Merry Early Christmas from SXSW
Chris Gray
| Breaking News |
Chris Gray | December 24, 2008 | 3:06pm
'Twas the afternoon before Christmas, and all through the blogosphere, not a blogger was blogging, not even Pitchfork. As an early gift, the organizers at SXSW announced even more performers for next year's booze-tastic week out West.
A major list is coming in the next few weeks, so this should tide you over for now: Ra Ra Riot, Gabriella Cilmi, Ximena Sariñara, Primal Scream, Friendly Fires, B.o.B, Buraka Som Sistema, Arc Angels, Courteeners, Raul Malo, 8-Ball & MJG, Reflection Eternal, Wale, Pete & the Pirates, Ben Harper and Relentless7.
Arc Angels, "Living in a Dream," live in Houston 1992
The coolest thing on this list is the return of Primal Scream to the U.S. Their sound has been making a slight comeback - local kids Death by Texas are a major example. Its set at the Mink last week saw lead singer Will making like a junior Bobby Gillespie, all limbs and swagger.
Ben Harper is road testing his new rock project Relentless7, which he described recently as much harder and faster than his usual breezy output. Arc Angels will no doubt be holding down a spot at Antone's, with fearless leader (and eerie Christian Bale lookalike) Charlie Sexton at the helm. - Craig Hlavaty
Chris Gray has been Music Editor for the Houston Press since 2008. He is the proud father of a Beatles-loving toddler named Oliver.