The early morning start was well worth it for scoring an express pass to tonight's Local Natives/ Rogue Wave show at SXSW's high profile venue, Emo's. The pass gets me straight to the front of the garaunteed long line and all I had to do was show up at 10 am to the Convention Center with my Music Badge. For those of you holding one, I suggest setting the alarm for the SXExpress pass. If all goes as planned it should make my night run smoothly. 

Dr. Dog

However, I have little doubt that there will be struggles as SXSW is accommodating the guest, especially registrants, rather well. The Dr. Dog show, held in a bleak conference room, was rocked by the alt-rock/slightly-country Phili Band. The sound was also immaculate, provding the perfect acoustics for pure guitar shredding and spot on vocal harmonies. I watched while recouping after a long day with a delicious free cupcake on a beanbag, which I think provided the most content moment of my trip.

Local Natives, the busiest band of SXSW, was sheer talent. Their elevated song writing with catchy hooks and moving four-part harmonies packed The Parish for another NPR showcase.

Local Natives

Smith Westerns, a garage rock band, was also on the roster. I enjoyed their rough and ready style, though I think they were dwarfed by the other bands on the roster, like Brooklyn Rider, an orchestral band who's  main component is the string quartet. They made SXSW just a little bit more classy, than night one's street picture may suggest.

 I skipped out on G-sides and Surfer Blood, who, my correspondents tell me, delivered must-see performances.  However, I tried in vein to make the hike under the interstate to see Kid Sister, who I unfortunately missed.

The body aches are setting in from marathon walking, but as my cup of coffee brews I feel resilient enough to trek on. Tonight I hope to see Broken Social Scene, Estelle, Local Natives and Rogue Wave without a hitch. Game on.