Top 10 Shows of SXSW 2015

March 25, 2015 by 1888media

I just returned from my 16th consecutive SXSW. Hard to believe it’s been that many years but it’s the one thing that is a must every year….it’s a mix of music, food, revelers, and excitement like no other. It’s where I saw Deadmau5 and Calvin Harris for the first time, where I saw Kitten for the first time (and many times thereafter), where I saw a young band called Paramore rock La Zona Rosa (and years later The Belmont), where I saw Tom Morello play folk songs in a church, where I saw Courtney Love crowd surf from the stage to a waiting shot of whiskey on the bar, where I saw a shy new singer named Norah Jones sing to a small group of VIPs, where I saw Metallica decimate Stubb’s and where I hung out with Willie Nelson on his bus.

And while two of my favorite artists (Kitten, Marmozets) canceled their showcases before I even arrived, and try as I might, I was not able to see one of the many Halsey showcases, there were still plenty of highlights…and I’m happy to say that, once again, I was blown away by an artist that was completely unknown to me (I’m zealous for Zella!).

Here’s my Top 10 (in alphabetical order):

Clean Bandit – Stubb’s
Gary Clark Jr – Empire Garage
Iggy Azalea – Samsung Lounge
James Bay – KCRW Day Stage
MisterWives – The Des Moines Embassy
Sam Morrow – Stephen F’s
Spain – Bungalow
ƱZ – The Main
Zeds Dead – The Main
Zella Day – Hilton Garden Inn + Gatsby

Other notables:
Best Coast – Radio Day Stage
Death of Paris – Burnside’s
Elle King – Brazos
Five Knives – Empire Garage
Frank Turner – Red 7
Snoop Dogg – Keynote
Teengirl Fantasy – Elysium
The Howling Tongues – Chuggin Monkey
Yukon Blonde – Bungalow