Now less than a month away, the schedule for the South By Southwest music festival is starting to solidify, with a host of ’80s college rock vets slated to make appearances in Austin, Texas, next month — including Duran Duran, Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, Edwyn Collins, World Party, J Mascis and more.
Some are putting in serious time at SXSW, none more so than The Baseball Project, the, uh, baseball-themed project featuring R.E.M.’s Peter Buck and Steve Wynn of the Dream Syndicate that is playing at least six shows in Austin (three of them in one day) during the March 16-20 festival. Wynn’s also playing another set with his band The Miracle 3.
Also, in addition to performing live, Duran Duran is slated to give an on-stage interview, and ex-Boomtown Rat and global do-gooder Bob Geldof will deliver the festival’s keynote. Also, for those getting into town early, “Upside Down: The Creation Records Story” will make its North American premiere March 15 during the SXSW film festival.
See SXSW schedule highlights after the jump…
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16
- Duran Duran, Stubb’s; TBA
- J Mascis, La Zona Rosa; TBA
- The Baseball Project, Nuvola; 12 a.m.
THURSDAY, MARCH 17
- Bob Geldof, Austin Convention Center; 11 a.m. (SXSW Keynote)
- The Baseball Project, Threadgill’s; 2 p.m.
- The Baseball Project, Jovita’s; 4 p.m.
- Duran Duran, Austin Convention Center; 5 p.m. (SXSW Interview)
- The Baseball Project, Dog & Duck; 8 p.m.
- Edwyn Collins, Nuvola; 12 a.m.
- OMD’s Andy McCluskey and Paul Humphreys, Maggie Mae’s Rooftop; 1 a.m.
FRIDAY, MARCH 18
- The Baseball Project, Gingerman; 1 p.m.
- World Party, The Speakeasy; TBA (Fontana day party)
- J Mascis, Austin Convention Center; 4:40 p.m.
- World Party, Auditorium Shores; 7 p.m.
- American Music Club, The Parish; 9:45 p.m.
- The Baseball Project, Momo’s; TBA
- Steve Wynn & The Miracle 3, Momo’s; TBA
- J Mascis, Red 7 Patio; 12:10 a.m.
- Men Without Hats, Club de Ville; 1 a.m.
- OMD, Stubb’s; 1 a.m.
SATURDAY, MARCH 19
- The Baseball Project, Yard Dog Austin; 12 p.m.
- World Party, Cactus Cafe; TBA (KUT day party)
- Mark Eitzel, St. David’s Bethell Hall; 10 p.m.
Interesting! I never expected to see a World Party reunion- I have to admit, I am pretty psyched about it. Also, I am so glad Steve Wynn is not only still kicking around, but also making the best music of his career. Of all the eighties indie rock alums, I think Steve has matured the most as a songwriter, while at the same time almost single-handedly keeping the guitar rock flame burning brightly. My hat’s off to him.
This seems like a very odd assortment for SXSX but, then again, SXSX has always been odd. I’m looking forward to Bob Geldof’s new album How to Compose Songs That Will Sell. Too bad he has no interest in playing with the semi-reformed Boomtown Rats.
World Party is also playing at Jo’s for SX San Jose.