Merge Records Showcase

Love Language (Photo by Todd V. Wolfson)

Merge Records Showcase

No one can say that Merge Records doesn't know how to throw a party. Frank was at capacity about 10 minutes after opening its doors at 7pm, crammed full of South by Southwesters eager to partake in a 100%-solid lineup of both iconic and upcoming bands. M. Ward, perhaps a bit diminished at the outset of his fifth set in three days, kick-started the festivities, his voice a bit blurred by the guitars. Fortunately, the wonky mix eventually sorted itself out so that folks could enjoy the chugging, sometimes country-fried set that included "Helicopter," "Cosmopolitan Pap," and "Whole Lotta Losing." Ward was succeeded by Hospitality, whose angular Brooklyn pop, including "Friends of Friends" and biting "Liberal Arts," was likely the smartest, most compelling set of the night. Eleanor Friedberg's solo girl-with-guitar act got sucked into the undertow of audience chatter despite her early appeal to "make the big deals as quietly as possible." Pity, her songs are miniature epics, both conversational and enigmatic, especially "I Was Wrong," a track not found on her solo debut, Last Summer. Crooked Fingers frontman Eric Bachmann mingled in the audience, while the Love Language prepared to assault our ears with Stuart McLamb's sunny, Apple-commercial-worthy scream-pop.