SXSW, Day 2: Australia, Fruit & Flowers, Spider House, Roky Erickson

Roky Erickson

This Was a Long One

The Dickmans asked if I'd like to join them for blunch at Kerbey Lane on Tuesday morning, and I immediately accepted. They've been gracious enough to let me freeload on their rental car the last couple of days, and my feet and I are very thankful.

After some brisket hash, we headed over to B.D. Riley's to catch Go Fever at the Sounds Australia Showcase. The Austin-based band, fronted by Australian expat Acey Monaro, struggled through a few technical difficulties but ended up putting in a solid set of selections from their self-titled debut. They were followed by Sydney's Food Court. That band's loud garage rock did a pretty good job of rattling the Irish Pub.

Go Fever

Food Court

From there, we headed over to Kick Butt coffee where we arrived just in time for our very good friends Fruit & Flowers. They looked a little dazed following a travel day that involved canceled flights, re-routed flights, and busses; but, once they started playing, they were as mind-blowing as ever and just solidified their position as one of my favorite bands going right now.

Fruit & Flowers

Then it was off to Spider House where we caught Scottish post-punks WOMPS -- who play Little Dickman's first showcase today -- and Alabama instrumental post-rock band In Snow.

WOMPS

In Snow

Dinner break.

Finally, we headed over to Scoot Inn for another set from Brazil's dreamy, ambient, and extremely busy at SXSW psych rockers Boogarins. There was something even better about them in the evening, under the psychedelic lights.

Boogarins

The main event of the evening at Scoot Inn, though, was a set by psych rock pioneer Roky Erickson. I noticed a pit in front of the stage before Boogarins' set and asked if I could shoot from there. After showing my SXSW camera tag to security, they let me in; and I managed to shoot both sets from the pit.

Roky Erickson

Erickson's performance has been a highlight of South By Southwest for me so far. His band appeared to have some psychic connection to him, and the whole experience was an emotional one. Having such a close, unobstructed view of how the band played off of Erickson made it that much better.

We packed it in for the night after Scoot Inn. The Dickmans and I had been running around for over 12 hours; and, just speaking for myself, there was no way I could do anymore.

It was back after it on Wednesday, and I'll be back with my 1-day look into the past probably sometime tomorrow.