The SXSW Wristband Situation: SMS Y'all

Last week, the Chronicle announced details for wristband acquisition, and though the .pdf is a little hard to digest, SXSW Baby! broke it down for us:

In short, wristband information will only be sent out to 512 area code numbers via the official SXSW SMS list right before wristbands go on sale. Looks like if you live in Austin, you must be willing and ready to drop everything to go purchase them!

SXSW will not announce the sale of wristbands in advance. If you want to be notified of their availability, you need to register with SXSW SMS and wait. "Around the time" the wristbands go on sale, the Chronicle.com and KLBJ, KSGR, and 101X will make announcements. Be ready to drop what you're doing if you want to grab a wristband!

SXSW Wristband Details

First 2,000 (Max. 2 per person): $130 with proof of Austin address (UT ID, DL, electric bill, car insurance cards)

Second 2,000: $160 and no proof of residency necessary.

4,000 +: (If available) $175 on sale the week of SXSW music.

Sign up for SXSW SMS notifications by sending a text message to 56658 with ‘SX Add’ as the message. To read the entire announcement from the Chronicle, read the PDF here.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@austinist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Paige Maguire in Arts & Entertainment on February 12, 2007 10:43 AM 0 Comments

Comments [rss]

drbenfield

tyrone...you don't need a wristband. they suck anyway. if you want to go to all of the shows you want, you need an artist wristband or VIP badge. I quit buying wristbands years ago and still have a blast....during the day all is free and at night I just pay 20 bucks to go see the band or two that I want. However, just like the wristbands you need to get to the show an hour or two early.

tyrone

Hello all,

I'm making my first trip to SXSW from Toronto, ON this year. I'm totally green- what is my best bet? Should I just buy a scalped wristband? How much would that set me back approximately?

T

Dave K

"so since i've got an out of town cell phone, I'm SOL, despite having lived here for years?"

Same here. I have a 631 cell phone and no intention of changing it, but have lived in South Austin for nearly five years. Absolutely retarded policy. I tried writing a nice letter to those in charge, but to no avail. Seriously, they want to only provide wristbands to Austinites for supporting the club scene year round and for hosting the event? Sure, I agree, that makes perfect sense. So now, for the first time (I think) they are checking driver's licenses at the sale. Good policy. So why not send the on-sale info to anyone who asks? If I'm going to buy a wristband, AND they are going to provide the on-sale info only minutes/hours before the sale, OBVIOUSLY I have to live here in order to get to Waterloo in time for the sale, right? Silly stuff.

Then I decided that the wristband isn't worth my time. I've bought it every year but every year there is just more and more incredible free stuff to do. I think I'll be perfectly happy without it this time around. I'll spend less time waiting in lines / trying to get to a club early to ensure entry. Or so I hope :)

Captain USA

"Yes, badge holders will have the option to buy 1 wristband at the low price when they pick up their badge."

Not to be a smart ass, but can you share a link to any offciial info that supports this? It's the first I've heard of such a thing. Thanks.

Grape Ape

Yes, badge holders will have the option to buy 1 wristband at the low price when they pick up their badge.

ron

Is there still going to be wristbands reserved for those who've purchased a badge?

Bob Dobbs

Good riddance to whiney rubbish.

Every year, the whiners come out in full force to complain about all the ways SXSW should bend to their will.

Despite this, thousands of people have a great time every year. This year will be no exception.

Guest

You're right, Bob, my not spending money on bracelets may (1) prevent this fledging enterprise from ever getting off the ground and (2) guarantee that you'll have plenty of room, up to and including your own couch and wet bar, for the Stooges show.

Shilli

Time to join the 512.

CharlesV

so since i've got an out of town cell phone, I'm SOL, despite having lived here for years?

Bob Dobbs

Obviously, you aren't actually familiar with Mr. Black, or you'd know that you've insanely overestimated his wealth.

I'll say it again, on yet another thread - if you don't want to support SXSW, don't. More room for me and my friends at the Stooges show.