Top 10 Performances At SXSW 2010: Local Natives, Miike Snow, Toro Y Moi, The Ruby Suns, Delorean & More ...

From the evening of March 17th until 5:00 am on March 21st, there was non-stop music and dancing - with intermissions now and then to grab some Hoboken pizza - at this year’s SXSW music festival in Austin. In between drinks, grub and grooves I scribbled in a little notebook to remind myself, which out of the 34 bands I actually watched, I loved most. Here are my picks for Top 10 Best Performances at SXSW.

#1 Local Natives

Prior to SXSW, I had the pleasure of seeing Local Natives in their local environment (Los Angeles) numerous times. From the moment I started to listen to them, I was attracted to their music and sensational grooves. After watching their performance at the Levi's Fader Fort on Friday, March 19th, I now know that the Local Natives are ready for Coachella and they are ready to take on the masses.

Not sure what Local Natives was eating for breakfast, but it must have been powerful because they put on the most energized, enthusiastic set I have ever seen. Round of applause for Local Natives! Hopefully my cheers and tweets about them will reach your computers, from which you will add them to your daily playlist. Choose a song off of their album Manor, as they are all a great listen.

#2 Miike Snow

As soon as Miike Snow began playing at the Galaxy Room for KCRW’s show, nothing else mattered. Front row and all up in it, I was so excited to get loose and hear it all, I’m pretty sure I didn't even wash my hands after using the Port-A-Potty. When I saw the Swedish band perform last year at Spaceland, I realized the strength and power of their performance could never let me down. The highlight for me was when they played Culture Logic, which I hadn’t heard before. Backstage Mark Ronson was enjoying the music, behind me Jason Bentley (host of Morning Becomes Eclectic on KCRW) was having a good time, and all around me people were dancing and smiling in awe, probably wondering where their next show is. “Damnnnnnnnnn this band is sooo on point” was written all over their faces.

#3 Tanlines

Each year before SXSW I make a list of “Must See” bands. Tanlines was at the top of my list, and I must say I scored. I had the pleasure of seeing them perform three separate times. Band members and longtime friends Jesse Cohen and Eric Emm were certainly the most impressive duo at the festival this year. With a minimal set-up that includes plaid shirts, electronics, drumsticks, guitars and two mics, Tanlines brings your eyes to their stage, your feet onto a metaphoric New York City dance floor, and your mind to a tropical, Bermuda-Triangle-esque destination.

On Friday, March 19^th at True Panther's amazing showcase at Ms. Bea's, Tanlines told the crowd their existence at SXSW should be thought of as "Tears For Fears on beers," to which my crowd all raised our beers and toasted them. Props to the Brooklyn boys, who managed to consistently, stimulate crowds of sleepless music critics. Tanlines, you fulfilled all my expectations and furthered my love for your track Real Life.

#4 The Ruby Suns

I have a huge crush on The Ruby Suns. Their new album Fight Softly has been my top iTunes jam for the last few months. The drummer has a smile that is ridiculously contagious and the lead singer is not only ear candy, but eye candy as well. They bang their drums and electronic kits with ease, and even though they play energetically, their music is simple and sweet. They make it easy to engage in their sound.

Their tropical sound might be a bit trendy at the moment, but at least we know they are capable of and giving us warm vibes in the middle of winter. They just sound so good, I can't imagine not carrying their tunes into the summer.

Here is a performance I found from their show at Lovejoy's put together by the blog I Guess I'm Floating.

#5 Born Ruffians

My personal “Must See” list included four bands I love so much and have loved for so long, but have never had the pleasure of seeing live. I got to cross Born Ruffians off that list after they performed at The Phoenix on Wednesday, March 17th. With my hips to the stage and my buddy next to me, I was ready to dance their set away. With the exception of their closing track Foxes Mate For Life, I got to hear all the new tunes off their upcoming album Say It. Although I was hoping for Little Garcon and other favorites from their last album Red, Yellow & Blue, the band pulled me in nevertheless. Born Ruffians have a progressive-pop sound and soulful, timeless vocals that will get you pumped for Say It. The new album will be a direct continuation of their currently brilliant material.

#6 Delorean

Thank goodness Delorean's dance-y tunes brought communal energy during the cold front in Austin. Outside at the True Panther Sounds party at Ms. Bea's the air got chilly as Delorean was just getting started with an after-hours set. Despite playing multiple late sets during the festival, Delorean’s fabulous delivery and wait-worthy performances never failed to get the crowd surfers in action. Their new album Subiza is so good all I can say is that you have to give it a listen. Stay Close is my favorite track, so please do yourself a favor and pop it into your iTunes.

#7 jj

Being awkward can be fun. Or adorable. Or just plain awkward. Being timid on stage can work for or against you, especially when you are fairly new to the public. Elin Kastlander aka jj was both awkward and shy during her show at Mohawk's, but the demeanor came across perfectly as her voice lulled the crowd into a state of simple loveliness.

Her band mate Joakim Benon was not part of the show that I caught, but it didn’t seem to affect the performance. Last year I was obsessed with the album jj no. 2, so it was lovely to hear it come to life.

The set ended abruptly and hilarity ensued. When Elin rose from her stool, the audience turned toward one another and started asking "um… what just happened?" One blonde Swedish woman sitting on stage, drinking a beer and belting out beautiful vocals was all I needed to get my fill of mental relaxation at SXSW.

#8 Toro Y Moi

I arrived in Austin late in the afternoon on Wednesday and immediately made my way to the Force Field PR show at Red 7 for Toro Y Moi's show. Chaz Bundick is a 23-year old dude from South Carolina who is a whole lot of fun. On stage he shows off his two-step and his ability to create distracting sounds, all while pleasing your ears.

Toro Y Moi might be on your radar already with his debut album, Causers Of This, but after he playing two shows a day in Austin, soon the bloggers will get a hold on him and you won't be able to avoid hearing about him everywhere. 

Props to Chaz, for having good spirits and bringing good vibes.

#9 Washed Out

Around 1am on Friday, March 19^th at Klub Krucial, Washed Out - a one-man band by Ernest Greene - took the stage after a miserable performance by Memory Tapes. Fog was being pumped into the room while Greene’s dreamy tunes brought life back to a party that Memory Tapes nearly destroyed. 

I was swept away with feelings of warmth and finger snapping pleasure, when Washed Out played his track Get Up.

#10 Le Loup or Lemonade

I can't decide whom I like more between Le Loup and Lemonade. I enjoyed both bands, and frankly I don't want to choose, just so I can have a legit Top 10 of SXSW List. If you like Fleet Foxes then check out Le Loup. If you like the soundtrack of The Lion King with a touch of Hot Chip then check out Lemonade.

On a side note, the biggest SXSW failure was Memory Tapes, who killed my buzz and my ears on Friday night. The most annoying band that I just couldn't get away from at SXSW goes by the name of Neon Indian. The two bands I was most disappointed I didn't get to see are The Golden Filter and Fanfarlo. If my ears were most satisfied by one overall genre of music at SXSW, I would have to say that glo-fi fantastic pop is what I dig right now. The theme of SXSW 2010 was don't get thrown up on. If you don't believe me that the bands I listed above are excellent, then I suggest you check them out yourself and challenge my music listening ability.