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Music

The THUMP Guide to the Best SXSW 2017 Parties

We run down the best places to dance at the 2017 edition of the Austin-based music festival.
Systema Solar at SXSW Music 2016 photo by Tim Strauss

There's no music festival that's more like a choose-your-own-adventure novel than the SXSW Music Festival. The week-long event, starting today and running until Sunday, takes over downtown Austin and turns every square foot of usable space into a music venue.

Every hour you have a choice—stay put at the party you've found with the most manageable line and order another Lone Star waiting for the Red Light Radio DJs to hit the decks? Bounce over to the Hideout to stake out a seat for a synth rescoring of a 1965 Japanese horror film? Scout out a Chicago footwork DJ's pop side project? Or support Iranian experimental composer Ash Koosha's long and complicated journey to Austin.

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Scrolling through the official SXSW schedule or local resources like ShowlistAustin.com throws up hundreds of bands, so even the most eagle eye scheduler could use some friendly tips. Unofficial parties have decidedly scaled back this year and most underground parties aren't announced until the day of, so this list is heavy on official showcases. Since most of the events lean towards the niche side of the electronic spectrum, tickets may be available at the door (but be sure to arrive early if you don't have a badge).

Here are the nine show we're most excited about, choose wisely, be sure to drink plenty of water, and ask around for the afterparty.

1. Swan Dive Tuesday

When and where: Tuesday, March 14, Swan Dive. Official showcase
What: In the middle of Red River, the city's entertainment district, Swan Dive hosts shows inside and out, with a week of programming that's heavy on electronic-minded musicians. Tuesday is a standout, with the outdoor stage hosting Melbourne electro-pop crooner Oscar Key Sung (of Andras & Oscar), female Austin R&B trio Keeper (think Timbaland plus Kelela), and South Korean pop soundscaper Neon Bunny. Smart Bar footwork veteran Chrissy will perform inside with pop collaborator Hawley.

2. SXSW Presents: Modern Composers

When and where: Wednesday, March 15, St. David's Historic Sanctuary. Official showcase
What: In the landscape of electronic music, contemporary composers are often overlooked. But SXSW celebrates those mixing orchestration and synthesis at one of the city's most serene venues, St David's Historic Sanctuary. Suzanne Ciani will perform in conjunction with the release of the documentary about her life and works, A Life in Waves; Jean Michel Blais & CFCF will revisit their Cascades collaboration; composer Federico Albanese will show the psychedelic side of Italian contemporary classical music; and Dresden composer Sven Helbig will enlist the UT Chamber Singers as a choral backup for his electronic soundscapes.

3. Red Light Radio x Dekmantel

When and where: Thursday, March 16 and Friday, March 17, Plush. Official showcase What: Two of Amsterdam's most influential dance music operations, Red Light Radio and the Dekmantel Festival, will team up to bring some of their top talent for a stateside performance rarely seen in Austin. Woody, Orpheu the Wizard, Max Abysmal, and Casper Tielrooij will represent the Netherlands, while Son Fjord and Hayden Edward of Flying Turns will offer local support.

4. Berlin Beats

When and where: Friday, March 17, Barcelona. Official showcase
What: Barcelona is one of the bassiest rooms in Austin, so expect to feel the kick in your chest (and bring earplugs so you're not hearing it in the morning). Fans of deep house shouldn't miss a two-hour set from headlining NYC veteran Anthony Parasole, but it's a fitting place to camp for the evening thanks to other draws like Berlin's techno polymath Stefan Goldmann (author of the Berghain book Art in the Club), a live set from darkwave experimentalist Marie Davidson, and self-proclaimed "doom-folk" producer Perera Elsewhere.

5. ContraBanned And #MusicUnites

When and where: Friday, March 17, Palm Door on Sixth Patio. Official showcase
What: With so many international artists traveling to the festival, the recent travel bans have wrenched many's travel plans. As a reaction the organizers behind this party raised Kickstarter funds to help pull everything off, bringing in an array of talent from countries like Iran, Iraq, and Syria. Experimental Iranian Ninja Tune artist Ash Koosha will headline, after performances from Libyan-born rapper Kayem and Sudanese activist Emmanuel Jal, whose work has been remixed by the likes of Henrik Schwarz.

6. Holodeck Records and Austin Film Society Present: Live Cinema Re-scored

When and where: Friday, March 17, The Hideout. Official showcase
What: If you're still rocking a tape deck, odds are you've heard of Holodeck Records. The Austin imprint now best-known for their ties to S U R V I V E (the label's founder is a member of the band) has been releasing darkwave and other strains of electronic music for years, and during SXSW their roster has a busy, busy week. They're also hosting a Thursday showcase, but the one to see is Friday when they team up with the Austin Film Society to present a re-score of classic 1965 Japanese horror film Kwaidan, performed by a cast of Austin all-stars and international synth icons like Berlin-based Antoni Maiovvi (Giallo Disco Records). The film will be followed by performances from several Holodeck affiliates including MKF Kunst, Skullcaster, Lachane, Lou Rebecca, and Single Lash.

7. Exploded Drawing Day Party

When and where: Saturday, March 18, 10am-3pm. Free
What: For those that subscribe to the Low End Theory school of head-nod hip-hop, smoothie outpost/record shop Juiceland hosts a day party from local beat music collective Exploded Drawing. Sample masters from Michigan (14KT) and Los Angeles (Mr. Dibiase, Linafornia) will join Austin beatsmiths Multi-tracker, Butcher Bear, and soundfounder. The early daytime hours and organic smoothies (pro-tip: order an Originator) also make this a prime hangover cure.

8. #Feelings

When and where: Saturday, March 18, Barcelona. Official showcase What: When Ben Aqua dropped his Resident Advisor mix in 2014, commenters went berserk over irreverent disregard for genre and twisted pop culture sentiments. His #Feelings label trades in much of the same, wildly conceptual dance music at breakneck speeds. Labelhead Ben Aqua will headline, preceded by a set from Supraman, who just released a collection of blisteringly fast techno for Boysnoize's BNR Trax. Also on the bill are Taos, NM glitch artist Cuyo, R&B-leaning bass futurist Creepside, and anything-goes performance art voguers HouseofKenzo.

9. Amp Amsterdam & Variance Present: New York House Party

When and where: Saturday, March 18, Kingdom. Official showcase What: The DJs of Mister Saturday Night need no introduction to fans of disco, house, and Brooklyn afternoon dance parties. Kingdom might be the loudest club in Austin, so expect them to bring out the bangers for their 12-2am set. Opening are a cast of equally experienced veterans of the New York scene Nik Mercer (Let's Play House) Justin Miller (Have a Killer Time), as well as a b2b appearance from Amsterdam dons Casper Tielrooij and Orpheu the Wizard.