KGSR is returning to W Austin for the fourth consecutive year for its SXSW Live Broadcasts. The shows will take place for four mornings, beginning on March 18th and ending on March 21st, and will feature and immense roster of talent that have traveled both near and far to play the music festival. Hosted by KGSR on-air personalities Andy Langer, Kristen Kurtis and Kelly Jordan, the event benefits Make-A-Wish Central & South Texas with a suggested donation of $5 at the door.
My 8-year-old son and I went to the broadcasts for the first time last year. I’m not an early riser, but my son is, so I did my best to get us downtown early. We didn’t get down as early as I was hoping, and I forked over $20 for parking in a surface lot close to the Republic Square, knowing we would be downtown most of the day and happy that I could get in and out of our car easily if I needed to swap out jackets or get snacks. We stood in what was a pretty significant line (mostly under cover). My son read while I waited in line. The line didn’t really move.
A few of the musicians played impromptu sets for those of us waiting outside, and Charlie Mars even gave all of us in line a CD. We finally got in for the last artists, who was ZZ Ward, which was a little disappointing, but can be par for the course for South by Southwest. Then, we headed to Jo’s Coffee for an early lunch and a treat for my kid for hanging in there all that time. This year, I’m willing to try it again, but mindful that with the weather forecast looking rainy, these indoor events might be even more popular this year.
The first 300 people into the broadcast will receive a complimentary breakfast treat prepared by W Austin’s Executive Chef, Thomas Riordan – Farmers Market Migas – with additional food and beverages available for sale thereafter. For those who can’t make it, the performances will be broadcast live on 93.3 KGSR, and video of the performances will be streamed live at kgsr.com courtesy of Polycom.
This year’s line-up* is as follows:
Wednesday:
6am: Pirates Canoe
6:30am: Laleh
7am: Family of the Year
7:30am: BØRNS
8am: Elle King
8:30am: Jamestown Revival
9am: Milky Chance
9:30am: Bob Schneider
10am: James Bay
Thursday:
6am: Madisen Ward And The Mamma Bear
6:30am: Ryley Walker
7am: Charlie Mars7:30am: Robert DeLong
8am: Leon Bridges
8:30am: Big Data
9am: Bleachers
9:30am: Frank Turner
Friday:
6:30am: Walker Lukens
7am: Zella Day
7:30am: Max Frost
8am: Bright Light Social Hour
8:30am: Kopecky
9am: The Ting Tings
Saturday:
8am: Kaleo
8:30am: My Jerusalem
9am: The Wind & the Wave
9:30am: Houndmouth
10am: Greg Holden
10:30am: Steve Earl
11am: Heartless Bastards
11:30am: Best Coast
*Please note that all acts are subject to change.
