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Live@SXSW... So Hot Right Now!

Spoon performing at STUBBS during SXSW 2010

As SXSW Interactive bleeds into SXSW Music, the crowd suddenly shifts. One geek joked that SXSWi is definitely over when the 'faux-hawks and beards' arrive. And once the volume knob starts cranking on Sixth Street, the laptops definitely need to be tucked away. Layer in St. Patrick's Day festivities, and the party-in-the-streets insanity is complete.

In fact, SXSW Music itself is almost like a physical manifestation of the internet. Log onto the streets of Austin, and endless variety comes with a price tag; namely chaos and an overabundance of choice. That opens opportunities for curating showcasers - whether Fader, eMusic, Duck Down, Digiwaxx, NPR, URB, KCRW, or Perez - as well as curating technologies and apps.

Ten foot tall Gibson guitar sculptures to exhibit throughout city for charity.

AUSTIN, TX - Gibson Guitar announced the launch of Austin GuitarTown, a public arts project that will feature up to fifty (50) 10-foot tall fiberglass Gibson guitars painted by visual artists and celebrities. The project launched with a special announcement hosted by the Honorable Mayor Will Wynn and musical legend Ray Benson on Wednesday, April 12 at 11:00 AM at City Hall Pavilion (301 W. Second Street). Co-chairs of the Austin GuitarTown project, Mayor Wynn and Benson, unveiled an exclusive ten foot tall guitar sculpture featuring the Lone Star state’s flag which is on loan by Gibson Guitar as part of the kickoff of the project. The sculpture was painted by visual artist Jason Sorey and the country band Little Texas and made its way from Nashville to Austin two weeks ago. Henry Juszkiewicz, Chairman and CEO of Gibson Guitar serves as Chairperson of the project.

Radney Foster at the Gibson Guitar SXSW day party!

And like most years, a number of acts are buzzing the hardest. Sure, bigger names like Muse are easy picks, and SXSW is colossal enough to attract established superstars every year (often unannounced). But a number of up-and-comers are probably more interesting.

Perhaps organic discovery is the most rewarding process. Everyone is heading to one showcase or another, and word-of-mouth - whether online or off - tends to herd listeners. But some of the best gems come randomly, the result of unplanned sampling.