What should i bring to sxsw

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Stay with your friends, and get to events early enough for free drinks! I wear all black pretty much all the time. Wearing blue is like, symbolic of me going to a festival, and putting on a look. This is an excuse for me to try something new. What else are you packing?

Less than I think I should, because I always overpack. I always end up with like three pairs of shoes that just weigh me down. I get to get some Vitamin D, and chill with people that I know and like. The complainers. Also the fear of missing out. Pick one thing to do, pick one show to go to, commit to that, and commit to having fun. Don't worry about what else you could be seeing or doing.

The top is linen. I usually get a bike and just kind of roll around to stuff. I love seeing bands in the day. I love that you can just go and sit outside and drink and watch a band and you can just leave and come back.

The photo booths, and the stupid free things. Try not to drive if you can. I really like Rod Stewart, and especially Hot Legs. It was just a thing that I found at a store and it feels kind of summery, breezy. Whenever you go down to Austin you might as well take off everything. What's your least favorite thing about SXSW? Crowds and lines. These are like the only pair of pants that I own. And boots that are comfy.

A lot of T-shirts. I sweat through a lot of T-shirts so I just have like, a bowl of T-shirts. I got cool patterns, checkered and stuff. I wanna go to Barton Springs. During the festival, the following official and unofficial accounts will tell you where to get food, what the lines are like and where the surprise gigs are taking place.

You might want to create a separate Twitter account to keep track of events. Our experience of was very different from that of and In the past, RSVPing was a must as stewards checked for the app tickets at the door. Again, keep an eye on those Twitter accounts to see where lines are doable, you need to be flexible at SXSW.

Waiting in line is just part of the SX bloodline. Even badge holders need to stand in line at times, albeit in the primary one. We waited for a good few hours, drinking our tins from the gas station, to try and catch Years and Years one evening. We failed to get anywhere near the front. We missed Har Mar Superstar on 6th but caught him in a tiny intimate venue the next day. He was basically dancing on top of us, naked. The free, like actual free, days will be the BIG parties held at the notable venues:.

Once the free beverages run out there are no more so get in early. The Do app is useful but difficult to use. The best way to get around it is the search for the act you wish to see and pull up the venues that they are playing at then investigate which party that would be. Twitter is definitely the best app at your disposal and taxis apps will be required to get into the city and out. As badge holders, it has been useful for scheduling events and attempting to request SXXpress passes for popular events.

There are hundreds of venues at SX and the will literally pop up anywhere. Some of the most popular ones for free parties include:. It is in the perfect location, minute stroll along the water to the city. Straight after the festival prices drop, we stayed in a cute garden hut house at Barnton Springs and chilled by the swimming pool. Uber, Lyft and Ride Austin all operate as taxis in Austin. It operates on an app basis like Lyft and Uber. New to Austin is the electronic scooter system.

Uber Jump , Lyft and Bird all have scooters dotted around the city. You need the app and a credit card to activate the scooter. The traffic is very understanding surprisingly. Stick to the cycle lanes when there are some. Austin B-Cycle programme allows bike rental for up to 24 hours. Anything goes but be comfortable. Expect some days to be hot and sticky, other is can rain not that often though. The number one item on your packing list should be well worn in shoes for all the dashing between locations.

If you are there to network you should aim to stand out. Bright hair, cool hat? Whatever your bag is. Prepare your elevator speech before you go too. Regardless if you are a badge goer or a free gig stalker I highly recommend adding SXSW to your bucket list for Oh, and take your ID — you have to prove who you are and that you are over 21 at every door. But that line is an exercise in masochism during SXSW, especially when Austin's myriad other great barbecue joints await.

It's stacked with expert advice from locals on what to eat, where to drink, and what to do. Putting style ahead of comfort. Assuming Texas weather will be week-long sunshine. Just winging the whole day. Paying for food and drink. Driving, in any form. Walking or driving, or scooting around with booze. Waiting in line at big-name events. Doing only SXSW stuff. Trusting that AUS won't be a disaster movie. Waiting in line at Franklin Barbecue. Audra Schroeder is a writer and editor living in Austin, Texas.

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