The Sterling Stage, 6134 E. Hwy. 290
SXSW Spoiling Its Own Party?
RECEIVED Mon., March 21, 2011
Dear SXSW,
After a harrowing hometown week of work, fun, participation, and subversion, I am worried.
I am worried because you are worried. I hear you plan to work with the city of Austin to "limit" the free events due to too much free beer and rowdy behavior. Blah. That's a little wimpy for a strapping young festival of 25 years old.
I hope your work with the city doesn't translate as "How can we charge them more for more stuff?". For the record, I love SXSW. I have worked it in the clubs. I have played fair and bought your credentials many years and spent others cashing in favors and jumping fences.
I'm sure the staff of the Scoot Inn/Mohawk/Beauty Bar or any number of venues where the "saturation point" was reached will survey the damage, see that it is minimal, and quickly add the tale to the larger story of their badass lives. A lot of locals don't want to/can't pay for the grand affair and just wanna get into something free and fun – or maybe they have a break from an insane week of working for you. They are not waiting in line all day to network or get signed or add to their esoteric hipster résumés. They want action and they want free beer. This year was awesome. Is there such a thing as too awesome? I got to see fans brave barbed wire and small cliff jumps to get in. I got to see swag young rappers jump off the damn roof while the fans tore down the gate. Even after this last week, I think we can still handle more awesome. You have created the tension and the anticipation.You have manufactured the exclusivity and upped the ante every year. You have fattened up the 800-pound gorilla and now he needs to go on a diet 'cause he's gotten a little top-heavy. Perhaps you can start by weaning him off of monolithic corporate sponsors and giant stadium-sized pop-up venues. Perhaps you should only let him eat 1,500 bands next year instead of 2,000.
Just relax, get some better fences, and don't mess with my freedom.
After a harrowing hometown week of work, fun, participation, and subversion, I am worried.
I am worried because you are worried. I hear you plan to work with the city of Austin to "limit" the free events due to too much free beer and rowdy behavior. Blah. That's a little wimpy for a strapping young festival of 25 years old.
I hope your work with the city doesn't translate as "How can we charge them more for more stuff?". For the record, I love SXSW. I have worked it in the clubs. I have played fair and bought your credentials many years and spent others cashing in favors and jumping fences.
I'm sure the staff of the Scoot Inn/Mohawk/Beauty Bar or any number of venues where the "saturation point" was reached will survey the damage, see that it is minimal, and quickly add the tale to the larger story of their badass lives. A lot of locals don't want to/can't pay for the grand affair and just wanna get into something free and fun – or maybe they have a break from an insane week of working for you. They are not waiting in line all day to network or get signed or add to their esoteric hipster résumés. They want action and they want free beer. This year was awesome. Is there such a thing as too awesome? I got to see fans brave barbed wire and small cliff jumps to get in. I got to see swag young rappers jump off the damn roof while the fans tore down the gate. Even after this last week, I think we can still handle more awesome. You have created the tension and the anticipation.You have manufactured the exclusivity and upped the ante every year. You have fattened up the 800-pound gorilla and now he needs to go on a diet 'cause he's gotten a little top-heavy. Perhaps you can start by weaning him off of monolithic corporate sponsors and giant stadium-sized pop-up venues. Perhaps you should only let him eat 1,500 bands next year instead of 2,000.
Just relax, get some better fences, and don't mess with my freedom.
Sincerely,
Aaron Miller
Club de Ville
Aaron Miller
Club de Ville
P.S. Is it really illegal to lean on the stone wall at the new C3 party house across from Stubb's? :)
[South by Southwest responds: There have been inaccurate reports that SXSW is planning to work with the city of Austin to limit free events next year. SXSW has long offered a number of fun and exciting free-to-the-public events for the Austin community, and will continue to do so. Other groups will undoubtedly also present free events during SXSW.
The confusion was caused by comments from SXSW regarding the fact that the city of Austin has recently amended the permitting process for all free events. The new sound ordinance will create more scrutiny in the planning stages and place a priority on public safety. That process began in February and was not fully in effect by SXSW 2011. Next year, the process will be more comprehensive and will create safer outdoor events.]
