The 2008 South by Southwest Survival Guide

by WILL WELCH

The much adored concert festival is a great excuse to visit one of the country’s best towns. Still, it will be a nightmare if you don’t follow our sage advice, from places to stay to bands to chase after (Yeasayer)

1. You don’t need an official South by Southwest badge.
Unless you like long lines of college-radio kids, don’t spend the $600. Every emerging band plays unofficial shows in addition to its SXSW showcase.

2. Embrace your inner slick talker.
The catch with going badgeless is that to see your favorite bands, you have to get into the private parties thrown by magazines and corporate sponsors. Get on the ball early and track down the RSVP addresses that go out with invitations. Failing that, talk your way in at the door. It’s worth it: Bands ’n’ booze are free.

3. Stay at the Hotel San José or the Driskill.
If you’re not already confirmed, you’re out of luck—these two hotels are long sold-out. Book yourself a room for 2009 ASAP. The San José is small and exclusive. The Driskill is opulent, with one of America’s great hotel bars.

4. Better yet, rent a house.
“I rented in 2007,” says Nils Bernstein of Matador Records. “It was cheaper than a hotel and bigger. And it avoids one of the worst things about SXSW: chatting with distant acquaintances when you’re trying to wake up or stumble home.” Go to austin.craigslist.org and search “SXSW.”

5. Don’t linger on 6th Street.
Unless you still party till you puke, stay away from Austin’s version of Bourbon Street. And remain on the lookout for the most grating types of festival-goers:
(a) the blogger,
(b) the sleazy A&R guy,
(c) the indie-rock frontman,
(d) the college-radio kid.

6. Experience Austin.
Flee the tattooed hordes for Barton Springs, the natural pool just south of downtown. Work up a sweat lying in the sun, cool off in the springs, admire the UT sorority girls.

7. Sniff out impromptu late-night parties.
Did the influx of corporate money kill sex, drugs, and rock ’n’ roll? Nope! Ask around, take flyers from cool-looking kids, and investigate what DIY promoter Todd P has up his sleeve (Toddpnyc.com).

8. Quit blogging.
Seriously. Stop it.

9. Hungover? Go to brunch.
Las Manitas has long lines for a reason: eggs, chorizo, coffee. For something a little swishier, cross the river to South Congress Cafe. Still hungover? Suck it up and start drinking (again).

Illustration by Peter Arkle