SXSW | 03.19.10 | Austin, TX - Day 3

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Words by: Kayceman | Images by: Scott Dudelson & Kayceman

SXSW :: 03.19.10 :: Friday :: Austin, TX

Kayceman's Top 3

Dr. Dog :: 03.19.10 :: SXSW by Kayceman

Sweden's Miike Snow (no one named Mike, Miike or Snow in the band) took the stage in black jackets and white masks around 12:30 a.m. From the first subsonic bass rattle it was near impossible to stand still and it wasn't hard to imagine talents like this working with Madonna and Britney Spears, with whom band members Christian Karlsson and Pontus Winnbergwon won a Grammy for Best Dance Recording on "Toxic." These were dance tracks made by a live band that's not afraid to rock. Heavy on hooks and dusted with slightly strange vocals, if things break right for Miike Snow they could find success like Phoenix or Justice.

#2 - Dr. Dog

Dr. Dog slayed a very packed crowd at the Filter Party with their workmanlike charm. Mixing touring staples "The Old Days," "Worst Trip" and "Fate" with a few new numbers, including a cool one that read "Mirrors" on the setlist that chased its own tail with an increasing tempo, everything about this band screams future classic. Bassist/vocalist Toby Leaman was a monster, powerfully belting out vocals and digging his heel deep into the stage to drive the machine. Watching the joy this band finds in their music is contagious and I saw more uninhibited dancing in the crowd at this set than at any other all weekend. It all wound down with a psychedelic gospel rave-up that started with a Prince tease and wound up sounding like a relative of My Morning Jacket.

#1 - Big Light Private Hotel Suite Party

Big Light :: Hilton Suite Party :: 03.19.10 :: SXSW by Kayceman

In all my years of attending SXSW I've seen a lot of bands in a lot of very interesting places. During the fest Austin turns every possible location into a venue, and no one thinks twice about raging an abandoned supermarket, rocking in a taco shack or taking over an airplane hanger. But never have I seen a full-on rock show in a hotel room. Starting at around 1:15 a.m. in a giant suite at the Hilton (the hub of the festival/conference), Big Light broke new ground at SXSW. Having just covered Big Light in yesterday's review it was not my intention to cover them again, but this party was the stuff of legends. In addition to all the managers, press, booking agents and big wig industry types, the suite (and adjoining rooms) were stuffed with about 100 people, including the Talking Heads' Jerry Harrison, Blues Traveler's John Popper, DJ Logic, Papa Mali and the Barr Brothers. We had given the over-under on how many songs they'd actually get to play before security shut them down at around three, but the stars were aligned and Big Light played an entire hour-plus rock show at full volume. The set even included a nice sit-in by The Slip's Brad Barr on guitar. Big Light blew it up and confirmed their place as a serious buzz band at this year's SXSW. This was easily one of the best parties I've been to at South by, or anywhere for that matter.