# SXSW 2012, Day One – NPR Broadcasts Live Andrew Bird at Helm of Special Live Cast, Plus Sharon Van Etten, Alabama Shakes - Link: https://indierockcafe.com/2012/03/sxsw-2012-day-two-npr-broadcasts-live-andrew-bird-at-helm-of-special-live-cast-plus-sharon-van-etten-alabama-shakes-and-various-sxsw-artists-mp3s/ - Published: 2012-03-15T16:01:32-04:00 - Author: Max Hammer Andrew Bird headlined NPR's Stubb's showcase Wednesday night. Photo by NPR. The first day of SXSW 2012 in Austin closed out with performances at Stubb’s by ** Andrew Bird** (and broadcast live by NPR); **Titus Andronicus** at Bar 96; **Lower Dens** at ND; **We Were Promised Jetpacks** at Easy Tiger Patio; **Built to Spill** at IFC Crossroads; **Neon Indian** (DJ Set) at Red Eyed Fly;** Blondes** at Barbarella;** The Spinto Band **at Karma Longe; **Cults** at Red 7 Patio; **Cage the Elephant** at The Main; **Paper Route** at The Velveeta Room and on and on. See more artists performances and venues below. That partial listing there is just a sampling of dozens and dozens of sets that any one person will miss while at SXSW; it’s simply humanly impossible to be in more than one place at a time – so when it comes to SXSW, because there are so many great artists playing different venues at the same time, hard choices have to be made. Even music sites and blogs with a large contingency of writers and photographers at SXSW cannot cover everything they want to in a given day. [⌊andrew-bird-npr⌉⌊andrew-bird-npr⌉[ Andrew Bird and band perform at Stubb's Wednesday night. Photo by NPR Not surprisingly, Andrew Bird put on a brilliant performance at NPR’s showcase at the Austin institution, Stubb’s. Bird and the band, with its amazing proggy, indie folk style, played a number of tracks from his band’s latest album, Break It Yourself, including the lead single, “Eyeoneye,” as well as plenty of songs that made him and the band legendary, like “Plasticites,” “Effigy,” “Dark Matter,” “Desperation Breeds,” “Fiery Crash.” “Eyeoneye” – **Andrew Bird** from _Break It Yourself_ via Mom + Pop The band also appeared on the _Colbert Report_ on Comedy Central Tuesday evening. And then it came time for the Birdman. It’s fair to say that while his roots were indie-based, Andrew Bird has, in recent years especially, grown beyond that demographic to attract people who may not necessarily listen to indie predominantly. It was pure exhileration when Andrew Bird and the band took the stage at Stubbs last evening. While a thunder and lightning storm was threatening, Bird performed like the professional live performer he is. The performance of “Dense Caribe” was simply stunning. For those who have never been, SXSW is a truly magical experience. One of the many wonderful things about SXSW is that is geared towards music lovers (and anyone who just wants to have fun) – especially indie and alternative music – who can see more bands in five or six days in one fairly centralized location than they may be able to see in an entire year living in a city. Related Post:  Best 2021 DIY Songs feat. Icarus Phoenix, Matthew McNeal, Ora Violet& others Listen to [Andrew Bird’s performance](https://indierockcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/andrew-bird-live-in-concert-sxsw-2012) last night at Stubb’s via NPR ![sharon-van-etten-live](https://indierockcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/6837585998_350486f635_b_wide. jpg?t=1331789603&s=6 "sharonvanetten") Sharon Van Etten on stage at Stubb's Wednesday evening. Photo via NPR The showcase started out earlier in the evening with **Sharon Van Etten**, who has quickly become one of the top female indie singer-songwriters, and biggest attractions at various festivals in the past 18 months . On stage, her performance seems effortless, her voice is soothing and poignant, and her lyrics are touching and heartfelt. Despite a bit of a late start, the crowd received Van Etten and her band with enthusiasm and love. It’s apparent that Van Etten is a rising star in the folk art rock realm. Listen to [Sharon Van Etten’s set](https://indierockcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/sharon-van-etten-live-in-concert-sxsw-2012) at Stubb’s Wednesday night ![](https://indierockcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/6837707680_a3612ec5e2_b_wide.jpg? t=1331789634&s=6) **Dan Deacon**, who put on a typically tweaked out set of high-octane electro-dance chaos, sat down with _NPR_ before Bird’s set, noted that he had never performed with two drummers before, but decided to for his NPR SXSW performance, which he pointed out was special because this year is the 25th anniversary of South By Southeast, the country’s premiere music marathon. Note: Dan Deacon said his new album (title unknown) had to be remixed and will be out in September via Domino Records. Stream [Dan Deacon’s set at Stubb’s](https://indierockcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/dan-deacon-live-in-concert-sxsw-2012) Wednesday night via NPR The rising band, **The Alabama Shakes**, debuted at SXSW during the NPR live cast, and we think it’s fair to say, mesmerized a lot of folks. Lead singer, Britanny Howard, may be one of the best ‘new’ female vocalists to perform at SXSW, and the band are fantastic. The crowd absolutely loved The Alabama Shakes, and via social media as well. Related Post:  Best New Releases of the Week, Part II: Twin Tigers, Man/Miracle, Bridges & Blinking Lights, Megaphonic Thrift & More In fact, at one point, the crowd tried to get the band back out to play another song – but SXSW is not an encore-styled event due to the tight schedules. The band’s mix of groove, soul, rhythm and blues, indie rock and blues really make them standout in the very crowded current music scene. We’d say, based on that performance, and some of the band’s previous releases, The Alabama Shakes are a Band to Watch in 2012.  Their popularity is also evident by the fact that they opened for the Birdman. Credit also needs to go to the mixing engineer for NPR, **Kevin Wait**. Definitely one of the memorable performances of Day Two. ![youth-lagoon-sxsw](https://indierockcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/0e878799.jpg) A rising solo artist, Youth Lagoon performed Wednesday at SXSW during IFC Crossroads showcase. Photo by Pitchfork Since it is impossible to highlight every show, here’s just a sampling of some of the artists and bands that we’ve covered and which venue they performed at on Wednesday. Here are just a few with some tracks to make it real. **IFC Crossroads** – Youth Lagoon “Montana“** – ****Youth Lagoon **from _The Year of Hibernation _ [Full post](https://indierockcafe.com/2011/09/releases-sept-27/) **The Stage on Sixth Patio** – We Are Trees, Young Man, Suckers “Black Sheep” – **Suckers** from _Wild Smile_ [Full Post](https://indierockcafe.com/2010/06/releases-week-teenagefanclub-villagers-suckers/) **Beauty Bar Backyard** – Royal Baths, Natural Child, Turbo Fruits [“The Jungle”](https://indierockcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/02%20The%20Jungle-Natural%20Child1.mp3)–** Natural Child** from _Scion A/V Garage 7″ Series_ (2011) [Full Post](https://indierockcafe.com/2011/03/fresh-tracks-strokes-magic-dodos-generationals-yuck/) **Club Deville** – Choir of Young Believers [“Next Summer”](http://frekvens.dk/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/choir-of-young-believers-next-summer.mp3)–** Choir of Young Believers** from _Choir of Young Believers_ **Red 7 Patio** – Thee Oh Sees, Tennis “I Need Seed” – **Thee Oh Sees** from _Castlemania_ [Full Post](https://indierockcafe.com/2011/06/best-new-albums-june-14/) Related Post:  Stream Bloc Party's New CD Out Tuesday, New Tour Dates **Trinity Hall **– The Soft Swells, My Jerusalem [“Every Little Thing”](https://indierockcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/Every-Little-Thing1.mp3)–** Soft Swells** from _Soft Swells_ [Full Post](https://indierockcafe.com/2012/03/best-new-music-releases-week-of-feb-28-pt-walkley-memoryhouse-amy-ray-geographer-plants-and-animals-soft-swells-the-mary-onettes-mind-spiders-elliott-brood/) **Haven** – Band of Skulls, Oberhofer [“Light of the Morning”](https://indierockcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/01%20Light%20of%20the%20Morning3.mp3)–** Band of Skulls** Full Post (Summer Songs) **Buffalo Billiards** – Sleepy Sun [“Open Eyes”](https://indierockcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/SleepySun-OpenEyes1.mp3)–** Sleepy Sun** from _Fever_ [Full Post](https://indierockcafe.com/2010/05/releases-week-marching-band-sleepy-sun/) **Maggie Mae’s Gibson Room** – Princeton [“Remembrance of Things to Come”](https://indierockcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/01%20Remembrance%20Of%20Things%20To%20Come1.mp3)–** Princeton** from _Remembrance of Things to Come_ [Full Post](https://indierockcafe.com/2012/02/best-new-releases-for-week-of-feb-21-part-one-fun-princeton-wild-nothing-grimes-perfume-genius-dirty-ghosts/) **1100 Wharehouse **– Tribes, fun. “We Are Young” – **fun. **(featuring** Janelle Monáe**) from _Some Nights_ [Full Post](https://indierockcafe.com/2012/02/best-new-releases-for-week-of-feb-21-part-one-fun-princeton-wild-nothing-grimes-perfume-genius-dirty-ghosts/) **512** – Lightouts “The Cure For Shyness” – **Lightouts** from _The Cure For Shyness Single_ [Full Post](https://indierockcafe.com/2012/02/best-new-releases-for-week-of-feb-7th-part-ii-lightouts-dirty-ghosts-elliott-brood-the-valery-trails/) #### Controversy of Ad Agency Using Homeless People as 4G Wi-Fi Hotspots Gets Wide Media Coverage Of course we can’t do a fair coverage of SXSW without mentioning the media-wide controversy regarding the use of homeless people as literal [4G Wi-Fi hotspots](https://indierockcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/homelesshotspots.org). Homeless people were hired for $20 each to wear small Wi-Fi routers so that so-called hipsters, press and general SXSW attendees could get a Wi-Fi signal on their mobile phones, tablets and laptop computers in more locations along the famous 6th Street corridor. Most notable of all of the criticism was the segment on _The Daily Show _Wednesday evening in which iconic host **Jon Stewart **mocked the move as “I think we all can agree that this is a terrible idea that no one is OK with, right?” Watch [_The Daily Show_ segment](https://indierockcafe.com/wp-content/uploads/wed-march-14-2012-rachel-weisz) about the controversy. The decision was not one that was apparently made by SXSW organizers, but rather an advertising agency. We also think it’s a stupid and insensitive idea, but again, we’re talking about advertising agencies.