The search is on at SXSW for the bands everyone will be buzzing about
SXSW has long been the breeding ground for music’s next big thing – a sort of preview of what’s to come. It’s no secret then that festivalgoers visiting Austin are searching for new sounds, fresh tracks and a chance to catch bands before they’ve exploded.
For three days at at Drafting Room + L'estelle on Rainey Street, TBS hosted the In Search Of Marketplace – an al fresco gift shop and boutique meets backyard music venue and bar that brought to life the network’s dark comedy Search Party.
Set in the heart of Brooklyn, the show follows the story of Dory (Alia Shawkat) and her four, self-absorbed friends (John Early, John Reynolds, Brandon Micheal Hall and Meredith Hagner) as they become entangled in an ominous mystery. When a college friend goes missing, Dory gets obsessed with trying to track her down.
The In Search Of marketplace is a tribute of sorts to the characters – a collection of objects, sounds and sights that speak to the show’s vibe. And for three days, the world of Search Party was brought to life with a trio of live performances by buzzworthy bands providing the perfect soundtrack to the event.
Day 1: San Fermin
Brooklyn-based indie rockers San Fermin kicked things off on Tuesday night with a swinging set list of luscious, nimble tracks. Tucked into the back of the outdoor venue, the ensemble even debuted a few new songs just for the occasion.
San Fermin oozes mellow, at times melancholy vibes: they are the epitome of chill. But while the show started off relaxed, with songs off their new album “Belong,” the band took things to a new level with “Dead.” Counter to the song’s title, this is where the energy really swelled. There is something both delightful and unsettling about this song, thanks in part to Claire Wellin’s soulful violin.
“Halfway through you just relax and have fun,” said vocalist Allen Tate after the show.
And the audience was definitely digging it, grooving in the standing section in the back and in their seats closer to the stage. One woman could not be contained, rising from her chair to claim a spot on the rug right in front.
“I’ve gotta dance,” she said.
San Fermin closed out their set with “Jackrabbit,” a song off their 2015 album of the same name.
“One step forward/ One step back/ Run for the hills/ Don’t look back,” sang Charlene Kaye in the pulsing, ephemeral track, a gritty mystery all unto itself.
Watch a replay of the full performance below via Facebook Live:
Day 2: Shaed
The fun kept going on night two, when the In Search Of marketplace was transformed into a dance party thanks to electro-pop trio Shaed. The Washington, D.C.-area group had the crowd rocking to their mellow, dance-worthy tracks – taken to new levels by lead singer Chelsea Lee’s impressive vocals.
Shaed broke onto the scene late last year with the release of their EP Just Wanna See. The band’s title track from the album opened the show, with Lee cooing the refrain “Just wanna see your face now.” It’s a song about longing to be with someone you’re separated from – an apt sentiment for fans of Search Party, who can identify with Dory’s quest to find her missing friend.
Watch a replay of the full performance below via Facebook Live:
Day 3: Poliça
Festivalgoers were in for a special treat on the third and final night at the In Search Of marketplace. Minneapolis-based synth-pop darlings Poliça took the stage Thursday – their sixth time at SXSW – and played a rare, stripped-down set, which was something they’d never done in public before.
Channy Leaneagh's lead vocals captivated an enrapt audience, many of whom were devoted fans of Poliça and had sought out the event solely to see them play live. It made for an intimate, cozy show, which was punctuated at times by the breezy Austin air and more than the occasional head nodding along to the beat.
Count Leaneagh in for some Search Party binge watching – during the performance the singer said she was a "huge fan of Alia Shawkat" and that she's "looking forward to watching the show this week."
Here's a peek at the band's performance of their two songs “Leading To Death” and “Chain My Name" at the Search Party pop-up:
So for those in search of bands worth buzzing about this year at SXSW, you didn't have to go too far: TBS found just what you were looking for.
Binge the entire first season of Search Party on TBS.com or by downloading the TBS app here available now until 3/21!
