stl_ben Posted December 30, 2013 Share Posted December 30, 2013 So, this will be my first SXSW! Anyone else going? Anyone have tips/tricks from going before. Who you want to see?...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weededout Posted December 30, 2013 Share Posted December 30, 2013 my band is playing. im very excited as i have never been. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
batman Posted December 30, 2013 Share Posted December 30, 2013 hoping to make it again this year. last year was such an incredible experience. decca records and filter magazine really took care of me and my wife. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stxrlesseyes Posted December 30, 2013 Share Posted December 30, 2013 Stay as close to downtown as possible so you can avoid all traffic. It's the worst during SXSW. Do you have a pass? Majority of the shows are free but people with passes will have first priority to get in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimthehuman Posted December 30, 2013 Share Posted December 30, 2013 This will be my third year in a row going. I always just crash with a buddy who lives in Austin, and then we just plan out all the free shows we want to go to (normally we find them on do512.com). Im not sure if you are getting a sxsw badge or not, i never get one because i tend to see the same artists who are playing showcases for free some other time during the week. tips: Always have a back up plan Follow all you favorite sxsw bands on twitter (secret shows) Support local business Be prepared to walk a TON Free taxi service by Chevy if you flag down one of their many marked cars Auditorium shores always has some pretty killer shows for free thats it for now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
batman Posted December 30, 2013 Share Posted December 30, 2013 parking isn't bad if you go to an early show and stay out all day. I never buy a badge. just pay cover at the shows I want to go to and RSVP for any free shows early online. i guess the downside is that you can't really show hop, but I just pick a showcase I like each night and stick there. some shows are listed as "badge only", but typically if you reach out to whoever's hosting the showcase, they'll hook you up regardless of whether you have a badge or not. promoting's the name of the game, and they'll help out fans that want to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stl_ben Posted December 30, 2013 Author Share Posted December 30, 2013 Yeah no badge for me. Signed up for RSVPster (probably a waste of $20) but that is suppose to get me on the list for most showcases. Don't think we will rent a car for the trip, but been thinking about getting a bike? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oceanfloors Posted December 30, 2013 Share Posted December 30, 2013 Bike is best bet. Parking/walking is a bitch. The RSVPster isn't a bad buy, if you use it to your advantage. You'll not have to worry about getting into showcases that aren't at full capacity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
birdwell Posted December 30, 2013 Share Posted December 30, 2013 have little expectations and enjoy the hell out of yourself. it's really hard to have a bad time or eat bad food. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RustyShackelford Posted December 30, 2013 Share Posted December 30, 2013 Tip; if you like soul music, go see the pepper pots! You don't want to miss them. They'll likely be the main reason I'm traveling to sxsw this year Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
controlthebleeding Posted December 30, 2013 Share Posted December 30, 2013 have little expectations and enjoy the hell out of yourself. it's really hard to have a bad time or eat bad food. as someone who's been going the past 16 years i can say this is the best info. ^^^^^ first of all, where are you staying? even a bike might not work well depending on where you're coming from. most buses dont' run past 11pm. personally, i'd say rent a car and come early and park as close to lamar on 5th as you can. sure it's a walk to downtown, but when you walk back and have an easy time getting out of downtown and onto mopac (because 35 is fucked during sxsw) to go where you're going, you'll understand. Birdwell and i literally took an hour just waiting to get out of the parking lot and then another 35 plus minutes to get around the block and out of downtown. yet no waiting when we leave when we park a mile out on the wast side or on the other side of lady bird lake. it may be a trek when you arrive, or when you leave, but you'll still be saving time and gas rather than sitting in traffic for an hour to just get on the road that's blocks away. and if you haven't found a place yet, good luck. almost all of austin's hotels/motels are sold out by this time. not a joke. last year someone tried in january and the closest hotel was round rock or san marcos. not to mention the prices skyrocket to 3x the cost of a normal night. also bikes are cool, but a lot of bikes get stolen. if you have any questions feel free to PM me. this year i'm attending FILM/INTERACTIVE. so much more fun and less foot traffic/fights/dumbassery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
travis Posted December 30, 2013 Share Posted December 30, 2013 I'm going again this year, I had an awesome time last year so hoping for more of the same this time around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanRees Posted December 30, 2013 Share Posted December 30, 2013 Theres a chance i might be going w/ a company i do work for/for a division i started within that same company. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stl_ben Posted December 30, 2013 Author Share Posted December 30, 2013 Im staying at Orangewood Inn which is about 8 miles from downtown (so maybe to far to bike...). Is mass transit worth using/looking into? Or do they end at 11 even on the weekends? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toomany45s Posted December 30, 2013 Share Posted December 30, 2013 Tip; if you like soul music, go see the pepper pots! You don't want to miss them. They'll likely be the main reason I'm traveling to sxsw this year Super stoked to see The Pepper Pots again this year! The first time I caught them live was at SXSW was 5 years ago, I believe. They put on a great set, and there was hardly anyone there. If you haven't checked out the new record, go get it! I go every year, and there is tons to do. Here are a few tips: -First off, parking meters aren't free on the weekends anymore, and most streets in the 6th street area are all jacked up. Getting a bike or walking is your best bet. Buses and trains are a good choice as well. -RSVP for The Pure Volume House. Usually they have shitty day shows, but extremely liberal free booze. We usually all meet there to have some drinks before we go to venues to see the day shows. -Set up a spare email address to handle all your sxsw rsvp business. You'll get shit tons of emails otherwise. -www.showlistaustin.com This dude only lists free shows, and it's a great resource for punk/indie shows. -Brooklyn Vegan always throws a killer day party. -If you don't have a badge, pick one night showcase and stick with it. I have never had a problem getting into one without a badge. I'll usually get on the guestlist, or shell out 10 bucks to get in. I think the most I ever paid for a night showcase was Charles Bradley at Stubbs, and that was 20 bucks. I always go to the Fat Wreck showcase and never have any issues. Don't bother trying to get into the megashows, it'll be nearly impossible. -Overall, there is plenty of free booze and food to go around. Make sure to pack lots of singles to tip your bartenders. Let me know if you have any questions. I only live a couple miles from 6th, and I usually walk down there, or grab a bus. It's my favorite staycation of the year! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
controlthebleeding Posted December 30, 2013 Share Posted December 30, 2013 Im staying at Orangewood Inn which is about 8 miles from downtown (so maybe to far to bike...). Is mass transit worth using/looking into? Or do they end at 11 even on the weekends? if you're 8 miles you aren't that far at all. id' sugget cutting through the neighborhoods though. probably take ya about 20 minutes to get downtown. mass transit is fine, but buses run every 20 to n hour, depending on which it is. i personally hate public transpo. it takes longer to get from a to b on bus than if i walked. most buses end around 11. there are a few night owls though that run till 2:30am or so, but depends on where you live. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
konk Posted December 31, 2013 Share Posted December 31, 2013 Park or stay near the train. It should have weekend hours for sxsw, but I don't know. It may stop at 12 though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
toomany45s Posted December 31, 2013 Share Posted December 31, 2013 Add the Altercation Punk Rock BBQ to your list, it's March 15th. Oddly enough, got a teaser email from them right after posting here. Saw TBR last year. Pro-tip: Bring your own beer. Free beer line is long and runs out fast. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brianmorgante Posted December 31, 2013 Share Posted December 31, 2013 I might be filling in for the band Mike Mains & The Branches and would be playing with them at SXSW if I end up doing the tour. I haven't been since 2008 when I was there with Edison Glass and Blindside. Would love to go back though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
isavedlatin54 Posted December 31, 2013 Share Posted December 31, 2013 Considering I live here, I will be there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Troy plays bass Posted December 31, 2013 Share Posted December 31, 2013 I might be filling in for the band Mike Mains & The Branches and would be playing with them at SXSW if I end up doing the tour. I haven't been since 2008 when I was there with Edison Glass and Blindside. Would love to go back though. That band is so good. I'd love to play with them. I doubt I'll be able to make it down to Austin for SXSW this year, but it's something I'd like to do in the future for sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stl_ben Posted January 3, 2014 Author Share Posted January 3, 2014 So I understand pretty well how the showcases work...but have a question about some non-Music stuff.Flat Stock, is that open to everyone (no pass needed)?The film stuff, panels, screenings...are these possible to get into with out passes? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
birdwell Posted January 3, 2014 Share Posted January 3, 2014 So I understand pretty well how the showcases work...but have a question about some non-Music stuff. Flat Stock, is that open to everyone (no pass needed)? The film stuff, panels, screenings...are these possible to get into with out passes? Flatstock open to public panels i don't believe are open to the public, screenings of films to my understanding you can get into if there are open seats after badges go in.....buuuuuut, I've never done anything but the music side of SXSW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amandawinston Posted January 13, 2014 Share Posted January 13, 2014 Hey bands! Need shirts made? Union Screen Printing is doing a great deal now until the end of February, 50 1-color printed black Ts for $275 and 50 1-color printed while Ts for $250. Email [email protected] for a quote. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
controlthebleeding Posted January 13, 2014 Share Posted January 13, 2014 So I understand pretty well how the showcases work...but have a question about some non-Music stuff. Flat Stock, is that open to everyone (no pass needed)? The film stuff, panels, screenings...are these possible to get into with out passes? flat stock is free to the public mostly everything else is for paid registrants. in other news, i got a free wristband.. whoop.. but i seriously doubt i'll use it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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