Can I see a little bit of SXSW Music?

February 17, 2008 9:56 AM

One of my all-time favorite bands is coming to the US for the first time in 10 years or so, to play at SXSW Music. I can't afford the time or money ($650!) to buy a pass for the full SXSW experience, but I can't not go see this act, either. Since I'm involved with the band's unofficial online presence, they've added me to their guest list, but I'm concerned that (since the band has no experience with how SXSW works) this might not be enough to get me in the door when we get right down to it.

Will I be okay with just being "on the guest list", or is there some other option short of the full pass that I can take to ensure I can get in to the performance? I know about the "wristbands" but it looks like the odds of being able to buy one this year are slim even if you're a local, and I'm not a local (I'm about a five hour drive away).

Beyond that, any other tips for a SXSW newbie coming to town for one night only? I did manage to line up a place to stay downtown, so I should be okay on that front.

posted by nonliteral to media & arts (10 comments total)

Can you call or email the venue itself? They'd probably be able to give you the most accurate answer.
posted by kitty teeth at 10:09 AM on February 17

You should be able to buy indiv. tickets from the venue. Mind you that you'll need to be there ridiculously early.
posted by notsnot at 10:36 AM on February 17

Don't buy a wristband. You will not get in with a wristband. Being "on the list" at an official SXSW show will probably get you in, but there are no promises.

Almost every act that plays at SXSW will play at least one unannounced show during the daytime or at a corporate party. These are the times to see the bands that you really care about. If your band is on a small label, you could try contacting them to see if they are doing a showcase during the day. Learn who their US publicist is and contact them (politely, of course) to see if they need street team work in exchange for a spot on the list. Otherwise, keep your ear to the ground.
posted by Bookhouse at 10:37 AM on February 17 [1 favorite]

oftentimes a band will play alternate venues during the week, which are usually free admission. these are usually called "showcases" or "in-stores". they may be part of a party put on by the band's record label or for promotion by a local business. here's one (non-comprehensive) listing. here's another.
posted by ncc1701d at 10:37 AM on February 17

Re-reading that, the "politely, of course" seems a bit off. To explain: around SXSW-time, publicists are under constant assault by people wanting to get into one party or another. Many of these people are jerks. Not being a jerk will do wonders for you. It'll take 'em by surprise.
posted by Bookhouse at 10:39 AM on February 17

Seconding notsnot & bookhouse - don't get a wristband or badge. If you want to see the band at night, go for the individual ticket and show up super super early. Being on the list is good but never a guarantee.

If you want to go for the day party route, Showlistaustin.com has a fairly comprehensive list of free day parties, which is usually complete by the beginning of March.
posted by puritycontrol at 1:25 PM on February 17

I worked at SXSW as a volunteer for a couple of years, although my experience was with artist check-in. While I can't give a definitive answer about if you can get in, I can definitely talk about the general things that happen. The venue won't be selling tickets for the show in addition to the wristbands. If they did this, SXSW would make no money. The officially sanctioned SXSW events are all wristband/pass only. With that in mind, the unofficial sxsw shows are plenty. In fact, there are just as many or maybe even more than "real" shows. These usually all occur during the day, throughout the week. Check Showlist Austin for strictly non SXSW shows. As far as the guest list, you (or somebody in the band) should really check with the venue for that specific show.

Each band has to submit a compensation list to the festival which SXSW then decides if these people will actually get wristbands. A common thing is for the band to submit an incredibly long list, but when I worked there (a couple of years of ago) it was all band members +1 got comped, so make sure that is not the list the band is referring to. The reason for this is because bands in general submit ridiculous reasons for compensation (one year somebody attempted to comp their babysitter and yelled at me because she simply couldn't play without her toddler in the smoky drunken environment).

A lot of people hate SXSW, because they feel it is a purely industry event and means nothing for the local consumer-- or that it gives the finger to the local Austinite. This can be true, but it attracts so many positive day shows (usually free) and events that it's generally a blast to be downtown anyway. Also, I've found that is a very vocal population in Austin that likes to bitch about how "(insert random thing here) was better 10 or 20 years ago". SXSW is fun, even if you don't have a pass, but you will need to check with the specific venue and their bouncers to see if this guest list is just for them and actually allowed. Have fun!
posted by stresstwig at 1:32 PM on February 17

Kathryn's great Music festival FAQ at SXSW Baby! has a lot of great information about how the Music festival works for fans.
posted by bradlands at 1:49 PM on February 17

I can't speak directly to the SXSW experience, but in a festival/guestlist situation where things might go wrong, your best bet is always to hook up with the band "early" (which for a band might be 2pm) on the day of the show and make yourself useful. Merch sales, roadie, driver... these are the people who can be at the club during load in and ensure they are actually on the list or in the door. Once in the door, stay put! Hope it all works out for you. Who's the band?
posted by Scram at 3:00 PM on February 17

You can buy single admissions at the door. There are no physical tickets for these door sales. You simply line up early and cross your fingers.

Each venue has a limited number of individual tickets at the door, so choose wisely. Some venues may not even take people who wish to pay a charge at the door. For examples, in the past, Emo's has taken a large number of door sales, but that may not be the case this particular year.

In 2006, Louis Black even alluded to trying to sell fewer single admissions due to the growth of the festival.

nonliteral, I sent you Mefi Mail about the guestlist situation for the official showcase.
posted by kathryn at 6:50 PM on February 17