Probably the best musical act I saw the entire week (and it was a long one!) was Sylvan Esso! I could go on about the duo’s performance, but I think I’m going to focus on just five of the lesser known bands/artists I enjoyed. (Many of them I hadn’t planned on seeing before their shows!)
This neo-psychedelic group hailing from England looks like they collectively stepped straight out of the sixties. Clad in bell bottoms, velvet, tight shirts, and adorned with era-styled hair, these Brit boys revive a style of rock music characterized by ambiguous lyrics and unusual melodies. I actually enjoyed them so much the first time I saw them I decided to go to a live broadcast by the local radio station the next morning. It was difficult waking up that early during SXSW (late nights), and there was an entrance fee (but it was for charity and included a breakfast taco); but ultimately I went and did not regret my choice at all.
If there’s one thing to be said about Andreas, it’s that the man has got lungs. With a powerful voice and emotionally-charged lyrics to match, Moss is one to look out for in the future. So far, he’s only publicly released a single, but I think that song is slightly underwhelming given the talent he possesses. I can’t wait for him to put out a full-length album, because from what I’ve heard, there’s no doubt he will climb his way up the charts to the top.
Although he’s gained quite some notoriety for his song “Human”, I’d like to stress that this man has other songs! He’s just released a new single, which we got a sneak preview of at SXSW. His set at St. David’s Church was stripped down, due to the size of the stage and the wonderful acoustics, giving a sense of intimacy to the performance that only emphasized the strength of his voice. If you ever get the chance to hear a stripped version of his songs, take it! I promise it will be even better than hearing a whole band back him.
If Temples looked like they stepped straight out of the sixties, these men look like they just left a fifties rock’n’roll concert. These All-American rockers kicked things off with a tribute to the late Chuck Berry on the day of his passing. I feel like they could almost pass off as a boyband of a past generation- in the way that the Beatles were a boyband (kind of but not like 1D or BSB). With a camera-shy bassist and a second-guitarist who loves to shred, their show is actually quite a delight for anyone who enjoys an older style of rock or modern alt-rock.
These two lovely gals brought along two supporting members to help them out. At first glance, this gender-queer glam-punk band can seem kind of odd with their glitter-smeared faces and mini-dresses, but it’s all a part of their message of self-love and acceptance. Well-versed in the art of audience engagement through banter, these two spread their charm while diffusing a liberal message of acceptance and love.
