SXSW 2016 (Saturday): HINDS, Diet Cig, Formation make up for line-wasting time

SXSW 2016 (Saturday): HINDS, Diet Cig, Formation make up for line-wasting time
Mark E. Ortega
Grimygoods.com
March 20, 2016

The one big drawback of SXSW is that you could potentially wait in a line for three or more hours for a really hyped event, think you’re going to get in, and then get royally effed over and left in the cold.

This is what happened to me on my last day of SXSW 2016 as I got to the Bud Light Factory at Brazo’s extremely early in an effort to see The Roots and Big Grams at their famed Jam Sessions. Security told people doors would open at 8 PM. I was in the first 75 people in the wristband line, there wasn’t a long line of badge holders or VIPs but 8 PM came and went. Then 9 PM came and went and the VIP and badge holder lines were massive. I ended up waiting and waiting just to not make it in. It was the one mistake I made all week and it ended up costing me the chance to see some dope bands during that time. Luckily, SXSW always allows you a chance to redeem yourself and I ended up seeing some dope bands anyways.

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SXSW 2016 (Friday): Willie Nelson’s party weathers the storm; CHVRCHES, Deftones rock SPIN showcase

SXSW 2016 (Friday): Willie Nelson’s party weathers the storm; CHVRCHES, Deftones rock SPIN showcase
Mark E. Ortega
Grimygoods.com
March 19, 2016

Friday was a wild day for SXSW goers everywhere. The afternoon came and went without issue, but when the evening started rolling in, a nasty storm came along with it. All outdoor showcases were postponed and later shut down due to the weather. I myself was nowhere near Austin at the time, instead an hour west at Willie Nelson‘s ranch for their annual Luck Reunion, itself delayed by the inclement weather. Check out the recap of Friday, which features performances from Willie Nelson, Jenny Lewis, CHVRCHES, Deftones, and Lucius.

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Pool Party A-Go-Go caps magnificent Labor Day weekend of music featuring Bleached, Summer Twins and more

Pool Party A-Go-Go caps magnificent Labor Day weekend of music featuring Bleached, Summer Twins and more
Mark E. Ortega
GrimyGoods.com
September 9, 2015

After not getting home from Burger A-Go-Go 2 until 3 AM on Saturday night, I wasn’t sure how I was going to rally for a sweet unofficial Burger pool party that was headlined by Bleached at a rad house in Eagle Rock. Once I got there it was easy to find the energy.

The party – for which limited tickets were sold – had about 60-to-75 people gathered with a nice cheap bar and free pizza. The pool had a sweet slide that was built into this piece of rock. Underwater, there were color-changing lights and speakers from which you could hear music. The layout of the house made it truly feel like you were teleporting back into the 1960s but armed with some of today’s technology.

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Burger A-Go-Go packs Observatory with girl power old and new

Burger A-Go-Go packs Observatory with girl power old and new
Mark E. Ortega
GrimyGoods.com
September 8, 2015

Saturday, I got to see a half-dozen female-fronted musical acts perform at Burger Records’ second-ever Burger-a-Go-Go at the Observatory in Santa Ana. The bill featured rock icons like Kathleen Hanna of Bikini Kill and Kim Gordon of Sonic Youth — but also featured a number of rising female musicians that are taking the baton and running with it, like Cherry Glazerr, Bleached, and Kate Nash.

I arrived at the Observatory around 5:30 PM, enough to catch the end of the Summer Twins‘ set. I had previously seen them open for Jenny Lewis at this same venue a few weeks ago and enjoyed them just as much this time. They turned in a very well-timed cover of No Doubt’s “Just a Girl” to wrap up their set before Kimya Dawson took the stage.

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