Much of the fun surrounding SXSW is predicting what big performers, keynotes and exhibits will stand out at the fest. Last year proved to be a doozy, with Lady Gaga, Game of Thrones and much more. Here’s what our staff hopes for from SXSW 2015:
Paul Qui. Photo by Laura Skelding.
10. Addie Broyles says she hopes that at their pop up dinner, “Modernist Cuisine” author Nathan Myhrvold and Austin’s beloved Paul Qui will put their heads together for rabbit 100 ways.
9. Film critic Joe Gross hopes to be be thrilled by “ex Machina,” a movie directed by the writer of “28 Days Later” and “The Nightmare,” a completely terrifying looking documentary about sleep paralysis.
George Strait. Photo by Laura Skelding.
8. Music writer Peter Blackstock hopes to see George Strait show up to sing with Asleep at the Wheel at their Bob Wills tribute night on Tuesday at Saxon Pub.
The Apple Watch, a fitness device and lifestyle device that can also run apps and pay for items at stores, is expected to debut in early 2015 at a cost of at least $350 for a variety of models. Credit: Apple Inc.
7. Apple has used the festival in the past to showcase a new product (like the iPad 2) or to promote its services (like the iTunes Music Festival last year). SXSW Interactive is the perfect audience of early adopters for a product like the Apple Watch and it wouldn’t be surprising if the company offered a preview of the device there.
Russell Brand. Photo by Josh Haner/The New York Times.
6. More from film: the opening night movie has been problematic for SXSW the past few years. Joe Gross has high hopes that “Brand,” a documentary about Russell Brand, will break this trend.
Gary Clark Jr. Photo by Deborah Cannon.
5. SXSW’s Auditorium Shores shows traditionally include one of the city’s top-drawing homegrown acts. Music writer Peter Blackstock hopes this year that will be Gary Clark Jr., whose tour of Australia isn’t scheduled to start until March 28.
D’Angelo in concert at the Variety Playhouse in Little Five Points. (Sylvia McAfee/Atlanta Journal-Constitution)
4. Just before Christmas, R&B genius D’Angelo dropped the surprise album”Black Messiah.” As it skyrocketed to the top of critics’ lists, he put in a series of stunning performances. We’ll take one of those please.
3. The opportunity to play life-sized “Pac-Man” just like in the Bud Light Super Bowl commercial during SXSW Interactive.
Bob Dylan. Photo by Jay Janner.
2. In the battle of who will keynote, Peter Blackstock casts his vote for Bob Dylan, hoping also for a guest appearance at the Doug Sahm tribute night.
Beyonce performs “Precious Lord, Take My Hand” onstage during The 57th Annual GRAMMY Awards at the at the STAPLES Center on February 8, 2015 in Los Angeles, California. (Kevork Djansezian/Getty
1. We’ve had her husband, her sister and her dad, Deborah Sengupta Stith thinks it’s high time “Flawless” Texas diva Beyoncé made an appearance at the fest.
