After getting a proper morning Starbucks jolt from the Radisson, (fondly referred to as the rock and roll hotel since during SXSW week, you always find its lobby swarming with more musicians than sweatsuit-clad tourists), we made our way to the SPIN party. The UK’s Switches were finishing up a few raucous tunes for the sparse but receptive crowd, most of whom were balancing a plate of Stubb’s BBQ in one hand and a Feckin’ brand whiskey cocktail in the other. It was barely past noon, but who cares? SXSW only comes once a year, and hot sun, BBQ and icy drinks were the perfect sustenance for SPIN’s rocking afternoon.

After meeting Switches to get a few snaps in the press area, (where two of the Vampire Weekend guys were sitting in a grassy knoll as The Raveonettes were being interviewed for TV), we ventured next door to Little Radio’s chilled party at the Red Eyed Fly. Dewars cocktails and the cool darkness of this intimate cabin-like club proved a refreshing contrast from the inescapable sun at Stubb’s, so we mingled here until mid-afternoon, when it was time to get to the “British Music Embassy” at Latitude 30 for the Showcasing Scotland party.

(British Music Embassy Dirigible)

We met up with our posse from Tell All Your Friends PR and entered the cave-cold room to be bolstered by the tenacity of Our Lunar Activities’ set, which reminded us a bit of Placebo mixed with Idlewild, which was an inspired sound for a young band. Beer, margaritas and hearty Tex Mex fare gave us the stamina to mix with other fiesty Scottish bands like The Law who were there to cheer on their countrymen, (though they didn’t make it onto today’s party lineup). Jyrojets and The Dykeenies (the latter’s singer Brian Fire later apologized with a sweaty hug for not playing our request, “The Panic”) were both an addictive afternoon fix for the hyped-up crowd.

(Our Lunar Activities)

Drinks were had and friends were made, but we had to move on to catch punk legends, X, who were headlining at SPIN. If you closed your eyes, you could imagine John Doe and Exene Cervenka performing in 1985 (taking today’s crowd back in time along with them). They sounded that good, especially since their 14-song set was heavy with classic hits swirling with their male/female harmonies, like “New World” and “True Love”.

(X: Exene Cervenka and John Doe)

We stopped in at the Fader Party to see the amazing reincarnation of Montreal’s The Stills, playing to a relaxed pre-sunset crowd, before going back to the hotel to gear up for the night ahead.

(The Stills) 

Walking up South Congress, we spotted the slim and dapper Perry Farrell en route to his next event.

After dinner, People In Planes (now based in NYC) played an emotionally-charged set at Kerrang’s night at Latitude 30 and had the room spellbound.

Needing a little bit of “fresh” air, we made our way to Emo’s to try to catch the last of Does It Offend You, Yeah?’s official showcase, but alas, the band had just left the stage. The scene outside was quite a mix of UK indie darlings who’d been there to see their set: The Dykeenies and Riz MC were among those carousing under the stars.

(The High Class Elite)

Our NYC friends, the High Class Elite, were playing The Thirsty Nickel on 6th St., so we popped in to cheer on Gutterglam Music’s Aishah Roberts (one of two lust-worthy backup singers) and the band, shaking their stuff in the grittiest way, all gold lamé shimmer, kohl-rimmed eyes, tight trousers and flailing hips. You can’t help but get caught up in their performance, especially with a frontman like Franco V., who nearly tackled two couples who tried to slip out the door mid-set. All in good glam punk fun.

(BBC Radio’s Steve Lamacq snaps shots in the crowd)

BBC’s Radio 1 tastemaker Steve Lamacq was seen snapping photos throughout HCE’s feisty set, so you knew it was a show not to miss.–MVW/photos by Eileen Murphy