HTTP://WWW.THEBIGSPILL09.COM
It's the time of year when the music world invades Austin for the South by Southwest music and media conference. It's also the time when many of those headed to Austin stop in the Alamo City to do a little work. This year's SXSW spillover is more intensive than usual.
If a music marathon is what you want, that's what The Big Spill '09 Festival will offer starting Saturday and running though March 23 on Avenue E at Rock Bottom Tattoo Bar and The Warhol. More than 150 bands, from as near as S.A. ZIP codes to as far away as Tokyo, London, Barcelona and Tel Aviv, will be involved. Its mixture of area and touring bands is a good thing. It offers fans lots of options and bands plenty of networking opportunities.
Keep an ear out for Polka Madre Sunday at Rock Bottom. When the band from Mexico City plays, punk meets the world. On Tuesday at The Warhol, listen for Atlanta's Gringo Star. Besides having one of the best names in rock, the quartet has a cool album, “All Y'all,” in which the visceral and cerebral collide while rock meets pop meets more rock.
Ten-day/all access wristbands cost $50 at the venues and at Dandyland Tattoo and Hogwild Records.
Tickets are available online at http://www.detourtickets.com. Tickets for individual shows will be available at the venues.
Credit: Jim Beal