After releasing the stunningly brilliant Forget last year, the only question left of George Lewis Jr. was how well his take on '80s new-wave romanticism would translate into a live setting. He was the sole individual responsible for crafting those ten slices of near perfection, and the idea that he would simply replicate those sounds while standing behind a laptop would never do them justice. Wisely, his live iteration includes three other musicians to help him realize his sound, as well as give him plenty of opportunities to prove himself as a front man. This is exactly what happened on Thursday at Central Presbyterian Church during their set at Pitchfork’s showcase. The pristine basslines and synth flourishes that dominated most of the album were present and accounted for, and it was clear that Lewis recruited some very capable musicians to back him up. This was readily apparent from opener “Slow,” which contained an alternate (ahem) slowed down intro, and that same kind of tight musicianship permeated throughout the rest of the band’s set, including the romantic “At My Heels” and eerie “Castles in The Snow.” more ›

The thrill of the early hours of day one at the Austin City Limits Music Festival is nearly upon you. Yeah, you know the feeling. Your mind is eagerly processing the promise of three days of continuous live music, inevitable good times, and relentless shenanigans. The positive vibes have enveloped your very being even as you enter the largely vacant Zilker Park almost impatiently before noon, looking for an initial burst of euphony to send you on your way. Your first stop should most certainly be the Lady Bird Lake Stage, where GIVERS’ sunny-side-up pop tunes are sure to magnify all that optimism. The band members evoke passion from the moment they take the stage; their enticing melodies and tantalizing rhythms will have you dancing with joy in no time. Heck, you’ll probably be wishing you could bottle their irrepressible zeal for quick little boosts of energy at regular intervals throughout the weekend. more ›

Last October's sold-out Dirty Projectors show at Antone's was made all that much sweeter thanks to the talented opening act, Givers, a cheerful Lafayette five-piece with a terrific stage presence. more ›

SXSW can be a hectic and overwhelming situation for music lovers. There's always a long list of bands you know you want to see, but there's also always a ton of bands that you're intrigued by. Here at Austinist, we've got a few favorites we're excited for, and a handful of under the radar bands that we want to make sure you've got a lead on. more ›

They don’t have an official website. Allmusic.com doesn’t have a bio on them. And Pitchfork hasn’t written them up just yet. So what exactly is this collective from Louisiana called Givers and why should you go see them this Friday at The Parish Room? more ›

The internet is undecided - are the Dirty Projectors worthless, off-key hacks, or is their 2009 album Bitte Orca the Best Album Ever? more ›