Superorganism to The Wedding Present – our top ten acts from SXSW 2018
From Venezuelan hip-hop to indie-pop all the way from South London, these ten bands were SFTW's South By Southwest highlights
SFTW visited South By Southwest festival in Austin, Texas, where up-and-coming acts mingle with a few old favourites.
Here are our highlights:
Dan Deacon (@ Empire Garage). We run through a human tunnel of outstretched arms, like a techno conga with strobes, and never want it to end. Baltimore-raised Deacon pioneered audience participation that is so much fun, you look more daft if you DON’T join in. And he makes exquisite electronic music.
Jade Bird (@ Aloft Hotel). Hexham-born Jade’s raw, rousing tales of heartbreak have the crowd eating from her hand. She is a tiny thing but could be a huge star – like a female Ed Sheeran. Won the festival’s Grulke Prize for most promising non-US act.
Caseroloops (@ Flamingo Cantina). “Girls wanna dance when they hear this song,” declare this Venezuelan party outfit. They are not wrong. A booming set of Latin-Calypso hip-hop brings Notting Hill Carnival to SXSW via Caracas. Expect to see them at Glastonbury or Bestival one day.
The Wedding Present (@ Seven Grand). “We are the semi-legendary Wedding Present,” shouts David Gedge, before tearing through classics like Kennedy and Everyone Thinks He Looks Daft. The line-up often changes but Gedge is such a compelling frontman, these Eighties semi-legends from Leeds never seem dated.
Himalayas (@ The Townsend). Baby-faced frontman Joe Williams channels Arctic Monkeys and Manic Street Preachers as he prowls through the crowd, getting in people’s faces and making us slightly uncomfortable . . . as rock’n’roll should do. This Cardiff four-piece have great potential with charismatic Williams leading the line.
Josh T Pearson (@ St David’s Episcopal Church). We know this tall Texan cowboy is different when he forgoes slabs of meat at the pre-show BBQ and orders a veggie burger. The country troubadour respectfully removes his Stetson as he strides before the altar and apologises to God every time he swears. His songs are haunting, poetic and spine-tingling.
Goat Girl (@ Seven Grand). There is a huge buzz around this indie-pop girl-band from South London. We last saw them in a tiny pub in Brixton, so SXSW is quite a step up. But they deliver. Lead singer Clottie Cream performs short, darkly witty songs for a generation who feel let down.
The Fish Police (@ The Hideout). Ever wondered why helicopters don’t wear shoes? Just one of life’s questions addressed by this funky foursome from London, comprising singer Dean Rodney Jnr and guitarist Matthew Howe – who both have autism – backed by Grace Jones’ rhythm section. The tunes are catchy and the band’s name is the best at SXSW.
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Aaron Lee Tasjan (@ Antone’s). This Nashville singer-songwriter is a sublime guitarist who learned his craft from Oasis songs. But his soulful turn is more Tom Petty than Noel Gallagher. A folk-rock powerhouse with electrifying riffs and top backing band.
Superorganism (@ Stubbs). Hailing from Lancashire, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand and Australia – but based in London – this madcap collective kick off by screaming: “We’re gonna blow your m*****f*****g minds!” And they do. Visually stunning, sonically bonkers, it is trippy psych-pop perfect for the outdoors. Another great festival band is born.