Rock Reigns on SXSW Day 3 With Sunflower Bean, Tristen, Night Moves, Billie Eilish and More (FESTIVAL RECAP/PHOTOS)

Wednesday was a long but productive day at SXSW — over the course of 13 hours I saw 14 acts, and I’ve narrowed it down to the highlights from the day.

I kicked off my day with a set at FLOODfest from Sunflower Bean. I had seen them Monday play an acoustic set, this time it was their regular show. A funny thing happened when the DJ for the event played their new single “Twentytwo” while they were getting ready to play, and singer Julia Cumming mimed along to the song. Their actual set was spectacular, and they might be playing as many SXSW showcases as anyone this week.

Up next I ran over to Rainey Street for a set from Tristen at the PledgeHouse showcase. I had been a big fan of hers since seeing her perform as a member of indie queen Jenny Lewis’ touring band, and her album Sneaker Waves from last year was one of 2017’s most underrated. The song “Glass Jar” is a folksy banger with a catchy as hell chorus and great harmonies.

Afterwards I struggled to get to the inside stage in order to see Mt. Joy. I could hear it pretty good though, and it sounded tight. The crowd seemed to really enjoy it, although they were only able to play about four or five songs.

I headed across town to Emo’s to see Alina Baraz and caught the act before her named Ivy Sole. I got some serious Syd from The Internet meets Chance the Rapper vibes from the Wharton graduate and really enjoyed it.

Alina Baraz played a stripped-down set, turning her indie pop jams into a more lounge vibe. The kids loved it, and I think she’s going to become a huge star on her next album cycle.

I also caught Los Angeles singer NoMBe, who I had seen a few years earlier opening for Miguel at a small show in Hollywood. He has really grown since then and has a stage presence that can’t be faked. I was fairly surprised how psychedelic his set sounded. He’s also the godson of Chaka Khan, a pretty dope thing to be able to say about yourself.

I caught one of my can’t miss bands Night Moves at the Mohawk next. They last put out an album in 2016 called Pennied Days that I’ve been listening to pretty heavily lately and they hope to have new music out in the summer. Lead singer John Pelant has a powerful and amazing voice.

The highlight of the day was seeing Billie Eilish play an acoustic set in a church at 11:20 PM. The singer was accompanied by her brother Finneas O’Connell and played pretty much a full set, waxing poetic on whether or not she should be saying “shit” in a church and then following it up by saying “oh my God”. What I love most about her other than that powerful and beautiful voice is that she is her own person and doesn’t give a fuck what anyone thinks, unlike most kids her age. She’s going to be a huge star, guaranteed.

I winded down my night with sets from Pale Waves and Hop Along, both were extremely high energy for being past midnight. Three more days of this to go! Hope I make it to the finish line.

Photos by Maggie Boyd. 

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