Widowspeak @ Red 7, SXSW, March 14, 2012

I think I could happily watch Widowspeak play every day.  Their debut album is wonderful and their songs translate very well live.  They've added a bass player since I saw them at CMJ and it's a nice addition.  I didn't notice anything missing when they played as a 3 piece but their songs are a bit richer and fuller now.  They didn't play that many shows at SXSW so I was very pleased that they fit nicely into my schedule.

Forest Fire @ Red 7, SXSW, March 14, 2012

Next up on the schedule was a day party at Red 7 which had quite a few bands I wanted to see.  Forest Fire weren't really on the agenda but I'd heard one song, Future Shadows, and was pretty pleased I got to see them.  Their music is 80s inspired (the good bits) and I enjoyed their set enough that it made me want to check out the rest of their songs.

Rosie and Me @ Rusty's, SXSW, March 14, 2012

My first show of the first official day of the festival was a band I'd been wanting to see for almost 2 years.  I discovered Rosie and Me, who are from Brasil, through the list of bands announced for the 2011 festival They were in the first batch and I fell in love straight away.  The lead singer has such a lovely voice and the songs are charming and sweet.  Their set was short but they played Bonfires, which was the song that made me a fan and well, it was quite superb.    It was a nice reminder of  how lucky I am to get to see some (not all) of my favourite bands play.

Caveman @ Bat Bar, SXSW, March 13, 2012

My final band of the first (unofficial) evening was Caveman.  I'd discovered their debut CD at the end of 2011 and fell in love with it on first listen.  It's a superb album and they were one of my must-sees for SXSW.  I really enjoyed their set - the sound wasn't perfect but overall the band sounded great.  I was a bit disappointed that they didn't play Great Life (they're working on it for their live show) but there's so many great songs on the album that it didn't matter.  A great end to my first night of the 2012 festival.

Yellow Ostrich @ Bat Bar, SXSW, March 13, 2012

Next stop was the Bat Bar on 6th Street for Yellow Ostrich.  I'd seen them in Vancouver just after SXSW last year and really enjoyed their show so was quite pleased when they fit nicely into my schedule.  For a band that started out as one guy in his bedroom, the change is very impressive.  The Bat Bar was packed and it was nice to see them play to an appreciative audience.

Sleepy Vikings @ Beauty Bar, SXSW, March 13, 2012

Funny how things work sometimes but the last band I saw at SXSW in 2011 were the first band I saw at the 2012 festival.  It had been a while since I'd seen them and they'd had a lineup change (down to a 5 piece) and well, they sounded rather wonderful.  There were quite a few people watching and Flashlight Tag got a great cheer (rightly so, I'd say).  All in all, a perfect way to start the 2012 festival for me.

Los Campesinos @ Electric Owl, Vancouver, February 3, 2012

Los Campesinos have been on my radar for a few years but they don't get heavy play on my iPods but I'd never seen them live and the combination of a few friends going and early show was too tempting to resist.  I enjoyed them, they put on a high energy, fun show and seemed very likeable.  Not a bad way to spend a Friday night.