Day four of SXSW, the last hurrah. SXSW is always a manically insane event but the sheer volume of bands and vendors and mobs of ‘fans’ just looking for a free drink was overwhelming this year. I mean, any year people end up getting tazed at a Death from Above 1979 show you got to admit is pretty crazy. And now we hear that SXSW is considering outlawing all non-official events next year? Um, am I mistaken or did the majority of these head injuries, barricade stormings and said tazing incidents not happen at official events? Also, you’re not the boss of me. And I never tazed anyone at any of my unofficial parties.

My final day of SX started off at the party of Ryan’s Smashing Life called Smoke and Sand where I caught Mean Creek and Filligar. Mean Creek just blew me away. Their recordings don’t really do the live show justice, which was full of perfect, punky rock songs. Filligar play well crafted, blues inspired modern, country, classic rock.

Next, I booked it over to the Filter Magazine party with TMS contributors Dominik and Grant to see Datarock, whom will have a new musical out soon called, fittingly, Datarock: The Musical. Their shows are always so fun, even in 85 degree weather with the sun beating down on you. Their new single ‘California,’ from the musical is typical Datarock, catchy, poppy, so Scandinavian.

Then it was off to Fader Fort once more, which sadly for me, was clear across town, for James Blake. Blake pointed out that this was the largest crowd he has ever played to and after witnessing his set, I’m sure that won’t be for long. In case you haven’t read all of the glowing reviews for his debut album yet, Blake plays a bluesy, dark, pop music that hovers near the edge of becoming full blown dance tracks. And he plays them impeccably. He’s also very posh. Just thought I’d mention that, I found it slightly shocking.

For the rest of the night, I hung out at the Ernest Jenning showcase where the line-up consisted of TMS favorites The Forms and O’death as well as Brooklyn band, Takka Takka. The Forms’ Derealization is my favorite ep hands down of the year so far. Once I begin listening to it, I get in a loop and can’t stop hitting replay over and over. Their shows are a manic frenzy, case in point, I can never seem to get a clear shot of keyboardist and singer Alex Tween, I have about 100 blurry photos of him.

And honest to goodness, despite Takka Takka’s close proximity to myself, I have yet to hear them play since their reinvention a few years back. Well reinivention is good, just ask Madonna. Takka Takka’s new brand of power pop surf rock is on the money.

To close the evening, and the conference for me, was O’death who played to a riotous (no tazers were used) crowd both a shedload of classics as well as new material from their forthcoming album, Outside. Outside is out in the US on April 19th and in Europe May 2nd, though oddly enough, available for purchase at their shows. Last month the band released single ‘Bugs’ and it is already a crowd favorite, and mine as well. O’death is currently on tour around the US.

And that’s it, that wraps up another SXSW. Did you go? What were some of your favorite bands?