Highlights of the week from Austin's SXSW
South by Southwest, known as "hipster spring break," is in full swing in Austin, Texas, with nearly 12,000 music fans taking in hundreds of concerts and events happening around the city. Here are a few choice highlights from this week.
R.E.M.'s Michel Stipe presented nine of the 12 music videos created for the songs from R.E.M.'s new album, Collapse Into Now, on Wednesday night, March 16. The clips include Dominic DeJoseph's treatment of "Mine Smell Like Honey" and Sam Taylor Wood's "Uberlin," featuring actor Aaron Johnson dancing through city streets. Also included were Sophie Calle's "Walk It Back," shot entirely with an iPhone and featuring an extended sequence of a horse urinating. For "Alligator Aviator Autopilot Antimatter," directed by Lance Bangs, Stipe and guest vocalist Peaches wear wacky costumes in Berlin's subway system.
Queens of the Stone Age, the band's first US gig in three years, pleased a diehard crowd on March 16 by playing a set comprised almost entirely of their self-titled debut album, played in sequence from beginning to end.
Former White Stripes member Jack White played a surprise two-song set at the launch of his Third Man Rolling Record Store, a big yellow truck that was set up in the corner of a parking lot. The mobile store carries all sorts of limited-edition Third Man (White's label) vinyl releases, as well as exclusive Third Man Rolling Record Store T-shirts, goodies, tote bags, and other swag items, and is set to hit other US music festivals this spring and summer.
Duran Duran took the stage at Austin's Stubb's Bar-B-Q on March 16 to kick off a world tour in support of its new album, All You Need Is Now. The band also played at a late-night party on Thursday hosted by Austin's C3 promotions firm.
The Strokes played a free show on March 17 at Austin's Auditorium Shores as a fireworks display served as a backdrop. The band previewed songs from its upcoming comeback album Angles, due out March 22, as well as played their standard hits, such as "Hard to Explain" and "Someday."
On Tuesday, the Foo Fighters' full-length documentary, titled Foo Fighters: Back and Forth and directed by James Moll, premiered, with the band playing a surprise concert at Stubb's.
Kanye West finally confirmed on March 14 via a cryptic viral video message that he will play a midnight set at the Vevo Power Station on Saturday, March 19. No other details about the show have been released but rumors are swirling that major guest performers will likely turn up. His recent one-off show at Manhattan Bowery Ballroom featured Nicki Minaj, Bon Iver, John Legend, Pusha T, and Swizz Beatz.
The 25th SXSW Festival & Conference runs March 11-20 in Austin, Texas, with its music section running March 15-20. By day there are panels on a range of topics and special speakers. At night, the extravaganza features 2,000 bands from around the world performing at venues across the city.
Watch Kayne West's video announcing his SXSW gig: http://vodpod.com/watch/5763481-kanye-west-confirmed-to-perform-at-sxsw-video
