Day Three

 

Up early and at the Austin Convention Center by 10 am; I'm on my way to beat the crowd and get a decent seat for the SXSW Keynote Address with Detroit’s own treasure, Smokey Robinson (read the full story, click on image below). A Prelude to the Keynote is a live performance by talented jazz vocalist and Austin resident Kat Edmonson (see photo above). The room fills to capacity as the hour grows near for the start of the keynote address by Smokey. My pride swells as a Detroiter, knowing that our Smokey has packed the house, brimming with music followers from all over the world. Smokey Robinson is the biggest name in the city of Austin, during SXSW. Mr. Bing, all this from 1,164 miles away!
 

 

Smokey Robinson
Smokey Keys Up the SXSW Music and Media Conference 


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12:00 PM

Okay, after Smokey’s inspirational talk, its back outside for more of Austin. My next stop is across Lady Bird Lake to South Congress. It is not an easy walk so I look for a cab and remember only the “Yellow” ones are real cabs. I do not use a cab; I board The Land Yacht, Austin’s Only Rock ‘n Roll Party Cab. This full sized van features bright lights, thumping sounds and 4 monitors to view your choice of 15,000 music videos available on demand. More music, what are the odds? 

We cross Lady Bird Lake via the Congress Avenue Bridge. The Congress Avenue Bridge is home for 1.5 million Mexican Free-Tail Bats that fill the skies of Austin at dusk, April to October.

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South Congress is the trendy, revitalized neighborhood with a great view of the Downtown Austin Skyline and a hip new name, “SoCo.” If you are searching for an afternoon in the park, then follow the Town Lake Hike and Bike Trail to relax in Zilker Park or hang out at the Auditorium Shores Stage for more SXSW music. Along the way, you will come to the statue of Austin guitar legend, Stevie Ray Vaughan. Statues of music legends, Mr. Bing?

 

Tired of all the walking? Spend some time shopping in the boutiques that line South Congress. Hungry? Eat at Jo’s. Finally, my first breakfast taco of the expedition and its for lunch. Jo’s is not an ordinary outdoor taco stand, during SXSW you can hear free live music at their own music festival stage, “South By San Jose”.

 

2:00 PM

The landmark resident of South Congress since 1955 is The Continental Club (learn more, click on image below). Flanked by two Model A Ford’s, the Continental is already rocking on a Thursday afternoon. Its time to meet another friend from Austin.

 

The Continental Club
Austin's Landmark Cornerstone of the South Congress District


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5:00 PM

It is late afternoon, and one more person to meet up with on my list. Back across Town Lake, I ask is it Town Lake or Lady Bird Lake? Is it a lake or is it a river? Who cares I’m off to Antone’s (learn more, click on image below), the place that started it all on Sixth Street back in 1975.

 

Antones
Austin's Home of the Blues 

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8:30 pm

 

Already a days worth of music and ready for more, I head back down to the South West corner of Downtown Austin. John Hiatt kicks off the evening at La Zona Rosa, followed by The 88. The rest of the evening at La Zona Rosa belongs to Ray Davies and Roky Erickson, but I head across the street for a slight change of pace.

 

 

10:30 pm 
 

Back at the Austin Music Hall, I cruise past the line flashing my SXXpress Pass. The South-By-Express Pass provides front of the line access for a show of your choice, and can only be obtained at the convention center. My pick of the night, the rehabilitated Stone Temple Pilots.

 

Smart move, it is a full house, and there is a definite buzz in the air. Stone Temple Pilots are at SXSW to kick off the first show of a short 2010 tour, and promote their new self-titled album due out May 25th.

 

The Stone Temple Pilots plow through STP hits “Wicked Garden” and “Vasoline”, sounding clean and crisp. Scott Weiland looks healthy, opening with sunglasses on, dressed up in a light grey shirt, pant and vest combo with black tie. Psychedelia, and cinematic sequences on the big screen behind the band, while canon sized search lights fill the gaps of space in the Music Hall.

 

STP travels through some not-so familiar songs like “ Hollywood Bitch” on their way to introduce the first new song of the night, “Between the Lines.” The song has that classic STP sound, and the best of their new stuff, interlaced with “Big Empty” and “Creep”.

 

The Stone Temple Pilots seem to be sober and appreciative of the SXSW greeting. Scott Weiland loosens his tie and loses the vest for the final onslaught, with solid performances on “Plush”, “Interstate Love Song” and “Sex Type Thing”. The show ends in Austin fashion, with Robbie Krieger of the Doors jumping on stage for an extended version of “Roadhouse Blues. “

 

You could stop the night there, but instead I move on a tip not to miss the Courtyard Hounds. I grab a Pedi-cab over to Antone’s for some fantastic Americana Music. The Courtyard Hounds are two-thirds of Austin’s Dixie Chicks, Emily Robinson and Martie Maguire. Made it inside and through the sardine packed crowd at Antone’s in time to catch Jakob Dylan join the Hounds on stage for a cover of Rod Stewart’s, ‘You Wear It Well.” The Courtyard Hounds drop their new self-titled album May 4th.

 

12:00 am  

 

Onward to discover some fresh, up and coming acts I set sail for Maggie Mae’s on Sixth Street (why is Rod Stewart in my head). Maggies Maes is an outgrowth of several buildings, and features a roof top view of the action on Sixth Street. Inside the main room, Jonathan Tyler and the Northern Light. Any fan of Kid Rock, Lynyrd Skynyrd or the Allman Brothers would love this group. Young versions of seventies southern rock ‘n roll with long hair, mug chops, soulful backup singer, tremendous power and lots of guitar. This band from Dallas is good, good, good. They are partnering up with Kid Rock and a boat load of talent on the “Chillin’ the Most Cruise”, April 29th through May 3rd (learn more, click on bottle cap).

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1:00am

 

A little further down Sixth to the Red River corridor of music venues, I head to Emo’s tent. Inside is White Denim, Austin’s cerebral, DIY, garage rock trio. Big guitars, thunderous bass and wild screaming solos remind me of a 21st century Who.

 

2:00 am

 

The walk back to the hotel takes me past many club favorites, Red Eyed Fly, Mooseknuckle, Jackalope, The Thirsty Nickel and oh there’s Hoek’s. Sorry, gotta go. Need my late night snack, “Death Metal Pizza.” Must keep up my strength; three more days of SXSW to go and so many clubs, so many bands, so many breakfast tacos!

 

  

 



































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Although SXSW is the best time to come to Austin, it certainly is not the only time you can enjoy great music and fun. There is a reason they have called themselves the “Live Music Capital of the World.”  

The next great opportunity to spend some time in Austin is just around the corner. The Austin City Limits Music Festival is October 8 - 10, 2010. There are still VIP & Travel Packages available. Single day tickets go on sale May 18th. Don't wait, 3 day passes are already sold out. http://aclfestival.com

Relive the memories of our trip to Austin together. Click the following links . . . . . .  



DAY 1      DAY 2 

Overnight Accommodations
Courtesy of the Austin Convention & Visitor's Bureau

 

1.       Kimber Modern

This European-style bed-and-breakfast features seven modern guestrooms located just off South Congress Avenue, within walking distance of eclectic dining, vintage shopping and live music. Urban design, natural light and do-it-yourself amenities cater to urban travelers, who enjoy everything from keyless entry to wireless internet and iPod docks in each room. www.kimbermodern.com

2.       Driskill Hotel

The elegant Driskill Hotel, a historic downtown property, was restored to its original grandeur after a four-year, top-to-bottom renovation.  Built in 1886, the Driskill has 189 guestrooms—no two of which are alike—and 18,000 square feet of meeting and event space. www.driskillhotel.com

3.       Radisson Hotel & Suites Austin – Town Lake

The Radisson offers upscale accommodations in a lakeside setting and in the heart of downtown Austin. The property is within walking distance of the Austin Convention Center, the downtown Austin business district, and multiple entertainment districts including Sixth Street, the Warehouse District and 2^nd Street District. www.radisson.com/austintx

4.       Aloft Austin at The Domain

Located next door to the upscale shopping complex, The Domain, Aloft offers 140 guestrooms and more than 1,500 square feet of meeting space. The hip guestrooms are designed with high ceilings, free Wi-Fi, 42” high-definition plasma televisions, iPod docks and more. www.aloftaustin.com

5.       Hilton Austin

Austin’s Convention Center headquarters hotel, the Hilton Austin offers expansive meeting space, deluxe guestrooms and fine dining.  It is also a short walking distance from the Sixth Street entertainment district and the State Capitol. One of Hilton’s busiest properties, it is consistently bustling with meetings and conventions. www.austin.hilton.com 


Liner notes: Special thanks to Beth Krauss, Rose Reyes and Mallory Bellacosa, from the Austin Convention & Visitor's Bureau, for all their great help in making this story happen.