South By Southwest in Austin, Texas

By Andrew Gonzales

The city of Austin, Texas is filled with a multitude of delicious barbecue, live music, endless themed bars, and tech giants. Silicon Valley has practically relocated to Austin, and as a result, more money has pumped into the economy, helping push South By Southwest to a higher level than ever before.

There are always too many artists and too many parties to cover during South By Southwest. The festival is without a doubt a marathon, and only the strong survive and last for the 11 days of music, booze, tech, film, and eats.

We started the night out by attending the Bud Light party at Brazos Hall. Phantogram performed with Big Boi but in two separate sets before they performed together to form Big Grams.

Andrew Gonzales

Brazos Hall in Austin, Texas has a capacity of 500 people, and the Bud Light party was packed to the brim. SXSW attendees were wrapped around the building waiting for hours to try and get in. You could see people sitting across the street to hear the sounds radiating from the building.

Andrew Gonzales

Sarah Barthel was rocking a stylish gold metalic David Bowie jacket, in which it felt like she was channeling the late singer's moves and spirit through.

Andrew Gonzales

Along with the endless tunes by Phantogram, the Bud Light Party came equipped with bottomless Bud Light and food from an Austin local favorite, P. Terry's. Burgers and Beers, along with Phantogram set the night off. After Phantogram was done performing their set, Big Boi emerged and transitioned the sounds of psychedelic indie pop rock into melodic hip hop.

Andrew Gonzales

Big Boi, the Outkast rapper from Georgia, brought his southern root hip hop to the other south, Texas. The crowd left the trance world that Phantogram set up, and began jumping to the hip hop vibes that made the ground shake. After Big Boi finished his set, both Phantogram and Big Boi teamed up and did a small set under the duo Big Grams.

Andrew Gonzales

After what felt like an earthquake with a magnitude of 10, Big Grams finished their set, and Talib Kweli performed a short set with tunes that left you in all the feels.

Andrew Gonzales

Talib Kweli blessed everyone in Austin, Texas at the Bud Light party with his top tracks like Get By, Never Been in Love, and Hot Thing. The night ended with the "What's Luv" feature artist Ashanti. Her serenading voice hit the crowd and left everyone feeling loved and elevated.

Andrew Gonzales

The night ended, so much energy had been exhausted, and it was only Day 1 of South By Southwest. Pace yourself if you decide to attend SXSW, because it is a marathon, not a sprint.

Andrew Gonzales