SXSW Day Three Roundup: Ha Ha Tonka, Warpaint, Psychic Twin

Filed Under: Live Shows, SXSW — By: Oliver Bouchard

Thursday got us into a slow start: after a failed attempt to join the lunch at the German house (prior registration was required), we struggled to find a show. Really. So after a visit at the Swan Dive patio, the gear and poster expos at the convention center, we finally started the day with some music for the Dum Dum Girls at the Radio Stage.

From there things got better: Warpaint was on at the Spotify House, this time for a full show in beautiful evening light. Warpaint shows in daylight are a rare treat, so this was very enjoyable.

After dinner, we just missed Empress Of at the 4AD showcase at Cheer Up Charlie’s, a beautiful venue with summer feeling. Another Brooklyn band, Psychic Twin was next: they crammed four keyboards and a drum set onto the tiny stage at Valhalla.

A must see on our list was Ha Ha Tonka at Shotguns, a bar with western feeling. They put on a brilliant live show, like always (fun fact: Ha Ha Tonka and Warpaint both are tied now on the list of bands we saw live most often).

Capping off the night were EAGULLS at Buffalo Billard, a crazy post-punk band from England.