We saw 63 musical acts over six days at South by Southwest last week. Here are sixteen acts that we saw that will be hitting the D.C. area soon—and whether they're worth seeing live. more ›

Highlights from SXSW 2012 the annual music, film and interactive conference. more ›

SXSW is a film, interactive and music conference that brings bands, fans and industry types from all over the world to Austin, Texas for several days of no sleep, free booze and sunburn. It is overstimulating, overcrowded and packed with elitists. It's music industry spring break. It's terrifying. It's the most fun week of the year. It's going to take another week to recover. So, what does that mean to you? It means that we can give you a good idea of what bands to see when they come through the in the next few weeks...and what bands we hope will come through the area soon. more ›

DCist has once again returned (and at last, recovered) from that annual exercise in over-stimulation known as SXSW. The range and number of local acts at the festival this year, either in official or unofficial capacity, meant that we could have filled an entire four-day schedule seeing only D.C. bands. Acts like Title Tracks (***) and Vandaveer made the festival outright, and others like Laughing Man (***) and True Womanhood (***) came down to play, regardless. Local label The Kora Records put on a showcase, DJs Nadastrom, Kid Congo Powers, Gavin Holland and Inna K all spun, there were two D.C.-centric day parties and at least one hip-hop day party that might as well have been. more ›

Three Stars alumna Wayna, fresh off her performance at SXSW in Austin and en route to Miami's Winter Music Conference, was arrested at Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport Wednesday morning and charged with a 3rd degree felony weapons violation, according to her spokesperson. In the state of Texas, the charge comes with a potential penalty of 2 to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. more ›

Last year we reported on the strong presence the District had at the annual music industry spring break that is SXSW in Austin, TX. This year, in addition to official shows from The Hall Monitors, Benjy Ferree, These United States and, oddly enough, Frodus, there were a number of unofficial appearances as well. The DC Does TX day party returned to Austin for its second year, District-based Exotic Fever Records held a shindig of their own, and a few acts like Laura Burhenn and Wild Fictions had some performances without other locals on the bill. There are always at least 20 fantastic shows going on at the same time at SXSW, so we didn't make it to everyone's performances, but here's a quick look at some of the excellent shows that we did catch. more ›

Every March, bands from all over the world make the trek down to Austin, Texas for the South by Southwest music festival. This year, D.C. was better represented than in years past, with many of the District’s most popular acts making their way to Austin to spread the word. There were even a number of Washington-centric showcases, including the aptly named “D.C. does TX” showcase. As anyone who has been to SXSW can tell you, the festival is full of scheduling conflicts and agonizing decisions; as a result, DCist was unable to catch each and every D.C. band that played the festival. We were, however, able to see quite a few of them, and here’s a short list of the most notable sets from this past week: more ›

These United StatesThat's some strong representation! There are so many D.C. bands in attendance, that the Digital Freedom Campaign is actually throwing a D.C. Does TX party tomorrow. They chose local bands who each have "a unique story about how digital technology is vital to reaching new audiences and to furthering their music careers." Don't forget to mention coverage on local blogs, guys! more ›

FRIDAY: >> It's raining, and you've got some serious partying to do tomorrow night, so we'd recommend taking in a movie and saving your strength. Don't miss our movie picks for the weekend here, including special Halloween screenings of Nosferatu at the AFI Silver Theater. Also of note tonight, The American City Diner screens Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho at 8:30 p.m. >> If you’re more in the mood for getting your eardrums absolutely destroyed, Japanese metal... more ›

By DCist contributor Valerie Paschall The members of Syracuse chamber pop act Ra Ra Riot are no strangers to high profile performances. In fact, it was their impressive showings at the two music industry behemoth festivals, CMJ and SXSW, which put them on the map as a band to watch. They have since opened for Bow Wow Wow, Art Brut and actually came through D.C. last month with Tokyo Police Club. They should be well-prepared... more ›

Monday >> Canada’s post-punk four piece Uncut just released their latest album Modern Currencies in the U.S. on July 17th and will be at DC9 tonight with special guest Patrick Krief of The Dears. Just like their name says, they are raw: loud, bold, and off the wall. Check out the stopmotion animated video for their recent single, "Darkhorse" which includes a fire bombing Ronald McDonald and an army of pissed off Care Bears. 8p.m.,... more ›

Story and photo by DCist Contributor Mehan Jayasuriya Much like their indie pop forebears — the Smiths, Belle & Sebastian, the entire roster of Sarah Records — Austin act Voxtrot has a thing for self-contained singles. As a matter of fact, they've taken their own sweet time releasing a full length, opting instead for a series of CD-Rs, 7-inch singles and EPs over the course of the last four years. As with the aforementioned... more ›

It's not every day that British bands come to D.C. in a red doubledecker bus. The BritBus tour stopped downtown yesterday, bringing three new groups — Jyrojets from Scotland, The Crave from Brighton, and Julia Jones from London via Wales — around the country at a top speed of 45 miles per hour. According to bassist Tom Swann from The Crave, it took four days to get from Denver to St. Louis, and although the... more ›

It seems like, all across the network, folks were up to no good. Maybe it was all the green beer from last weekend... Gothamist spent the week writing about New Yorkers behaving badly: at the post office, at the Garden, and at the fertility clinic. Calvin Klein may not be misbehaving, but he's just a little dirty, and in a completely different way than some NYC kitchens. SFist had its share of misbehave-rs, too, like... more ›

I arrived to a half filled Black Cat last night, unsure what to expect from Danish superstars Mew. Their album, And The Glass Handed Kites, was one of the most interesting albums I heard last year, their fey yet bruising style of jangle prog a combination of Jeff Buckley's tenderest falsetto moments and the whiplash of Bloc Party's best Wedding Present imitation in one album that sequences connecting songs to great effect. However, the... more ›

Spring appears to have, er, sprung, at least temporarily, in most of the Ist-A-Verse, so naturally, we're all feeling pretty good. (Yes, we know that spring doesn't officially start till later this month. Just let us enjoy our weather!) And that makes us that much more eager to share all of the nifty things we're up to... Over at Sampaist, spring has more than sprung: it's sweltering! But, as everyone knows, museums are an ideal... more ›

Austinist gets arty with an interactive guide to SXSW, loved some local art galleries and a new art exhibit and lamented the possible loss of "Friday Night Lights" production to New Mexico. Bostonist was happy they finally found an Anna Nicole Smith connection to their fair city and that an Apple Store was opening up. They were less happy that new rules have been established limiting underage shows and that their Governor is spending... more ›

A big thanks to everyone who braved the icy sidewalks and parking spots to come out to Unbuckled last night. The folks at DC9 were excellent hosts, as always. These United States and Pela played truly captivating and impressive sets, complete with a sweet lap steel and enough guitar pedals to sink a ship. Pela braved the bad roads and came down from NYC for the show, and we were lucky to snag TUS before they head off for a tour including a stop at SXSW. And the beer flowed like... beer tends to flow at bars, so effusive praise for Kyle and all those involved is about all we can muster today. Unbuckled always tends to live up to its name and inspire people to dance a little more, chat a little more, and have a little more fun. It was great to meet a lot of the people that we only know by email address or commentor name. So again, thanks for coming out, the fifth outing was a hit! more ›

Between fake terrorist alerts and scandals big and small, this just might be the Best Best of the -ists ever. We're exhausted just thinking about it. First up, SFist, who saw their little 'ole site be the center of what was a nice little scandal (even getting their editor on TV) only to find their scandal dwarfed by the even bigger scandal caused by their Mayor boffing one of his aides' wife. We're not... more ›

As the world holds it's breath, teetering precariously on the cusp of the Super Bowl (well, at least in America), the wheels of the -ists keep on turning. Austinist was in a musical frame of mind as they listened to the new Shins album, updated the SXSW band listings and got called "punk rock" for their efforts by MTV. And an ice storm swept through the area. Bostonist said goodbye to John Kerry's plans... more ›

We don't know about you, but it's friggin cold out there. Well, not for some of you. It seems as though places that are supposed to be cold are warm and places that are supposed to be warm are cold. Or maybe that's just us. Either way, we're freezing. more ›

Sunday. Usually, a quiet, contemplative day in the Blogosphere. But not here in the Ist-a-Verse. Nonono! Just look below and see all of the wild and crazy stuff our staffs are up to. In Austin, bands are beginning to confirm for SXSW and the rumor mill is up and running. Good thing, too, because we all know how much Austinites love live performances. Austin also found itself in the national spotlight, with Longhorn Legend... more ›

SFist commeters pose for before and aftershocks when the mayor commemorates a 1906 earthquake...at 4:30 in the morning. A hot tip on the Chronicle vending machines comes in and the SFist war correspondent risks life and limb to post this dispatch from the frontlines. Houstonist announces their new Cops spinoff "World's Funniest Tazer Videos" and the possible cancellation of their pervs' "World's Grossest Bathroom Videos" and PBS trains cams on cows at, uhg, Mootube. Also,... more ›

FRIDAY: >> Here at DCist we like to pimp scrappy locals and industrious indies who are charging hard against the establishment. When it comes to stand-up comedy however, sometimes we have to make an exception. This isn't to say you shouldn't support up-and-coming local comedic talent. You should. But we'd be the first to admit that there's something particularly distasteful about amateur stand-up done badly -- when a comic punts on stage, you just have... more ›

FRIDAY: >> There are few names in modern dance as big as Merce Cunningham. The veteran dancer and choreograhper brings his company to the Kennedy Center tonight and Sat. to perform a few of their paradigmatic pieces, including Fabrications, featuring music by Emanuel Dimas de Melo Pimenta, and Sounddance, with music by David Tudor. These shows are a sure thing. $21 to $50, both shows at 8 p.m. >> Serious ambient and electronic music fans... more ›

Phillyist notes a fistfight between local pols that leaves one man down for the count. Jehovah's Witnesses get a Philly contributor out of bed, things get a little geeky with a film festival and geeky gets taken to a whole new galaxy when they talk with the Dragon Queen of the Dark Kingdom. Shanghaiist gets all excited this week over a new nightclub in the city unfortunately named "Snatch" and Mike Tyson is scheduled to... more ›

SXDC As much as we'd like to be, DCist isn't at SXSW right now. A couple of our ist-a-verse brethren made the trek to the oh-so-awesome music, film and interactive festival out in sunny Austin. What's even more exciting than that is that so did two D.C. musicians! We're beaming like proud parents as our very own Three Stars alum The Hint head to Texas. It's kind of like sending our kids off to college.... more ›

The weekly Ist wrap-up is written by Seattlest editor Dan Gonsiorowski. Torontoist throws down the gauntlet and challenges all comers: pillow fight, bitch. They also stand up for a fellow blogger taking heat from the TTC and welcome city-wide WiFi. SFist can finally admit it: It's possible that Bary Bonds juiced. Is Bay Area artist (tempted to put quotes around that) Thomas Kinkaid "kinda crappy" or "explosively crappy" or does he just like marking territory?... more ›

For those of you that don't know, Six Points is a D.C. music festival in its third year, hosted at venues in and around the city, including the Black Cat, Jammin Java, the State Theater, The Mansion at Strathmore and more. more ›

It's that time again! For this month's Three Stars -- our monthly feature that highlights three local bands -- we'll start off today with The Hint, take a look at The Apparitions tomorrow, and finish things up on Thursday with Shortstack. more ›