You don’t have to to spend a bajillion dollars on a badge to have a crazy good time during SXSW. If you got one, you’re awesome. But if you’re as broke as a lot of folks in these crazy times now (me), you don’t even have to wrangle up a wristband to get in on the fun. And broke or not, who can pass up a sale? Here are a few freebies and cheapies that guarantee good times. Save your money for beer!
Kick it off Friday, March 13th at The Mohawk. Just $9 gets you in without a badge for AMODA’s Digital Showcase featuring live electronic music and digital art. 16 electronic DJs will compete in a a series of elimination rounds, battling it out on their laptops. Austin’s Phranchyze and Zeale will emmcee at the event, and a panel of judges will decide the winners of each round. Digital artists from across the U.S. and the U.K. will showcase their talents, and this is a great way to support the non-profit AMODA in a SXSW event that showcases digital art at it finest.
Thursday, March 19th there’s good news if you like Punk, Pop and Hip Hop – (even on a budget.) Daddy Fat Sacks, A.K.A. Big Boi of Outkast, is headlining a show at Austin Music Hall featuring K’Naan in this Afropunk showcase. Anyone can attend for $15, with or without a badge (or fat sacks). Also, you can follow the link above for a chance to win one of ten free pairs of tickets from Do512. Hey Ya!
Wednesday, March 18th – Saturday, March 21st – Get to the booty bar! Every day and night there’s something going on at the inside stage and in the backyard that’s totally free. Just RSVP. I’m looking forward to catching DJ Craze at 1:00AM, FREE on Friday the 20th – all cash on beer! And if that’s not enough booty for ya, check The Beauty Bar’s MySpace page for even MORE FREE SHOWS, like this one presented by Art Disaster. These free parties are happening day and night during SX.
Thursday, March 19th – Saturday, March 21st – Three nights of awesome FREE concerts at Auditorium Shores. No RSVP required! Gates open at 5:00PM Thursday and Friday, and the fun starts at noon on Saturday. Catch free performances by M. Ward, The Cold War Kids, Erykah Badu and more. Also enjoy festival food, local vendor booths and arts and crafts from some of Austin’s finest artisans. Our own Explosions in the Sky will finish things off with a bang Saturday night at 8:00PM. Though the event is free, no outside food or drinks are allowed. So go sell some plasma, and enjoy these free outdoor shows with some cold beer! (No pets allowed this year.)
Saturday, March 21st – As if there weren’t enough to do on Saturday, how ’bout The Knuckle Rumbler with Rollingstone.com? Taking place at Peckerhead’s on 6th, this event features early sets by Austin’s Scorpion Child and Zeale. Later, Lady Sovereign and “cyber-girl from outerspace” Janelle Monáe are among other performers to take stage. Big Boi fans will recognize this fellow ATL native whose unique fashion sense and musical stylings are freakishly similar to that of Outkast’s other half, Andre 3000. (Listen to her hit song “Violet Stars Happy Hunting” for a good time.) Did I mention this entire lineup is FREE? Plus there’s lots of free alcohol, drinks, food and goodies being offered at this shindig.
Sometimes life takes badges or wristbands… but for everyone else, there’s free stuff.
