Sasami Kicks Off SXSW 2022 With a Growl — and Other Surprises

Regardless of staring down a two-plus-year pandemic, the very actual risk of WWIII, and the Nice State of Texas’s bullshit makes an attempt to roll again the rights of girls and the LGBTQ group to the darkish ages, Rolling Stone has made it to South by Southwest.

And we’re rattling glad to be right here.

After the previous two editions have been scrapped or moved on-line as a result of Covid-19 well being disaster, the actual fact that SXSW 2022 — and particularly its music-festival element — is occurring in Austin, in golf equipment, and in individual is motive to have fun. However the crowds have been but to completely descend upon the town’s downtown district on Tuesday afternoon, and the festivalgoers that have been milling about on Crimson River Road gave off a subdued vibe, as if everybody have been attempting to recollect precisely how to do that SXSW factor. It’s purported to be enjoyable, yeah?

Fuck, yeah. Muscle reminiscence took over when the solar started to set and followers queued up at venues throughout Austin. For Sunflower Bean at Pershing in East Austin. For Glove at Cheer Up Charlie’s on Crimson River. And at 310 W. Willie Nelson Blvd. for Rolling Stone’s personal Twitch showcase with Sasami and headliner Paris Jackson.

We’re off and working …

Tampa Goes Two for Two

On a lineup that featured Ashanti as a headliner, They Hate Change have been those to beat at SXSW 2022’s official Music Opening Celebration at Empire Management Room. The experimental hip-hop duo of Dre and Vonne — they name Tampa residence however are college students of London tradition — wore matching jumpsuits and rapped a few Porsche 944 with a “low odo solely learn 4 digits” within the observe “1000 Horses.” “When the needle drop, the place you wanna be?” they demanded. The one proper reply: listening to this match new crew.

Like They Hate Change, Glove can be from Tampa, and watching their space-age set at Cheer Up Charlie’s, it was straightforward to see why Jack White selected them to open dates on his upcoming tour. The four-piece are otherworldly, because of an array of synths and results that complement not distract from the core guitar, bass, and drums. Keep in mind being a child and questioning what music may sound like sooner or later? It feels like Glove.

The Holy Home of Cassandra Jenkins

Cassandra Jenkins kicked off her set simply earlier than midnight, standing inside a Nineteenth-century church in a purple velvet blazer. “You wouldn’t know this, however we spared you a 35-minute model of that final track,” the singer-songwriter instructed the gang of “Laborious Drive,” the dazzling spotlight of her current album An Overview on Phenomenal Nature. All the things about Jenkins evokes New York cool — her band has not one however two saxophonists — and he or she’s in a position to thread her meticulous, devastatingly nice songs with witty commentary in between. “I really feel somewhat self-conscious right here saying y’all,” she admitted, shortly earlier than asking the Texas viewers in the event that they have been hydrated. The sanctuary set at St. David’s Episcopal Church was too transient, however fortunately Jenkins can be taking part in different exhibits this week. If we’re fortunate, we’ll get a prolonged “Laborious Drive.”

Egg Drop Soup’s Surf-Punk Combo Plate

We’re solely in the future into this marathon and the frontrunner for Greatest New Band Identify simply must be this trio from Los Angeles. In response to bassist and vocalist Sammy Westervelt, Egg Drop Soup are an “inyourface, unapologetic, all-womxn punk trio.” We’d supply they’re additionally just like the Runaways on tub salts. Within the tight confines of the Chess Membership, the band banged out catchy songs that have been huge on riffs and drums, like brand-new single “Regicide.” Followers ate it up too. By present’s finish, they have been chanting the group’s title.

Sasami Makes Steel Swing

Sasami decimated Night time One of many RS Twitch showcase, delivering her ultra-cool model of melodic metallic and indie pop to a rabid viewers. Together with her band all sporting ghillie fits — have been this an out of doors nature present, they’d have disappeared into the bushes like that Homer Simpson gif — and Sasami in Harajuku schoolgirl couture, the ensemble plowed by means of songs off her new album Squeeze; they tossed in a canopy of System of a Down’s “Toxicity” too. However Sasami’s presence stole the present simply as a lot because the heavy riffage: whether or not she was growling on the crowd or leaping into her camouflaged bandmates, Sasami demanded your consideration.

Walt Disco’s Magic Kingdom

The theatrical Scottish band performed with fluid sounds and gender roles throughout a dramatic set at Cheer Up Charlie’s. Singer James Potter sang in full operatic splendor to open the efficiency, however within the second track, the group was pounding out quick and livid rock. It’s that mixing of the punk with the elegant that made Walt Disco’s set so magnetic, so sizzling. Sizzling sufficient to thaw out their namesake’s frozen head.