Okayplayer's Top 13 SXSW 2013 Showcases + Events
As the behemoth music/industry festival known as South by Southwest sets its sights on the city of Austin, Texas for the next two weeks, prepare for your favorite music sites and social media timelines to be flooded with news of the takeover. Not ones to stay home from the online party, we here at Okayplayer are throwing our proverbial hat in the ring just like last year to bring you our Top 13 SXSW Showcases & Eventsfor 2013 (get it?) to check out if you're lucky enough to face the monster in real life - sort of like a baker's dozen of awesomeness. Things officially got into full swing a few days ago, but the music portion of the festival doesn't begin until tomorrow, meaning you still have a few days to get your ish together and make a plan of action to conquer this beast. Posted in rough chronological order, consider this guide as one of your necessary survival tools over the next week of shenanigans. Let's get started, and may the force be with you, friends.
Tuesday, 3.12 6pm: Detroit representative House Shoes joins NYC partyman Nick Hook and a slew of other DJs in this showcase presented by the Surefire Agency. In addition to 'Shoes rocking a full hour-and-a-half long set, the diverse line-up of selectors ensures a showcase of major brainmelting proportions. Even better, this event is being offered as free to the public, meaning you can bring the Austin-native shorty you met at the bar last night. More information here.
Wednesday, 3.13 12-6pm: The squad at Stonesthrow Records is hella smart - instead of putting together a showcase during the same late-night hours of everyone-and-their-mother's parties, they put together an indoor/outdoor daytime jam called "Hella National" to give you a rest from the smothering Texas heat you'd be otherwise "enjoying." Karriem Riggins, J Rocc, Homeboy Sandman,and headmaster Peanut Butter Wolf join Toro y Moi for DJ sets and performances. RSVP here.
Wednesday, 3.13 8pm: This one is a doozy, y'all. The mysterious Captain Murphy (but we're sure you already know what his deal is) leads his Brainfeeder massive for a showcase featuring The Gaslamp Killer, The Underachievers, Azizi Gibson, andspecial guests. And judging by the fact that the Captain and his well-known alter ego have brought out the likes of The Weeknd and tennis superstar Venus Williams to attend previous gigs, we're not even sure what to expect - except that it will be dope. RSVP and get more details here.
Wednesday, 3.13 6:30pm & 8pm: Okayfuture is bringing you a double feature of events from, well, the future - first at 6:30pm is the premiere of "All Ears", a documentary profiling the California beat making scene, including the likes of Flying Lotus, Ras G, House Shoes and more (open bar son!). Following the screening, head over to the Exploded Drawingparty hosted by Pugilista, IN(SECT) Records & Okayfuture, also celebrating the launch of our electronic channel. RSVP for both events to receive the secret location.
Thursday, 3.14 8pm: In anticipation of the forthcoming 12 Reasons To Die collaboration between Ghostface Killah and Adrian Younge, and in general celebration of amazing music, Soul Temple Records presents a showcase featuring the two artists as headliners. But the fun doesn't begin there; opening acts include Elzhi, fellow Wu TangClan-mate U-GOD and DJ/raptress JasmineSolano, among others. More event information here.
Thursday, 3.14 8pm: Another showcase that promises to draw the big focus of much festival coverage - MTN Dew's Green Label Sound House will feature young gunna Joey Bada$$ & his Pro-Era homies, a set by DJ Premier, and Earl Sweatshirt w/ Captain Murphy. Fully loaded is an understatement. Peep the flyer above for info, or take a look here.
Thursday, 3.14 9pm: Although not slated to perform together (makes us wonder what that might even look like...), Big K.R.I.T. and Toro Y Moi both will be hitting the Dickies/Karmaloop/Filter magazine stage as a part of their hip hop and indie showcase. Lots of other interesting acts will be taking place, so be sure to check the flyer for their full lineup and find more details and RSVP here.
Thursday, 3.14 8pm: We've already hipped you to the full scenario with this event, but in case you need a brief reminder, Sharon Jones and The Dap-Kings will be joined by bluesman Charles Bradley as a part of Daptone Records' Super Soul Revue Showcase. If all the hardcore hip hopping of SXSW gets you feeling a little worse for the wear, replenish your soul with some of that good ol' blues before heading into the festival's final weekend. Full details are in the flyer above as well as on the event page.
Friday, 3.14 12:00PM noon Homegrown Texas party monsters Top Notch are pairing up with Okayfuture to celebrate the launch of the website with a slew of amazing DJs - Booty Fade, Nick Hook, Terry Urban, Deejay Theory and more will be in attendance to get your daytime energies high before heading into the chaos that is SXSW at night. RSVP here.
Friday, 3.15 7pm: There's not a lot to be said about this event, so I'm just gonna stick to the raw details and let you geek out for yourself. Mass Appeal Magazine and Pharrell's IceCream imprint are celebrating the release of the magazine's return to print with Issue 52 and a showcase boasting the following artists: Kendrick Lamar, Raekwon, Pusha T, Danny Brown, Bun B, Roc Marciano, Alexander Spit, A$AP Ferg, Harry Fraud, and surprise guests. Need we say more? Didn't think so. RSVP here.
Saturday, 3.16 12:00 midnight - 6:00AM (Friday night): Obviously, no one goes to SXSW to sleep. So while you're looking for a way to party in between parties, Okayfuture has you covered. In collaboration with Fade to Mind and Night Slugz, this afterhours party will feature back-to-back sets from both rosters, including Bok Bok, Kingdom, NGUZUNGUZU, and other trailblazers on the electronic scene. RSVP here and don't sleep (literally).
Saturday, 3.16 8pm: Duck Down Records is doing a lot for their SXSW showcase - and we mean that in a good way. Headliner Talib Kweli will performed backed by a live band, but not before Black Moon,Roc Marciano, Statik Selektah, Cory Mo, Meyhem Lauren and Torae make their rounds. No RSVP required.
Saturday, 3.16 (time unconfirmed): Prince. With a 22-piece band. That is all. Here's the info as it's been released so far.
Well, that's about all the heavy lifting we could do for you - the rest is up to you. But just in case you're not already completely overwhelmed, here are a few honorable mentions worthy of some shine, in case you need options.
Saturday, 3.16: In case you were silly enough to miss Mass Appeal's insane party the previous night -or in the greater likelihood that homie was so amazing you just had to see him again - Kendrick Lamar headlines another party, this time performing closing duties for Noisey & Viceland. Joining him onstage will be Action Bronson, Trinidad Jame$, Black Lips, and a DJ set by Baauer. Most of these artists will be at other showcases in the city, but it's a great chance to see them all together on one stage. RSVP here.
Friday, 3.15 8pm: Fela Soul + Bizarre Tribe DJ/Producer Amerigo Gazaway, Chico Mann + others, info here.
Saturday, 3.16 9pm: R&B singer and Prince protegé Andy Allo + others, info here.