Idolator Takes On SXSW 2016 — Our Recap Of Day Three

Bianca Gracie | March 19, 2016 11:04 am
SXSW 2016 — Day Two Recap
Tinashe performed a private show & we had a late night fiasco!

Friday (March 18) marked our third round of adventure of SXSW—and it was a rainy one!

The bulk of my day was spent at SPIN magazine’s annual showcase at Stubb’s, which brought together a very entertaining artist lineup across all genres.

All-female rockers Bleached and California alternative metal mainstays Deftones (who did a brief and unexpected cover of Drake‘s “Hotline Bling”) provided a fun edge to the show. But, being the pop and hip-hop fan that I am, my eyes and ears were focused on Vince Staples, Dawn Richard and CHVRCHES.

The Long Beach rapper had a nonchalant ease to him, as he made eyebrow-raising jokes about “All Lives Matter” and not being paid enough by Spotify on stage without a care. The day got even more amped when D∆WN took over the showcase’s Grammy Amplifier stage, where she got the crowd dancing to her solid arsenal of tunes from Goldenheart and Blackheart.

But the biggest attraction for me was none other than CHVRCHES! The Scottish synth-pop trio, who first performed at SPIN‘s showcase three years ago, proved their musical worth as they ripped through fan favorites like “Empty Threat,” “Gun,” “The Mother We Share” and “Clearest Blue.”

I was planning to end my night by seeing Charli XCX‘s second-only SXSW show (that was also to be held at Stubb’s), but an unfortunate hailstorm ran through Austin and halted the rest of the city’s showcases. Based on what I’ve heard about the U.K. starlet’s earlier set with SOPHIE at the Hype Hotel, fans would have been in for a special treat. But Mother Nature was a force that could not be stopped and my night was cut very short.

View some highlight videos from day three (which includes some fan-shot footage from Charli XCX’s set at Stubb’s) below.

@dawnrichard is rocking the dance-loving crowd at #SPINStubbs!! #SXSW

A video posted by Idolator (@idolator) on

@CHVRCHES performing the totally fun “Empty Threat” at #SPINStubbs! #SXSW #Chvrches

A video posted by Idolator (@idolator) on

“Clearest Blue” is CLEARLY a @CHVRCHES fan favorite!! 💙 #SPINStubbs #SXSW #chvrches

A video posted by Idolator (@idolator) on

Be sure to check in throughout the week, as we will be reviewing shows and providing a daily recap! Also follow us on Twitter and Instagram to see what’s happening at SXSW through our eyes.

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