South by Southwest 2005

16 - 20 March 2005

Scottish party
Scottish bands
Success

Scottish musicians hit the international stage again this year, as 10 bands performed at the South by Southwest music convention in Texas in March.  The bands took part in showcases across Austin along with 1,200 other groups from across the world. The 18th year of the convention and festival saw record numbers of delegates. Over 8,000 registrants took part in the key-note speeches, panel discussions and mentor sessions.  They also had the opportunity to sample the showcases which included every imaginable style of music, and from nearly every continent.

2005’s keynote speaker, ex-Led Zeppelin front-man Robert Plant, was stunned to receive a Grammy Award for Lifetime Achievement during his keynote address.  He had been unable to attend the ceremony in Los Angeles in February and was delighted to receive the surprise award.

Scottish party

The Scottish contingent held their ‘Scottish Invasion Party’ again this year, this time at the Tillery Street Theatre in Austin.  Scottish bands Jupiter and Teardrop, Aberfeldy, the Rezillos and Dawn of the Replicants were on hand to provide the music, as were local act the Real Heroes.  The party was a huge success, and was reported in the daily Austin newspaper the Austin Chronicle.

Scottish bands

This year’s Scottish bands were selected by SxSW on their musical talent and readiness to sell themselves to the massive international market.  The Scottish Arts Council gave funding to the artists towards the costs of attending.  The Scottish bands were:

Biffy Clyro Dogs Die in Hot Cars Jupiter and Teardrop Sluts of Trust Trashcan Sinatras Dawn of the Replicants Aberfeldy The Rezillos Hobotalk Idlewild

Success

The bands attracted a huge amount of attention as a result of their showcases:

Aberfeldy have attracted a large amount of radio play since returning to Scotland; recently performed a sold-out gig at Triptych in Glasgow and will be playing at the Carnegie Hall in Dunfermline with Hobotalk on 11 June 2005.

• Hobotalk went on to be the first international act invited to perform at the showcase held in Germany, Popkomm
• Trashcan Sinatras and Hobotalk, as well as SxSW 2004 performer Roddy Hart will be touring Scotland later in the year as part of the 2005/06 season of the Scottish Arts Council’s music touring programme Tune Up
• Hobotalk’s new album ‘Notes on Sunset’ was released in May 2005.  Have a look at our Artist of the Month feature article on Hobotalk.

Did you know? South by Southwest takes place in Austin every year, and 2005 was the second year the Scottish Arts Council have supported the Scottish bands invited to attend.