SXSW Day 4 (part 2): Ibeyi // The Twilight Sad / Swervedriver // Princess Century
We wanted to be in time for the Ibeyi show, so there was no time for dinner. Securing a good seat in the pews of the Central Presbyterian Church required listening through the full set of Tobias Jesso Jr, a singer/songwriter on the piano, who gets some serious buzz lately.
It was worth it: for Ibeyi we had the perfect spot. Lisa and Naomi Diaz are wonderful and sweet performers, who got the church hand-clapping and singing in no time. They seem to have an universal appeal: some members of the Italian shoegazers Be Forest were also in attendance.
The Twilight Sad at Red 7
Although Shura was next up at the church, we felt a change of location was in place and we went to Red 7 to see The Twilight Sad, which centers around the very expressive singer James Graham. I like their music a lot – live it didn’t work for me as well: aside from the singer, the band members looked like there were phoning their performance in.
Swervedriver at Red 7
On the same stage, the shoegaze legends Swervedriver were next. Standing in the front row we could watch the two guitarists Adam Franklin and Jimmy Hartrdige operate their impressive array of pedals. It was loud and raw and kept us awake at this late hour.
Princess Century at Parish Underground
On the way back to the hotel, we managed to give Princess Century a visit at the Parish Underground. This is the stage name of Maya Postepski, who does many things, for example drumming for Austra. She played electronic instrumentals on two synthesizers and one laptop. I would have loved to stay longer, but our energy levels were in the red and it was time to have some sleep.
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