SXSW Music News: Father John Misty, Jenny Lewis, and Toro y Moi Give Way to Music Week
By Rachel Rascoe, March 13, 2019, 1:35pm, Earache!
Two days in officially, SXSW Music already racked up an array of appearances from high-caliber talent.
During the Interactive weekend, Chvrches played Antone's for Capital One, Toro y Moi hit up Facebook Art Live at Native Hostel, and independent of the festival altogether, newly christened Grammy queen and proud Texan Kacey Musgraves sold out two weekend shows at Stubb’s. Netflix’s Highwaymen House brought in nightly surprises to promote a new Western flick. Father John Misty launched Friday, Jenny Lewis on Monday, and yesterday Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats closed out the popup at Banger’s Basement.
Last night on the old Emo’s main stage where Johnny Cash once broke out SXSW to a global audience – and now branded the the Main and Main II for the annual March madness – SXSW Music launched with its official opening night party repped by comers like D.C. “sugar trap” rapper Rico Nasty, Japanese punk shrieks Otoboke Beaver, and Congolese electro-junk group Kokoko! NPR Music’s first-ever TIny Desk Family Hour drew huge lines at Central Presbyterian, with Wyclef Jean’s improvisations making the biggest splash.
At the Convention Center, Brandi Carlile and A$AP Rocky offered headlining Speaker Sessions to start the week, and David Byrne visits today with his uplifting multimedia project, Reasons To Be Cheerful. De La Soul plays the StubHub Sound Stage at Banger’s this evening. Witty Chicago MC Open Mike Eagle, Austin’s new ATO signees Black Pumas, and bandana-wearing soul-bearer Leikeli47 open the Rainey St. show.
Annual hype convergence Fader Fort announced its full roster yesterday, topped by recent Super Bowl performer Big Boi. Kicking off this afternoon, the three-day event starts with Father/Daughter pop-maker Sir Babygirl, Philly indie forerunner Japanese Breakfast, and fast-paced Atlanta voice Yung Baby Tate. If you didn’t get an invite, there’s plenty of free offerings for Wednesday.
May I suggest day two of Stereogum’s Range Life at Cheer Up Charlies, inviting oddball singer-songwriter Sidney Gish and buzzed-about Dublin punk act Fontaines D.C. BMI partners with Yeti for a public showcase at the local brand’s South Congress flagship. Nashville alt-rocker Katie Schecter precedes soulful local closeouts Jackie Venson and Tomar & the FCs.
Chronicle Music muckraker Kevin Curtin caught Fontaines D.C.’s first SXSW showcase last night at the British Music Embassy. Read his “Too Real” recap here.
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