Art by Julia Fletcher, find more of her work here.
It’s been a minute, but we’re coming back to SXSW! Partnering with our friends across the pond, DIY, we’ll be bringing the best of the UK and the best of New York together on one stage at Maggie Mae’s on March 19th. Got some Alt Citizen favorites and some new friends in the mix, it’s sure to be a killer time. Be there or regret it forever. Here’s a little preview to get you hype.
LIFE
Having taken the UK by storm, post punk outfit LIFE will be bringing a sound and energy akin to acts like Idles and FONTAINES D.C. stateside. Their most recent release, A Picture of Good Health, is a timely record on both sides of the pond as it struggles and fights against the Brexit conflict happening that’s a little too close to home.
Native Sun
What’s more American than a band of immigrants? Native Sun don’t so much ask the question as demand an answer with their cataclysmic resistance by audio. The band recently signed with New York label, Grand Jury, and put out their latest single “Juarez” which tackles the twisted concept of the “American dream” and how crossing the border to the states isn’t the golden ticket it appears to be. Highly political, always wild, a band with something to say, Native Sun has been a New York favorite for a minute and we’re stoked to have them representing the city on our stage.
Model/Actriz
Was I truly living before I saw Model/Actriz live for the first time? I’m not sure. We were lucky enough to have the band play an insane show at The Broadway for our zine release party in August of this past year and we’ve all been diehard fans since. The recent New York transplants have made quite an impression on the city, in sky high shoes no less, with their propelling post punk. They’re truly not to be missed.
Porridge Radio
I remember coming across Porridge Radio’s music videos on youtube and was instantly smitten. There’s a sweetness to their sadness, with a bit of an edge. It’s almost like your internal monologue come to life and set to music in a much more interesting and captivating way that actually expresses your inner most thoughts and feelings instead of articulating them poorly. Their next release is out with Secretly Canadian this March and I can’t wait to spin, scream, and cry to it.
The Wants
Newer to the New York scene, but not without making a strong first impression, the group featuring members of BODEGA has already established a significant presence in the UK — teaming up with Council Records and touring internationally. High concept art direction meets minimalism, The Wants put you on edge and draw you in at the same time. Dark synth pop at it’s finest.
Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs
This name am I right? All that aside, this is the kind of band that was made to play Saint Vitus (where you can see them on March 13th with Stuyedeyed). Shirtless, UK metal men screaming at me is all I want tbh so can’t complain. It’s like approachable metal, though — like even a little “doom” psychedelic (not a real classification but let me live) with the guitars at points. Into it. See it. Say it. Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs baby.
The Alt Citizen x DIY showcase will be held Thursday, March 19 at SXSW at Maggie Mae’s in the main room from 7PM-2AM. See ya there!
