Day 2 saw us push through tired eyes and jet lag to get our socks firmly rocked off by Youth Sector, Avalanche Party, and more!
Day two and the jet lag still consumed us, we tried to venture to as many places as possible but tiredness got the best of us. It was another slower day for us as we spent the first half of the day conducting interviews and taking in the Austin landmarks. However, as expected we still managed to get or ears firmly pinched by some very exciting bands.
Our first foray into the world of music was at the Dance To The Radio showcase at Seven Grand, a almost hunters lodged inspired whiskey bar. It was the perfect setting for some of the UK’s most talented. Kicking things off was the intense, chaotic, garage-rock outfit Avalanche Party. A band that has probably topped the list for stage presence and all encapsulating sound. You couldn’t help but get wrapped in the angular guitar work, god-like percussion that reigned down on the listener in a storm of fists, and sleek style and movements of front man Dale Barclay.
After a swift margarita we were ready to decompress and warmed up to dance to the fun, bouncy, B-52 inspired sounds of Youth Sector. The band made their way to the stage donning their custom made suits and in a flash struck the first chord. The audience lapped it up and responded with a few jives and cheers. The award to best bass player also is deserving to Youth Sector‘s Josh Doyle, who truly laid down some groovy jams during their set. It was clear we weren’t the only ones impressed, a glance across the room and I saw one or two grimaced bass faces.
Now, we don’t want to sell ourselves as the Saloon Dion fan club (we most certainly are) but it was only natural for us to then head back into Downtown to catch the lads cause havoc once more, and havoc they caused.
This time round the band found themselves in a bar/smokehouse in the city centre with the same air of uncertainty lingering over the lads. However, as ever the band were as cool as a cucumber, confident in what they bring to the table. The band prior to them was your classic local house band, playing rock n roll that your dad would probably lose his shit too. It felt like a sit down affair with folks eating ribs whilst getting lightly rocked. Whoever keeps booking Saloon Dion in these spaces is my true hero as I always sit eagerly awaiting to see peoples reactions. Austin is truly one of the greatest music cities in the world, because no matter what they absolutely send it to any band that brings the energy.
This show was a perfect example of that. Within seconds of the band opening the food was down, the forks put away, and the beer was now flowing. The crowd gathered and gave as much energy back to the band as they were putting out a few of the older patrons got well involved too, at one point a mosh pit opened up with members of Loose Articles, Panic Shack, and some later aged Texan men, it was carnage.
After yet another classic Saloon Dion experience we made our way to Sellers Underground to quickly check out The Lounge Society. A band that have been on our radar for some time due to their frantic post-punk sound and poignent lyricism on the social issues of today’s world, particularly working class Britain. It was as wild as expected with each band member throwing themselves around the small alloted stage that was eye level with the punter. A great end to the night that left us excited for day 3.
3 Comments