SXSW 2017 Day 2 – Wu Tang, Thee Oh Sees, Kano, Diet Cig, Lizzo & Slaves

In the baking Texas sun on East 6th Street, the Scoot Inn hosted a daytime show packed full of surprises and delights. New York indie-pop duo Diet Cig opened proceedings. Singer Alex Luciano couldn't have been more energetic for her morning set.
The sound, but not the energy shifted as Rainbow Kitten Surprise entertained the capacity crowd with their distinct alternative southern rock. Sam Melo's southern drawl felt right at home in Texas as the five-piece played an extended set.
Then a whirlwind of excitement coursed through the audience as hip-hop and soul diva Lizzo hit the stage. The larger than life Minnesotan shined from the beginning to end of her set, captivating onlookers with banging dance-hall infused beats, poignant lyrics and a little bit of twerking. Her cover of the heartbreaking Anohni track 'Drone Bomb Me' was as stunning as it gets.

#Lizzo pic.twitter.com/hZoQ0WS7mK

— Ed Murphy (@rockinfoed) May 14, 2017

The headliner of the Bug Out showcase was Hot Press' best band of SXSW 2016, Thee Oh Sees. Frontman John Dwyer flew in especially from L.A. for the one off show. As always, their frenetic garage rock sound had inspired a mosh pit within the first minute of the first song. As bodies flew in every direction, the four-piece's pace and exuberance only got stronger. If your shoes weren’t painted with mud by the end of their gig, then you really didn't experience Thee Oh Sees properly.

#TheeOhSees pic.twitter.com/ksna8jX3SY

— Ed Murphy (@rockinfoed) May 14, 2017

#TheeOhSees pic.twitter.com/NputSOIfvZ

— Ed Murphy (@rockinfoed) May 14, 2017

In the evening, U.K. grime music took over the Main II. London emcee Frisco (Boy Better Know) donned a white tracksuit with white Jordans as he prowled his way across the stage. His rapid delivery and hard hitting battle rap styled lyrics paired perfectly with his thumping beats. British rapper and singer Little Simz put on a stylish performance showcasing the best of her new album ‘Stillness In Wonderland’. The night was capped off by one of the godfathers of grime Kano. The Londoner’s riveting set showed why he is considered such a pioneer, and also highlighted the fact that he has no issue trying to keep pace with the next generation of grime artists.

#EmilyWolfe pic.twitter.com/85s3Jwj8iZ

— Ed Murphy (@rockinfoed) May 13, 2017

At Maggie Mae’s on 6th street, Emily Wolfe’s dirty, southern guitar riffs echoed seductively from the rooftop stage. And around the corner BBC Radio 1’s concert was headlined by Slaves. There may not have been the usual number of riotous audience antics that you would associate with the English punk duo as many “industry people” stood motionless, but it only took twenty revellers to create bedlam at the front of the stage. As always, Slaves put on a rampaging show.
Tuesday night belonged to the east coast rap veterans Wu-Tang Clan. Shaolin's finest clique packed the ACL Moody Theatre stage with six emcees. Their dynamic chemistry still holds together 25 years after they first formed, as each member took center stage throughout the night. RZA was flawless and the presence of Raekwon the Chef, GZA, and Method Man was palpable. Wu-Tang proved they're still the C.R.E.A.M of the crop.

#wutang "Da Mystery of Chessboxin'" live at #sxsw2017. What a way to end tour! Rocked the house w my @thieverycorporation team & then watched Wu-Tang Clan take the stage right after us. Mission accomplished as far as completing this winter tour. Now I beam back to my lab to finish my new album (due out this summer). #mrlif #thieverycorporation #lifeontheroad #live #music #rappers #world #tour

A post shared by Mr. Lif (@therealmrlif) on Mar 15, 2017 at 3:51pm PDT