South By Southwest Day Two: Rock Around The Clock

SXSW kicked into overdrive on Thursday, with overcast skies quickly giving way to sun and the Bass ale flowing freely over at the Fader Fort. New Columbia signings the Ting Tings got the crowd moving with excitable dance/rock cuts like "Shut Up and Let Me Go," with frontwoman Katie White oozing sass at the mic.

From there it was over to the Flamingo for the one-two punch of the Helio Sequence and Rogue Wave. The former just released the best album of its career, "Keep Your Eyes Ahead," and the Sub Pop-inked two-piece were in fine form on abundantly catchy rockers like "Can't Say No" and a blistering cover of the Beatles' "Tomorrow Never Knows."

Rogue Wave was just as easy on the ears via energetic renditions of "Publish My Love," "Like I Needed" and "Every Moment." After lunch with some of Sub Pop's finest, J.I. hustled back to the Fader Fort for a Lou Reed tribute featuring My Morning Jacket, Mark Kozelek, Yo La Tengo and Dr. Dog, among others.

Oh, and Lou Reed was there too, in what was the worst-kept secret of the day. The grizzled rock legend finally materialized during the last song, "Walk on the Wild Side," flanked by Moby (?!) on guitar. Gotta love Lou's on-the-mic kicker: "I love punk rock and I was the first one." We sure aren't gonna tell him no.

Other highlights during the tribute: Thurston Moore and his solo band on "I'm Not a Young Man Anymore," Kozelek solo acoustic on "Caroline Says II," MMJ slaying "Head Held High," Joseph Arthur and Jen Turner on "Pale Blue Eyes" and Dr. Dog on a jaunty "Who Loves the Sun."

With night upon us, we shifted over to Austin Music Hall for the Whigs, Yo La Tengo and, again, My Morning Jacket. We'll admit it may seem strange for us to have seen this band twice in the past three days, but honestly, we think a case could be made for MMJ as the best American rock band operating right now. And when the chance comes to see them, we're gonna jump on it.

Their set was almost identical to what the played Tuesday night at the IFC party, but the larger venue last night resulted in a larger sonic impact. Joyous two-guitar jams like "Anytime," "One Big Holiday" and the new "Aluminum Park" were nearly deafening, contrasted by gorgeous, soulful cuts like "Thank You Too" and "Golden." It seems like MMJ is just scratching the surface of how big they can be one day.

Our final stop of the night was the Playboy/C3 party at an enormous building on 3rd Street. We have to ask: what kind of Playboy party features Playmates who actually zip up their tight tops when fans come over and ask for a photo? As the packed house grew drunker and drunker, there were numerous strange sights, none more than Perry Farrell and his wife standing behind one of the bars and pouring themselves vodka & cranberries.

Say what you will about the man, but Moby worked the room into a frenzy during a DJ set highlighted by Basement Jaxx's "Where's Your Head At" and Underworld's "Born Slippy." After closing with Guns 'N Roses' "Paradise City," he gave way to perfectly coiffed French duo Justice, who were simply too loud for us at that late hour.

We wound up backstage in time to stand in line for the bathroom with MMJ frontman Jim James and watch somebody literally kick a door off its hinges for no apparent reason. And as we finally made our exit around 4ish, it looked like one of the evening's talent was being slapped in the face by a woman. Now that's the kind of enthusiasm we've been looking for down here! -- Jonathan Cohen