10 Cardinal rules

First time at SXSW? Follow this survivor's guide — you may find a cool concert or meet your mate

It’s the time of year that serious music fans look forward to: SXSW Music starts Tuesday and runs through Sunday. The festival is in its 27th year and I’ve been attending for at least seven of them.

I love the festival because it utilizes so many venues all over Austin and caters to diverse musical tastes. You can see bands from all over the world with styles ranging from folk, to indie, to hip hop, rap, punk, pop or rock. It’s a phenomenal chance to enjoy a lot of music and discover new bands.

I once stumbled upon an unannounced Snoop Dogg show at a warehouse. I can’t remember who I was on the way to see, but I sure remember that Snoop show.

But since the festival continues to grow every year, it can be overwhelming for the first-time visitor. With that in mind, I've compiled some useful tips I’ve picked up along the way to help maximize the time spent seeing bands and get the most out of the experience.

1. Sit whenever possible

I can’t stress this enough. You will be on your feet for hours, so if you have the opportunity to sit you should rest your legs. If you are standing in a line that is going absolutely nowhere then take a seat. Your legs will thank you later.

2. Get there early

If there is a band you really want to see it’s worth it to get there early. If there is a buzz about a band, the long line to get in will reflect it. I have gone to some amazing shows and walked right in because I got there before the line became impossible.

3. Don’t worry about seeing big name bands

Unless it’s your favorite band or a show you just can’t miss, don’t worry about seeing the big name bands that come in because you are going to miss the opportunity to see a band at a small venue that will be a big name in the future. A friend of mine saw The Black Keys at a small venue while operating under this theory. How awesome would that have been?

One of my best friends and partner in SXSW crime met her significant other at the festival one year. They are getting married in July.

4. Drink lots of water and pace yourself

Dehydrated people are tired people. It is entirely possible to see 14 hours of bands in one day. There is free alcohol everywhere. If you don’t pace yourself and hydrate frequently you will miss some great music. Do you really want to be the person who missed an epic show because you overindulged?

5. Wear comfortable shoes

You will be walking and standing a lot. I normally am a fan of impractical footwear but not at SXSW. I break out the Toms and don’t worry about my 5-inch heels.

6. Ride your bike

It’s impossible to park or drive in Austin during SXSW. The best way to get around is by bicycle. There are several places available to rent bikes during the festival and Austin is a bicycle friendly city.

7. Be flexible about your schedule

This is super important. I spend a good deal of time researching bands and preparing a schedule of bands I want to see, but if you are inflexible about your schedule you will miss some amazing experiences. I was once heading from one show to another and stumbled upon an unannounced Snoop Dogg show at a warehouse. I can’t remember who I was on the way to see, but I sure remember that Snoop show.

I have gone to some amazing shows and walked right in because I got there before the line became impossible.

8. Use social media and carry your charger with you

People at SXSW love to tweet their whereabouts and to check in on Foursquare. There are also a lot of places that offer cool stuff if you check in. This is a must-do because a lot of the good parties and shows are word-of-mouth. Also, it’s a good idea to carry your phone charger with you. A lot of places will have charging stations but you don’t want to be disconnected from the people on social media who are dying to tell you where the party is at!

9. Make friends

This is a good rule for life in general, but especially true at SXSW. You never know who is standing next to you or what inside info they have on who is playing where. Also, one of my best friends and partner in SXSW crime met her significant other at the festival one year. They are getting married in July.

10. Be patient

You will be dealing with a lot of lines and a lot of people trying to see the same shows as you. This requires a good deal of patience. It’s worth it, trust me.

Wear comfortable shoes and be prepared to stand in line as the crowds are large at SXSW Music.

SXSW, crowd, band, stage, Austin skyline

ExtremeAirShots SXSW.com

Wear comfortable shoes and be prepared to stand in line as the crowds are large at SXSW Music.

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Here are the 15 best things to do in Houston this weekend

Photo courtesy of Morgan Wallen

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Juneteenth is on Thursday, June 19, which means those who want to celebrate will find plenty of events happening across Houston this weekend. We’re talking about such gatherings as the Children’s Museum Houston’s Juneteenth celebration, the Juneteenth 160 Fest, and Club Sienna’s Juneteenth Jubilee, just to name a few.

But we also have the all-star return of Comicpalooza, live performances from a country bad-boy and a neo-soul legend, a YouTube show getting an early jump on celebrating DJ Screw Day, and the 20th anniversary of a movie that we wish we knew how to quit.

Thursday, June 19

Buffalo Bayou Partnership presents Underground Sounds: Sarah Grace Graves - “Three Names”
All this weekend, the Underground Sounds series in the Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern returns, featuring Sarah Grace Graves performing her composition "Three Names," which is inspired by the vast, unique architecture of the Cistern and arranged especially for its natural acoustics. Graves is a composer and vocal performer working at the intersection between ritual and recital. She pulls inspiration from a variety of media, including classical literature and archival music recordings, to weave together stories through a blend of compositions and improvisation. 6 pm.

Plot Swap Theater presents Pheromones
Best friends Lucy and Vic slide into a downtown lounge, where Lucy unveils a slim vial she swears will make its wearer irresistible, putting their handsome waiter Danny in the crosshairs. Whether the pheromones ignite romance, trigger disaster, or expose deeper rifts between the friends is decided live by the audience. Pheromones is an intimately hilarious choose‑your‑adventure story, performed for only 10 guests per night. Through Thursday, July 24. 7 pm.

The River Oaks Theatre presents When Houston Had the Blues
When Houston Had the Blues focuses on the city’s rich (but sadly unheralded) history of great Black music. No other city can claim giants such as Lightnin' Hopkins, Big Mama Thornton, Clarence Gatemouth Brown, Bobby Blue Bland, Albert King, and Albert Collins, plus Black-owned labels like Duke and Peacock. The doc features new interviews with Billy Gibbons, CJ Chenier, Grady Gaines, and others. Producer Drew Barnett-Hamilton and Houston blues artists Trudy Lynn and Steve Krase will be around for a post-screening Q&A. 7:15 pm.

Friday, June 20

Comicpalooza
The three-day pop culture con Comicpalooza is back, featuring vendors from all over the galaxy, programming covering a multitude of fandoms, special attractions intriguing the curious minds, panels featuring this year’s guests, and other geeky entertainment. Celebrity guests will include Hayden Christensen, Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong, Anthony Michael Hall, Patton Oswalt, Ming-Na Wen, WWE wrestlers, the cast of Resident Alien (including Alice Wetterlund, who will be at Punch Line Houston this weekend), and more. 1 pm (9 am Saturday and Sunday).

Asia Society Texas Center presents AsiaFest
AsiaFest celebrates the rich diversity of Houston’s Asian and Asian American communities through performances, art-making activities, food, live demonstrations, and more. The event will feature Asia's different regions' traditions, cultures, and food. Guests will get to interact with a dragon boat display on their front lawn, tour Asia Society Texas' exhibition "Hung Hsien: Between Worlds," and more. 5 pm.

Morgan Wallen in concert
Country star Morgan Wallen may not have dug hanging around at Saturday Night Live a few months back (he quickly bounced during the goodnights and later posted “Get me to God’s country” on his Instagram page), but he’ll be sticking around in Houston this weekend. He’ll be performing not one, but two shows at NRG Stadium, in support of his new album, I'm The Problem. Well, at least the man knows he’s got issues. 5:30 pm. (Saturday, 5:30 pm).

Maxwell in concert
The last time ‘90s neo-soul pioneer Maxwell performed here was in October, as his tour (which celebrated the 15th anniversary of his 2009 comeback album BLACKsummers’night) made a stop at the Toyota Center. Now, he’s returning to H-Town territory, preparing to rock the house over at Sugar Land’s Smart Financial Centre. So, if you conceived children while listening to his baby-making jams (or if you were conceived during a Maxwell song and you just wanna see what the hype is all about), Maxwell will be here to give you a little sumthin’ sumthin’. 8 pm.

Saturday, June 21

River Oaks District presents Motor Mornings with Post Oak Motor Cars
River Oaks District invites car enthusiasts, collectors, and industry insiders to its Motor Mornings – presented by Post Oak Motor Cars – to see an extraordinary lineup of supercars and hypercars, including bespoke Bentleys, roaring Lamborghinis, and sleek Bugattis. Automotive aficionados can come together to enjoy a curated collection of some of the most coveted vehicles in the world to connect over shared passion and engineering perfection. This event is open to the public and will offer live music and complimentary coffee for attendees. 8 am.

Kroger 70th Anniversary Celebration
The nationwide grocery chain will mark 70 years of Houston operations with a party at its store in the Heights (1035 N. Shepherd). The first 70 customers through the door at 10 am will have the opportunity to buy seven items for just $0.70 each. Everyone else will enjoy wine tastings, gift card raffles, Winfield's Chocolate Bar giveaways, an appearance by the Texans cheerleaders, and activities for kids. To mark the occasion, Kroger will donate $35,000 to the Houston Food Bank. 10 am.

Photo courtesy of Morgan Wallen

Morgan Wallen is performing Friday and Saturday.

Spin the Block at Screwed Up Records and Tapes
Spin the Block, the new YouTube show where DJs and influencers take over a local Houston space and have a nice little kickback, will be at Screwed Up Records and Tapes this weekend, just in time for DJ Screw Day next weekend. Rock/hip-hop duo Blaze x Black will be performing as well as hosting, along with King Borris. DJ Pablo Barre will provide the beats, and food trucks and other vendors will be outside. Noon.

Nate Jackson: Super Funny World Tour
Stand-up comedian, actor, and viral sensation Nate Jackson is taking his signature high-energy comedy on the road with the Super Funny World Tour. His blend of sharp wit, relatable humor, and unmatched physical comedy has made him a favorite both on social media and in live performances, where he sells out comedy clubs and theaters across America. See him before his first Netflix special drops in July. 7 pm.

Houston Symphony presents Disney and Pixar’s Up in Concert
In Up, the quirky duo of Carl, a cantankerous 78-year-old balloon salesman, and Russell, an adventurous 8-year-old stowaway, embark on a laugh-out-loud and touching journey to a hidden world full of thrills and surprises. The 2009 Disney/Pixar tearjerker will be projected on a massive screen, accompanied by the Houston Symphony performing Michael Giacchino’s Academy Award-winning score live. 7:30 pm (2 pm Sunday).

Sunday, June 22

Laura Rathe Fine Art presents "A World Within" opening reception
"A World Within," a group exhibition featuring Lucrecia Waggoner, Carly Allen Martin, Audra Weaser, and Sandrine Kern, is that quiet, internal space we all carry. A place shaped by memory, emotion, and the small moments that do not always have language. A world where past experiences and passing thoughts live side by side, building emotional landscapes that feel intimate and vast at the same time. Each artist offers a different entry point into this space, a glimpse into their inner world. Through Monday, August 4. Noon.

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston presents "From India to the World: Textiles from the Parpia Collection" opening day
A celebration of artistic mastery and cultural exchange, "From India to the World: Textiles from the Parpia Collection" showcases the Museum’s recent acquisition of Indian textiles from the holdings of New York-based Banoo and Jeevak Parpia, who have assembled one of the most significant private collections of its kind outside India. This exhibition offers a rich cross-section of India’s textile traditions, from intricate court silks to boldly patterned cottons, dazzling tie-dyes, and masterfully woven ikats. Through Sunday, September 14. 12:30 pm.

Alamo Drafthouse LaCenterra presents Brokeback Mountain: 20th Anniversary
Winner of three Academy Awards including Best Director, Brokeback Mountain is a sweeping epic that explores the lives of two young men, a ranch hand and a rodeo cowboy, who meet in the summer of 1963 and unexpectedly forge a lifelong connection. The complications, joys, and heartbreak they experience provide a testament to the endurance and power of love. The late Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal deliver emotionally charged, remarkably moving performances. 6 pm (9:30 pm Sunday).

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