#sxsw2015

SXSW was one of the best experiences EVER. There is so. much. to. do. Literally at all hours of the day & night. It’s impossible to do EVERYTHING but I did want to compile a list of some of the coolest things I did see during my time there. So here it is:

1. SPIN @ STUBBS: If you plan on going to SXSW next year, this is an event you want to hit. With two stages directly across from each other, SPIN @ Stubbs is an outdoor party that usually has the best lineup - and this year was no exception. Everyone from Courtney Barnett, Earl Sweatshirt, Will Butler and Run the Jewels performed. Safe to say things got a little crazy - if you follow me on Snapchat (lnfans), you’ll know what I’m talking about. MixRadio also had an insanely rad booth there this year. When I wasn’t checking out the music, I spent the majority of my time hangin’ at the booth with my MixRadio friends…making up MixRadio handshakes (see below)…and shamelessly listening to my own MixRadio playlist…it was a time! 

2. INSURGENT VIRTUAL REALITY EXPERIENCE: I’m gonna go ahead and say that this was the best virtual reality experience I’ve ever tried out. As with any virtual reality experience, it looks SO weird from the outside (see pic below). I was attached to an enormous piece of technology, my hands strapped on to cuffs on the chair and I was randomly moving my head left to right & top to bottom to check out what was happening around me. The experience was totally worth looking like a weirdo though. This 360 virtual reality allows you to become Trios Prior. At one point, there were massive crows flying towards my head. The next second, there was a train coming full throttle at me. All sorts of terrifying scenarios. And I loved all 4 minutes of it. The Insurgent Virtual Reality app in the app store & on Google Play will give you an idea of what the 360 virtual experience is like. It’s pretty cool! Check it out here. 

3. CODY SIMPSON IS THE REAL DEAL, FOLKS: I love Cody. You love Cody. We all love Cody. Getting to sit in on his UN/MixRadio private performance & hang out with him after was 100% a highlight of my SXSW experience. He explained the reasoning behind his choice to become an independent artist and how excited he is to share his new music + vibe with his fans. FANGIRL MOMENT ALERT: we need to take a quick moment to appreciate the fact that Cody walked up to me & re-introduced himself before hitting the stage. Like you guys…he remembered the interview I did with him. TWO YEARS AGO. Class act right here. Cool dude. 

4. SXSW PANELS: I sat in on a couple of panels including a Sports & Music Panel with Wiz Khalifa. It was cool to hear his thoughts on how his music is used at sporting events and how he thinks it builds energy in arenas around the world. 

Also checked out a social media/ fan engagement panel that GAVE ME LIFE. No joke. I came out of that panel with a bunch of new ideas that I want to try out involving you guys. So hopefully you’ll see some new things coming soon ;) FAN ENGAGEMENT TIP: If you’re wondering how to build a following on social, the panel (consisting of 4 individuals from different management teams) came to an agreement that “being yourself” and “getting personal” on your social media = huge parts to success.

5. THE FOOD: I had to save the best for last, duhhhh (YES, FOOD IS COOL)!!! Before I left for Texas, I asked you for tips on places/things to check out while there. About 75% of you said “EAT ALL THE BBQ.” And that is exactly what I did. There was one place in particular called “South Bites Trailer Park” that had the best food trucks EVER. I had these amazing Thai chicken tacos there various times (yes, covered in massive amounts of cilantro). You guys. I will literally never forget those tacos. 

Did you go to SXSW this year? Last year? What were some of the coolest things you saw while there? Tweet me @livenationfans​ & let’s chat!