Thur afternoon.. at the SXSW day stage, nestled just off the main corridoor inside the sprawling Austin Convention Centre, there was a treat to be had: a 15 minute solo set by Billy Bragg. Armed with a tele and a sharp tongue, Bragg opened this intimate show with a promise not to play any old material, and he delivered. Although he could have played longer, I was at the right place at the
right time, one of about 100 peeps let in for an intimate preview of
material from his forthcoming record. Nice. His characteristic voice put me at ease instantly, so recognizable, throwing me back some 20 years to the first time I remember hearing Levi Stubb's Tears when all that is Billy Bragg became clear to me... that was the song that got his hooks in me.
With Bragg's thick accent rolling in my head I headed up Red River St. to the Six Shooter / Mint Records hootenanny to catch Local Toronto death country heavies Elliott Brood.. The venue was called Headhunters with bad assess manning the door in front of a sign reading: "Your badges and wristbands mean nothing here". No worries. After sweet talking Brutus Beefcake I made my way through the tattoos and cut off leather vests, through a doorway, up some stairs and was faced with a packed back patio where Six Shooter / Mint folk passed round beer, cheese trays were demolished, and The Pack AD were on the stage rocking hard. Turns out i had just missed Elliott Brood, but caught Luke Doucet's set. Sounded great - signature rich, warm and dusty tones.
Pushed my way through the throngs and back out the front of the venue and headed back down to 6th only to be stopped by the beautifully unholy sounds of Holy Fuck filtering through from their patio set on Red River. Blew my mind. Great sightlines from the street for this sold out outdoor (fenced in) show. Love the spontaneity of this place.
more to come..