SXSW 2007: Death of the Afterparty?

Let's see - from searching the web at minimum 100 parties took place outside SXSW. APD and the Fire Marshalls checked out many of these parties. About 7 were shut down. So somehow at least 93 party-givers managed to get all the proper permitting.

I guess SXSW does suck - at least in getting "outside" parties shut down.

Every city has safety and permitting laws; Austin is no different in that respect than NYC, LA, or Osh Kosh.

As a resident of this city, I'm insulted by a few folks denigrating this city for, as best I can tell, upholding the law. A law that most people managed to adhere to. So please, if we've so offended you with our provincial ways, by all means don't come back. We'll do just fine without you.

I suggest you should read past that point, or rather reread the entire body of text. I'm not faulting anyone. Of course, we are at fault for not having a permit, and if we would have had the permit, I would be here saying we were at fault for not having a sprinkler system, or whatever the cause it may have been. The point I am making is that I am upset at the great strides SXSW and the City of Austin made at shutting down these events, as I've never seen anything like it in my four years of planning events in Austin.

Consulting with locals and local officials about what permits are needed was a good start. I throw events for a living and I have for a while now, and I find it a little peculiar when seventy parties get shut down, and even more strange that the greater body of them where shutdown over one permit that these people didn't even know about. And had you read the entire post you would have noticed that I threw two other events in Austin that did not have the public assembly permit, one visited by the Fire Marshall, that did not get shutdown.

We worked closely with TABC to make sure the event was legal in that aspect - never once was that a concern of mine.

As for the rest of your post, I don't see it really warranting a response from me as it seems based on assumptions and strays from the actual topic of the aforementioned posts.

I got to the part where you said you didn't have the correct permits. Can you somehow explain how this is the fault of SXSW ? All of the other venues and people having events that did not get shut down seemed to get their hands on the permits. Must be a conspiracy against the people with no common sense or real planning capabilities. Continually talking about how cool it will be is not considered planning. Incorporating the use of a legal professional who is familiar with local permit law is usually a good place to start.

You guys should just feel fortunate TABC didn't get in on the action with AFD. You'd have much more on your plate than complaining about how your illegal hipster gathering got shut down for violating local law.

I spent nearly five months planning the Friday night iheartcomix blowout party, along with another event, and an official iheartcomix showcase. This was my 4th sxsw and my 2nd year throwing events at sxsw, and the first time I’ve left Austin with a bad taste in my mouth.

Sxsw, of course, never was happy with outside promoters throwing events during sxsw, but this year they took it as far as suing some over copyright if they used the same "sxsw" in any of their advertisements.

I don't think sxsw nor the city of Austin fully realize how badly they shot themselves in the foot with the strides they took to stop non sxsw sanctioned events.

What really upsets me is that this year we chose to work with sxsw on an official showcase bringing thirteen artists, who most likely wouldn’t have even registered, from all over the world, including an exclusive performance from The Presets. Despite this, we still became a target for our non-sanctioned events.

Our Friday party was shut down because we did not have a year old public assembly permit that no one knew of - not even factory people, a staple of events during Austin festivals, and more importantly a local business who works very close with the city to make sure these events are done properly. I still cannot believe that the city of Austin would attack a local business like this.

We poured our heart and soul into our events. As stated, we spent nearly five months planning our events (or more). We did our best to make sure that ours events were covered on the legal end, and everyone would not only have a good time, but also be safe. We hired multiple security guards, off duty cops, etc. We put in as much effort possible to make these events some of the best in Austin.

The thing I find funny is that for our Wednesday event we had the fire marshal in and out of our venue several times two days prior, one day prior, and the day off to make sure everything was up to code - never heard anything of this permit. No one knew they needed one until the fire marshal asked for it at their party. Apparently a public assembly permit is needed if more than 49 people are to gather together is a space and I also found out that even if we did have it, a sprinkler system would be needed if he had more than 300 people in one space. Next time you are in any bar or venue on 6th street, look around, look up - sprinklers? Anywhere?

Pretty much everything I've heard in these comments I heard when I was in Austin. When it comes down to it myself, along with a large bodies of artists and promoters do not feel the need to come back to Austin for sxsw ever again. In the past I've loved coming to austin - ACL, sxsw, or whatever it may be. I love the people of Austin and I absolutely love visiting the city, but after this trip I don't feel so compelled to return. If this is how Austin treats it’s patrons of city why would I? Sure, sxsw proper brings in tremendous revenue for the city, but so do we. We dumped a lot of money straight into the city of Austin’s economy, and I’m sure everyone else who did and did not get shut down as well. People come for the experience, and if you eradicate us outside promoters you’re going to lose a large part of that experience.

Thank you to everyone who attended or tried to attend our events.

Travis Hayden

iheartcomix

Yes, over $80,000 just in fridays party alone. Some of that revenue includes: lighting, soundsystems, fencing, public restrooms, venue rental, video rental,hotels for staff of IHC and all musicaians, security staff, off duty police, rental vehicles, product for party, and the list goes on. All of which went in to the pockets of local Austin businesses. That's not mentioning helping many great artists to be seen by an audience that might not normally get a chance to see them. We put a great deal of effort in to bringing something fun and exciting to the city and people of Austin. We gave a free, fun , safe party to the city and were shut down. Tell me anyone would not feel not only shunned but totally unwelcome. I care not if you live in L.A., Austin, NYC or Topeka, if you claim to try to create a conference and festival for the music community, then stand by that. A community has communication. A community nutures all members within. Obviously, SXSW is a business, and a big one at that, but the lack of information between the city offices is appalling and honestly quite negligent. And all the flippant posts here seem to be coming from people who think that the weight of alienating those who try to bring something to the table of SXSW does not hurt their city. It does, and that's the brass tax.

So quite your bellyaching and start your own festival. Everyone is thinks SXSW sucks (saw that shirt this week), band together and start a competing fest. If it is good, people will come to it, it will grow, you'll eventually have to charge more money, and people can start bitching at you.

The circle of life.

Just quit whining about it. And don't name it Fuck by Fuck West... somebody already beat you to that.

anyone that is pissed off about the money the city gave to SXSW, please at least register your complaint with the City Council:

www.ci.austin.tx.us/council/gr...

and you could also call them:

www.ci.austin.tx.us/help/direc...

Flan-

Your an ass. *giggle*

Cobra1-

Now it's 70+ parties that were shut down? Moments ago it was 7. And $80k brought in per party? How do you figure all these parties brought in $80k?

You guys sure do sound like a big threat to SXSW.

Just to clarify a few things:

I was a major part of putting together the IHC party on friday. We in fact had a lawyer who looked over all the plans the city council told us we needed,we had a full security staff, off duty police, and TABC certified bar staff. We went to great lengths to ensure we were in accordance of Austin law. It is a shame that our party got shut down for a permit we were totally unaware existed. Futhermore, we brought all the performers out to Austin to show the people there that we at IHC have a simple goal of bringing good music to people who normally wouldn't get a chance to see these artists. We didn't make one red cent off the party and never intended to. Thanks to the generocity of all of our sponsors who believe in our vision it was still a great party, even if it only lasted a few hours.

The better question to ask yourself is, what does SXSW have to gain by alienating artists, sponsors, and small indie labels (such as ourselves) who try to show the people of Austin and those who travel to SXSW a great time? This years dropping of the hammer on all parties that were shut down does not bring a sense of musical community to anyone. In fact, it is just a way to strongarm more money in to their greedy pockets. SXSW displays more and more of a mafia mentality every year and those of us who truly try to bring a sense of community to the music scene would rather not partipate in their game of us vs.you. We would rather just start our own festival. Our Friday party already proved we have the skill to put on an event that they took as a threat to their livlihood. So, it is just a matter of bringing it to fruition.

The real damage will be done to the great places that try to make some revenue during SXSW by hosting parties, and the city of Austin. Our party alone brought in upwards of 80,000 dollars just on friday night alone. Multiply that number by the 70+ parties that got shut down this weekend and you do the math.

OK! Stan! Your an ass!!!! Enough exclamation marks for ya?!!!!!!!!!!

Let's use more exclamation points!!!!! Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

From what I have learned the ONE thing that SXSW is afraid of is if ALL the club owners get together and discuss what each one gets in revenue from SXSW (i.e.: room rental,sound system/soundman rental, extra security etc.), and find out how diverse the pay from SXSW is! The playing field is so NOT level! From the few owners I have talked to - each one gets a different deal(sometimes really unfair deals!) Now as far as any of the Red River clubs banding together to do their own event or private shows - they are by far the ones with the most power in this town as they are truly some of the few clubs who do music 365 days a year and understand how it works for them. (The theory that they NEED SXSW is bullshit!) The only clubs who probably really get a large percentage of sales from SXSW are the crappy little shot bars that do limited business during the year and this may improve their foot traffic but none of the bands who play there during SXSW are ever coming back to tour specifically to play at crap venues like Dirty Dog or Blind Pig Pub in the future. Most booking agents will stick to the Emo's, Stubbs, Beerland route before playing Austin's atypical Frat bars! If the main Red River clubs decided to do an Anti-SXSW Festival during SXSW they would make as much if not more and would charge a decent cover charge so the bands who play get PAID for their performance! And the people who payed $600.00 for a SXSW Badge would STILL PAY for a cool label showcase or band on top of the price they paid for their Badge (CMJ in New York is a good example: people buy a badge and STILL have to pay entrance into showcases as the clubs will only allow an alloted amount of badges into the showcase and then they start charging cover! AND THIS IS THE NORM!! No one complains!SXSW has finally "jumped the shark" in my opinion! They have strangled their event to the point the negative backlash is now at an all time high! I am all for the Red River Fest to begin! Let's all talk to our favorite music venue and push this! Even if it doesn't pan out at least the club owners will finally realize how much POWER they have OVER SXSW! Without the clubs...SXSW is nothing!

Hmmm. Parties busted mainly=small venues not rated for the capacities that were in attendance. Parties not busted = venues that were. That's a hard equation to master mr. wizard. I for one was at several non-sx parties that had cops and afd at them and nothing happened. I'm fairly certain they were parties that SX would have rather not had going on, but they still did and weren't shut down. I know that

"Obviously, you've never dealt with a goverment bureaucracy. It is never one stop shopping, ever. And the person you're talking to at TABC will have no idea what is required by APD; that person will have no idea what is required by AFD; and so on."

If you're throwing an event of such magnitude, this is why it is wise to hire a lawyer. Sure, you might have to pay $200 for an hour of his time but it is obviously the best way to navigate the cumbersome bureaucracy that is event planning. An events-planning lawyer will know what permits you need and the proper method for submitting them and make sure the information on them is as the law requires.

A well sponsored party really has no excuse for not doing this basic sanity check. I would never trust what some low paid government clerk says when it comes to permits, especially when multiple agencies are involved.

Live and learn...

Cory said: "the most simple question is really why didnt iheartcomix about the permit when applying and being approved for all others?

youd think when you go to the city and apply for one permit theyd ask, "what kind of event are you planning" and then give you a printout of everything necessary to comply with all laws."

Obviously, you've never dealt with a goverment bureaucracy. It is never one stop shopping, ever. And the person you're talking to at TABC will have no idea what is required by APD; that person will have no idea what is required by AFD; and so on.

I second Mightybest's request for a full hipster inquiry. Austinist, this is your chance to win the hipster Pulitzer. Go get!

Just to clarify: the IHC party didn't actually START at two. Doors were at nine (someone please correct me if I'm wrong) and it was scheduled to go until 5 AM, making it both a totally viable focus point for a regular nighttime activity AND a great place to hang if you still had energy after 14+ hours of fun.

@Stan - yes TABC has cracked down on what advertising they can do to promote specials/happy hours, etc. A lot of bar/club owners have taken it to the extreme the other direction in order to be safe. I don't think anyone wants to risk losing their license but I think a happy medium can be found. I think I kinda see where you're going with bringing it up but might need a little more clarification if you don't mind.

I wonder what the laws are about free booze in a TABC licensed establishment. From my dealings with Red River (and other) clubs, I've always gathered that its not actually allowed to give away booze to 21+ people, nor is it allowed to advertise your absurd drink specials specifically.

Ie, Treasure Island used to advertise on the radio about 25 cent sunday night drafts. But now they can only say "Beer Specials" very vaguely.

Ie #2, A band can't advertise that there will be free beer or shots at their show, but they can say they are sponsored by Jager and let people connect the dots.

All the above is what I've always been told by a variety of bookers and people who run clubs. It could all be lies and misunderstandings to cover their asses too.

As for paying to go to the party, sure I guess if the party had good bands. I don't even know who was at the iheartcomix party. I spend all my energy between 11am and 2am and then pass out. The late night shit isn't my thing any more, just like all the goddamned 1980s wannabe hipsters at the Levis Fort weren't my thing. I don't get it and I don't want to get it.

Finally, regarding the city fucking up on telling you what permits. That's how Austin is. They're not good at explaining the rules and permits for just about anything from construction to parties to where you can put your trashcan.

(full discloure first: not sure if i said this earlier, but i may be a bit biased and more pissed being that i am signed to iheartcomix)

that being said, that fact that it was a freeparty is what drew 9000 rsvp's for sure. however i know tons of people that would have easily paid 10 bucks to see that lineup. (definitly 1500 which would have filled the venue) seriously how often do texans get a chance to see para one (france), boys noize(germany), simian mobile disco (uk), diplo, spankrock etc etc etc etc all in one night. that shit doesnt happen here.

i would have paid 20 bucks for that night. even if i hadnt been playing, that would have been my night of the year.

@mightybest: right on

@Stan: I would think that as long as they still had outside sponsored parties (a la I Heart Comix etc) they could most definitely make their money in terms of alcohol sales, no? (I will readily admit I have no idea how much of a kickback they get from SXSW so I'm not taking that into account and I also have no idea how the inner workings of the Red River club scene operate) Say they do some block party style thing like Fado does for St. Patty's Day. Charge whoever wants to come in a seemingly reasonable cover and then have access to the bars and the booze and the bands. Could that work? A look at some of the bands that were playing the free night parties shows that there is name cache to attract people. Of course, you then run then run the risk of finding out that the FREE booze is what attracts a lot of the people...

So I guess a question to the masses then - would you still have gone to the I Heart Comix party if there was a ten dollar cover and reasonably priced drinks?

the most simple question is really why didnt iheartcomix about the permit when applying and being approved for all others?

youd think when you go to the city and apply for one permit theyd ask, "what kind of event are you planning" and then give you a printout of everything necessary to comply with all laws.

not leave you to make stabs in the dark and cross your fingers night of.

really its that simple cant we just get a sheet spelling out everything you need to do? i find it grossly negligent on the part of the city that these dots cannot be connected. if your going to implement a set of permits, you have to follow through with a method for people to understand them and be able to apply for them.

yeah, i'd love to see some veronica mars action from the austinist. hipsters need answers too!

Why would the Red River clubs pull out of SXSW?

Quite a number of them make 20% or more of their yearly revenue during SXSW.

I overheard the Fire Marshall who was working at Mowhawk (the club was required to have one on site the entire weekend) tell another group of people that the Mowhawk estimated 30% of this year's revenue would come just from the SXSW day and night time shows. 30%! You don't think having a line out the door for the Secretly Canadian showcase on Thursday night is a reason for the clubs to stay with SXSW?

I know Beerland was in a similar boat a few years ago; I don't know if they still are (maybe business is better) but Randall repeatedly stated the smoking ban would put him out of business in 30 seconds or less, so clearly he likes the revenue from SXSW to keep him afloat.

And Room 710 and Red Eyed Fly are often desolate wastelands for most of the week/weekends when its not SXSW.

I think only Emos has the clout to pull out, and I'm positive Frank and Graham love the lines out the door all day and night and the $4 PBR prices.

Some clubs need the networking that SXSW provides. Ie, a decent touring band with fans plays Room 710 during SXSW and when they come back to Austin, they contact Room 710 for their next show. That helps elevate Room 710 from a local venue to one that touring bands want to play.

I just don't see the benefit of pulling out, unless all the club owners are really that philosophically opposed to SXSW's practices.

I just hate that there's no real journalism for our world. There's a swirl of rumors here, but I don't see so much as a comment from the Austinist about how they're going to do a follow up story and interview the promoters, the AFD, the building people, or anything. And we KNOW the Chronicle won't do anything more than a whiny op-ed from Louis Black and that the Austin-American Statesman is just kind of waiting around for the next Lance Armstrong event to happen because it has no idea that things like Vice Magazine really exist.

Personally, I'd like to know the real story. I remember when the Austinist posted about that 49 Up permit a few months ago and I thought it was directed at frat parties but still got nervous about the next party I'd have at my house. Is that really what it was? And why didn't the I Heart Comix people know about it?

Did SXSW really call in the parties, or are we all just assuming they're bad because they're a big organization? I'm sure it'd be hard to get the higher-ups to admit that they worked closely with the police to end as many hipsters fun late-nights as possible, but couldn't there be a way to chase the story up through the rank and file?

I stood next to so many hipsters with music blogs at shows last week, but I didn't meet one hipster journalist. If someone would be like Gorilla Vs. Bear but for hipster facts instead of just opinions about indie bands, that would be really cool.

i take these with a huge grain of salt but i have heard rumors that the red river association of clubs was talking about pulling out of sxsw. that would be amazing to have venues with permits already sorted to have parties at night during sxsw.

on the other hand it might be cool to see something like a multi day fun fun fun fest at barton springs during sxsw too. make it more like a coachella than a sxsw.

Anon-first of all that is the point,parties were shut down for permits that nobody knew about. Iheartocmix had plenty of permits and everywhere they went they were told they had all the permits needed until the party starts and police come out of everywhere sirens blazing and all. It was pretty ridiculous actually. The crowd there just wanted to have a good time and you could tell by the fact they everyone left there were no protesting or anything. It wasnt like the blue genie was right down the street either it was a good distance for people to get there.

The day parties are a non issue because let's face it not that many people go to them. They do not pull in the kind of sponsors or crowd that a show at night can pull. I went to a few day parties that had free open bars and they were not crowded at all.

I heartcomix had so many sponsors they could have had their own sxsw which I think they should. I think they should have a f*ck sxsw festival at the same time.

First off, I never said that the after-parties generate the revenue that SXSW inc does, that would be ignorant. I said a happy medium between not giving SXSW our taxdollars and appeasing SXSW or at least the festival-goers would be to allow later shows downtown (after 2am) and to permit "gatherings" without a permit during the week of SXSW.

Paying SXSW $90,000 is a drop in the bucket that didn't have to happen. SXSW wasn't going to leave if Austin didn't foot the bill. They weren't trying to entice or attract SXSW, they were just paying them off. $90,000 wasn't going to put SXSW in debt, it was only going to make their profit margins smaller. Judging from the most Austinists' distaste for SXSW, I think the Austinist should put on a rival festival during the same week, hey who knows? it could eventually kick SXSW's ass.

Sure Anon. Maybe if they'd jumped through all the hoops, but haven't we learned from Wayne's World 2 that sometimes the bureaucracy can be against you? Look at how much stuff they had to go through to put on WayneStock... all I'm sayin' is this: Wayne's World 2 is by far the superior film in the Wayne's World Franchise.

Weren't all of these parties shut down for viloations of one kind or another? Seems to me that if the laws had been obeyed, there would have been no issue. The day parties always seem to be in compliance, why can't the after parties do the same?

The parties being shut down is exactly what sxsw wanted....The promoters of these parties saying they are not coming back is exactly what sxsw wants anyway. I keep hearing well the city of Austin is going to suffer....I doubt it.

I was sick about the Iheartcomix party being shut down because I knew it took alot to plan. The party also happened to be a large party where many people would have been able to get in not to mention the performers that were coming in just for this party.

In the end though none of these promoters will have a party here next year and that is exactly what sxsw wants....

I have one complaint about SXSW (actually I have dozens but let's get to those another time when I have more coffee and time to think!). If SXSW is going to personally CUFF the showcasing bands music wristband on their talented little hands (and I am assuming SXSW is overcompensating on the belief that some bands do obscene backroom deals with THEIR OWN WRISTBANDS which is their ONLY payment for performing and should be allowed to do what may with their payment!)...then those paranoid fucks at SXSW need to do the EXACT same thing to the SXSW CONSUMER and LOCK those wristbands on THEIR little hands at Waterloo Records with 1 wristband per person - ALL MUST BE PRESENT TO PURCHASE A SXSW WRISTBAND!! I believe if you are going to humiliate bands by making them ALL show up at Artist Check-in and cuff them on the spot with wristbands then FAIR IS FAIR! CUFF THE CONSUMER WHEN THEY PURCHASE THEIR WRISTBAND AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE!! This, I'm sure, will alleviate SXSW's problem of scalping and counterfeiting. By making ALL consumers be present when buying a SXSW wristband SXSW can personally CUFF each person and rest easy at night that everyone is playing by the rules! Fair is fair! Stop treating the SXSW musicians as dirty thieving little feral street urchins who can't be trusted to handle their OWN wristbands! Geez SXSW gets more paranoid as the years pass! Wake up! The more SXSW strangles their event with these paranoid bullshit rules is the day SXSW is going to lose COMPLETE control! Relax SXSW! No one is out to get you...just yet!

SXSW has a committee designed to "help" SXSW registrants put on a "private party" through them. They will "help" you design and find a place to have you party! Of course, this means you have lost control of your own party as now SXSW knows all and can say yeah or nay to the bands or talent who plays it. (SXSW has an off-site venue for "official" parties. It is the empty government building at the corner of E. 11th St next to CVS Pharmacy.) That was one of the sites for the "official" SXSW parties during the event! You would have to be a complete idiot to let SXSW "help" you design a party that was competing with their SXSW daytime convention center events or even the nighttime showcases! SXSW hates any and all parties that takes away the spotlight from them! They also research any band who is coming to town and if they are not playing SXSW they put the Soprano's Smackdown on the band's management or label! (This, of course, is only if the band is some significance to the music industry! SXSW IS NOT YOUR FRIEND!!!

what about the day parties? SXSW doesn't seem to have the same problem with them. Record labels, clothing companies, and various other organizations had them on a daily basis providing the same opportunity for non-wristband or badge holders to see out of town acts. Not to embrace a form of paternalism, but maybe it isn't the worst thing in the world for all of our health and sanity to stop the party we began at noon at 2 AM? I don't think we should be embarrassed of austin because there are fewer places to do blow and hook up with wasted hipsters between the hours of 2:30 and 5 AM.

I can completely believe SX organizers were behind this. They've been pretty open (albeit contradictory) about their dislike of unofficial SX events. What I don't understand is why? Every year we hear about how quickly wristbands and badges sold out, how more bands than ever are scheduled to play, etc. so why do they care what people are doing after 2am? At this point people are coming here as much for the parties as for the actual official festival, but wristband or not they're still bringing money into the city. Especially considering the tax breaks and incentives given by the city, SXSW should also benefit local businesses and organizations and not just the SWSX organizers. These parties have helped raise the profile of the festival and draw more people. Every year the parties are bigger and better, and every year you hear people say that year was the best SX so far. This competition has a mean-spirited feel that can only backfire on the people behind it. It smacks of greed and jealousy.

This festival is supposed to be about helping bands get exposure and find record deals, so why wouldn't they want to maximize that exposure while they're here and play as many parties as they can? Besides that there aren't enough wristbands and badges available for all the people who want them (not to mention they're increasingly difficult to afford) so why sabotage the free stuff and exclude those people? As many people as there in town during that week, I find it hard to believe that a couple of hundred people going to an after party is really having a negative effect on "official" events.

festival goers and party goers are not mutualy exclusive. in fact up to this year i was a staunch defender of sxsw to the debbie downers of the festival. my first sxsw showcase put me on the big stage at emos playing in front of jello biafra and david byrne. that was huge moment for me in my life and i had sxsw to thank. but that year i also played a day party on the saturday and it was an amazing show too.

being from here the parties are very important to me. especially when the sxsw shows may sell out and there is no guest list. not everyone can afford wristbands and parties allow for locals and friends to see all the bands that may not come back for a while.

the shift in attitude is comparable to the music industries attitude to file sharing and mp3s. if sxsw would embrace the parties and try to find a way to make them work for them than everyone wins. but it has left a sour taste in a lot of companies,labels and bands mouths after this year. and it does indeed sadden me, for the past 5 years i have been proud to invite my friends to my city for the week and show them a great time. last week i felt nothing but embarassment.

Again, you get out of SXSW what you put into it.

The city understands this, the festival-goers understand this, the only people who don't are those that have been whining about it for years.

90,000 in waived fees isn't even a drop in the bucket compared to the sales tax revenues alone that SXSW generates in any given year. Add in hotel room taxes, gasoline taxes, and SXSW has paid for that 90,000 probably a few times over.

You get out of it what you put into it - if all you have to offer is bitching and moaning, well, I doubt you'll ever be satisfied with anything.

I think we need an "Austinist interviews: AFD" or maybe just some pointed questions to Mr. Black. How bout it?

wow, we got some sweet apologists here.

first things first, i never said people were at the party to see me, in fact ill go ahead and say i know they werent cause that was really one of our first shows with that crowd. thats why it was important to us. we needed that show to set off the year as an introduction to us for that "scene" before our records come out.

i also wasnt complaining about 400 kids being at the sxsw show just saying if i had to choose between having one or the other, id go with the one thats free and brings way more people. hmm play to 4 people or 1500, thats a tough question. cmon people its just science. haha.

the party scene still brings in enormous revenue to the city or dont you think rock n roll rentals and music lab count when they rent out tons and tons of gear for all of them. not to mention revenue to venues like blue genie, emos, beauty bar etc who rent out their facilities for daytime or nighttime events?

the parties were not being randomly called in by neighbors. i know this because when afd showed up to our party he had a clipboard with a list of 70+ parties to visit. they said they had that list prepared for at least a week before sxsw.

You guys crack me up. Stew is citing an argument that has no validity. Guess what Stew, the parties are not affiliated with SXSW and not bringing in millions of dollars to the city. Why should they get the same treatement as SXSW?

As for people knowing people on the SXSW staff. Everyone in this town knows someone who is on that staff. If you don't think the neighbors were calling in the parites than you're an idiot. Try throwing one of that size this week and see if you get away with it. SXSW won't be calling you in this week.

As for labels and sponsors saying they are not coming back. LOL. 1. it's not up to the people who are here suring SXSW working for the decision makers and 2, there is no way they won't come to the 2nd largest music conference in the world. Way too much money to be made.

For the guy who said he had 300 ppl at the showcase - hmmmm, maybe you should be a better band? Just because there were 3000 at a party with free booze most likely means they weren't there for you. That was probably just 2600 more people who were eagerly awaiating you to get off the stage.

Everyone seems to know an "employee of sxsw" or have a friend that knows one. And, of course, that "employee of sxsw" is always conveniently aware of these evil nefarious committees and task forces out to ruin fun!

I don't believe that SXSW was out on some witchhunt for illegal parties and shows, because there were plenty of non sanctioned parties and shows that didn't get touched... and some of them were even listed by Lewis Black's newspaper in the day show listings!

And, I'd love to play to 4 or 40 people at a SXSW showcase. So maybe that guy who only played to 400 and doesn't want to come back can stay away. You're playing music, not curing cancer or teaching elementary school. You're doing something that's supposed to be fun and you're lucky you get to do that instead of being a garbageman in Iraq. Get over yourself.

wow. sx is a bunch of a-holes. what a shocker. the city slinging fines to help cover the $90,000 they gave to sx, similarly astounding.

what troubles me is a permit to assemble. isn't there something in the constitution about that?

does anyone know what this new permit says?

i was told by a sxsw employee a month before the festival that they had formed a committee to find all non-sxsw events (internet, flyers, etc.) to have them shut down that week.

the i heart comix event was way cooler than anything sxsw can pull off.

expect more of the same next year...

Two things: Yes the city ABUSED it's power to waive the city service fees to a FOR-PROFIT organization (really amazing considering that this what the city fees were DESIGNED FOR!!!) PAY FOR YOUR USE SXSW!!! These fees should ONLY be waived for NON-PROFIT organizations and holidays like Martin Luther King Day, Veteran's Day, charity runs,etc. Otherwise you and me are paying for a major company's use of those fees (and considering SXSW makes about 8 MILLION DOLLARS or so in profits I think they can afford it!)

Secondly, I know someone who works there and calling and reporting on any anti-SXSW party (day or night) to the authorities in hopes of shutting them down is EXACTLY what SXSW does to "protect" their event! Any band (of any major significance) who comes into town and does NOT play SXSW then SXSW gets vindictive and either calls the band management with threats (i.e. "Your band and label will NEVER play SXSW...EVER! kinda threat) or if the band is an "official" SXSW performing act then they are told that they can do record store in-stores but NOTHING else open to the public unless it is a PRIVATE PARTY!! Which means invitation ONLY! Now that pretty much kills all parties as most are "open" to anyone who shows up pending room. But this goes to show how PARANOID SXSW is! They will stop at nothing to make sure that any ANTI-SXSW party or showcase suffers as much as they can! (Which is most ironic seeming most of these parties are labels and bands showcasing at SXSW and these events just add to the overall festival icing, so to speak!)

So Austinites...this is your precious city dollars at work! Paying for a bunch of paranoid rich fucks to strangle any event besides theirs during that week of March! And the sad thing is everyone will forget about this next year and "praise" SXSW as a music lover's wet dream! All at the expense of the poor (really poor) musicians who struggle for attention during this monster event! Sad really...

sxsw has peaked.

I can speak about the I heart comix and the vice parties, since they were both supposed to happen at our shop. When all hell broke loose Friday night and we were presented with no options about the DJ party going on, (despite the reasonable efforts we made to have a open, safe venue), I was forced to pull the plug on the Vice party Sat night at Blue Genie. According to the fire marshals, BGA space will never get a load card (occupancy rating) for more than 299 persons at any one time without some major renovations, including a fully automated sprinkler system, alarm system, automatic doors, and a laundry list of other stuff that we simply can't afford. Events is just a small part of what we do; we have hosted and produced dozens of events over the last eight years b/c they fit our personality. I'm afraid that this weekend gives us a pretty flat tire for ever doing anything like these events again.

Thanks to everyone who has been supportive of events at our shop; from Wolfmother, Toots & Maytals, Jim Jarmusch and many others, we've definitely had fun. Also a warning to anyone else to has a gallery, shop space, etc; please exercise caution when throwing parties, art openings, etc. - when the city comes down on you it lets in all sorts of entities that you are probably not ready for. AFD, APD, TABC, Code Enforcement, even the Health Dept.

I feel bad for I Heart Comix b/c they put so much work into the event (six months) and were devastated when they didn't even get an hour out of it. I found that crowd to be well behaved and ready to have a great time. It's really a bummer to have it shut down.

We also hired APD off duty police officers to assist with the evening thinking (falsely) that it would add an extra layer of legitimacy and protection should there be a problem. Without bad mouthing APD, I can say that ultimately they folded faster to AFD than Superman on laundry day and went from 'in the background security personnel' to heavies in clearing the space immediately.

All of this is FYI; I post this on Austinist because I trust them.

"Dude, Stew, $90,000 of waived fees is not the same as using our tax dollars."

- Wrong, the city waived $90,000 in fees related to cops & barricades which SXSW was supposed to pay for but the city waived the fees...the cops still have to be paid...hmmm...where does that money come from now? THE TAXPAYERS!!!! = using our tax dollars.

"Don't vote for those city council members who gave SXSW the $90k if you really care that much."

-There is not one city council member which I voted for. The most powerful office in Austin, the city manager, is an unelectable office(which is bullshit!). The ability to vote the city council out of office doesn't give them the authority to do as they please until they are unelected.

Business subsidies have and continue to destroy Austin at the expense of you and me.

oh yeah i forgot , specifics on the lacked permit are:

it is a new "public gathering permit" meaning if you have more than 49 people in one place you need to have one. the suprising thing is , it is not a safety permit.

we had alcohol permits, fire escape stuff in order, sound permits all the usual stuff. youd think theyd be prepared for a week like this. and we all would have been happy with a fine and someone onsite charging us for not having it but then writing the permit on site and allowing this to continue.

to my surprise the fire marshall said he did not know this was going on when we called him and seemed angry about it. maybe he knew how detrimental this really was to the city.

we learned that this new permit was aimed mostly at the 12th and chicone area to battle drug houses and clubs/bars they deemed necessary to "clean up".

this post really lacks some meat.

i was one of the people scheduled to play the mentioned i heart comix party later that night. we had all the permits we were TOLD we needed. the permit that parties were lacking was a new permit that no one was informed of when receiveing the other ones. this was gross negligence on the part of the city of austin.

also i have emails from a sxsw employee confirming they were calling in these parties to have them shut down.

sxsw really shot austin in the foot this time. i know for a fact that at least 2 venues will no longer continue hosting parties AT ALL after this and many labels/magazines/sponsors have said they will not be returning next year.

i imagine artists feel the same way. we had 400 people at our sxsw showcase and 3000 at our party. hmm wonder which one ill be excited to play.

instead of being the bullies of austin, sxsw should really figure out why the parties are so successful and work with them. i have played sxsw for 5 years and will not be playing again ever.

there is a much more interesting going on here than "a lack of permits"

The whole after party or parties being shut down for permits was ridiculous! The Iheartcomix party which took 6 months to plan was broken up for what....some permit nobody ever heard of? It doesnt make sense. I know for a fact there were other parties that did not have the same permit that the same fire marshall went to and did not shut them down.

The sxsw promoters probably targeted this party because it was better than any they can throw and had more sponsors. The amount of police that pulled up with sirens on and everything I thought someone had been shot. It would be impossible for anyone to hear that party there is nothing out there.

Who benefits when a party is shut down? Who would want to shut a party down?

The only logical answer is the organizers of sxsw. The Austin police could care less about a party in east austin as parties were held at the blue genie all weekend without the "permit"?????

The following was just posted on gawker.com comments section on the the original story.

I second kirker’s comments. I also live in that neighborhood, and while I did attend close to 2 dozen SXSW film, multimedia, and music events, I don’t want 1,000 hipsters in my neighborhood. They probably disturbed the transient camp under the Hwy 290 Bridge over Little Walnut Creek in addition to trashing Northeast Drive.

NYC scenesters beware; my Mama was born three blocks from Hell’s Kitchen and lettered in Field Hockey at Hunter High. I have Bamboo Quarterstaffs and a Kukuri, and my Mama taught me how to use it. Come knocking on my door or pissing/crapping/throwing up on my lawn and you will get a lesson in manners you will not forget.

It's not like people are dying in Iraq and Dafur or our education, health care, and economic systems are completely going down the shitter.

Let's get riled up over $90k for an event that takes your mind off of reality.

Here's a novel idea: Don't vote for those city council members who gave SXSW the $90k if you really care that much.

Way to pick your causes folks!

I am tired of people complaining about the waived fees for SXSW. Austin has no merits on its own and SXSW would certainly relocate to Dallas without this money. Besides didn't everyone feel the $90,000 saved by SXSW trickling down on them during the fest. Reagan would be proud! Lastly, everyone knows, only *small* business should pay these fees not the big ones. C'mon people. Get with the program!

Dude, Stew, $90,000 of waived fees is not the same as using our tax dollars.

i was at both the factory people and the iheartcomix parties, and they were both shaping up to be the best times of the week before they got shut down. the iheartcomix party had some of the greatest tunes in town all at one place and they were serving monster+vodka in 20oz cups. Can't get much better than that.

Stew's been bitching about SXSW for a couple of weeks now....





You get out of it what you put into it - which is exactly what the city government realizes about the millions in revenue generated by SXSW.





Not to mention what those of us who've been enjoying the festival over the last two decades - this one was, like nearly every year, the best SXSW so far.

i wish apes & androids van would have been hit and undriveable (no gear smashed). i want them to have to stay here and play more shows.

there was an outdoor pure volume party at 7th and trinity that got shut down too. I agree with stew.

Permits, we don't need no stinkin' permits.

Hey City Council,

Instead of using our tax dollars, more than $90,000 of them, to help out SXSW, how about granting sound ordinance and party permit reprieves. This would make SXSW happy, the fans happy, and the taxpayers happy.

I don't expect much though, since this doesn't involve spending money frivolously.

Sincerely,

Stew

It was much less treacherous than the flailing meat in front of the stage for Against Me.

It was just as well that it happened, they had stopped serving al-key-hall just moments before the edge of the deck collapsed. That would have been the real tragedy: rocking until 6am without stupid juice (aka pain go bye-bye juice).

hahaa, that's my little red bag in the picture. rubble missed the Apes & Androids van by INCHES!