EELS - truly the highlight of my week, i've been waiting literally YEARS to see them and they didn't disappoint. of course, i've been following them closely and was prepared for some of the 'surprises' they had in store but it was still amazing. i could've never asked for a better first time experience...i was able to film the show, my friend took pictures, i scored a setlist and met e and butch afterwards. they were cooler than i could've ever imagined and i love em more than ever.

THE POLYPHONIC SPREE - of course i knew they'd steal the week and the buzz began right after their first performance. i only caught their stubb's show and they were amazing. of all the bands playing this year, i tried to help spread the word on the spree...even introduced e to their greatness...

ELBOW/STARSAILOR/MY VITROL/SOUTH - this year was truly the year of the brits. happy to see elbow return, i was also pleased to catch the other acts perform in fairly intimate settings. granted, most brit bands are starting to sound the same at this point, i was quite entertained with all four bands.

KID DAKOTA - i was pleasantly surprised with this show. it'd sound like i'm kissing the ass of the individual who asked me to attend their set but i really love what i heard and hope to see more stuff from them in the future. the music has a thickness to it...i dunno how to describe it...it's pretty incredible.

ATOM AND HIS PACKAGE - with nothing to do during this time slot, i met up with a fellow sxsw volunteer and we caught this rather amusing act. i loved it. i don't know about going out and actually buying a cd but for a live show, atom does well.

SUPERDRAG - i was super-psyched to finally get to catch them and yet they ended up plagued with shitty sound and a dink sound guy. i felt bad for them, they were pissed and rightfully so. i was told they'd be back in the summer...i'll surely catch them then.

I AM THE WORLD TRADE CENTER - saw some of their set at buffalo billards. it just didn't seem right. i wasn't too impressed. i left.

JOHN VANDERSLICE - this was also the year to catch vanderslice, having seen him play stubb's a few weeks before sxsw, i knew i'd catch him as much as i could during sxsw. besides the fact that he's probably one of the nicest guys i've ever met, i really love his sound and although the singer/songwriter thing is the buzz now, vanderslice still maintains an originality all his own.

THEY MIGHT BE GIANTS - not a huge fan but i liked them enough to take on the masses lined up outside, i was really impressed with their performance. probably wouldn't cough up the to see them if they ever returned on their own but it was an enjoyable experience nevertheless.

BOWLING FOR SOUP - ugh. caught the end of their set and from what i saw, they disgusted me. well. maybe not all of them but one member in particular. yeck.

HOUSEHOLD NAMES - seen em a million times and it was about time they had an audience they deserved. that show proved to be very good and they really shined. mad props to them and their future.

THE WEBB BROTHERS - as elbow was my shocker badass performance of sxsw 2001, the webb brothers blew me away this year. my god. seriously, they had me standing their with a big shitty grin on my face and warm fuzzies. i really hope they return to austin in the near future, i can't wait to see them again.

THOSE PEABODYS - as always, they deliver the rock. pretty soon everyone else will catch on to their greatness... for now, i'll soak in all the smaller local shows i can.

SPARTA - i could only stay for half their set but it was enough to miss them. i'd only seen them once before and i wish they'd play austin more cuz they really do rock. kinda wish i stayed to see the craziness of the icarus line...