Catalina Perez
University student, coffee addict, and freelance music journalist hailing from Austin, Texas. In my spare time you can find me perusing record stores for CDs.
SXSW 2024 presented loads of talent and electrifying moments for an unforgettable experience that definitely has us anxiously anticipating next year’s festival
Although some CLUNK staff members can proudly flaunt their SXSW veteran badge, this was our first time having attended the festival despite having lived in the live music capitol for a few years now. Looking retrospectively at the experience in sum, the amount of people we talked to and performances we saw surpassed any previous held records set by past music festivals we’ve attended, and I can confidently say that I probably won’t stop talking about the festival for the foreseeable future. Although many performances we saw were incredible, here’s five that left a lasting impression on us.
Faux Real- Lustre Pearl (Thursday Daytime)
Easily one of the most entertaining sets we saw at SXSW, Faux Real’s high-powered experience at The Rainey Street Revival at Lustre Pearl left us wanting more. Brothers Virgile and Elliot Ardnt make up the post-punk alt-pop duo whose dance stunts and eccentric escapades jointly steal the show with their quirky lyrics and eye-catching outfits. We initially heard of Faux Real’s spirited antics at the British Music Embassy on Tuesday night through audience members that basically dragged us outside to see the pair. No seriously, a few audience members attending their show found their way to the hotel lobby where we were resting and claimed that we desperately needed to go check out the group on stage outside.
Reluctantly, we walked outside and saw a large crowd which boasted the dynamic duo at the center of it performing choreographed dance kicks to ‘Kindred Spirit.’ Wanting to kick ourselves for not having gone outside sooner, we made it clear that we needed to go see the pair’s full set at Lustre Pearl which ended up being an absolutely riveting experience. The siblings played through ‘The United Snakes of America,’ ‘Second Sweat,’ and ended with ‘Kindred Spirit,’ amongst others. A dancing pickle, a flute-wielding brother, and barrage of choreography comprised the highlights of the set; however, the entirety of the show did not lack a single dull moment. As we left the venue, I could hear the audience buzzing about the performance rightfully so as I, like others, couldn’t get enough of the Franco-American group and craved more.
Lord Friday The 13TH – Low Down Lounge (Tuesday Night)
Sibling duos reigned at SXSW, putting on some of the best performances at the festival. Austin-based Glam punk dyad, Lord Friday the 13th epitomized this notion with siblings Sloane and Felix Lenz tearing down the Low Down Lounge with their zany theatrics and high-powered dynamics. Having written about the group for another publication, I was familiar with the world of Lord Friday the 13th, but experiencing one of their live performances was still waiting to be checked off the list. Standing at damn near 6 feet tall (if not over), Felix donned a black dress with red tulle, long leg warmers, knee pads, distinctive stage makeup, and an iconic hat with bat wings which enhanced the group’s neck breaking stage presence and rambunctious performance.
Joined by two additional backing members, the duo ran through songs ‘Big Biznezz,’ ‘Larger than Life,’ and ‘Sleeping Cuties,’ amongst others. Throughout the performance, Felix would take off pieces of clothing to reveal multiple stage outfits including the grand finale of just a G-string, long leg warmers and knee pads. I was already a fan of the group but seeing them live was a whole other experience altogether. In fact, they were so good that we had to go watch them a second time at Hotel Vegas on Saturday night. If Lord Friday the 13th ever puts on a show near you, definitely don’t skip it because you’d be missing out on one wild night.
Robert Finley – Mohawk (Thursday Night)
Robert Finley gained two new fans after his performance at Mohawk on Friday night. After having been at the venue for a few hours, we were ready to throw in the towel as it had begun to drizzle, but quickly changed our minds after experiencing the American soul singer’s lively performance. The U.S. Army and America’s Got Talent veteran showed his crowd-wooing skills with his bluesy-soul vocals and spiffy dance moves for a production with storytelling and advice abound. Joined on-stage by a backing band and daughter providing additional vocals, the Louisiana native sang his heart and soul out to a barrage of songs including ‘Miss Kitty,’ ‘Livin’ Out A Suitcase,’ and ‘Sneakin’ Around.’
Amidst the more feel-good songs, Finley shared a heart-warming backstory before playing the somber tune, ‘Nobody Wants To Be Lonely,’ halfway through the show. The 70-year-old described that he wrote the song after visiting a friend in a nursing home and noticed how others there weren’t being visited, ending the piece by suggesting, “Give your friends and family members in facilities a call.” On the contrary, spicy and quick-witted banter introduced a few songs such as ‘You Got It (And I Need It),’ making the show all the better and more amusing. In spite of younger acts gaining more mainstream attention, Robert Finley’s show was anything but aged and gray; his show-stealing dance moves and striking falsetto notes epitomized the title of his 2016 album, ‘Age Don’t Mean a Thing,’ and showed the audience that anything is possible no matter what age.
Skinny Lister- Parish (Wednesday Daytime)
Lead singer Lorna Thomas arm wrestling audience members in the middle of a show has got to be one of the top five quirkiest, most entertaining concert antics I’ve ever seen. London-based group, Skinny Lister, has frequented SXSW several times including back to back performances in 2012 and 2013. At the Marshall Funhouse show at Parish, they introduced the audience to quaint instruments including a melodeon, mandolin and stomp box, using them to produce the most fun dance-punk shanty songs that got the crowd riled up. Although the five piece was missing their drummer, they didn’t fail to treat the audience to a merry show which included a lineup of songs such as ‘Arm Wrestling in Dresden,’ ‘Company Of The Bar,’ ‘Mantra,’ and ‘Rollin’ Over.’ \
The group of four went above and beyond in promoting audience participation with Lorna jumping into the crowd to dance and arm wrestle, melodeon player Max Thomas closely hovering over concertgoers while playing, and the vibrant troupe encouraging the audience to sing along to the popular sea shanty ‘John Kanaka.’ Through the trove of performances we attended, Skinny Lister was distinctive in their approach to the concert experience, yielding nothing but a high-spirited atmosphere and pure positivity. Sandwiched between Spyres and Die Spitz, Skinny Lister supplied attendees with nothing short of a memorable upbeat experience that is one to definitely check out.
Pedal Steel Noah- Palm Door On Sixth (Tuesday Afternoon)
At just 16 years of age, Noah Faulkner opened SXSW’s official music opening party, joined on stage by his father, younger brother and family friend. The Texan-native is a social media sensation and is often joined on camera by his younger brother playing bass and adorable Aussie doodle Kara. Despite him being so popular, it was our first time hearing of and seeing him live but after experiencing his otherworldly show, I can assure you that it definitely won’t be our last. Attracting a crowd and exhibiting a unique performance, Pedal Steel Noah’s set comprised instrumental covers of popular 80s and 90s tracks such as ‘Hungry Like the Wolf’ by Duran Duran, ‘Cherry-coloured Funk’ by Cocteau Twins, ‘Eyes Without a Face’ by Billy Idol and ‘When You Sleep’ by My Bloody Valentine. Out of all of the songs he performed, my favorite was ‘Everybody Wants To Rule the World’ by Tears for Fears due to the hazy, twangy aura that lay hanging over the audience from the pedal steel guitar, adding a unique sonic infusion to the popular 80s track. The teen’s performance was a crowd favorite as well as cheers erupted from audience members from behind their phone camera’s flash, after every song. I can’t wait to see what Pedal Steel Noah has in store for the future, which might just be well-deserved social media dominion.