South by Southwest Source > South by Southwest Source > Archives > 2007 > February > 26 > Entry
Waiting for wristbands
Wristbands for the South By Southwest music shindig went on sale at noon Monday at Waterloo Records and, for the second year in a row, store managers anticipated a sellout by closing of all 4,000.
Perhaps giving Austin a preview of SXSW, the morning line at its peak stretched around the Waterloo block and down Sixth Street in 80-plus-degree weather. The first 2,000 sold for $130, the second 2,000 for $160. The wristbands allow entrance — but don’t guarantee admission — to venues at the festival March 14-18. SXSW Director Roland Swenson said more wristbands would go on sale eventually, but he declined to give numbers.
“Our plan right now is to wait a week, track how registrations are coming in, take another look at our total capacity (and then) put some number of wristbands on sale the first night of the festival,” he said. In recent years, a total of 12,000 wristbands have been put in circulation, some sold to the public, many others given to bands and festival participants.
Where in previous years it took several days for wristbands to sell out, the little pieces of plastic sold out in a day for the first time in 2006.
In an effort to combat scalpers, SXSW this year sent out a text message informing people who had signed up on their Web site the moment the wristbands became available. The line formed within minutes. “We did achieve that goal, I think,” Swenson said. “I didn’t see the obvious scalper types there. This was one of the few time we’ve ever kept a secret and it worked.”
(photo by Deborah Cannon AMERICAN-STATESMAN)
Sound off:
Hundreds of Austin music fans swarmed Waterloo Records today and some waited in line for hours to secure wristbands for the SXSW Music Festival. Did you buy a wristband? Was it worth the wait? Which 2007 acts are you excited about seeing?
Comments
By Eddie
February 27, 2007 12:35 AM | Link to this
Heck yes it was worht the wait! These suckers are going up on craigslist for a hnadsome profit.
By z
February 27, 2007 9:15 AM | Link to this
yeah…except i didn’t get the goddamn text message, and i have a (512) area code…some working system there!
By Jeff
February 27, 2007 10:25 AM | Link to this
I’m not sure the wristbands actually sold out. Since I refused to wait three hours in 85-degree heat, I went back around 6:45pm yesterday evening to see if they still had any. Turns out they did, and there was no line at all!
By adam brewer
February 27, 2007 11:19 AM | Link to this
Why wait in line when you can see over 250 bands for free on 6th street during the same four days and nights? The music has been set FREE!
www.texasrockfest.com
DO IT!
By Jen
February 27, 2007 11:27 AM | Link to this
I received the text message around noon but I was stuck at a car wash and then had to go to an appt afterwards. I finally made to Waterloo Records between 1:30-2. I was able to secure my wristbands at the $160 price. I passed the time with a couple of nice guys in line behind me and we ended up going to Opal Divine’s afterwards for a post-wristband party. I was a bit stressed since I wasn’t able to there earlier than I hoped but it all worked out in the end.
By poopboob
February 27, 2007 11:30 AM | Link to this
SXSW sucks. They continue to alienate their fans and force even diehards to choose between a workday and scalping.
I hate the way SXSW has over the past five years evolved from great, casual Austin festival to ridiculuous cluster-f over spring break.
By Momma
February 27, 2007 11:39 AM | Link to this
Year after year it becomes more industry and fabulous people cluttering this city. Wake up folks. Most of these bands will be back. Do you REALLY think you’re getting in to see the Stooges? Plus: most of the best bands play for FREE Wednesday thru Saturday at day parties. There is often free food and/or beer at these things. PLUS:::: these shows are free and well worth it>>Public Enemy and Ozomatli headline a free show on the Town Lake Stage at Auditorium Shores stage on Friday, March 16.
Mastodon, Boris, Against Me!, the Riverboat Gamblers and more play the popular free stage on March 17.
By Rachel
February 27, 2007 3:46 PM | Link to this
Last year i rushed to waterloo, waited for hours, shelled out $130 and was so excited. Then during the festival I stood in lines while hundred of badge people passed me by. I didn’t make it to a third of the shows I tried to get into, regardless of how popular the band. Previously I had been able to pay my way into nearly any show I wanted and I figured I’d be coming out ahead by buying a wristband. What a waste of money. I wish they had at least warned me about what a joke a wristband is.
By James
February 27, 2007 10:03 PM | Link to this
If they’re worried about scalpers, the price is obviously too low. But I forgot, free-market and capitalism are dirty words for the Austin socialist crowd.
By James
February 27, 2007 10:08 PM | Link to this
Why make the announcement when regular hard-working people are at their jobs? We can’t leave work in the middle of the day like these derelicts to stand in line all afternoon.
By Jen
February 28, 2007 11:15 AM | Link to this
Can anyone answer “what does an obvious scalper type look like” ? Just wondering what I should have been looking for while I was waiting in line ;-)
By John
February 28, 2007 2:46 PM | Link to this
James, you’re right on. They should raise the wristband prices to reflect demand, and should sell them when the average person is able to buy them (after work hours)!
By Jen
March 2, 2007 2:53 PM | Link to this
I just happened to have the day off on Monday ; that was scheduled a few weeks ago. If I was working that day, I probably wouldn’t have a wristband.
By abbeychase
March 7, 2007 7:39 PM | Link to this
Thanks to John for bringing everybody down to earth. Nevermind the fact that there were STILL wristbands at 645p, when you were probably through SLAVING at your job, and wouldn’t have had to wait in line with all of us “derelicts”. Apparently, you’re the only person in Austin with a real job. Stop crying, and go see some free shows.
By abbeychase
March 7, 2007 7:43 PM | Link to this
Thanks to John for bringing us all down to Earth. Nevermind the fact that there were still wristbands available at 645p, when you probably were through SLAVING at your job (and you wouldn’t have had to wait in line with all of us “derelicts”). Apparently, you’re the only person in Austin with a real job. Stop crying, and go see some free shows. PS-they’re going to sell some more wristbands, but you might have to take off of work to go buy one.
By stevo
March 9, 2007 11:19 AM | Link to this
Direct TV has Channel 101 devoted to SXSW on the 15-17th. Sirius subs can read about the SXSW coverage on that service here:
http://www.orbitcast.com/archives/sxsw-spectexular-on-sirius-satellite-radio.html