Metallica’s James Hetfield

Sprawling from one end to the other of Sixth Street and beyond in every direction, the estimated 1800 shows rolled out in some 80 venues over the four-to-five day music portion of this year’s SXSW extravaganza. With official acts, coattail acts and the local grape nut movement’s “So By So What,” no one really knows exact numbers. It’s safe to say, though, that 30,000 music lovers from around the world found themselves in Austin this third week in March and experienced amazing things.

Just about any genre can be found at SXSW. For me, there is good music and there is bad music and, of course, the stuff that just drives me nuts…. (Sorry Billy Bob T. Love ya as an actor, but my head wants to explode when I hear that twangy C&W stuff.) Indeed most C&W makes me grumpy. Luckily, there were plenty of other, more alluring choices.

Of the 40 some acts I personally experienced, this year’s favorites included Ben Harper, Effects and Bushwalla — a hilarious comedic musician who taught me “…. it’s hard to be a gangsa … gangsta … with a basket on your bike.”

There is always a surprise or two each year, and 2009 offered up Jane’s Addiction and Metallica. When the Guitar Hero show’s emcee congratulated the audience on getting in to the 2500 or so capacity at the Stubb’s BBQ venue, everyone present knew they were in for a historic event.

Bassnectar warmed up the stage with his spinnin’ skills followed by the Silversun Pickups. The show culminated with one-and-a-hours of an up-close, rip-your-head off performance by Metallica…WOW!!!
DJ Shadow followed…that had to suck for him! (Most didn’t stay, but he can say the rest of his life, “Metallica opened for ME!”)

Special thanks to SPV for hosting the very kick ass “Metal BBQ.” Lots o’ rockin, great BBQ and industry elbows.