The inevitable corporatization of SXSW (hello, sponsor US Army) means a few things. One, if you’re there to be seen or “network,” you’ll get plenty of good merch from Doritos and Velveeta. Two, it becomes harder to seek out the actively important things at the festival, namely the bands that continued on at the event and protested the Army’s involvement with the event on stage. The bands who decided to eschew the entire event altogether should be admired, and the bands who performed—using their platform to promote their values—should be, too. With this hanging over the head of the entire festival, it was more crucial than ever to find community at well-curated, thoughtful showcases, to seek out the labels, bands, and fans who were there to celebrate in the joy of really good music. In addition to our beloved FLOODfest, obviously, we found such causes all over.
The City Slang showcase at Elysium featured sets from artists including Softee, Razor Braids, Sinkane, and Faux Real. The label partnered with the crucially important Shout Your Abortion foundation for the event. While Faux Real was decidedly one of the breakthrough acts of the festival thanks to their rambunctious live show and evolution of wearing shirts to…not wearing shirts during their set, Sinkane reminded the audience why he was an essential member of Yeasayer’s peak and a phenomenal solo act in his own right.
Elsewhere, the living King of Funk (officially, perhaps) Bootsy Collins and Zapp brought their show to the park adjacent to Ladybird Lake. Despite sound issues, the P-Funk legend powered his band through a number of songs and entertained the crowd based purely on the fact that he’s one of the coolest dudes in the history of music. It worked. The show was in support of Bootsy’s Funk Not Fight initiative, “an artist-driven campaign spreading hope with the power of music.” Partial proceeds raised go to helping with unrest and divides in communities across the country.
We also caught the always-awesome Shannon and the Clams at Wizard Rodeo’s People Are Beautiful party at The White Horse, which remains the last untouched gem in Austin—even if the venue convinces bachelor parties it’s OK to wear a cowboy hat if you were in a frat on the Eastern seaboard (note: it’s not).
The Winspear label showcase day party with POND Creative and marg.mp3 was another highlight held at Cheer Up Charlies. The stacked lineup was highlighted by FLOOD favorite Friko. Other standout showcases included the Father/Daughter x Luna Collective showcase at Bethell Hall and the Stereogum x Topshelf Records party at Cheer Up Charlies.
Check out selects from these events, plus a few other highlights, courtesy of photographer Eleanor Petry below. We’ll see you for FLOODfest 2025.
Softee at City Slang Showcase at Elysium
Softee at City Slang Showcase at Elysium
Softee at City Slang Showcase at Elysium
Razor Braids at City Slang Showcase at Elysium
Razor Braids at City Slang Showcase at Elysium
Razor Braids at City Slang Showcase at Elysium
Razor Braids at City Slang Showcase at Elysium
Razor Braids at City Slang Showcase at Elysium
Sinkane at City Slang Showcase at Elysium
at City Slang Showcase at Elysium
Shout Your Abortion at City Slang Showcase at Elysium
Faux Real at City Slang Showcase at Elysium
Faux Real at City Slang Showcase at Elysium
Faux Real at City Slang Showcase at Elysium
Faux Real
City Slang Showcase at Elysium
Faux Real
cumgirl8
Bootsy Collins at Funk Not Fight at Lady Bird Lake
Bootsy Collins at Funk Not Fight at Lady Bird Lake
Zapp
Zapp at Funk Not Fight at Lady Bird Lake
Bootsy Collins
Patti Collins at Funk Not Fight
Sinkane
SATAC at The White Horse
Shannon and the Clams at The White Horse
Shannon and the Clams at The White Horseshowcase at Bethell Hall
Cody Blanchard of Shannon and the Clams at The White Horse
May Rio at Baby’s All Right x Perfectly Imperfect Showcase at Creek and the Cave
Rocket at Baby’s All Right x Perfectly Imperfect Showcase at Creek and the Cave
Shout Your Abortion at Windspear, POND Creative & marg.mp3 at Cheer Up Charlie’s
Friko at Windspear, POND Creative & marg.mp3 at Cheer Up Charlie’s
Shout Your Abortion at Windspear, POND Creative & marg.mp3 at Cheer Up Charlie’s
Asha Jefferies at Father/Daughter x Luna Collective showcase at Bethell Hall
Asha Jefferies at Father/Daughter x Luna Collective showcase at Bethell Hall
Mui Zyu at Father/Daughter x Luna Collective showcase at Bethell Hall
Wishy at Stereogum x Topshelf Records party at Cheer Up Charlie’s
