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SXSW in the WSJ; equal opportunity sound enforcement
South by Southwest director Roland Swenson (or a small, well-rendered drawing thereof) appeared on the front page of the Wall Street Journal Friday morning. The piece, written by Ethan Smith, discussed what Statesman readers have long known: That SXSW, “once rebels,” according to WSJ, is considered “The Man” by many for aiding APD in shutting down parties.
The most striking quote comes from Tara Ryan, JetBlue’s manager of national promotions (the airline is sponsoring a number of parties this week, including Mess With Texas 2 on Saturday at Waterloo Park):
“Attendees don’t know the difference between official and unofficial events. This mix gives us the broadest possible exposure.”
This attitude is exactly what SXSW is afraid of, exactly why the company is so concerned with unofficial events. If people think they can be entertained without a badge or wristband, then they won’t buy them. If they don’t do that, then the festival dies. This comment provides a justification for every tactic Smith attributes to SXSW. Swenson owes Ms. Ryan some flowers.
In non-WSJ related news, Fire Marshall Don Smith said Thursday that he had a list — which he characterized as “very short” — of approximately nine parties that the Public Assembly Code Enforcement (PACE) Team was planning to investigate. Smith said some came from SXSW, some were noise complaints. He declined to name the parties in question.
“We’re not trying to drop a dime on anyone, we’re not rolling over anyone,” Swenson said Friday. “Our point is if you’re (the police) are gonna enforce code at our clubs, you gotta enforce it everywhere.”
And enforce it they did. The Arclight showcase on the roof of the Light Bar (408 Congress Ave.) was shut down due to excessive loudness. Swenson also said there was a brief question of loudness at the Cedar Door, but that was quickly resolved.
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