I played SXSW before it got dumb and unweildy. It was music and some film stuff and that was about it. No comedians, no tech, no gaming -
The music was the point. It was great.
I went back as a non-performer in 2017, took my guitar, hoping to connect with friends and play some songs in a backyard----but that doesn't exist anymore. Not really. Nothing is organic. It's all pre-planned, logo’d, sponsored and recorded. Everyone is spending more time recording themselves walking around, than actually paying attention to what or who, they are walking past.
I went to the convention center, stayed for about three hours, got a plane and came home.
Thank you for writing this. What a great read!Interestingly enough, my old band played SXSW in 2005 courtesy of the Chicago ASCAP office (R.I.P.)and the word on the street back then was that it was dying. In the midst of it, it felt electric at times and depressing at others. I suppose being an artist always feels like that? This was pre everyone having camera phones in their pockets (like most of that bands career) so I don’t have any videos but a few pictures still tell the story. Thanks for the reminder.
I played SXSW before it got dumb and unweildy. It was music and some film stuff and that was about it. No comedians, no tech, no gaming -
The music was the point. It was great.
I went back as a non-performer in 2017, took my guitar, hoping to connect with friends and play some songs in a backyard----but that doesn't exist anymore. Not really. Nothing is organic. It's all pre-planned, logo’d, sponsored and recorded. Everyone is spending more time recording themselves walking around, than actually paying attention to what or who, they are walking past.
I went to the convention center, stayed for about three hours, got a plane and came home.
I have no idea who Benson Boone is, but this was an entertaining read.
Damn straight we have GREAT tacos here! I just moved to Berwyn in 2022, and it's taco heaven!
Thanks for writing. I feel I know you a bit after reading this. See you on the Veltway sonetime?
Thank you for writing this. What a great read!Interestingly enough, my old band played SXSW in 2005 courtesy of the Chicago ASCAP office (R.I.P.)and the word on the street back then was that it was dying. In the midst of it, it felt electric at times and depressing at others. I suppose being an artist always feels like that? This was pre everyone having camera phones in their pockets (like most of that bands career) so I don’t have any videos but a few pictures still tell the story. Thanks for the reminder.