Austin.com’s Almost Comprehensive Guide to Free SXSW (or very, very cheap)

We believe you are now looking at the most comprehensive guide to free music showcases during SXSW. We’ve recommended a few (look for our pick logo), but take a gander through them all, after all, we went to all the trouble. If you know a free showcase not listed, send to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it Happy trails!

Thursday's list is below. Follow these links for the rest of the week.
Wednesday's guide to free SXSW here.
Friday's guide to free SXSW here.
Saturday's guide to free SXSW here.
Sunday's guide to free SXSW here.

THURSDAY, MARCH 19

 
Today in Austin done gone and plotted all the listed venues in a Google map. Check it out here.

The Amsterdam / 121 W 8th St
Paper Boat Music Presents
Thur, Noon-6pm / Free
Singer-Songwriter
5pm    Jets Under Fire (Austin, TX)
4pm    Tara Holloway
3pm    Kacy Crowley (Austin, TX)
2pm    Matt the Electrician (Austin, TX)
1pm    Danny Malone (Austin, TX)
Noon     Arthur Yoria


Antone’s Record Shop / 2928 Guadalupe
Minneapolis Shakedown
Thur, 1-6pm / Free
Rock
4:20pm    Old James
3:30pm    Guy Storm
2:30pm    Economy Team
1:50pm    Vampire Hands
1:00pm    Look Book
Like the name implies, a throwdown of rock from Minneapolis.  


Auditorium Shores (Thur-Sat)
Thur, 6-10pm / Free / All Ages
Rock
7:30pm    M Ward (Portland, OR)
6:00pm    Cold War Kids (Long Beach, CA)
Official SXSW stage concerts free and open to the public, no wristbands needed. The shores on Lady Bird Lake will feature festival food, arts and crafts vendors, and the beautiful backdrop of the ever-expanding Austin skyline.


Austin Moose Lodge #1735 / 2103 EM Franklin Rd
Thur, 3pm- / Free (RSVP to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it )
The Toilet Paper Showcase
The Weakends, The Man Stamps (Austin, TX), Golden Triangle, Ty Segall, Rare Form, Terrible Twos, Thomas Function, Box Elders (Austin, TX), Turbo Fruits, Christmas Island
Austin Moose Lodge is free to members and qualifying guests.


Barcelona / 209 E 6th St
Thur, 3-6pm / Free
Build: 3rd Annual Urban Meet & Greet
Urban, R&B
5pm    Amp Live
4pm    88 Keys
3pm    14KT
Social networking and live music. Isn’t life great.

Beerland / 711 Red River St
Sacred Bones Showcase
Thur, 1-6pm / Free
Blank Dogs, Naked on the Vague, Factums, Zola Jesus, Dead Luke, Gary War, Pink Noise, Absinthe Minds
Brooklyn record label specializing in post-punk and minimalist rock.

Birds Barbershop East / 1107 E 6th St
Thur, Noon-8pm / Free
Space Camp / Grand Opening Party
Rock, Hip-Hop, Indie, DJ
Outside Stage:
6pm    N.A.S.A. (Los Angeles, CA)
5pm    Charles Hamilton (New York, NY)
4pm    Cut Off Your Hands (New Zealand)
3pm    King Khan & The Shrines (South Georgia / Berlin, Germany)
2pm    Busdriver (Los Angeles, CA)
Inside DJ Sets:
6pm    Say Hi (Seattle, WA)
4pm    Magnificent 7 (San Francisco, CA)
3pm    Amp Live (Oakland, CA)
2pm    Jason Hammel (of Mates of State) (San Francisco, CA)
1pm    Astronautalis (Seattle, WA)
Noon    Prince Klassen (Austin, TX)
First thing for non-Austinites: Birds Barbershop is one kick-ass joint. The indie/punk barbershop opens a new location with a monster party. Any event with King Khan & The Shrines qualifies as such. The high-energy show employs cheerleaders, loud guitar, screaming vocals, and the Go-Go Queen of the Underworld delivering a psychedelic, hardcore version of ‘60s soul. Other highlights: N.A.S.A. (North America South America), the superstar collaboration of Squeak E. Clean and DJ Zegon, whose debut, The Spirit of Apollo, includes collaborations with Tom Waits, Kool Keith, Ol’ Dirty Bastard (from the grave), Chuck D, David Byrne, Kanye West, M.I.A., George Clinton, and more. The flyest electro-crunk-hip-hop in Austin this week. Party sponsors Steamworks Brewing (Durango, CO) and Tequila Patron should add to the fun factor.



Breakaway Records / 1704 E 5th St
Thur, 1-7pm / Free
Rock, Indie-Pop
5:30pm    Cute Lepers (Seattle, WA)
4:45pm    Gentleman Jesse (Atlanta, GA)
4:00pm    The Girls (Seattle, WA)
3:15pm    The Pranks (Seattle, WA)
2:30pm    Lover! (Nashville, TN)
1:45pm    She Creatures (Bristol, UK)
1:00pm    Coathangers (Atlanta, GA)
Highlights include Cute Lepers (Gen X and The Clash influence in catchy pop-punk); She Creatures (Austin Powers garage rock with interstellar chicks); Coathangers (dance-ready girl pop for all to love); The Pranks (power-pop to bob heads to).
 


Cheapo Discs / 914 N Lamar Blvd
Chicken Ranch Records Showcase
Thur, 1-6pm / Free
Rock, Punk, Surf
6pm    Kepi Ghoulie / Kevin Seconds (acoustic)
5pm    The Ettes
4pm    The Cynics (Pittsburgh, PA)
3pm    The Dt’s (Bellingham, WA)
2pm    Los Coronas (Madrid, Spain)
1pm    Tokyo Sex Destruction (Spain)
Cheapo’s is always a fun hangout during SXSW. High-energy shows and the largest used CD collection in the state of Texas. Hoist a beer and holler. Highlights include: The Ettes (like a chick-lead Stooges you can actually sing along to); The Cynics (garage rock Freddie Steady would love; recent tours include opening for Mudhoney and selling out Spain); The Dt’s (grunge-soul with belter Diana Young-Blanchard channeling Tina Turner and Steven Tyler); Los Coronas (Spaniards learn the language of Dick Dale and Link Wray).


Emo’s (inside) / 603 Red River St
Thur, Noon-6pm / Free / All Ages
Artery Foundation Party
Indie Rock
The Devil Wears Prada, A Day to Remember, Alesana, Craig Owens, Whitechapel, A Skylit Drive, Dance Gavin Dance, Sky Eats, Airplane, Enter Shikari, Emarosa, I Set My Friends on Fire, Iwrestledabearonce, Watchout! There’s Ghosts



Emo’s (annex) / 600 Red River St
Thur, Noon-6pm / Free / All Ages
Full Metal Texas Day Party
Heavy Metal, Hardcore
Skeletonwitch, Black Math Horseman, Fact (Japan), Greeley Estates, Memphis May Fire, Night Horse, and more
We admit, we don’t know a ton about these bands, but the annex day parties at Emo’s are always ripe with great hardcore. And Full Metal Texas knows what they’re doing. So come on and break your neck. RSVP here for a free drink coupon.



Fran’s Hamburgers / 1822 S Congress Ave
Thur, 3-6pm / Free
Green Light Go & Hard Pressed Publicity: Bands, Burgers, and Beer
Acoustic, Singer-Songwriter
The Handsome Family (Albuquerque, NM), Ben Mallott (Austin, TX), Golden Bloom, Aimee Bobruk (Austin, TX), Graham Wilkinson (Austin, TX), Robert Harrison (of Future Clouds & Radar, Austin, TX), Static of the Gods, The Motion Sick
Well, that’s three important B’s for a party. No word on whether the burgers or beer are free, but this is a burger restaurant, so we doubt their giving away the store. It’s a tasty Austin icon though. The music includes stripped-down sets from many top acts in the Americana world, including newcomers on the Austin scene like Ben Mallot (debut Look Good, Feel Good is a winner), Aimee Bobruk (indie-pop meets dreamy folk), and the mastermind of kaleidoscopic Future Clouds & Radar, Robert Harrison.



Giddy Ups / 12010 Manchaca Rd
Spring Fling (Wed-Sun)
Thur, Noon-1am / Free
Country, Americana
Midnight    Dewey Lyon (Austin, TX)
11pm       Brent Allen (Austin, TX)
10pm       Penny Jo Pullus (Austin, TX)
9pm        Arty Hill (Baltimore, MD)
8pm        Corey Crowder (Covington, GA)
7pm        Mike Stinson (Los Angeles, CA)
6pm        Holy Liars (Athens, GA)
5pm        Blue Diamond Shine (Austin, TX)
4pm        Doc Marshalls (New York, NY)
3pm        Eric Hisaw (Austin, TX)
2pm        Patt Todd & The Rank Outsiders (Los Angeles, CA)
1pm        Chrissy Flatt (Austin, TX)
Noon       Rachel Lynn (Austin, TX)
In deep South Austin, the spacious honky tonk showcases its southern hospitality along with a look at mostly Austin country and Americana acts. Eats by Longhorn BBQ will be available from noon-10pm.



Jo’s Hot Coffee / 1300 S Congress Ave
South by San José (Thur-Sun)
Thur, Noon-9pm / Free
Country, Americana
8pm    Billy Joe Shaver (Waco, TX)
7pm    The Handsome Family
6pm    Dexter Romweber Duo (North Carolina)
5pm    Local Natives
4pm    Wild Beasts
3pm    Ben Sollee (Louisville, KY)
2pm    Deny May & His Magnificent Ukelele
1pm    Cuff The Duke
Noon   The Century
Another annual party routinely drawing big, festive crowds. Outside in the parking lot behind Jo’s, there will be food vendors, vintage clothing, record collectors, and more in a mini flea market setup. Highlights include: Ben Sollee (taking his cello center stage to indie folk-pop with a voice that reminds of Andrew Bird) and Billy Joe Shaver (Texas outlaw country legend liable to shout gems like, “if you don’t love Jesus, go to hell!”).



Jovita’s / 1619 S First St
Twangfest (Thur & Sat)
Noon-6pm
Twang
Inside Stage:
5pm        Daddy
4pm        Holly Golightly & The Brokeoffs
3pm        Chuck Mead & His Grassy Knoll Boys (Nashville, TN)
2pm        Howe Gelb (Tucson, AZ)
1pm        James Intveld (Austin, TX)
Noon       Hot Club of Cowtown (Austin, TX)
Outside Stage:
5:30pm    TBA
4:30pm    Horse Feathers
3:30pm    Theodore
2:30pm    Laura Gibson
12:30pm    This Is American Music (Glossary / Two Cow / Grand Champeen)
St. Louis summer music festival does a warmup each SXSW. Highlights include: Chuck Mead (of BR5-49 fame); Howe Gelb (of Giant Sand fame); Hot Club of Cowtown (western swing trio combining Django and Wills).

Lovejoys Tap Room / 604 Neches St
Thur, 3-7pm / Free
KOOP’s Garage/Twang Day Party
Garage Rock, Americana
6:15pm    The Higher State (UK)
5:15pm    The Ugly Beats (Austin, TX)
4:15pm    Jon Langford & The Pine Valley Cosmonauts w/ Rosie Flores (Chicago / Austin)
3:15pm    Chip Robinson’s Heavy Beat Outfit (Raleigh, NC)
Jon Langford’s PVCs combine his Mekons punk roots and Waco Brothers roots rock gold, and here have an added bonus with Austin’s guitar-slingin’ rockabilly filly Rosie Flores. Not to miss. Higher State add psychedelic vibe to their UK post-punk. Ugly Beats fall in line with an early Yardbirds sound.


Maggie Mae’s Gibson Room / 512 Trinity St
Thur, Noon – 6pm / Free
Gibson Guitar SXSW Party
Americana
Bruce Robison, Ray Wylie & Lucas Hubbard, Randy Rogers, The Gougers, The Band of Heathens, Lloyd Maines, Terri Hendrix, and guests
Here’s your royalty of Americana. Out-of-towners who haven’t heard Band of Heathens, don’t pass up the chance. They’re constant comparisons to Little Feat and the Band are warranted. Free food and drinks to boot.


The Parish / 214 E 6th St
NPR’s Music for the Right Brain
Thur, 12:30-7pm / Free
Indie, Pop, Rap
Blitzen Trapper
Thao Nguyen & The Get Down Stay Down (Washington, D.C.)
K’NAAN
Dirty Projectors (Brooklyn, NY)
BLK JKS (Johannesburg, South Africa)
Blind Pilot
Highlights include Blind Pilot (roots-pop duo), K’NAAN (Somali-born rapper), Blitzen Trapper (2008’s Furr was NPR goldmine), and Thao Nguyen (blogosphere phenom indie band bordering on twee).

Red 7 / 611 E 7th St
Thur, Noon-6pm / Free (Must RSVP at quackmedia.com/sxsw) / All Ages
Found Magazine and Quack! Media Party
Rock, Indie, Alt-Country
The Hold Steady (Brooklyn, NY)
No Age
Lucero (Memphis, TN)
The Tallest Man on Earth
The Hard Lessons
Human Highway
Great Lakes Myth Society
Adam Stephens (from Two Gallants)
Javelins
The Magic
This, in a way, is a no-brainer. Although, with such marquee names, this party is guaranteed to go beyond capacity. So make sure you RSVP and arrive early if you want to get in. Of course, there’s so much other great stuff going on, you might want to weigh the crowd and line when making your game plan.



Rusty Spurs / 405 E 7th St
Thur, 1-6pm / Free
The MuseBox Day Party
Indie Rock
5:00pm    The Homosexuals
4:15pm    The D’Urbervilles
3:30pm    Hey Ocean
2:45pm    Inward Eye
2:10pm    Operahouse
1:35pm    Empyr
1:00pm    Lucky Fonz III
Two stages (inside and out), free sparkling wine from Barefoot Wines, and brunch all day long make for a fine party, no?



Spider House Café / 2908 Fruth St
Postpunk.com Showcase
Thur, 2pm-Midnight / Free
Post Punk, Punk
10pm   Blacklist (New York)
9pm    The Prids (Oregon)
8pm    Entertainment (Georgia)
7pm    Romance (Washington)
6pm    Autodrone (New York, NY)
5pm    The Public (Los Angeles, CA)
4pm    Shiloe (Los Angeles, CA)
3pm    Mother/Father (Nashville, TN)
2pm    Sickboy (Ireland)
Spider House will also host a comedy stage tonight featureing Marc Maron and Tig Notaro for $6. Their six-stage bashes on Friday and Saturday are colossal. This warm-up should get things going in the right direction.

Tiniest Bar in Texas / 817 W 5th St
Thur, 8pm / Free
Houston’s Most Hated Party
Glasnost, Trash Yourself, Culture Prophet, Roy G. & The Biv, Heavy Heights, and DJs Joshua Distance, Richard Gear, They Call Me Jep


Trophy’s / 2008 S Congress
Local (Un)SXSW Night Showcase 2
Thur, 9pm-2am / Free
Rock
Zenith Fuzzbomb (Austin, TX)
Black Gasoline (Wichita, KS)
The Blind Pets (Austin, TX)
Devil Rides (Austin, TX)
Your Kisses Cause Crashes (Austin, TX)
More TBA
Thirty minute sets by some of Austin’s most exciting indie bands, including Zenith Fuzzbomb (sound as if the Melvins raided Led Zeppelin’s unrecorded masters and gave them a once-over over whiskey) and Your Kisses Cause Crashes (electro-pop kissing bandits with uproarious live sets). Plus Kanasa’ Wichita Gasoline (southern rock base with a Randy Rhodes guitar flair).


Trophy’s / 2008 S Congress
Whoopsy Magazine Day Party (Thur-Sat)
Thur, 3pm- / Free
Peelander Z, Here Holy Spain, The Sea, Appomatox, Gin Riots, and more

Whole Foods Market / 535 N Lamar Blvd
Thur, Noon-2:30pm / Free
Aussie Tastes & Tunes
1:30pm    Hot Kicks
12:45pm    Andy Clockwise
Noon        Loene Carmen
Now in its third year, and going for three days at the mammoth Whole Foods Market, Aussie Tastes & Tunes features a wide range of Australian artists in stripped-down settings. That, and free Aussie food.


Yard Dog Folk Art Gallery / 1510 S Congress Ave
Schuba’s 13th Annual SXSW Roundup
Thur, Noon-7pm / Free / All Ages
Rock, Pop, Americana
6:00pm    Sybris (Chicago, IL)
5:20pm    Miles Benjamin Anthony Robinson
4:40pm    The Asteroids Galaxy Tour
4:00pm    Violens
3:20pm    Lissy Trullie
2:40pm    Langhorne Slim (NYC / LA)
2:00pm    Sleepercar (El Paso, TX)
1:20pm    The Uglysuit (Oklahoma City, OK)
Noon        Rademacher
The venerable Chicago live music landmark Schuba’s puts on this mammoth party every year at SXSW. The party will spill over the alley, with sponsors Anheuser Busch and Svedka Vodka providing libations. Highlights include Sybris (power-pop quartet taking us Into the Trees); Langhorne Slim (soulful folk pop that makes ladies swoon and fellas pick up a guitar); The Uglysuit (Touch and Go artist combining shoegaze and psych-folk); and Sleepercar (West Texas Americana taking cues from Wilco and Old 97’s).

Wednesday's guide to free SXSW here.
Friday's guide to free SXSW here.
Saturday's guide to free SXSW here.
Sunday's guide to free SXSW here.