Friday
FIEH @ SWAN DIVE Inside. Well, this is a true find. The band led by stunning Norwegian vocalist Sofie Tollefsbøl. She has the most incredible voice I’ve heard in a while. Unique songs and brilliant stage presence giving them a lethal combination. It is hard to describe their sound as it is so different -in parts a tiny bit St Etienne with a minute slice of the Brand New Heavies but they are truly in their own lane. 4.5 stars
ELLEVATOR – INTERNATIONAL DAY STAGE @ BRUSH SQUARE PARK – This band seem like a breath of fresh air though they clearly have 80s influences. Their slant on the decade is not a copy but more of a homage with a modern twist. Pat Benatar meets The Pretenders is the closest I can get to what this four-piece sound like! Simply brilliant. 5 stars
ART D’ECCO @ HOTEL VEGAS Patio. Canadian electro alt indie pop act with a vocalist who totally owned the stage. Cool catchy songs with a nod to 80s acts like The Icicle Works, Blamanche – this show isn’t just a show it was an experience!! 5 stars
BENET @ THE VELVEETA ROOM – from Virginia, soulful female vocalist with beautiful tones – promising. 3 stars
SUB T @ SWAN DIVE Inside . Out of tune indie band with a cool image but with sub- zero songs. 1 star
ZELMA STONE – SWAN Dive Patio. Interesting female vocalist with a gorgeous translucent voice that pierces your heart with her honest lyrics. 4 stars
SUNROOM @ CREEK AND THE CAVE. Cool indie guitar kids led by vocalist Luke Asgian. Lots of energy and attitude – one for the teenagers but the slightly older audience loved it. 4 stars
DEETRANADA @ CREEK AND THE CAVE Patio. Amazing female rapper from Maryland with bags of attitude. Seriously charismatic with ace lyrics, go girl! What a total star. 4.5 stars
MOON PANDA – Signed to indies favourite label Fierce Panda and here to promote their gorgeous debut album. This wholesome four-piece from Denmark can certainly write a tune! Simply stunning. 5 stars
CUFFED UP @ VALHALLA. Tuneful alt indie guitar band who has an interesting dynamic with shared female / male vocals. 4 stars
PLANET GIZA @ CREEK AND THE CAVE Backyard. Soulful singer/ rapper with a fun playful stage style. Stands above the rest. 4.5 stars
ADVERTISEMENT @ SWAN DRIVE. Great name but this is a weird one. Honestly, brilliant songs but the front man needs to be replaced. He can’t sing and looks awkward on stage. The rest of the band are utterly amazing musicians. 3 stars
Young Morpheus @ CREEK AND THE CAVE Backyard. A million-dollar rapper with the best swagger. This star is certainly going sky high with a personality and great tracks. This is one to watch. 4 stars
COYLE GIRELLI @ COOPERS BBQ. One of the strongest male vocalists that I’ve heard during this whole festival. First track, ‘that’s my girl’ sets the tone for a brilliant set with perfect song after perfect score by Coyle. He is the former frontman of Your Vegas and The Chevin. This accomplished songwriter has written hits for many well-known acts and now it’s time now for him to take centre stage. 5 stars
Saturday
Hamish Hawk – BRITISH MUSIC EMBASSY @ CEDAR ST. COURTYARD. This Scottish act has something special with beautifully crafted songs. Comprising of a very mixed sound with elements of OMD, Divine Comedy and Nick Cave. Great with the audience, singer-songwriter Hamish is a star in the making. 4.5 stars
BABII – BRITISH MUSIC EMBASSY @ CEDAR ST. COURTYARD. Unique solo female artist. Using just her voice, a trigger pad and a pair of drumsticks. Melodic sweet songs with cool beats. 4 stars
A/LPACA @ INTERNATIONAL DAY STAGE BRUSH SQUARE. Interesting shoegazing alt indie band. They are a four-piece formed by Christian Bindelli (vocals and guitar), Andrea Verrastro (bass), Andrea Fantuzzi (keys), and Andrea Sordi (drums), out of Mantova, Italy. Rolling drums combined with spikey guitars and downbeat vocals. These guys have a promising future. 4 stars
Quattro Gatti – Restaurant review. My last night and only the second chance I’ve gotten to sit down for a meal in the six nights I’ve been at SXSW. And what a last night meal it was!! This Italian restaurant run by Italians is one of the best I’ve ever been to with the best food and service. We had so many different plates from anchovies to mussels, burrata with tomatoes, bruschetta with peppers and rosemary garlic bread and that was just to start with!!!! Fish, pizza, and the most amazing boar ragu followed. Finally their signature, tiramisu. Great cocktails, beer, wine and limoncello to end the meal – delicious flavours every step of the way. 5 stars
CANTILOPE MUSICALS @ CREEK AT THE CAVE. Firstly incredible – these guys are totally rocking the venue from the first second they are on stage. With the whole band wearing tailored bin liners, it sets the tone for the whole set. Vocalist Carrie is a larger than life front woman. Her bin liner is coupled with a fluorescent lime green bikini bottom that she totally owns. Her personality fills the room and her vocal chops match. What a sound!! As for the songs, they are equally as cool as they are interesting. A brilliant mix of Hazel O Connor, Toyah, and The Pretenders. Their future is bright. 5 stars
GO FEVER @ CREEK AND THE CAVE. The singer Acey is a pink haired bombshell but sings a bit like Debbie Harry, though she has her own voice for sure. Singing quirky, cool, catchy tracks, their future hits keep coming one after another. This is a band here to stay. 4.5 stars
THE BOTS @ ELYSIUM. Two-piece rock band. Great singer with interesting alternative sound but not enough to keep my interest for a whole set. I feel that the singer should perform more and is inhibited by his guitar. They should add an extra member. He could be a star if he’s allowed to shine. 3 stars
HEARTLESS BASTARDS @ EMPIRE GARAGE. A Beautiful Life is the band’s first album since 2015 and affirms frontwoman Erika Wennerstrom as an amazing songwriter. The easy-going vibe of this downbeat guitar band is infectious. What a comeback, so please don’t go away so long next time. 4.5 stars
KYLIE PRICE @ STEPHEN F BAR. My last gig of SXSW and what a brilliant talent to finish on. This kiwi singer-songwriter has a simply stunning voice. With personal, story-telling lyrics that truly come from the heart. They really resonate. She is the real deal. She’s a talent that needs discovering by the masses. Record labels should be snapping her up now! 5 stars
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