Now more than ever, South By Southwest is transforming Austin, Texas, into a top-tier Spring Break destination. It’s always been a winter getaway for the musically inclined but this year, the low-key city felt packed to the brim on opening day + night thanks to swarms of crowds that needed to get their fill of St. Vincent, Earl Sweatshirt, Kurt Vile, G.O.O.D. Music, and Jay Z & Kanye West. Wednesday (March 12th) did fall victim to a terrible tragedy and while it also left a black cloud over the festival for the rest of the week, it encouraged everyone to hold friends and family closer to their heart. Following a 5 a.m. flight out of Toronto (** Drake shrug **), we made the most out of the first day of SXSW – kicking it at Pitchfork’s Day Party, rockin’ with some of the best at FADER Fort, and watching BrooklynVegan and Run For Cover Records add chapters to punk’s legacy (with a Shiner Bock in hand, of course).
Check out our photos below, dig up our interviews with OFF!, The Black Lips, and Bishop Nehru, and stay tuned for even more snaps from Austin.
COACHWHIPS at FRENCH LEGATION MUSEUM
DADS at THE LIBERTY
EMPRESS OF at FRENCH LEGATION MUSEUM
ISAIAH RASHAD at THE FADER FORT
BIG FREEDIA at THE FADER FORT
DUM DUM GIRLS at HOUSE OF VANS MOHAWK
CHEAP GIRLS at RED 7 PATIO
AGAINST ME! at RED 7 PATIO
THE BLACK ANGELS at HOUSE OF VANS MOHAWK
TOUCHE AMORE at RED 7 PATIO
LONDON GRAMMAR at THE FADER FORT
YOU BLEW IT! at THE LIBERTY
PUSHA T at HOUSE OF VANS MOHAWK
PERFECT PUSSY at FRENCH LEGATION MUSEUM
