The usually dull rock critic panel is dubbed “The Chris and Claudia Show” after Billboard’s Chris Morris and Claudia Perry of the Houston Post (passing around a flask) rip the industry good - to uproarious laughter.Ann Richardsīuzz bands: Flat Duo Jets, Trip Shakespeare, Three on a Hill, Twang Twang Shock-a-Boom, Kennedy Rose, Sister Double Happiness, Vulgar Boatmen, Pariah Keynote speaker: Singer Rosanne Cash, with opening remarks by Gov. Wanting nothing to do with SXSW, the band and their surly British roadies run off the SXSW volunteers and throw the rest of the bands off the bill. They have no idea that they’re supposed to play a 40-minute showcase on a bill with four other bands for almost no money.
SXSW is still fairly unknown outside indie rock circles when Flock of Seagulls starts the trend of former platinum artists trying to revive their careers at the festival.Keynote speaker: Music critic Robert Christgau, with a profanity-filled ‘invocation’ from Mojo Nixonīuzz bands: Chickasaw Mudd Puppies, Lucinda Williams, Gin Blossoms, Wednesday Week, Pato Banton, Bluerunners, Lets Active, Scruffy the Cat Ed Hall applies and is accepted the next year. First tangible sign of a backlash comes from art rock band Ed Hall, who print “SXSW SUX” T-shirts.The noise from each panel bleeds into the next room. The Crest, which is now the Radisson, turns out to be an ill-fitting concession. The convention is booked into the spanking new Waller Creek Hotel, but when the hotel goes bankrupt before opening and stalls on construction of a promised ballroom, organizers are forced to scramble.Keynote speaker: Spin editor Bob Guccione Jr.īuzz bands: Poi Dog Pondering, Kelly Willis and the Fireballs, Fleshtones, Material Issue, Gunbunnies, Jayhawks, Hundredth Monkey Everyone’s startled when a band starts playing. The first SXSW day party is a barbecue in Jean Caffeine’s back yard.(Note: Wristbands are $10, but there are only 15 participating venues.) That’s something that the first year has in common with this one. SXSW organizers can’t get the computers working at registration, so even though the turnout is moderate, waits are long.Meauxīuzz bands: Dash Rip Rock, Reivers, True Believers, Buck Pets, Wagoneers, Reverend Horton Heat