SXSW 2012
Once again it’s that time of year when my social media world is flooded with reports about BBQs, Austin weather reports, band showcases, and panels happening at the annual South by Southwest (SXSW) conference. The interactive portion is wrapping up to make way for the start of the music conference today.
Some radio-related events have already occurred, including the session Public Radio is Media’s Future. You Heard it Right last Friday, a University of Texas, Austin Radio-TV-Film Department party on Saturday, and a Sunday session on transmedia radio producers, but the bulk of the radio action starts today.
As is often the case (see a flashback to 2011), radio stations are out in full force at SXSW with live broadcasts, concerts, and happenings. There’s even a Radio Day Stage at the Austin Convention Center, at which various stations will be presenting live performances throughout the week.
A few college stations will be in attendance, including Radio K (KUOM at University of Minnesota). See their tumblr page for their coverage of SXSW 2012. KEXP will be doing free shows from Mellow Johnny’s Bike Shop (March 14-16), featuring music performances and sets by KEXP DJs broadcast live. NPR Music (which has already compiled an essential mix showcasing 100 SXSW artists) will also be there webcasting live from performances and from the Bruce Springsteen keynote. Public radio station The Current will also be airing shows live, as well as providing updates from the festival. KCRW will be doing a bunch of events, including showcases, panels, and broadcasts.
Here’s my quick guide to some of the radio events happening in Austin this week. All times listed are Austin time (Central time). Some events are free and open to the public, whereas others require badges, a ticket, or an admission fee; so be sure to double check before you head out.
Tuesday, March 13:
3:30 – 4:30pm: The Evolving Role of Radio. On this panel, Pandora founder Tim Westergren discusses the future of radio (Austin Convention Center, Ballroom EF).
3:30 – 4:30pm: Forget Radio. Let Your Fans Market Your Music. Ironically, this session is up against the Evolving Role of Radio panel. Although this is ostensibly anti-radio (the description states: “Radio no longer drives music sales – social does.”), it’s good to add this to the mix. No radio folks are on this panel. (Omni Downtown, Lonestar, 700 San Jacinto).
5:00 – 7:00pm: Pandora holds a “DJ-hosted” Happy Hour Casino at Antone’s (213 W. 5th Street, Austin).
Wednesday, March 14:
11:30am to 8:00pm: KEXP live broadcast from Mellow Johnny’s Bike Shop (400 Nueces Street, Austin, TX) featuring Howler (11:30am), The Barr Brothers (1:30pm), Wussy (3:30pm), Allen Stone (5:30pm) and Of Monsters and Men (7:30pm).
12:00 – 1:00 PM – Music Streaming and Online Radio Meetup at Austin Convention Center, Exhibit Hall 3/4. At this event, “Broadcasters, podcasters, programmers, music supervisors, developers, artists, and users are invited to meet and network at the Meet Up Pavilion in the SXSW Trade Show.”
12:00 PM – 3:00 PM – Live performances on the Radio Day Stage presented by Radionica include Providencia (12:00pm), Francisca Valenzuela (1:00pm), and Monsieur Periné (2:00pm).
12:00 PM – NPR Music webcasts the Bruce Springsteen SXSW Keynote live.
12:30 PM – 1:30 PM – Music in Devices- What is Working? This panel featuring representative from TuneIn and other companies, will look at music on devices, including “curated radio” and “streaming services.” (Austin Convention Center, Room 15).
12:30 PM – 7:00 PM – Pandora Discovery Den at Antone’s (213 W. 5th Street). “Featured artists will cross genres from Rock to Hip Hop. Afternoon shows followed by DJ-hosted Casino Happy Hour.”
3:00 PM – 6:00 PM – Live performances on the Radio Day Stage presented by KCRW include Michael Kiwanuka (3pm), Alabama Shakes (4pm), and Honeyhoney (5pm)
5:00 PM – 6:00 PM – Pandora Live Music DNA Analysis. Get the inside scoop on how music tracks are analyzed before being added to Pandora. (Austin Convention Center, Room 10C)
8:00 PM – NPR Music Live from Stubb’s -Performances and live webcast featuring Fiona Apple, Sharon Van Etten, Dan Deacon, Alabama Shakes, and Andrew Bird.
8:00 – KCRW Showcase at Haven (409B Colorado Austin, TX). Performances by Blood Orange, Oberhofer, Ki:Theory, Band of Skulls, Kimbra, and Apparat.
Thursday, March 15:
11:30am to 8:00pm: KEXP live broadcast from Mellow Johnny’s Bike Shop (400 Nueces Street, Austin, TX) featuring Imperial Teen (11:30am), The Wedding Present (1:30pm), Choir of Young Believers (3:30pm), Tennis (5:30pm), and Shearwater (7:30pm).
12:30 – 7:00 PM – Pandora Discovery Den at Antone’s (213 W. 5th Street). “Featured artists will cross genres from Rock to Hip Hop. Afternoon shows followed by DJ-hosted Casino Happy Hour.”
1:00 PM – 9:00 PM: mtvU Woodie Awards Festival and Live Stream: Live performances will be streamed online from Austin. It’s unclear if the College Radio Woodie will be announced on this date or if it will be revealed during a special broadcast on MTV and mtvU on Sunday.
1:00 PM: NPR Music Presents Live from the Parish: Performances and live webcast of La Vida Boheme, Sugar Tongue Slim, Poliça, Lower Dens and The Magnetic Fields.
3:00 PM – 6:00 PM – Live performances on the Radio Day Stage presented by WXPN include The Lumineers (3pm), Delta Spirit (4pm), and Father John Misty (5pm).
5:15 PM – 6:15 PM – In the iCloud Era Who Can You Trust to Find Music? This panel includes a radio personality (from Hot 97) as well as writers and record industry professionals discussing music discovery. The panel description states: “…finding the music that you love is not as simple as tuning to a radio station. Digital curators have emerged to share their expertise via blog post, playlist, tweet, and status update.”
Friday, March 16:
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM –Adult Rock Music Meeting: “The music meeting is a time-honored tradition at radio stations in which new music is played and judged. The SXSW version will feature an esteemed panel of music and radio pros listening to previously unheard songs…How will these songs fit into radio? Who’s the next big thing? The audience and panel will offer their opinion in this always-lively panel.” Panelists include Program Directors and hosts from KCSN, WXRT, KBCO and WBEZ. (Austin Convention Center, Room 12AB)
11:30am to 8:00pm: KEXP live broadcast from Mellow Johnny’s Bike Shop (400 Nueces Street, Austin, TX) featuring Pickwick (11:30am), The War On Drugs (1:30pm), JD McPherson (3:30pm), The Men (5:30pm), and Youth Lagoon (7:30pm).
12:00 PM – 2:00 PM – Live performances on the Radio Day Stage presented by WFUV include Gary Clark Jr (12:00pm), Shearwater (12:25pm), and Punch Brothers (1:15pm).
12:30 PM -1:30 PM – Format Shmormat: Radio Breaks Bands. Panelists from radio (Jim McGuinn from KCMP The Current, Bruce Warren from WXPN, and Garrett Capone from 91X), TV (Matt Pinfield from MTV2), and the record industry discuss radio formats and how bands can utilize radio airplay (Austin Convention Center, Room 17B).
12:30 – 7:00 PM – Pandora Discovery Den at Antone’s (213 W. 5th Street). “Featured artists will cross genres from Rock to Hip Hop. Afternoon shows followed by DJ-hosted Casino Happy Hour.”
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM – Live performances on the Radio Day Stage presented by The Current include Fanfarlo (2:00pm) and Ben Kweller (3:00 pm).
3:30 PM – 4:30 PM – Snacky Tunes: Food, Music and Internet Radio. This panel discussion focuses on the food-oriented Internet Radio show Snacky Tunes, which airs on Heritage Radio Network (Austin Convention Center, Room 16AB)
4:00 PM – 6:00 PM – Live performances on the Radio Day Stage presented by KUT include Blitzen Trapper (4:00pm) and Heartless Bastards (5:00pm).
8:00 PM – 2:00 AM: KCRW’s Friday Night Showcase at The Parish (214 E. 6th Street, Austin). Performances by Willy Mason, Quantic + Alice Russell, Clock Opera, Crystal Fighters, and The Temper Trap.
Saturday, March 17:
12:00 PM – 3:00 PM – Live performances on the Radio Day Stage presented by KEXP include: The Big Pink (12:00pm), Justin Townes Earle (1:00pm), and Plants and Animals (2:00pm).
8:00 PM – 11:00 PM – WFMU Showcase and Live Broadcast at Beerland (711 Red River in Austin, TX) featuring performances by 6 bands, including Death of Samantha and The Supreme Dicks. There will also be live DJ sets from WFMU DJs Liz Berg, Jason Sigal, and Brian Turner. The $10 entry fee benefits the bands (no SXSW wristbands or badges accepted at this show).
Sunday, March 18:
7:00 PM: mtvU Woodie Awards special will air on MTV and mtvU. The College Radio Woodie, for the “best” college radio station will be announced at the ceremony out of a pool of ten finalists.
