SXSW Day 4: The Winners Of Austin

Texas may be a distant memory, but within those memories lie some very distinct impressions. Here's our list of the winners of Austin's SXSW 2007:

5. Peter, Bjorn & John: Often heard was something that went like "We saw this band, Peter, something and something." Okay, the name might not have stuck with everyone, but PB&J's Swedish summer pop was lapped up by nearly everyone. Sure, they played numerous times, providing numerous opportunities, but no one ever said a bad thing. And in all fairness, they have become much better live performers since their Bowery Ballroom show back in January in New York. They're looser, and get a bit outside the box on their guitar riffs. 

4. Amy Winehouse: Despite canceling some gigs in London for apparently boozing (and standing up Elton John!), Winehouse was a hot commodity, and the massive amounts of industry folks are most likely figuring out how to license her music and/or image to whatever project they're working on for September. Can you say "NOW 25?" Her live show never gets a negative review, but how could it? She has the Dap-Kings backing her up, and if you've ever seen Sharon Jones, you'd know that Winehouse is surely in good company. 

3. The Stooges: Clearly not just a novelty reunion, Iggy Pop and co. managed to wrap the line around the block at Stubbs, making it difficult for even badge holders to remotely get near the entrance past 10 PM. Granted, Kings Of Leon and Spoon were also on the bill, but the only thing people were actually talking about was the Stooges, and how they "still rock." Wish I could've braved the line.   

2. Golem: A relatively obscure band from New York, they made their first SXSW show one to remember. I stumbled upon these guys at Habana Calle Annex on Saturday night. The week had taken its toll, and I along with everyone, was showing signs of fatigue. That said, Golem whipped the 175 people into a Balkan/Eastern European/Klezmer craze, singing in Yiddish, encouraging a 50-plus person Horah to break out and SXSW staffers to get jiggy with it. With energy like that, there was a healthy collective of onlookers outside the fence, staring in amazement. If there's any justice, they'll reach the popularity that Hasidic "rapper" Matisyahu has reached. Golem doesn't feel remotely gimmicky.   

1. Austin, Texas. It was estimated that $40 million dollars would be generated during last week's SXSW. The city is continuously easy to navigate, cashiers wish that you feel better when buying cold medicine, and despite the impossible-to-comprehend logistics behind the whole thing, rarely was there ever a delay in performances. And give those street sweepers a raise! They made Sixth Street clean, knowing full well in a few hours, it'd be trashed again. -- Michael D. Ayers