Maybe it was the bloody marys and THC drink samples, but folks were grooving at The Austin Chronicle’s ninth annual Hair of the 3-Legged Dog South by Southwest day party. We’re going to credit the music we booked, though.
On a windy Friday on the Hotel Vegas patio, four Austin acts issued sonically diverse, though equally danceable, performances. R&B songstress Grace Sorensen opened with her version of an acoustic set, intoning ultra-vibey renditions of her catalog alongside guitarist Ezra Rodriguez and keyboardist Jake Smith. In addition to latest single “Madness, Madness,” and a cover of Ashanti’s “Foolish,” the singer-songwriter previewed her debut LP, out later this year.
Up next, Víctor-Andrés Cruz and César Valencia kicked off Nemegata’s set with a resounding chant before launching into the Colombian band’s unique spin on psych rock, held down by drummer Fabián Rincón. Moog synthesizer and conga drums in tow, the trio slowed from uber-fast jam moments to provide a taste of “futuristic cumbia,” inspiring the crowd’s cool kids to loosen up and move closer to the stage in the process.
Like a Seventies Elvis, crooner Cactus Lee – aka Kevin Dehan, complete with sideburns and a tucked-in collared shirt – delivered something like country easy listening. More folksy than twangy, though still adorned with a gorgeous pedal steel courtesy of Jeremy Brandelik, the singer-songwriter managed to fit covers of Willie Nelson and Butthole Surfers into one seamless set. Selects from his latest vinyl offering, Big Red, also inspired book-kicking chillout.
Post-punks Font wrapped up with their locally renowned live energy. A favorite within the indie scene, the quintet boomed with a mix of live and electronic percussion shared between Jack Owens and Logan Wagner, and glitchy bass synth courtesy of Roman Parnell. Meanwhile, singer Thom Waddill whimpered tortured vocals, once with his shirt over his head, and busted jittery David Byrne dance moves – leaving no question as to why he fronts the band. By the time quirky set closer “Sentence I” rolled around, the patio dance floor was livelier than ever.
See photo gallery for more images from the Austin Chronicle’s Hair of the 3-Legged Dog Day Party.
This article appears in SXSW 2024 Festival Guide, Part II.