SxSW 2005 preview

Coming up in about three weeks is the 18th annual South by Southwest music festival in Austin, TX. It's now such a mega music/film fest that it's safe to say organizers have far succeeded their original goals of setting up an indie music fest.

The festival now plays host to nearly 1,300 showcase acts. More than 150 acts from Austin are scheduled, with another 80 bands from LA, and 72 bands listed as from New York (including Elvis Costello and the Imposters?? huh?). Add another 50 bands from Brooklyn, and this city's musical boiling pot is truly well represented in Austin this year. Compare these numbers to 41 bands from Chicago, 37 bands from London and almost 30 from San Francisco.

Pick a band, hear a sample tune. That'll keep you busy all day, bud.

The fest's huge importance in the music world means more and more veteran artists are using SxSW to relaunch careers. Notable this year is 1977 punk veteran Billy Idol, who's releasing a new CD a week later featuring longtime guitar collaborator Steve Stevens.