I’m back with more photos and a bit more commentary. After plodding through approximately 1,100 photos, I found some more I wanted to post.

Although most of the shows I attended were bands that have already gotten attention in the music blogsphere, I did catch some shows by bands I’ve never heard anything about. Those bands are the ones that I hope will grab the attention of more mainstream blogs such as Stereogum, Pitchfork, Spin or Rolling Stone. They include: Clock Opera (southern England), Library Voices (Canada), Glossary (Tennessee) and Bahamas (Canada).

The logistics of walking from a venue on 6th Street to a venue 10 blocks away made it difficult to see more bands. This is a factual statement not a complaint. The massive amount of attendees (approx 16,000) meant many of the smaller clubs were going to quickly hit capacity. I’m very disappointed to have not caught Polica, Lower Dens, Rubblebucket, Secret Mountains and Dustin Wong’s shows.

By Saturday, most people who are still around are exhausted. I’d love to know how much money is spent on energy drinks and coffee that day. I somehow managed to power through the day (with the aid of coffee) until 3am, knowing it was my last night of SXSW and I wasn’t wimping out to sleep.

Out of all the bands I saw, I have to pick Alabama Shakes as my favorite. Having the opportunity to see their show twice in one day came at the price of seeing other shows; however, I wanted more after being blown away at their Convention Center showcase. If you get the chance to see them…do it! For the Baltimore readers, I know they’re playing Rams Head Live on April 7.

I hope you have enjoyed reading my blog as much as I have enjoyed writing it. I’ll see you at an area show and/or at one of WTMD’s 1st Thursday Concerts in the Park. I’m the blond with the camera standing near the stage.

Ben Kweller at the Convention Center Day Stage

Billy Gordon of J Roddy Walston and the Business

Clock Opera at the sonicbids showcase on Maggie Mae's rooftop stage.

Fanfarlo at the Convention Center Day Stage

J Roddy Walson singing to the balcony crowd at Cedar Street Courtyard.

The other half of Of Monsters and Men at Wednesday's NPR Music showcase.

Joey Kneiser of Glossary