Came for the Tacos, Stayed for the Bands: SXSW 2018 Diary

by Natalie Leonard & Rachel Cabitt

This year at SXSW we did more than just drink margaritas, eat tacos, and listen to bands, we had a party too. Away from the usual chaos of the festival, we hosted our first SXSW showcase in the oasis of a backyard at a house in East Austin with nine of our favorite bands: Gnarcissists, Navy Gangs, Barrie, Big White, BOYTOY, Vundabar, The Britanys, The Muckers and Honduras. The sun was hot as heck, but we had a few Lone Stars and PBRs to keep us going as well as tacos sold outside the kitchen window. See what we got up to and all the pretty faces, old and new, that graced us while in Austin.

Sweet Lindsey of Siren Sounds (our knight in shining armor when planning this showcase) making a sign to hang on the front of the house.

Gnarcissists

Every set they play, the venue asks them to not come back. Follow these animals on Instagram to keep up with their shenanigans.

Matt chillin'.

Navy Gangs

Originally hailing from the Midwest, these New York bad boys will keep you rockin' until the mornin'. Look out for new music on the way on their Instagram and Facebook.

Wilson and Noah of Navy Gangs singing into each other's souls.

Molly of Uma Bloo and her manager Julia after Molly played a set at the New Guild Co-Op.

Gnarcissists usually shotgun a beer or two on stage at their shows, SX brought the beer bong out instead.

Barrie

These babes only formed a few months ago and have only released one single but are already MTV's favorites. Keep up with them on Instagram and Facebook.

Spurge and Noah of Barrie hiding in the shade.

Big White

They came all the way from down under to party with us <3 Keep up with them while they're across the world on Instagram and Facebook.

Photo Kings, Mike and Cooper.

BOYTOY

Get you a band that dresses up as Britney for Halloween and still kicks ass. Try and keep up with them on Instagram and Facebook.

Queens of SX, Brooklyn's very own BOYTOY

Vundabar

These goofs have come a long way since playing our CMJ show back in 2015. You can find their newly released album Smell Smoke and upcoming tour dates on Instagram and Facebook.

The Britanys

Fun fact: these heartthrobs were our first music feature on POND. Now they're breaking hearts all over the U.K. Oh how they grow up so fast. Find them on Instagram and Facebook.

SX clearly wore out Steele since all he wants to do is take a nap in all of these pictures.

The Muckers

These dudes will transport you into a psychedelic funk with their hypnotizing riffs. Find them on Instagram and Facebook.

Is that Kurt Cobain?

4am with The Muckers.

Honduras

We met lead singer Pat backstage at a show at our very first SXSW two years ago, so it only made sense to have them close out our first SXSW showcase. Keep up with the boys on Instagram and Facebook.