Catching Civil Twilight at SXSW

Civil Twilight @ Antone's, SXSW, Austin, Texas, photo courtesy of Rey Andrade Garza
 

Having been to SXSW, a few times in recent years, the massive scale of this art, film and music festival gets bigger each year in Austin, Texas. Last year, I didn't get a chance to get a wrist band but still caught Miike Snow at the Lustre Pearl (albeit it was outside but the trip was well worth it) and that made SXSW for me. This year without any luck, my twin brother Rey and I decide to make a last minute trip from San Antonio to Austin, to catch the last night of SXSW 2013. We decided we were going to let the night dictate where and who we would be able to see live. After navigating a sea of people and checking the surroundings, we made our first move. Along, with some a local Austinite and college buddy named Nicholas and his pal Tekon, we bar hopped starting at Darwin's ( a cool British joint) where we saw the breezy group Rooster from California and The Hush Sound an  eclectic Austin band. Then off to the Firehouse Hostel, where I didn't get the name of the group but the beers kept coming. Afterwards, we left to the Geisha Room for some great garage/house with a dj from Michigan. With an hour left, Nicholas decides we should head to the famous Antone's. Having volunteered for SXSW, Nick did have an all access badge, but was the only guy in the group possessing that goldent ticket. The doorman saw that our friend had a badge and let us all in for free. This was my and brother Rey's first time at Antone's and we couldn't believe our luck. A last minute addition to the music slate that night, Antone's added, Civil Twilight, a dynamic four piece rock group from Cape Town, South Africa. Being introduced to their brand of lush rock for the first time, my jaw dropped at the mastery of their sound and vintage rock style. Many have compared their sound to the Muse, early U2 or The Police, but what is hard to argue is the level of their competent rock. Having officially formed in 2005, the group is still evolving its sound and reach. By the end of the night, I was able to secure the setlist, signed by one of the members and given a guitar pick, quite a score considering this trip was not planned. I look foward to see what SXSW has to offer next year, hopefully secure that financially elusive wrist band.

-Rafael Andrade Garza

Click the facebook link below for a musical clip of Civil Twilight at Antone's:

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10151502530469593