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Life & Arts

SXSW ready to roll with slew of concerts

Local music scene geared up for break with solid lineup

by DUSTI RHODES
The Daily Cougar

Those looking to get a break from anything but music this Spring Break are in luck -- one of the largest musical festivals is only a three-hour drive, and many of the acts performing there are coming to Houston as well.

Austin is not called the live music capital for nothing. Besides boasting the most music venues per capita, it also plays host every year to South by Southwest, one of the most prominent music conferences in the world. For industry executives, this means rubbing elbows with competitors and future stars, but for music fans, it means four days and nights of concerts featuring notable and rising stars.

Houston artists will be at SXSW representing, especially when it comes to hip-hop. This year, as part of the conference portion of SXSW, there will be a panel discussion titled "Diamonds in the South: Houston Hip-hop Breaks Out." 

All week artists like DJ Chill, Chamillionaire, Ceeplus and the House of Bad Knives, Devin the Dude and Gritboys will be playing all around Austin. A local hip-hop crew, HoustonSoReal, will be sponsoring a concert every night at the Backroom, 2015 E. Riverside Drive.

Don't forget to be on the look-out for rock and jazz acts such as Drop Trio, God's Temple of Family Deliverance and By the End of Tonight to take to Austin venue stages. 

SXSW will bring an army of musicians to the capital in order to satisfy every music lover's taste. Check out the organization's Web site at www.sxsw.com for more information and a complete lineup of the week's events.

SXSW wristbands, the cheapest ticket for music fans, are sold out, but no worries; most of the bands play free shows during the daytime. So grab sleep all night and party for free all day if you plan on heading to Austin.

Although some of the acts are coming to Houston as well, it would be impossible for all of them. So you better get to Austin if you want to see shows like New Pornographers, Belle and Sebastian, Devin the Dude, Nada Surf, Blackalicious, Saves the Day, Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, Burning Brides, Erase Errata, Jean Grae, Echo and the Bunnymen and Animal Collective.

Those who plan on staying in Houston can still catch the SXSW runoff starting as early as tonight.

OK GO will perform tonight at the Meridian, 1503 Chartres. The band will be opening with some generic pop act, so get there early. The show starts at 5:30 p.m.

Mates of State will be at the Engine Room, 1515 Pease St., tonight and will no doubt perform songs from its new album, which will come out in late March. Those who love low-key pop rock should check out the married duo. The show starts at 8 p.m. Get there on time to see opening act Spain-Colored Orange.

Hardcore fans can check out the Dropkick Murphys with Sick of it All at Warehouse Live, 813 Emanuel St. Get more floor-punching action on Friday with Throwdown and the Black Dahlia Murder starting at 7 p.m. at the Meridian.

Punk rockers should head to Rudyard's, 2010 Waugh Drive, on Friday for local band the Poor Dumb Bastards with the Yuppie Pricks.

Friday will also be the first day of Cirque de Soleil's Delirium at the Toyota Center, which will run through Sunday.

On Saturday, Mix Master Mike (of the Beastie Boys) will play the Pink Mouse, 709 Franklin St. The show is free until 2 a.m. and is $10 after that, so try to get off work early.

The ever-popular Sublime-esque Matisyahu will play to a sold out Warehouse Live on Sunday.

During Spring Break, look for more SXSW visitors as acts like Matchbook, Silverstein and the Early November come with the Take Action Tour to Warehouse Live. The Hellacopters will come to the Meridian, as well, on Thursday. Alternative Tentacles' bands Akimbo and Ghengis Tron will stop at Walter's on Washington, 4215 Washington Ave.

Walter's will play host to some of the best bands to detour to Houston including The Reputation on March 17, The Velvet Teen on March 18 and a must-see performance by Ted Leo and the Pharmacists on March 19.

Indie hip-hopper Atmosphere will play the Warehouse Live on March 19 as well. So get out your calendar and start marking dates or load up the car and get to Austin.

Send comments to dcshobiz@mail.uh.edu