SXSW Online 2021 is now in the books. It was a good time, despite not really being quite like SXSW in a normal year. As usual, the Panic Manual crew convened to break down the good, the bad, and the lack of breakfast tacos.
Best Act?
Paul: All the acts on Damnably’s showcase were great, but Grrrl Gang especially stood out for me. With extremely catchy melodies, this poppy indie rock band out of Indonesia really charmed me.
Ricky: The Chairs! Really good and unexpected, this Taiwanese band’s retro lounge pop really captured it for me. Great production and good tunes. I’ve been listening to them ever since their showcase.
Gary: Production value mattered a lot more this year and I did not see too many sets, so it’s not really a fair fight … but TEKE::TEKE was very fun.
Favourite Moment?
Gary: Watching a fictional Ninjababy melt away.
Paul: Norway takes the prize for most impressive showcase that really made the most of the format. This wasn’t just a performance video – it was a full on film.
Ricky: When I realized that my TV had the app and I didn’t have to cast my browser to the TV.
Biggest Disappointment?
Gary: Not being in Austin. For once I miss sore shoulders and tired feet.
Ricky: Black Country, New Road sounds like an over ambitious school project. There is something there, but playing one song for their set was a bit disappointing.
Paul: I didn’t even realize this until after the fact, but in retrospect, it was a bit of a disappointment how small the Canadian contingent was at this year’s festival compared to past years. Did the bulk of the Canadian music industry just decide it wasn’t worth the effort if they can’t head down to Austin and gorge themselves on tacos? If that’s the case, I guess I can’t totally blame them.
It’s weird to complain about this since we here at the Panic Manual have an unofficial rule (which we almost always break) of not going out of our way to see too many Canuck acts that we can usually see easily enough back home, but it was still a little disappointing. Of the ones that did show up though, the aforementioned TEKE::TEKE and No Joy both put on enjoyable shows.
SXSW was definitely a bit different this year. So, what did you think ?
Paul: As I watched the various showcases and talks throughout the week, I was reminded of the old ad campaign – “Is it live or is it Memorex?” SXSW Online definitely veered more towards the side of Memorex. While there was still a lot to like about the festival in online form, there was something lost in the way of spontaneity and obviously, not actually being in Austin takes away a bit from the whole experience. On the other hand, it was still great to discover new music and I somehow felt more free to just check out random things I might not have had I been there in person. And I did appreciate the fact that I can now revisit most of the music showcases and panels and check out stuff I didn’t see first time around – I always leave SXSW with at least a couple of acts I missed out on seeing. Still, let’s hope we can get back there next year. And have some breakfast tacos.
Gary: If remote SXSW is to persist in some form, the distribution model has to change – and not just from the organizers but from myself as attendee as well. Absent physicality also means other distractions that seriously impeded my participation in and enjoyment of showcases. I might consider taking time off next time, even IF it is still virtual. I most sincerely hope not.
Ricky: I miss SXSW terribly. SXSW Online was still good for discovering new bands, but I miss everything about it so much.
