Tom Morello at SXSW 2007 - more photos... photo by clint gilders - staff photographer |
The answer is it's never too early to talk about SXSW, and with March right around the corner the news will start to come fast and furious. Aside from Moby and Daryl Hall only a few other artists have been announced so far, like Rapper TECH N9NE and London based Avant-Dubbists Dokkebi Q. Other than that the folks at SXSW have been pretty tight lipped, and though I have heard no rumors as yet I will be happy to start a few, or maybe re-kindle some old ones.
Jeff's SXSW 2008 Rumors and Speculation
Morrissey is playing/Morrissey isn't playing/Morrissey is god, take your pick. Your probably 50/50 on this one as the morose meatless musician seems to play here a lot, and has played SXSW more than once in the past.
Any band with the word "Black" in their name has a 20% shot just based on percentages. Score an extra 30% if they have played SXSW in the past and an extra 10% if one of the band members has a hair color not found in nature.
The Zico Chain, probably not. Though I wish they were coming, they did the last 2 SXSW's in a row and to ask lightning to strike a third time so soon is probably pushing it. If they do show up I will be there.
Rage Against The Machine. If I were a betting man, and sometimes I am, I would say chances are good that Rage will play SXSW 2008. Tom Morello played SXSW last year and that was the rumor then, Now with a few more festivals under their belt the reformed Rage is ripe for the picking.
Slayer/Metallica, both probably not. Austin is not known for it's depth in the metal culture, nor is SXSW known for attracting a metal crowd. Slayer won't be touring til fall anyway and I just don't see Metallica on the bill.
The Toadies I would bet will either do an official SXSW showcase or do their own show at one of the premier venues just prior. Either at Stubb's of the Austin Music Hall. Since their 2 sold out nights before SXSW at Stubb's last year they have booked a few more shows and word on the street is that there may be some new Toadies material in the pipeline.
I suspect Blind Melon will showcase. With Travis Warren taking over the reigns from the late Shannon Hoon in 2006, these guys have been polishing themselves up for the road. They are already booked into one festival in early March, it would be great to see them here as well.
Wilco MIGHT, MIGHT show up and showcase. They will be touring around then and have a week downtime before starting an Australian tour.
Led Zeppelin/The Police/Van Halen - keep dreaming. Unless they hold it in Zilker Park we don't have a venue that will hold the crowd they would draw, and the price on the wristbands would need a substantial increase just to cover the parking fee's for all the tour buses. While I would love to be wrong, I just don't see it happening.
Something with Les Claypool. Could be Primus, could be his Fancy Band, could be something we have never heard of yet. I just have a feeling.
Amy Winehouse? I'm takin odds that they will never let her in the country again, much less issue her a work visa.
Now for some Austin music news that's NOT speculation.
For all of you coming in early for SXSW Interactive, Canada's Protest the Hero will be playing at Emo's on Saturday March 8th. It's not a SXSW showcase but will be a good way to take a break from all the interactive activities.
Here are a few more picks of some of the bigger named road shows coming to Austin in 08.
Thu 01/10/08 George Strait Frank Erwin Center
Thu 01/10/08 Little Big Town Frank Erwin Center
Tue 01/15/08 As I Lay Dying La Zona Rosa
Sun 01/27/08 Robin Trower La Zona Rosa
Thu 01/31/08 The Bangles La Zona Rosa
Fri 02/01/08 Flogging Molly Stubb's Bar-B-Q
Mon 02/04/08 Go-Go's TBA
Thu 02/14/08 Sherwood Emo's
Wed 02/20/08 L.A. Guns Rock City Icehouse
Fri 02/22/08 Cobra Starship Emo's
Fri 02/29/08 Flatliners Stubb's Bar-B-Q
Fri 02/29/08 NOFX Stubb's Bar-B-Q
Fri 02/29/08 No Use For A Name Stubb's Bar-B-Q
Tue 03/04/08 Pat Metheny Paramount Theatre
Sat 03/08/08 Protest The Hero Emo's
Sat 03/08/08 The Devil Wears Prada Emo's
Mon 03/17/08 Acid Mother's Temple Emo's
Fri 03/21/08 The Moody Blues Austin Music Hall
Sun 04/06/08 B.B. King Austin Music Hall
Tue 04/15/08 Ministry La Zona Rosa
Sat 05/17/08 Reverend Horton Heat Stubb's Bar-B-Q
Sun 06/08/08 The Cure Austin Music Hall