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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Movie Review

An all-star cast delivers clever laughs in new comedy The Invite

Photo courtesy of A24

Olivia Wilde, Seth Rogen, Penelope Cruz, and Edward Norton in The Invite.

Once upon a time, well before scandal embroiled him, Woody Allen made great comedies aimed at adults. That type of film — which is different from the raunchy, R-rated comedies of the 21st century — has fallen out of favor in Hollywood, but as the new film The Invite proves, when done well it can be as funny as anything else out there.

Joe (Seth Rogen) and Angela (Olivia Wilde) are an unhappily married couple living in San Francisco. As we meet them, Joe has arrived home to Angela preparing for a visit from their upstairs neighbors, Hawk (Edward Norton) and Piña (Penélope Cruz), who have moved in relatively recently. Their impending arrival starts a new round of arguing between Joe and Angela, something they can barely contain once the other couple comes to their door.

What proceeds is a getting-to-know-you process that is mostly awkward as Joe and Angela continue sniping at each other while Hawk and Piña put in their two cents in a much calmer manner. A sticking point between the two couples — the loud sex Hawk and Piña have on an almost nightly basis — turns the film on its head with an unexpected invitation.

Directed by Wilde and written by Will McCormack and Rashida Jones, the film is a fast-paced chamber piece that takes place almost entirely in Joe and Angela’s apartment. Wilde, the writers, and the actors speed the story along not with action but through almost non-stop dialogue that often has the characters overlapping each other’s lines. The rapidity of the speech fuels the humor of the situation and establishes the differing personalities of each person.

Sex is very much top of mind for each of the characters for most of the film, but the filmmakers approach the topic in such a way that it never feels salacious. Each of the characters is a rational adult who can talk about sex in a mature manner while also acknowledging their unique feelings on the matter. And it’s the discoveries each of them makes along the way that brings about the most comedy.

But, like any comedy for adults, the film also has a dramatic tilt to it, and Wilde edges the story back-and-forth between the two tones extremely well. Joe and Angela fighting is played for laughs at times, but the sadness of their relationship comes through loud and clear. Hawk and Piña are much more intimate with each other, but the funniness of their openness is juxtaposed with a depth that arises through their conversations.

In the 2020s, Rogen has managed to make the transition from goofy stoner to stoner with real acting chops. In a stacked cast, he is the one who sells every moment the best. That’s not to say that Wilde, Norton, and Cruz don’t measure up, though; each of them inhabits their respective roles magnificently. The four actors play off each other as if they had been working together for years.

While The Invite will likely play better to those who have experience with long term relationships, its insights — and occasional bawdiness — make it a comedy that can be appreciated universally. With four actors at the top of their games and a razor-sharp script made even better by some well-done improv, it proves that you don’t need to go low to get great laughs.

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The Invite is now playing in theaters.

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