Waterloo Records: Justin Townes Earle, Department of Eagles

We caught our first couple shows of the day at Waterloo, which is nice and low key.  Justin Townes Earle was first, with some charming alt-country, before the band we came for.  Department of Eagles were pretty clearly worn out from their show the night before, but charmed us anyway.  Their set was more acoustic and folky than electronic, and their stage banter was self-deprecating and disarming.

Mexican Summer at Club 1808: Mi Ami, Golden Triangle, All The Saints

We tried to go see Vivian Girls at the Gorilla Vs. Booze showcase, but Peacock was sweltering, and full.  We went up north to Club 1808 early, and just chilled in the dark dive-y-ness.  Mi Ami came on inside, and played a DIY punk show, in the midst of the crowd.  Their myspace casts them as experimental surf-punk, but the show was more post-hardcore with falsetto vocals.  Outside, Golden Triangle played a silly show with lampshade hats, dancing, and writhing on the ground.  All The Saints were the band we were there to see, and they played an impossibly high energy show despite the sun, with the loudest sound of any band we saw (including Jucifer and Tombs).  Their drummer was completely drenched by 3 songs into the set, from playing so hard.

Tori Amos at La Zona Rosa

I don't have pictures, since this was the first of many shows to turn away non-badge cameras.  My estimation of Tori's show was about right.  She played mostly new songs, from her forthcoming album, along with a few older hits.  The older songs, she teased the vocals and enunciation as she felt moved, which sapped some of the punch out of them.  It was a pretty laid back show, she pretty much played straight through, with little in the way of introduction or banter.  It's ok, Tori is someone I listen to in my headphones, when I'm deep in my own headspace, I wasn't expecting a high energy show.

Little Boots, Datarock at Emo's Annex

Little Boots is the definition of  an internet micro-lebrity.  She makes videos of her songs, while sitting in her room, playing small electronic instruments and singing.  I was taken aback, then, when her live set was as awesome as it was.  She had pre-programmed her tenori-on so that she could mostly just sing, and her band brought the beats and the keys.  She sung her heart out, and engaged the crowd.  I foolishly followed sched's advice and tried to also catch dillinger escape plan across the street, despite them not even being at SXSW.  Thanks, sched.  Won't be depending on that service next year.  I came back to hear the rest of Little Boots' set from the line, and catch Datarock.  They were silly, but high energy and engaging.  After that much dancing, we went home exhausted.