The trip to Austin this year for SXSW was a huge success and a great time.  I want to recap some of the bigger acts that I saw that were great as well as some hidden gems that I just happened to stumble upon. (Above photo credit Loren Wohl)

The first group I want to talk about is The Very Best.  These guys came out onto the Fader Fort stage and absolutely set the place on fire.  One of the most hype performances I saw without a doubt.  This group is straight out of Africa coming through with amazing hooks, melodies and beats that will just melt your face.  They have a great classic reggae  feel to them as well with a very tropical sound.  In fact I coined my own phrase to describe The Very Best and that is Trop Pop.  Definitely keep an eye for this one and make sure to check out their myspace.

Next up, a very non traditional hip hop artist that got it absolutely cracking in the packed spot was Alabama’s own Yelawolf.  The beauty of this show was that I randomly walked in on it at Beauty Bar not knowing he was playing.  When I walked in he was just starting his track Pop The Trunk.  He had the spot filled to the brim with every head in the spot singing “Don’t make me pop the trunk… on youu.” So amazing.  Very unique style, voice and fantastic to watch live.

Of course I have to talk about the home town hero Samuel.  Samuel played two showcases the first of which was the Hypem showcase however his second show for the Neon Gold Records showcase was the show that made you want to go back to your hotel room after and write your mom about how good it was.  Samuel did not hesitate to bang out what may have been one of his best performance yet opening for Marina and the Diamonds for a sold out Lamberts BBQ.  Samuel only seems to ripen a little more after each show and is slowly becoming the great pop artist I have faith he will one day become.  Look out for his debut album entitled “Trains to Wanderland” which will be dropping this July.

This next adventure I’m going to tell you about was by far the most epic.  After a long night of drinking I found myself back near The Mansion, my resting place, with my friend Luka.  There was this dump of a frat house right across the street from the hotel and we heard some great music coming out of the place so we decided to check it out.  As the current band was finishing people outside on the lawn were hurrying us in saying, lets go The Bubbles are about to go on.  The Bubbles indeed, I couldn’t believe my eyes and ears, these guys were simply amazing.  Incredible live show, drunk off their asses and having a blast.  Huge mosh pit took up the whole main floor of the spot and these guys tore it down.  A great indie pop band from Austin and a true gem.  Incredible light poppy sound with that unique touch to it that can get anyone moving and feeling good.  After my friend Luka and I left the show we kept laughing saying, no one will believe us when we tell them about The Bubbles experience.  It was simply that good and I will remember it above any of the other performances I saw.

So until next year folks, it was an epic one.  Drinks, laughs, adventure and music, couldn’t be better.