SXSW: The xx Marks The Spot

Just back from dodging crazy SXSW traffic on the way back to the hotel on my rental bike as the 100 bars or so let out simultaneously at 2 a.m. It's a little nutty here in Austin, people. Still exhilarated, though, by The xx, the Brit trio of Romey Madley Croft (that's her on the left), Jamie Smith and Oliver Sim, who displayed a masterful control of mood at the Mohawk Patio in the final 1 a.m. slot Thursday. I interviewed Croft earlier in the day in the blinding bright light of the 18th floor restaurant of her hotel, overlooking the Texas state capital building, but the Mohawk show was all sinister, shadowy darkness, spookily effective in its R & B flavored minimalism. More later on The xx, who play the First Unitarian Church Sanctuary on March 29, as well as my Antone's adventures in Americana, including a terrific Jim Lauderdale set and the live debut of the Courtyard Hounds, the sister act of Dixie Chick siblings Martie Maguire and Emily Robison, who had Jakob Dylan as a visitor.

Previously: Wednesday Night Roundup