SXSW 2018 Wrap-Up: Our Favorite Discoveries And Memorable Moments
Clockwise from upper left: Sudan Archives, THICK, Gato Preto, Saint Sister, Surma
Courtesy of the artists
hide caption
toggle caption
Courtesy of the artists
Our bleary-eyed, ear-ringing week of seemingly non-stop live music in Austin, Texas has ended and we’re back one last time to reflect on the 2018 South by Southwest festival and play some of our favorite discoveries.
Hosts Bob Boilen and Robin Hilton, along with NPR Music’s Stephen Thompson and Rodney Carmichael, convene in the NPR studios to share the most memorable stories and songs of the festival, from the gritty rock of Brooklyn’s THICK and Afro-electronic soundscapes of Sudan Archives to the mumble rap of Tierra Whack, the soaring pop of G Flip and much more.
You can find a whole lot more from the festival here, including South by Lullabies (from Stella Donnelly, Natalie Prass and more), live concert videos and more.
Artists And Songs Featured On This Episode
04Are You With Me?
THICK
- Song: Are You With Me?
The Brooklyn trio THICK’s “Are You With Me?” is a raging, tightly-wound sonic boom that punches far above the “postage stamp-sized” venue the band played in.
01Are We There Yet?
Theodore
- Song: Are We There Yet?
Greek musician Theodore’s song, “Are We There Yet?” brings to mind the aural largess of Pink Floyd’s “Us And Them,” but its title belies just how satisfying the slow-building journey can be.
01About You
G Flip
- Song: About You
Australian singer-drummer G Flip emerged from behind the kit for a star-making turn on “About You.” It’s a soaring pop smash that helped make her one of the most buzzed-about acts at this year’s South by Southwest festival.
02Bridges
Aisha Badru
- Song: Bridges
Aisha Badru transfixed NPR Music’s Robin Hilton with her bare, heart-rending SXSW set, despite the sterile hotel lounge where she played.
02Come Meh Way
Sudan Archives
- Song: Come Meh Way
The music of Sudan Archives was the definitive favorite of the festival for NPR Music’s Bob Boilen and Rodney Carmichael. She’s inspired by Sudanese violin music, but branches off into minimal vox-and-violin clinics (“Come Meh Way”) and dizzying electronica (“Water”).
01Mumbo Jumbo
-
<iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/594982393/595044477" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Tierra Whack
- Song: Mumbo Jumbo
NPR Music’s Rodney Carmichael compares Philadelphia rapper Tierra Whack to the inimitable Missy Elliott for Whack’s imaginative concepts and jagged-edge lyricism.
01Black (feat. A$AP Ferg)
Buddy
- Song: Black (feat. A$AP Ferg)
Compton rapper Buddy, who was born to a devout Baptist family and avoided gang life, carves out his own space with this track featuring A$AP Ferg.
02What Can I Do If The Fire Goes Out?
Gang Of Youths
- Song: What Can I Do If The Fire Goes Out?
Big, bold guitar rock isn’t dead quite yet, and this Australian export is proof. Gang Of Youths makes bellowing, grandiose rock music. “What Can I Do If The Fire Goes Out,” as NPR Music’s Stephen Thompson puts it, would blow the roof off a stadium or the moon.
08Call And Response
Xylouris White
- Song: Call And Response
Xylouris White, the duo comprised of Jim White from The Dirty Three and Greek lute player George Xylouris, soothed NPR Music’s Bob Boilen’s weariness. The expert interplay and improvisation in “Call And Response” proved to be a balm amid a sea of artists and groups still honing their sound.
01Causing Trouble
Saint Sister
- Song: Causing Trouble
From the land of left-of-field instruments comes Saint Sister, an Irish duo whose spacious electropop is anchored by a Celtic harp.
03Dia D
Gato Preto
- Song: Dia D
The Dusseldorf, Germany-based duo behind Gato Preto — producer Lee Bass and singer Gata Misteriosa — merged Afropop riffs, Portugese rapping and an infectious four-on-the-floor house stutter to create a small frenzy in the Convention Center room they shared with twenty or so people.
Surma
- Song: Hemma
Surma’s “Hemma” feels like a study in contrasts. A brutal, bass-heavy undercurrent is pushed against starry overtones and the Portugese multi-instrumentalist’s childlike timbre.
07My Dear Elena Summer’s Vudun
Weird Bloom
- Song: My Dear Elena Summer’s Vudun
NPR Music’s Robin Hilton says Weird Bloom sounds like Tiny Tim collaborated with T. Rex, making this quirky Italian rock band one of the stranger and more memorable acts he saw this year.
02Velvet Noose
Thunderpussy
- Song: Velvet Noose
Closing the episode off the way we started is Thunderpussy, the Seattle rock band that gave a thrashing, charismatic performance fronted by the incredible singer Molly Sides.
Today in Movie Culture: 'Avengers: Infinity War' Easter Eggs, a 'Return of the Jedi' Plot Hole Explained and More
Here are a bunch of little bites to satisfy your hunger for movie culture:
Easter Eggs of the Day:
There’s a new Avengers: Infinity War trailer, so here’s your obligatory humorous breakdown of Easter eggs and more from Mr. Sunday Movies:
[embedded content]
Remade Trailer of the Day:
Speaking of the new Avengers: Infinity War trailer, so there had to be another redo of the trailer using Marvel animated series footage care of Darth Blender:
[embedded content]
Cosplay of the Day:
Smart Aleck Comedy also remade the Avengers: Infinity War trailer by piecing together clips of Marvel character cosplayers:
[embedded content]
Alternate Movie Poster of the Day:
With all the complaints about Hawkeye not being on the Avengers: Infinity War poster, this BossLogic redo was inevitable:
Don’t worry bro @renner4real we got you #hawkeye#infinitywar@Avengers@MarvelStudiospic.twitter.com/pU40cRIYbY
— BossLogic (@Bosslogic) March 17, 2018
Movie Bridge of the Day:
Wonder where Leia got her Boushh disguise before Return of the Jedi? Watch her get the suggestion from Maz Kanata and defeat the bounty huntery for the costume in this official Star Wars animated short:
[embedded content]
Vintage Image of the Day:
Ursula Andress, who turns 82 today, discusses her iconic Bond girl role with author Ian Fleming on the set of Dr. No in 1962:
Filmmaker in Focus:
With Isle of Dogs opening this weekend, Luis Azevedo showcases the sounds of Wes Anderson movies in this Fandor video:
[embedded content]
Fake Audition Reel of the Day:
The cast of Saturday Night Live plus guest host Bill Hader impersonate Al Pacino, Jodie Foster, Wesley Snipes and more icons of the ’90s as if they were auditioning for Jurassic Park:
[embedded content]
Fan Craft of the Day:
Check out this fan’s croteched characters from the movies It and Black Panther (and TV’s Doctor Who and The Golden Girls):
What are you #crocheting today? Or should I say WHO? (Photos are my most popular #amigurumi patterns!) pic.twitter.com/NdtHn1BrGx
— Allison Hoffman (@craftyiscool) March 17, 2018
Classic Trailer of the Day:
Today is the 25th anniversary of the release of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III. Watch the original trailer for the sequel below.
[embedded content]
and
SXSW 2018 Recap: Hip Hop, Latin Folk and Mexican Barbecue
Sudan Archives
Robb Klassen/Courtesy of the artist
hide caption
toggle caption
Robb Klassen/Courtesy of the artist
The 2018 South by Southwest Music Festival in Austin, Texas has come to an end. But before the week-long fest finished, Alt.Latinohost Felix Contreras and NPR Music hip-hop correspondent Rodney Carmichael met up at a barbecue joint in Austin to dish about their favorite performances from the week.
Tierra Whack
“This is, like, my new favorite hip-hop artist right now,” Carmichael says. “She has this song called ‘Mumbo Jumbo’ … that she laid down rough vocals for and she never went back and cleaned them up. It sounds so good, and her energy on stage was so incredible.”
La Cuneta Son Machin
“They do a combination of Nicaraguan folk music mixed with jazz, mixed with ska, mixed with a bit of rock,” Contreras says. “They blew the roof of this place.”
Sudan Archives
“She’s up on the stage; this tall, thin, regal-looking black woman with an afro that adds another five feet to her stature,” Carmichael says. “It’s just a mix of soul and funk and classical thrown in.”
Hear the full conversation at the audio link.
The Week in Movie News: Danny Boyle Confirmed for James Bond, 'Fantastic Beasts 2' Trailer and More
Need a quick recap on the past week in movie news? Here are the highlights:
BIG NEWS
Danny Boyle confirmed for Bond 25: Following rumors that he was the frontrunner to direct the next James Bond movie, Danny Boyle confirmed he’s indeed working on the untitled installment, which might start filming later this year. Read more here.
GREAT NEWS
Spike Lee will direct a Spider-Man spin-off: Sony’s next big superhero movie, following the Spider-Verse spin-offs Venom and Silver & Black, will be Nightwatch, based on the African-American Marvel Comics character. And they’ve got Spike Lee at the helm. Read more here.
SURPRISING NEWS
Die Hard 6 moves forward with The Conjuring writers: In case you’ve forgotten, we’re getting another Die Hard movie, this one with a prequel element showcasing young John McClane. And it’s now being scripted by the duo behind the Conjuring horror series. Read more here.
EXCLUSIVE BUZZ
Secrets of Avengers: Infinity War: We visited the set of Avengers: Infinity War last year and learned a lot of secrets about the upcoming Marvel movie from directors Joe and Anthony Russo. Read the whole itemized report here and find more coverage from the set here and here and here.
COOL CULTURE
Ready Player One music video: Not only did Steven Spielberg’s Ready Player One premiere at SXSW this week to positive buzz, but Gunship released a cool pop-culture-filled music video for their soundtrack tune “Art3mis & Parzival,” featuring animated video game-style scenes inspired by the movie. Watch it below.
[embedded content]
MUST-WATCH TRAILERS
Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald introduces young Dumbledore: Warner Bros. shared the first teaser trailer for the second installment of the Harry Potter prequel series Fantastic Beasts and with it our first look at Jude Law as young Dumbledore. Watch it below.
[embedded content]
Avengers: Infinity War teases the end of the MCU as we know it: Marvel unleashed a second trailer for Avengers: Infinity War and it looks absolutely massive and franchise-changing but also slips in some amusing moments. Watch it here:
[embedded content]
Sorry to Bother You startles with fantastic originality: Sundance hit Sorry to Bother You dropped its first trailer, which features Lakeith Stanfield as a telemarketer who finds success by compromising his own voice. Watch it below.
[embedded content]
Adrift steers a tale of survival: We premiered the first trailer for the true sailing survival tale Adrift starring Shailene Woodley and Sam Claflin as a couple caught in the worst storm in recorded history. Watch it below.
[embedded content]
and
Today in Movie Culture: Conan O'Brien Tries to Be The Rock's Stunt Double, the Science of 'Pacific Rim' and More
Here are a bunch of little bites to satisfy your hunger for movie culture:
Ridiculous Audition of the Day:
Watch Conan O’Brien hilariously audition to be Dwayne Johnson’s stunt double for the upcoming movie Rampage:
[embedded content]
Reworked Movie of the Day:
This recut trailer for Monty Python and the Holy Grail turns one of the funniest movies of all time into a serious historical drama (via Geek Tyrant):
[embedded content]
Remixed Movie of the Day:
Speaking of reworking movies, Eclectic Method turns the sounds of Christopher Nolan’s Inception into a dance mix:
[embedded content]
Reformatted Movie of the Day:
James Corden continues his pitch for the fake idea of 4D movies, this time with the cast of A Wrinkle in Time:
[embedded content]
Vintage Image of a Day:
David Cronenberg, who turns 75 today, directs Jeff Goldblum and Geena Davis on the set of his 1986 movie The Fly:
Video Essay of the Day:
With Isle of Dogs coming out soon, Rossatron looks at stop-motion animation and wonders why filmmakers bother with such a time-consuming format:
[embedded content]
Movie Science of the Day:
With Pacific Rim: Uprising opening soon, Kyle Hill scientifically explains why the Jaegers from the Pacific Rim movies need two brains:
[embedded content]
Cosplay of the Day:
With Tomb Raider out in theaters tomorrow, even the male fans of the property are cosplaying their versions of Lara Croft:
Getting ready to see Tomb Raider in one more day! So I decided to share some new photos taken by Carl Proctor Photos as the movie Cosplay!????????#Tombraidermovie#cosplay#tombraider#AliciaVikanderpic.twitter.com/JZ6eieKUe1
— DEVANTÉ JONES (@_DevanteJones) March 14, 2018
Movie Comparison of the Day:
Speaking of Tomb Raider, Couch Tomato shows 24 reasons why the 2003 movie Lara Croft: Tomb Raider – The Cradle of Life is the same movie as Raiders of the Lost Ark:
[embedded content]
Classic Trailer of the Day:
This weekend is the 40th anniversary of Straight Time. Watch the original trailer for the classic Dustin Hoffman crime drama below.
[embedded content]
and
Today in Movie Culture: 'I, Tonya' Skating Stunt Breakdown, Scott Eastwood as Wolverine and More
Here are a bunch of little bites to satisfy your hunger for movie culture:
Scene Breakdown of the Day:
For Vanity Fair, choreographer Sara Kawahara breaks down her work and the effects used for the triple axel scene in I, Tonya:
[embedded content]
Dream Role of the Day:
Scott Eastwood wants to be the next actor to play Wolverine, so BossLogic shows us what he could look like as the X-Man:
III Wolverine – @ScottEastwood III pic.twitter.com/lIf8LtzVSO
— BossLogic (@Bosslogic) March 14, 2018
Filmmaking Parody of the Day:
Guest host Sterling K. Brown plays an actor having trouble with a script supervisor on a movie set in this Saturday Night Live sketch:
[embedded content]
Truthful Marketing of the Day:
Honest Trailers tries to make sense of the Netflix movie Bright and its confusing world building:
[embedded content]
Vintage Image of the Day:
Michael Caine, who turns 85 today, celebrates his 35th birthday on the set of Play Dirty in 1968:
Video Essay of the Day:
For Movies Under the Surface, Gabe Bruskoff explores what The Social Network is really about:
[embedded content]
Tourism Ad of the Day:
Oregon is selling itself in new commercials inspired by the animated films of Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli:
[embedded content]
Movie Trivia of the Day:
Following The Shape of Water being named Best Picture, CineFix highilights some little-known trivia about Guillermo del Toro’s Pan’s Labyrinth:
[embedded content]
Cosplay of the Day:
This Star-Lord from Guardians of the Galaxy cosplay photo opp is so twisted and yet impossible not to share:
Best cosplay ever?? pic.twitter.com/KmKVVu7sc3
— Infinity War (@InfinityWarFans) March 14, 2018
Classic Movie Clip of the Day:
In honor of the new Tomb Raider out this Friday, here’s a reminder of what the action of the original adaptation of the game, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, looked like:
[embedded content]
and
The Thistle & Shamrock: Swannanoa Memories – Part 2
This week’s episode of The Thistle & Shamrock features music by Jean Ritchie.
George Picknow/American Folklife Center Jean Ritchie and George Picknow Collection
hide caption
toggle caption
George Picknow/American Folklife Center Jean Ritchie and George Picknow Collection
We mark the 10th anniversary of the Swannanoa Gathering’s Traditional Song Week with more music and interview highlights from Julee Glaub Weems, David Holt, and Jean Ritchie.
Today in Movie Culture: 'Jumanji' VFX Breakdown, 'Black Panther' as an Arcade Game and More
Here are a bunch of little bites to satisfy your hunger for movie culture:
VFX Breakdown of the Day:
See how some of the visual effects were done for Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle in this behind-the-scenes clip. And see more making-of videos from the hit movie over at /Film.
[embedded content]
Redone Scene of the Day:
Mr. Sunday Movies redid the Erik Killmonger vs. Black Panther scene from Black Panther as an old-school 16-bit fighting arcade game:
[embedded content]
Cosplay of the Day:
Speaking of Black Panther, it’s been a while since we shared some T’Challa cosplay, so here you go:
“The King of Wakanda is here!”
My #BlackPanther cosplay at @emeraldcitycon?? by @lucidvphotospic.twitter.com/bsFejfRYJ9
— Andrien Gbinigie (@EscoBlades) March 13, 2018
Scene Analysis of the Day:
Care of the New York Times, Ava DuVernay breaks down one of the scenes in her new movie, A Wrinkle in Time:
[embedded content]
Impersonations of the Day:
From this past weekend’s episode of Saturday Night Live, an Oscars-themed Family Feud sketch featuring impressions of Common, Guillermo del Toro, Allison Janney, Jordan Peele, Timothee Chalamet, Willem Dafoe and Sally Hawkins:
[embedded content]
Vintage Image of the Day:
In honor of the reboot hitting theaters this weekend, here’s Angelina Jolie with director Simon West on the set of Lara Croft: Tomb Raider in 2000:
Filmmaker in Focus:
In his latest video essay, Patrick Willems explores the mystery of J.J. Abrams in order to predict what to expect from Star Wars: Episode IX:
[embedded content]
Alternate Ending of the Day:
Speaking of Star Wars and endings, Damien Kazan has “fixed” the conclusion of Star Wars: The Last Jedi to appease some of the angry fans:
[embedded content]
Shot Comparison of the Day:
Editor Jacob T. Swinney returns with a third First and Final Frames video showcasing first and last shots from classic movies side by side:
[embedded content]
Classic Trailer of the Day:
Today is the 20th anniversary of The Man in the Iron Mask starring Leonardo DiCaprio. Watch the original trailer for the classic adaptation below.
[embedded content]
and
Today in Movie Culture: Gunship's 'Ready Player One' Music Video, Fan-Made 'Shazam!' Trailer and More
Here are a bunch of little bites to satisfy your hunger for movie culture:
Music Video of the Day:
There are so many classic geek culture references in this animated music video for Gunship’s retro-sounding “Ar3mis & Parzival” from the Ready Player One soundtrack (via /Film):
[embedded content]
Fan-Made Trailer of the Day:
While we wait for Shazam! to finish production and give us a real trailer, here’s a well done fan-made teaser for the DC superhero movie by Stryder HD:
[embedded content]
Fan Art of the Day:
Speaking of Shazam!, star Zachary Levi shared this fan art by Janry Bautista of Levy’s Tangled character, Flynn Rider, as the superhero (via Heroic Hollywood):
Movie Parody of the Day:
Guest host Sterling K. Brown stars in this Saturday Night Live parody of the Djalia scenes from Black Panther:
[embedded content]
Vintage Image of the Day:
Aaron Eckhart, who turns 50 today, receives direction from Christopher Nolan on the set of The Dark Knight in 2007:
Filmmaker in Focus:
For Fandor, Haroon Adalat showcases A Wrinkle in Time director Ava Duvernay and her many achievements:
[embedded content]
Plot Song of the Day:
Star Wars gets a new Bad Lip Reading in the form of a Death Star-focused plot song called “It’s Not a Moon”:
[embedded content]
Mashup of the Day:
Speaking of Star Wars, Dimitreze combined footage from the end of The Force Awakens and the same sequence from The Last Jedi to create a longer version of the meeting of Rey and Luke:
[embedded content]
Cosplay of the Day:
In anticipation of the reboot hitting theaters this week, here’s some excellent Tomb Raider cosplay:
So @TombRaiderMovie releases this week! Who’s excited? #TombRaider#Cosplaypic.twitter.com/9slG6flDT0
— Samantha (@SamHModel) March 12, 2018
Classic Trailer of the Day:
Today is the 25th anniversary of the release of CB4. Watch the original trailer for the classic rap music satire below.
[embedded content]
and
The Week in Movie News: Oscar Winners, SXSW Buzz, the Live-Action 'Star Wars' Series and More
Need a quick recap on the past week in movie news? Here are the highlights:
BIG NEWS
The Shape of Water is the Best Picture of 2017: The 90th Academy Awards were held Sunday night with Oscars going to a wide spread of nominees. But the big winner was Guillermo del Toro and The Shape of Water, which won Best Picture and Best Director. See the full list of winners here and see our highlights of the ceremony here and red carpet favorites here.
GREAT NEWS
Jon Favreau will steer the Star Wars series: Lucasfilm announced Iron Man and The Jungle Book director Jon Favreau as the writer and producer of the first live-action Star Wars TV series, which will be found on Disney’s new streaming service. Read more here.
SURPRISING NEWS
Steven Spielberg is passing Robopocalypse to Michael Bay: It’s not surprising that Steven Spielberg would recruit Michael Bay for another collaboration following Transformers, but it is surprising that Spielberg is giving up directing Robopocalypse, which he’s been developing for years. Read more on that and Bay’s next project here.
FESTIVAL BUZZ
SXSW 2018 preview: With the SXSW Film Festival beginning this week, we highlighted all the movies and events that people are already buzzing about. Read the whole guide here.
EXCLUSIVE BUZZ
Marc Forster talks Christopher Robin: We talked to Christopher Robin director Marc Forster ahead of the movie’s teaser debut, and he explained what we can expect from Disney’s live-action take on the Winnie the Pooh characters. Read the whole interview here.
COOL CULTURE
An Unused Oscars Musical Number: The Lonely Island came up with a song to perform at the Oscars last weekend, but the Academy declined to use it. Watch the silly musical number, which involves Thor and Wonder Woman, below.
[embedded content]
MUST-WATCH TRAILERS
Mary Poppins Returns welcomes back an icon: Disney dropped the first teaser trailer for Mary Poppins Returns during the Oscars, and it’s supercalifragilisticexpialidocious. Watch it below.
[embedded content]
Christopher Robin tugs at our heartstrings: Disney also debuted the first teaser for Christopher Robin, which spotlights Ewan McGregor as the now-grown title character and teases a live-action Winnie the Pooh. Watch it here:
[embedded content]
The Seagull lets Saoirse Ronan soar: Saoirse Ronan follows her Oscar-nominated performance in Lady Bird with a starring role in the latest adaptation of Anton Chekhov’s The Seagull with Annette Bening and Elisabeth Moss. Watch it below.
[embedded content]
and
