Austin Music Source

By John

February 25, 2008 2:36 PM | Link to this

No, Roland, no — the process worked PERFECTLY. The 3,500 wristbands sold went to actual Austinites that are true music fans rather than the scalpers. The remaining wristbands will no doubt be happily snatched up by out of towners who were justifiably left out of the initial ticket lottery. Please DON’T make this a free-for-all next year with anyone from around the world eligible to enter initally, keep it for Austinites first in the spirit of fairness!

By Will

February 25, 2008 3:00 PM | Link to this

Wow, I guess the scalper issue was a bigger deal than I thought. I’m with the first poster, if everyone that wanted one got one, doesn’t that mean it worked? And hell, if you think that the SXSW guys are money grubbing bastards, even they win cause that’s 500 wristbands for which they would normally get $139 they’re getting $180. I certainly don’t understand the theory that people were scared away by high demand. If you wanted one (or two) for yourself (and a friend) and were willing to pay for it, what would be the harm in entering the drawing? It’s pretty clear how many people were flipping these things. I hate to say it, but looks like they had a really good idea this time around. I was all ready to get a bad news email and go off on the new system sucking, but I guess it worked.

By michelle

February 25, 2008 3:11 PM | Link to this

And then there were those who were dissuaded from the presale because the address on the credit card billing statement is different from the residential address. Not everybody has their billings sent to their residence.

By tt

February 25, 2008 3:26 PM | Link to this

I agree with what John said. I think the system worked great! Those who truely want to attend got a wristband and those who just wanted to make some extra cash did not.

By jeff

February 25, 2008 3:27 PM | Link to this

Please discontinue SXSW. Actual Austinites hate the sorry bands, the horrible traffic, the parking problems, the huge crowds and the mess they leave behind.

NO MORE SXSW!!

EVER…

By Scott

February 25, 2008 3:30 PM | Link to this

And then there are some people who don’t give a flip about getting a SXSW wristband. Let’s see -$140 (and now $180) for a piece of plastic that doesn’t even guarantee admission to the shows I want to see? Sounds like a good excuse to save my money.

By Bombilla

February 25, 2008 3:33 PM | Link to this

Oh…and then there are those who just don’t give a flip about attending a festival where very few Austin bands are given the opportunity to showcase their talents on their home court. SXSW is about the money, not the celebration of home grown music (which was it’s original intention).

By Brad

February 25, 2008 3:43 PM | Link to this

I like the new system. The reason wristbands did not sell out is not because the system is too hard; it was easier than the old system of standing in line. Not only does the new system eliminate scalpers, but requests for wristbands were down because: locals like myself using the old system sometimes bought wristbands for out-of-town family and friends; and locals were more easily willing to committ to buying a wristband early on knowing it could be sold to someone else if plans changed. Why would anyone want to see Tony Bennet?

By Will Kneedmore

February 25, 2008 4:12 PM | Link to this

sxsw will soon eat its self. its only a matter of time. most austinites don’t have the time, money or patience to take off a whole week to put up with this anymore.

By Mike

February 25, 2008 4:33 PM | Link to this

I agree with previous post Jeff. SXSW needs to be discontinued…

By Old Austin

February 25, 2008 4:58 PM | Link to this

Being a long-time native Austinite, I’ve learned to have a symbiotic relationship with the SXSW craziness. Yes, they drive me nuts, as they should any self-respecting native. However, I like how they stay in hotels, buy the drinks on 6th street (at way higher prices than we pay the rest of the year), and eat in our restaurants…and then go home. The money they bring in to the Austin economy is significant. Folks, appreciate them, and just stay home while they’re here.

By Simon

February 25, 2008 4:59 PM | Link to this

First my credentials: Austin resident since 1988.

Please get rid of ACL festival.. the bands suck, it’s overpriced, it ruins the park, we don’t need that shet here. SXSW is why Austin is what it is. On any given night the bars are filled with hacks and drunk music. SXSW is two weeks when quality bands come to town along with the media and music conventions.. SXSW rules.

By Sambo

February 25, 2008 5:24 PM | Link to this

South By So What! What a scam in itself. Most of the acts are not from Austin and the ones they pick are just as horrific as the ones that come to town. This whole event is nothing but a money grab - bunch of left wing liberals shoving money into their pocket. Ban SXSoWhat!

By Dave

February 25, 2008 5:30 PM | Link to this

The wristband policy this year worked perfectly. Don’t change a thing for next year.

As for those who complain about SXSW…don’t go. Treat it just as anything else you’re not interested in. Big deal.

By jeff

February 25, 2008 7:37 PM | Link to this

Dave If we could only just not go. People park in our neighborhoods, leave garbage and beer bottles in our streets. The noise (not music) is so loud that it echos down Barton Creek canyon. ACLFEST totally trashes Zilker Park and the surrounding areas between the park and downtown. This fest mess needs to go the way of Aquafest. ;)

By adam brewer

February 25, 2008 9:29 PM | Link to this

You dont need a wristband to go to the guitar hero stages at Texas Rockfest (7th and Trinity) All you need is the ability to have a good time!

By M3

February 25, 2008 9:41 PM | Link to this

Unless you’re planning on going from bar to bar to see multiple bands in a single night, why would you even want a wrist band? You can pay cover for almost anyone you want to see and there are more free shows than you’d ever be able to see. Save your money!

By Rob

February 25, 2008 10:07 PM | Link to this

Gawd, it is SO tiring to hear Austinites gripe, gripe, gripe about SXSW (which is not immune from criticism, by the way). So typical of the parochial conceits that are all to common with old time Austinites, which aren’t quite as bad as the arrogant yuppie attitudes of many who have moved here in the last decade or so (hence my parochial conceit after moving here 18-plus years ago; not immune here from hypocrisy, but at least I know it).

Anyone with just a bit of motivation can hear all kinds of cool bands for free by just wandering South Congress or a few other “hip” shopping strips any afternoon during SXSW. Or wander downtown at night and dig all the energy and maybe even find a SXSW showcase venue where they can get in for a cover charge. And then there’s the free shows SXSW puts on every year.

All you whiny people need to grow up and realize that SXSW brings millions into our economy and has upped this city’s stature in the music world immeasurably. And I wonder how many of you kvetching here about how few Austin bands are on the SXSW list actually go see them the rest of the year.

By jlm

February 25, 2008 10:39 PM | Link to this

Why can’t we all just get along?

Sure SXLouisBlack is a low rent bunch of no name bands and sure it’s the most disorganized thing in the City and sure King Louis is not gonna let you have an “unofficial” party (cause he’s really, really, really concerned about SAFETY, LOL) and sure it’s just a big scam for some old pot heads but why, why, why can’t we all just get along?

Dump SXNowhere!

By a

February 25, 2008 11:20 PM | Link to this

Whining on the internet, who would’ve thought it…

If you don’t like SXSW, save your money and don’t go. If the tourists bug you that much, leave town. It’s not like the visitors are banging down your door or walking into your house… live and let live. Sheesh.

By huh?

February 26, 2008 12:11 AM | Link to this

Why would anyone even want to buy a wristband? A huge waste of money when you can go to a lot of the parties for free and still see a huge number of the bands. It is so easy to skirt the whole conference and attend at least 50% of it.

By itball

February 26, 2008 7:24 AM | Link to this

To all the people that hate the crowds, the bands, the wristbands, the price, the concept, the organizers blah blah blah - don’t go, be happy. And let the rest of us who love to see a ton of new bands from all over the world - and speak to many of them about their experiences and lives - be happy too.

Sure the show has changed over time just like everything else in the world but it is healthier than ever and the envy of many other music cities. The organizers put a ton of work into a quality event that people are willing to pay to attend so if they make money then it’s deserved. It’s not a “money grab” it’s called a “business” - welcome to America. I think the $140 is a steal myself.

By dtc

February 26, 2008 10:17 AM | Link to this

uhh, apparently not everyone. i never got the email saying that i received a wristband.

By Tim

February 26, 2008 12:52 PM | Link to this

I like the new way of distributing wristbands that eliminates scalpers. Out of towners will get their shot to buy them at the convention center when they arrive in town. If you check out Craigslist, you’ll notice that no one is selling wristbands—this policy has eliminated the secondary market. And the organizers responded to criticisms that the price was too high by reducing the price for the lottery. Any commentary just dissing SXSW and not related to the wristband lottery is just the same old gripes we’ve been hearing for the last 20 years. We get it—you don’t like SXSW. If you avoid downtown, you won’t even notice it. There’s always the rodeo for alternative entertainment.

By JL

February 26, 2008 2:32 PM | Link to this

I was successful in securing 2 wristbands. I only needed 1 for a friend who is visiting from England. So I had to get one for myself since I’m the Austin resident. Or was there an option to enter my friend’s name without having to buy one for myself ?

By Greg

February 26, 2008 2:43 PM | Link to this

I don’t agree with the person earlier who said most Austinites don’t have the time, money, or patience for sxsw. I have lived here a long time and my friends and I do this every, and always have an incredible time.

By uselessgoo

February 26, 2008 5:19 PM | Link to this

long live the day parties and getting off of work. god i love the music business!

By non-sxsw goer

February 26, 2008 9:57 PM | Link to this

Oh, please, people. If you don’t like SXSW, don’t go. For one week, you can’t bear to stay away from an overcrowded 6th St.? This music event is one of the things that puts Austin on the map. It brings in lots of money to the economy. Whining about it is just selfish and immature,imo. I don’t go to it; I’m not interested. But I think it’s great for Austin. And I somehow manage to stay away from the restaurants on S. Congress and the downtown area while it’s going on.

By Cindy

February 27, 2008 12:18 PM | Link to this

I have worked on Congress Ave for over 10 years, and I have no choice but to deal with the crowds - it is painstaking to even get out of my building from the 4th street parking garage when it’s in full swing! But, I have seen some amazing music over the past 10+ years! I have met great people from all over the world that all share the same love: Music (and, Film too!). I think the people that whine should just stay home!! It brings millions to the economy and our local bands can get more exposure than they do during the rest of the year! I worked on 6th St. until I got an office job, and let me tell you playing for tips/working the door/and working the bar hardly brings in enough money to make ends meet!!! Let these hard working Austinites enjoy some money infusion and the haters can go hide at Poodies until it’s over!

By Rich

February 28, 2008 3:47 AM | Link to this

Im coming down from NYC with 7 people. Is there anyway to get ahold of some wristbands. I understand stopping the scalpers from getting wristbands. But how do people from out of state grab them? someone help me out i need 7 wristbands.

By scott

February 28, 2008 9:02 AM | Link to this

Looks like several of the SXSW organizers made it to this blog. “If you don’t like SXSW, shut up and mind your business.” Sorry, but this is our city, too. SXSW used to be cool. Now it is a bloated overblown crap fest. Doesn’t mean I couldn’t enjoy it again, but the wristband/badge situation is one of the problems, and I have every right to gripe about wristbands being $180 for a festival that I’m supposed to enjoy, despite not getting into any of the shows I want to see, while they eliminate the only thing still cool about SXSW - the free shows and parties.

We can gripe all we want. ‘tis our right. Have fun with your wristband! ;)

By Stephanie

February 29, 2008 10:44 AM | Link to this

scott, your comment is ridiculous. Plenty of Austinites are very happy with the way the wristbands worked out this year, myself included. We didn’t pay $180, either — it was at the Austin resident advance rate of $139. As for the free day shows and parties, there are more this year than ever before — to the point of overwhelming insanity, in fact (just look at the endless lists of them online!) — so it appears your fears are ungrounded thus far.

By scott

March 3, 2008 3:29 PM | Link to this

Great. Congrats Stephanie, you paid $139 instead of $180 for a wristband that doesn’t guarantee you entry to any of the venues. Have you made a list of bands to see? You better hope not too many of the others who got a stellar deal on wristbands plan to see your favorites, too, or you might end up just standing in line all week watching the platinum badges walk right past you. Of course you think my comment is ridiculous. As this blog has demonstrated, SXSW “supporters” (organizers?) simply don’t want to hear anyone complaining about their baby. Again, I do hope people enjoy themselves and I don’t want to see SXSW disappear, but it’s definitely catering to mostly a certain segment of people now and is not what it used to be.

By Meso

March 4, 2008 11:47 AM | Link to this

Simon and Rob, hope to meet you on the streets of SXSW! I agree SXSW ROCKS!!! a chance to be young again and have fun.

By Ronald

March 4, 2008 11:20 PM | Link to this

I live in San Antonio, but my interpretation was the cheaper priced wristbands were only for Austin residents (am I wrong?). Anyways, next year they should give a 100 mile radius allowance for these wristbands. When the Spurs sold championship tickets on ticketmaster, there was similar radius allowance. Come on give me a chance also. I do not live in Austin, but I am a regular concert goer.

By Mike

March 10, 2008 1:32 AM | Link to this

I think I’ll save my $180 to go see U2 (or any other rock n roll hall of famers) the next TWO times they come to Austin. South by South Worst is a scam. What a bunch of spares.

By Mike

March 10, 2008 1:38 AM | Link to this

The outrageous price begs the question: when does Miley Cyrus take the stage?

By Stephbird

March 10, 2008 6:27 PM | Link to this

Even though SXSWhatever is annoying due to traffic and stupid people with stupid clothes it does bring alot of money to Austin…so on the one hand I say keep it. On the other hand those same people are the ones that all the condos are being built for and the East Side is now becoming “whited-out” for. I guess our only solutions for preventing all of this mess is to a) build a wall around Austin or b) everyone in Austin rendevous and move to a completely new town. Or perhaps we could just deal with it, not buy wristbands (wristband= total sucker), and drink all the free alcohol available for one week in March.