrote: 
It has also become a film showcase as well: on the radio this morning there was a guy who did a documentary about Bill Hicks. Apparently it is not Ken Burns' documentary, if you know what I mean. Worth investigating: the premiere is tonight, so it'll start getting some buzz soon.

I'm friends with Okkervil River on facebook and they said yesterday that they're practicing with Roky Erickson. So that's something.

 Beaker wrote: 
I buried my "I've never been" caveat in the middle there. Me too. I've been planning to make plans for it for 20 years. I have a couple of friends who have gone every year since year one.

 marko86 wrote: 
SXSW is a trade show. Lots of seminars for musicians on how to market themselves, teaching about technology, that sort of thing. Also music "showcases" which tend to have a lot of crap bands that someone's taken a financial interest in and they invite all the radio and label people to their showcase and try to get them deals. A real mixed bag. I've seen some of these that are incredibly well presented (free drinks help!) and I walk away thinking "these guys RAWK" but then I hear the actual recording and it turns out they're crap after all. A lot of it looks dreary except maybe Robyn Hitchcock will be on a panel discussing copyright law. I've never been, but those are the sorts of things that got it going. They only added a "public option" (no credentials required) later, and at a stiff price.

That price is well worth it, however, if you are actually interested in hearing your favorite musicians talk about the business of music. That sort of thing is cool, if you're into it. That's all day, and then at night they have music. (That's my rough guide, not gospel)

 maryte wrote: 

ok ~ when is ACL???

 meower wrote: 

Come to ACL Fest instead.  It's far, far cheaper (e.g., ACL Fest tickets run between $135-$185; SXSW tickets run between $595-$750) and you'll have the added benefit/scary thought of hanging with us at ACL.

Someday, we will make it to Southbysouthwest. 

 kaupmees wrote: 

That's my fest. Already got my tickets and this will be 8th year going. Always a good time with a large variety of bands.Never had a desire to go to SXSW though. It's more for the kids, me thinks.

 dionysius wrote: 
And go and see Serious Sam Barrett He's a long way from home

I'm resurrecting this thread, because City Riots is going to perform at this year's festival. A co-worker's brother is in the band. Just a little plug.