The Silos, Bonnie Whitmore, Blackie And The Rodeo Kings, Ume, Saidah Baba Talibah, The Darcys, Those Darlins @ SXSW 2014

The Silos @ Dogwood (inside)

By the time I got to the Dogwood at 12:30pm the Guitartown party was already in full swing. Jon Dee Graham was just finishing his set on the outside stage and The Silos were ready to hit the stage inside. For this occasion Walter Salas-Humara played with his brother Ignacio on drums, Rich Brotherton (git), Steve McAllister (bass) and Michael Hall (keys). As on the night before they started with a few new songs ("Counting On You", "The Craziest Feeling", " Satellite"), before the launching into the almost forgotten "Mom Out Dancing" (from 1998's Heater) and one of the most amazing  Silos' songs ever - "I'm Over You". While the show the night before felt almost like a public rehearsal, the band was in fine form for this all-too-short set.

Bonnie Whitmore @ Dogwood (inside)

"An accomplished cellist and bassist, [Bonnie Whitmore] lived in Nashville for a while, spent a year singing in Hayes Carll’s band and frequently appears with the Mastersons, fronted by [her sister] Eleanor and her husband, Chris Masterson. [...] With a voice that goes from whispering softness to full throttle and alto to soaring soprano, and songs that plumb relationships with lyrics referencing Lewis Carroll, Hunter  S. Thompson and Radiohead, she’s got Americana fans clamoring to hear her new work." - Lynne Margolis
I had previously seen Bonnie playing bass with The Mastersons and I own (and like) her solo records, but this was the first time I saw her perform her own songs. With Bonnie on electric guitar, backed by a drummer and violin player, the band delivered a compelling performance.
Bonnie Whitmore - Heartbreaker (live at Dogwood)

Blackie & The Rodeo Kings @ Dogwood (outside)

"South is both classic Blackie and The Rodeo Kings and at the same time, signals a new direction. Either way, it's a fine album of alt­ country and great guitar work." - Michael Dregni, Vintage Guitar
When Bonnie Whitmore finished her set on the inside stage the Rodeo Kings started their set outside. I had seen them back home not too long ago, but if you get a chance to see this band you should go for it - their live shows never disappoint.

Ume @ Rusty's

"Ume hits SXSW with a new fire in its belly: third LP Monuments, which dropped March 4. The Austin trio rode last album Phantoms for 200 tour stops, and true to form, they hit the road starting with the West Coast next week. Catch the massive sound of hurricane frontwoman Lauren Larson while they're contained in Austin." – Abby Johnston, Austin Chronicle
No trip to SX is complete without seeing a show by Ume. This showcase was a bit off the beaten track and surprisingly sparsely attended. The new album is certainly worth checking out and the band sounded great - again a 30 minute set seemed much too short.
Ume - Chase It Down (live at Rusty's) - all songs from the show can be found on YouTube

Saidah Baba Talibah @ Brush Square Park (East Tent)

"There’s Rock n’ Roll. And then there’s the Rock n’ Soul of buzzy Toronto-bred vocalist Saidah Baba Talibah, daughter of Tony and Grammy Award-nominated icon Salome Bey, “Canada’s First Lady of Blues”. Strong bloodline notwithstanding, Saidah is a fierce artist that isn’t afraid to combine rock/funk/soul in all of her performances!" - SXSW band info
The first time I saw Saidah Baba Talibah was in 2008 when she joined The Skydiggers for a couple of songs. Since then she had dropped off my radar a bit, so this showcase offered an excellent to get re-acquainted. I was rewarded for the decision to stop by at the "Canadian Blast" with a rocking set - Saidah even managed to get the BBQ eating folks in the front row to put down their plates for a couple of songs ;)
Saidah Baba Talibah - Revolution (live at SXSW 2014) - from her second show later in the day

The Darcys @ Brush Square Park (East Tent)

"The Darcys are a Canadian four-piece art rock band from Toronto, Ontario." - Wikipedia
Musically not really my thing, but a great opportunity to grab some decent BBQ and enjoy the sunshine on what was to be the warmest day of SXSW 2014.

Those Darlins @ Cheer Up Charlie's

"Murfreesboro, Tennessee's Those Darlins bridge the Ryman Auditorium and Beerland. Featuring the scuzzy stylings of Adrian Barrera and smoky vocals shared by the onetime trio, last year's Blur the Line demonstrated a uniquely Mid-South noir brand of songwriting. A flavor all their own – delightfully regional, fresh, rockin' – Those Darlins define "with a bullet." - Tim Stegall, Austin Chronicle
Next I tried to see Star Anna at a nearby Outdoor Stage, but that event had been cancelled on short notice. Plan B offered a chance to get re-acquainted with another band I hadn't seen since 2009. Back then I had seen the band in the exact same spot, although the venue was still the "Club DeVille" at the time. The band has undergone several line-up changes, has released 2 more albums and has played countless shows, but what hadn't changed was their ability to get the audience going right from the start. Setlist: "Red Light Love", "Ain't Afraid", "In The Wilderness", "Summer's Dead", "Dancing Barefoot", "Mystic Mind", "Screws Got Loose", "That Man".
Those Darlins - Dancing Barefoot (live at Cheer Up Charlie's) - all songs from this show can be found on YouTube