Heading next to the Cheapo’s record store for an interview, I caught a bit of Batusis, a tongue-and-cheek rock group who are quite the supergroup, featuring Sylvain Sylvain (New York Dolls) and Cheetah Chrome (Rocket From The Tombs/Dead Boys) they were a guaranteed good time. And with little more than 150 people watching the icons, it was a pretty special experience. Featuring tracks like “I Wanna Be Loved or Fucked By You”, you can get a sense of what they’re all about. Good, not-so-clean fun. And the crowd was so into it that they played well beyond their allotted set time.
This meant that The Bellrays had to play later than anticipated, and unfortunately I was only able to catch their first track. Oh man, this is a band who have an energy on stage that will rival any other. I really wish I could have enjoyed them for longer. Those who remember their epic performance from Laneway a few years back know exactly what I mean. Lead singer Lisa Kekaula is a talent – pure and simple, and the band is too tight for their own good. I demand you check them out. Stay tuned for our interview with the band.
One of the more exciting shows of SXSW was the Friday night line-up at the Central Prespeteryian Church, which included the likes of Band of Horses, jj and the XX. Yes. IN A CHURCH. And in a church which had incredible acoustics. Yes. IN A CHURCH. BAND OF HORSES. IN A CHURCH. Sorry, this fact still excites me.
First up, I got to experience Company (pictured above), a four piece from South Carolina who have been making a few waves of late, thanks in part to Band of Horses (who invited them on tour). The tunes were easily listening and put a genuine smile on the face of everyone watching. While they weren’t a stand-out act of the night, I can find very little negative to say about them – they were a great band. Great instrumentalists, with Brian Hannon holding his own as the group’s front man. A highlight of the set was the number “You Win”. As they’re not the easiest band to locate on the internets, here’s a link to check em out: http://www.myspace.com/comusic .
If you hadn’t guessed already, it was five piece Band of Horses (pictured above and below) who I’d come here to see; a band I’ve wanted to see for a verrrry long time. So this opportunity was easily the top of my “SXSW to-do” list. They opened with the title track off their forthcoming album, Infinite Arms, and of course littered the set with other new tracks, including particular stand-out “Compliments”. But they kept the fans happy, with a slew of their now-classic tracks including “Ode to LRC”, “Funeral”, “No One’s Gonna Love You” – All of which were spellbinding in the acoustics of the Church – and in the end, they had us all dancing in the pews.
Both the talents of the men on the stage, combined with the setting made for a set which surpassed anything Band of Horses have ever put on record. It goes without saying they’re an incredibly capable band – you know that from listening to the album – but they really do know how to dominate the stage, leaving the crowd swooning for more. I daresay the experience was the highlight of my SXSW, and I would imagine others agree.
Opening with “Eye for Alligator”, acclaimed Swedish artist jj (pictured above) followed Band of Horses and was a disappointment. I absolutely adore the album “No. 2”, but with Elin Kastlander sitting on stage mostly alone, often singing along to a backing track, while looking visibly uninterested in the whole thing – it was a fairly uncomfortable experience. Especially considering so many people were walking out during the performance. It was a shame, but I chose to join the masses and head off from the gig, feeling rather let down by an artist I’ve been championing for quite some time. In her place, I was able to catch the end of a band who all of Australia have been championing for a long time – Muse.
But this, I leave until the next entry…
