Austinites figured this out 10 years ago. Really, what is it about a "Music Fest...

waterlesscloud · on March 17, 2014

It was never about a long, entertaining performance. In Ye Olden Dayes, it was about seeing as many up and coming bands as possible in a few days time. Exposing bands to audiences and audiences to bands.

I don't know if that's even needed now in the age of youtube.

If it is of any value still, it needs to be as well-curated as it was back when. It doesn't seem to be any more.

beedogs · on March 17, 2014

Sounds like a simple case of not enough stages. Promoters don't seem to care, either.

hindsightbias · on March 17, 2014

Plenty of stages, too many bands shooting for their 15 minutes of fame. There are bands playing in alleys.

One of the "greatest" discoveries and label signings at SXSW was Hanson. Seriously.

Imagine a week with a couple hundred bands worse than Hanson.