Parish
Growth Could Be Managed
RECEIVED Mon., April 28, 2014
Dear Editor,
I've lived in Austin since 1973 and have long been involved in the art and music community, so I remember the launch of South by Southwest. While I don't expect Austin to return to its Eighties' and Nineties' idyll, some growth can and should be managed. Originally, SXSW was a vehicle for unsigned bands (or bands seeking discovery or greater recognition) to showcase to industry scouts. Perhaps we could tone down the really, really big-name acts in favor of less well-known artists and re-emphasize innovation and discovery? The Film and Interactive portions both generate that kind of excitement and buzz. Why don't we save the Lady Gagas and other overexposed media stars for ACL? Or yet another festival of some kind, like Burned-Out Fest or Please Don't Move Here Festival? At some point, the creative class has to step up and insist on a viable aesthetic for these mass events. Please help.
Thanks,
I've lived in Austin since 1973 and have long been involved in the art and music community, so I remember the launch of South by Southwest. While I don't expect Austin to return to its Eighties' and Nineties' idyll, some growth can and should be managed. Originally, SXSW was a vehicle for unsigned bands (or bands seeking discovery or greater recognition) to showcase to industry scouts. Perhaps we could tone down the really, really big-name acts in favor of less well-known artists and re-emphasize innovation and discovery? The Film and Interactive portions both generate that kind of excitement and buzz. Why don't we save the Lady Gagas and other overexposed media stars for ACL? Or yet another festival of some kind, like Burned-Out Fest or Please Don't Move Here Festival? At some point, the creative class has to step up and insist on a viable aesthetic for these mass events. Please help.
Thanks,
Evelyn Porter
