Let it Begin

The music portion of South by Southwest 2009 has official begun. However, I really wouldn’t know, since I had to work today. While many attendees had fun drinking free beer and listening to tunes at some free day shows today, I was stuck writing about lasers. Oh, well.

I was able to pick up my wristband yesterday. After scoring a primo parking spot near the convention center I found my way to Exhbit Hall 4 where they were dispensing the little pieces of plastic. When I arrived some volunteer informed me, “the system is down,” and it had been for like 30 minutes. There was a line, but I wasn’t going to waste that awesome parking spot for nothing. So I decided to wait. Before I know it, the system got back to running and the line began moving swiftly.

line to get sxsw wristbands 3/17/09

I must say that the wristbands are a lot more futuristic looking this year. At first glance they look more like a funky slap bracelet, than a run of the mill festival wristband. They are mustard yellow with green, black, and white holographic images. When I turn my wrist a certain way the images change. Pretty neat.

Although I missed all the day shows today, I do plan to venture out tonight (after a quick disco nap). My plan is to take the bus downtown (parking and driving sucks this time of year) and go see a few bands. First up is the Thrift Store Cowboys. A couple of the guys in the band actually went to my high school. This is pretty amazing since there were only like 50 people in my high school. These guys are awesome and I always make a point of seeing them when they are in town. They have to be the coolest people to ever graduate from Borden County (besides me of course).

Later tonight I hope to catch The Seedy Seeds and The Decemberists.

Stay tuned for more sxsw play-by-play action.