Media Credit: Callie Richmond My Morning Jacket guitarist and vocalist Jim James performs at Austin Music Hall Thursday night in an official SXSW showcase revealing new songs from the band's upcoming album.

There's nothing like South By Southwest. Hundreds of the hottest acts from across the country flock to downtown Austin's every nook and cranny, and the streets are overrun with more hipsters and boys in bands then you can shake a splintered drumstick at. SXSW music is like Austin on steroids - the drinks are stronger, the parties are longer and the people alternate between alcohol-tinged disbelief and euphoria. We've attempted to capture the highlights in a "best-of" list and, most likely, failed. Please don't hold it against us.

And because the SXSW gods don't include omnipresence with their obscenely-priced badges and wristbands we've added a "most missed" list of the acts we really wanted to see but, due to scheduling conflicts or police intervention, were unable to.

Best Hip-Hop Show: Clipse

The twins from Virginia via Pharell's planet Neptune stopped by the Mohawk to rip a show like only unabashed, questionably reformed street hustlers can. Pusha-T and Malice performed their dark, minimalist, gut-punching cocaine anthems with a ferocious energy. Pusha-T engaged the audience like a man possessed, and Malice's halogen-sounding vocals were definitely among the noble gases.

Best Rock/Alternative Show: My Morning Jacket

This show was epic. My Morning Jacket's Jim James performs like he's in some heavenly dream, and the audience just showed up unexpectedly. The Kentucky alt-country/indefinable group played several brand new songs from their highly anticipated forthcoming album, Evil Urges, and most of the hits from their phenomenal breakthrough, Z. Nearly two hours of flashing lights, wall-rattling rock 'n roll and more dancing white people than you've ever seen.

Best Showcase: Fool's Gold

Remember those hipsters we mentioned? This is where they plucked their style from. Kanye's World Championship DJ and Fool's Gold records founder A-Trak was in the house with his friends Chromeo, Nick Catchdubs, Kid Sister and Flosstradamus. This showcase was basically the coolest dance party/jam session a way-farer wearing sneaker freak could imagine. A-Trak is apparently dating Kanye-collaborator Kid Sister, who is the actual sister of Flosstradamus' J2K. Oh snap! Vampire Weekend was hanging out in V.I.P. watching Chromeo's effortless dance pop with envious eyes.

Best DJ Set: Pete Rock / A-Trak

Pete Rock is an old-school guru. A-Trak is a new-school wizard. It's a genuine privilege to watch either of these two turntable technicians in action. Pete Rock played hip-hop classics before the Jean Grae/Talib Kweli show at Auditorium Shores using actual vinyl picked from a crate by his side. In a Steve Jobs world, it was a site to behold.

So was A-Trak at the Fool's Gold showcase, who elevated his conventional Apple laptop-assisted deck to new heights. Watching him mix electrified custom remixes at a million beats per minute was literally breathtaking.

Best Parties (Day & Night): Frank 151 at The Whisky Bar & TX Garage at 3rd & Guadalupe

You've gotta love hanging out with The Cool Kids - both literally and figuratively. Chuck and Mikey, hip-hop's rising stars from Chicago, performed DJ and emceeing duties with Kidz in the Hall, Mickey Factz and a dozen other fresh indie rappers at the tiny, Frank 151 event.

Jelly NYC converted a downtown garage into an invite-only mega-bash featuring Simian Mobile Disco, Wale and Spank Rock. The garage was decked out with wall-scale projector shows and shuffleboard. On the last night of the festival, this party summed up the festivities with one word: surreal.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools