It might be easy to call it bias to say the best spot to be for most of Thursday at SXSW was at Live4ever’s ‘Two Fingered Salute’ hosted at Antone’s, but in the end bias just didn’t come into the equation.
Taking to the stage before lunchtime were Doll & The Kicks, constantly thankful to people for turning out at what is considered an ungodly hour at SXSW. Those present were treated to a brilliant opening which set the standard for the day. Morrissey is quoted as saying ‘he couldn’t take his eyes off’ the band when he first saw them play live, and you can see why. Frontwoman Hannah recalls the onstage persona of Karen O, but has a voice which exudes a far greater power which, backed by a strong array of catchy guitar-pop, sets the bar for the day at a challenging high level.
Following Doll & The Kicks are Twin Atlantic, who shift the focus to loud, aggressive rock n roll which becomes a feature of the day. While strong on record, Twin Atlantic are one of those bands which truly make sense live, and they deliver another powerful 30 minute performance, highlighted by the sweeping anthem ‘Yes, I Was Drunk’ which begins with ‘Devils & Dust’ era Bruce Springsteen before evolving into a super-charged cauldron of big drums and chugging guitars.
As if powered on by their long-running association with Live4ever, Pint Shot Riot are energetic and, thanks to frontman Rocket, charming, superbly hitting their stride with tracks from debut album ‘Spell It Out’. Backed by the Flea-like bass of Baby Dave, the band quickly draw in an ever increasing audience, and raise that bar set by Doll & The Kicks even higher before The Mighty Stef take their turn in Antone’s spotlight.
Despite it being St. Patrick’s Day, and perhaps because of the Pint Shot hangover, there’s initially a subdued feel to the atmosphere, and tone of the Irish natives’ set. Of all the bands on today, The Mighty Stef have to work hardest to win the crowd over, but win the crowd over they do and by the time of the punked-up version of Velvet Underground’s classic ‘Waiting For The Man’, the energy which would define the day has been restored to all its glory.
To say that energy is cranked up a notch by Leeds natives Pulled Apart By Horses would be dabbling in massive understatement. Despite being booked just hours before, the band proceed to unleash on Austin their unique brand of noisy punk rock which has made them a much talked about act back in their homeland. Whether it’s descending the stage to perform sections of tracks right in the mix of the audience, or quite literally wretching their guts up in the name of their art, Pulled Apart By Horses rip through a half hour of hard rock n roll which fittingly on Live4ever’s showcase, displays a side of the Leeds music scene which goes far beyond the made-for-radio medium of the Kaiser Chiefs.
Next up, Live4ever welcomed a band who have just released an album which will take some beating in the End of Year lists should enough critics have their wits about them. The Boxer Rebellion have followed up their hit 2008 album ‘Union’ with an even stronger collection of tracks on ‘The Cold Still‘, a large portion of which were presented to the still growing crowd at Antone’s today. Their searing anthems transfer to the stage effortlessly and, as on record, ‘Both Sides Are Even’ reaches heights few bands can dream of, capturing what makes The Boxer Rebellion special in four minutes of classic rock, which transcends the four walls of Antone’s and draws even more willing punters through the door.
On the face of it, you wouldn’t envy the last band on stage having to follow, and attempt to match, the superb standard that has gone before them. You wouldn’t envy them if that band wasn’t the Jim Jones Revue that is. It’s hard to imagine there’s a better live band currently wading through the streets of Austin, and far from being fazed by the days events, Jim Jones instead grasp the opportunity to prove their status as worthy headliners. Their brand of old school, yet undeniably modern rock n roll provides the perfect conclusion to the day’s events, as set highlights ‘Shoot First’ and final track ‘Princess & The Frog’ draw to a close five-and-a-bit-hours of great bands and great sets.
With that, the two-fingered salute is put away for the year, no doubt to re-emerge in twelve months with another unforgettable celebration of some of the brightest lights currently shining in the British music scene.
