Les Claypool SXSW Veteran - more photos... photo by jeff barringer - staff photographer |
by jeff barringer
club kingsnake staff
Ok by now everyone knows that Lou Reed has been announced as the keynote speaker at this years SXSW, however, somewhere a rumor has surfaced that their "might" emphasize "might" be a quasi Velvet Underground reunion in the works. While it is VERY unlikely, weirder things have been happening lately, especially with all the reunion fever and the potential big paydays for those "it'll never happen in a million years" shows we saw in 2007 (Police, Led Zeppelin, Van Halen, New York Dolls). I have all my feelers out and will let the world know what develops.
In other SXSW rumor news, a very well connected birdy has given me a list of some very likely candidates to make official showcases OR very surprise appearances. His list includes the following bands...
R.E.M.
The Beastie Boys
Matisyahu
Les Claypool
The National
The Roots
STS9
The Wailers
Ozomatli
Blind Melon
Ghostland Observatory
Ani DiFranco
Since most, if not all, of these bands and artists have performed at SXSW in the past, and they have all been announced at other spring festivals, odds are high that this list is correct. Peter Buck of R.E.M. has done sets at Roky Erickson's Ice Cream Social which occurs during SXSW, including last years, and last year the rumor was that R.E.M. would make a surprise appearance. That rumor turned out to be wrong, though I don't think anyone was disappointed when Spoon played instead.
Les Claypool is a SXSW veteran and I would be surprised if he didn't play in some format. He was already on my rumor list, so consider this a double confirmation. Blind Melon was also on my list. The Beastie Boys did a surprise set at SXSW 06 and pal Matisyahu has a history at SXSW as well.
Keep those rumors and tips coming in!