I’ve been waiting for this moment for years. Whether I was on the East Coast or the West Coast, I would always dream of Texas this time of year. Finally, my chance has come. In fact, each of the writers for ovrld.com is experiencing the magic of SXSW for the first time. As such, we will be reporting with a sense of naivete and wonder about every party, concert, screening and random encounter that we run into.
So far, we’ve been to one screening – the superb Sound of My Voice – as well as the IFC Crossroads House which provided us with free whiskey, beer, pretzels, and some stylish photographs. We’ve downloaded two new iPhone apps being promoted here, and eaten free tacos and empanadas from the street. We rocked out with a New Orleans jazz six-piece on a street corner. We sighted Jake Gyllenhaal, and have hung out with people in town from Boston, Atlanta, Los Angeles, and North Carolina. And that was all yesterday.
For those of you who have experienced SXSW before, none of this will come as a surprise, but I know many of you reading are from out of town and likely have never been here before. I’ve read many articles at various blogs or other publications lamenting what SXSW has become: overcrowded, expensive, too corporate, etc. But to us neophytes, the magic remains. It’s hard not to be swept up by the electricity of the city, and I’m excited for the remaining eight or nine days which will find us immersed in the best of what our culture has to offer.
So stay tuned. If you’re here, feel free to share your SXSW experiences in the comments. And if not, there’s always next year. In the meantime, we’re here for your vicarious enjoyment of one of the world’s most unique entertainment festivals.
–Carter