LIVE BLOG: Kat Corbett’s South By Southwest Music Festival Coverage

3/19/2010 Recap 

For the very first time in my life I puked in a rock club. 

That’s what happened last night around 1am at The Dirty Dog saloon while I was waiting for Courtney Love to hit the stage and rock it with Hole. It wasn’t a messy affair. Actually, if one can hurl with class I think I got real close. Assisted by the quick thinking of KROQ Music Director Lisa Worden, I patiently waited for an open stall as she tried to distract me with details of the Hole show from earlier in the day. I got word that it was a cluster-F even with the special Hole pass I had been given so I had bailed on that one. Finally, the door on the big stall swung open and I did what I had to do. Thankfully the music was so loud in the club no one could hear me. A few minutes later I popped out ready to party—so rock n roll, I know. Hole came out and Miss Courtney was as a sassy as ever and we got treats like “Celebrity Skin” “Malibu” and of course “Skinny Little Bitch.” At some point in the middle of this set a friend of a friend squeezed through the crowd ranting and raving about how he missed half the show because he had to wait thirty minutes to use the bathroom because Woody Harrelson was in there. “Eff Woody Harrelson!” he screamed. 

Prior to Hole we were at Muse at Stubbs. I’ve seen that band many times but I have to say, they really brought the house down last night. I want to kiss their sound guy because he’s a genius. I’ve never heard a set at Stubbs sound so good. Can’t wait to see them again at Coachella. Oh, and seeing Mike Mills from REM at the port-o-johns was one of my favorite sightings this week. I’m still trying to find Billy Murray. 

Metric played right before and if you don’t see them when they play The Palladium next week you are a silly fool. Within two minutes you’ll fall in love with Emily and her band. 

Earlier in the day I was invited to hotel Saint Cecilia to listen to the new record by Band of Horses. I want to live at this hotel. Every room had a turntable in it! Are you kidding me? That is my kind of place. There is also a music library where you can check out vinyl so you can rock it in your room. I had such a nice afternoon hang at that place. The sun was shining and the new Band of Horses sounds great. I’ve been a fan for a long time. This new record seems a bit more dynamic. I was told it was made in three different locations and the song titles are only tentative at this point. May 18th is the release date. 

I hit Cedar Street after and caught The Temper Trap. The place was mobbed as you can see from the photos. Then I bumped into the awesome guys from Local Natives. Please check out their debut record Gorilla Manor on French Kiss records. Other bands of note that you need to check out: Miike Snow, Bear in Heaven, The Middle East and Free Energy. 

From there I jet to pick up my Muse pass at another bar. I was told to look for the booth under the “Rye Bread” sign. The other night I had to say I was Robin Christmas to get into something. Secret passwords are everywhere at SX. 

My feet are killing me but I have another full day of music ahead of me. Wish me luck. 

Kat’s SXSW 2010 Photo Gallery 

10:50am – Just got off the phone with Kevin & Bean. SXSW wouldn’t be the same without a wake up call from those boys. If only they could deliver a greasy breakfast to my hotel I would be better. My voice seems to be holding up a bit better than last year. It could be the shots of whiskey and 2am street hotdog that helped.  

Last night hazy memories, like the picture of a friend wrestling a bear? I have no idea how that happened. As far as music goes, there seems to be a debate about which song Band of Horses opened with last night. It’s amazing what you can convince yourself of after a few drinks amongst the chaos. Anyway, it really doesn’t matter because the set was a beauty. I really enjoyed the moody groove of The XX and you will get to experience them at Coachella. I’m glad I hoofed it 8 blocks to see Boxer Rebellion. So far I haven’t seen any band disasters yet which is odd. With this many bands playing in so many weird spaces i.e. houses parties, alleyways, rooftops things always break down but so far so good.  

Today, I’m seeing The Temper Trap at the Filter Party. Then it’s Miike Snow, Sharon Jones and HOLE at the Spin party around 3pm-ish. Food. Muse is playing tonight at Stubbs but I’m not sure if I am going yet. I love them but this festival is about seeing bands you haven’t seen before or might not get to for a while so we’ll see. The Japanese girls from Chatmonchy invited me to their showcase at Japanese night so I might do that. I will keep you posted.  

A side note and thank you to a few folks. First thanks to Lightning and Alex Rauch for posting my crazy words, pictures etc. at kroq.com and also thanks to everyone who has put me on the list, given me a wristband and snuck me in a door to catch the hot show.  

3/18/2010   

Here’s what I saw. HFS what an exhausting night of running my ass off. Saw great bands, got a girl japanes band (Chatmonchy) in to The XX with Ken from The Bronx. They didn’t speak english so ordering drinks was crazy but they wanted to see The XX. Band of Horses almost made me cry. The opened with “Funeral” and I was a gonner. Crazy street performers. Boxer Rebellion was a nice surprise. Love them. Our KROQ and The Roxy showcase was amazing. Bought a hotdog from a dude with a cookie tray and a lighter around 3am. Schmoozed with bands, managers, fans etc until my face fell off. Nearly got into a fight with douche bags from NYC about baseball. Yankees suck. Many shots. Many laughs.   

2:00pm – It’s been a very strange day so far. Every showcase has been off schedule for one reason or another.  That’s SX. You just have to go with the flow.  So, I left Athlete to see Carney at Justin Timberlake’s party (I know, right?) and that was late so had to leave there to meet someone for passes for a party later tonight. Ugh. Tonight should prove better. I’ve got the KROQ and The Roxy showcase in a little bit then heading to (plans could change) Boxer Rebellion, Band of Horses, The XX and whatever else happens. My head doesn’t hurt anymore.   

3/17/2010   

Started the day in a taxi en route to LAX. My taxi got hit. I tried not to think it was a bad sign but the LAX salad was terrible and it wasn’t looking good for the rest of the day. Luckily, Southwest Airlines gave us all free beer and things were right again.   

Met friends for dinner. Actually, we had to walk 100 miles through a ‘rape park’ to the Iron Works for brisket but it was good. A slice of ‘prison bread’ and a Shiner Bock topped off my good meal.   

Ended up at Stubbs.   

I scored a wristband for a the open bar. Found out Alex Chilton had died so bummed. Saw The Henry Clay People do an awesome set (see photo above). Followed by Broken Bells and Spoon! Austin’s own Spoon! Ran into so many great peeps including managers for The Temper Trap and Passion Pit.   

Hanging with The Airlines at the Driskill

The party moved to the Driskill-ground zero for me-and ran into a million more folks through the hazy fog of beer and shots. I also scored a pass to see Hole on Friday which is good because that show will be tight so every extra pass is a plus.   

The group spilled out to the only solar powered hotdog stand in Austin and we chowed down.   

It’s 1:58am. Ending the night at the only solar powered hotdog cart in Austin. It was good.
Good night. zzzzz