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.

Le Loup (***) and These United States confirmed why they’re D.C.’s best known rock exports with performances that were energetic and entrancing. Deleted Scenes also seems to have hit their stride, seeming totally at ease despite last-minute personnel woes. Change the word “personnel” to “transportation” and we have Middle Distance Runner, whose van now has a pretty nice dent but who seemed completely relaxed and unfazed about it. Pree (***), meanwhile, was visibly nervous at their first SXSW. Their well-orchestrated folky tunes sounded lovely and unique to anything else we caught, so it’s not like they won’;t be back. And then there was Stewart Lupton’s beleaguered set. I’m amazed he even showed up, honestly.