Band of Skulls and Nicole Atkins with Future Clouds and Radar at SXSW Interactive

SXSW Interactive – Even Geeks Love Great Music

By Anny on March 15th, 2010

Nicole Atkins at the Austin City Limits Studio

Nicole Atkins with Future Clouds and Radar

Last Sunday night in Austin, we all piled into a taxi and headed off to the Austin City Limits Studio for a terrific party thrown by PBS.

The PBS party was held in the KLRU Austin building where the world famous Austin City Limits stage is located. Being near this stage where so many amazing performances have been seen and heard was in and of itself a breathtaking event, but watching the two terrific young bands playing on that stage Sunday night made it a night to remember.

Future Clouds and Radar

The opening act featured vocalist Nicole Atkins, backed by a terrific band Future Clouds and Radar (who had been recommended to me before). Nicole Atkins sings with a powerful and emotive voice, and she works very well with Future Clouds and Radar – even though this was their first gig together. You can see a video from Sunday night’s performance at: http://www.pbs.org/engage/blog/band-skulls-and-nicole-atkins-live-sxsw

Then we were treated to an awesome rock show by a great British trio, Band of Skulls. Despite the somewhat morbid name of this fantastic group, lead singer Russell Marsden delivers wonderfully sweet, smooth and clear vocals backed by his own ripping guitar riffs. Tall, lean and serious, Emma Richardson plays a solid bass line and complementary vocals.

Russell Marsden of Band of Skulls

We’ll definitely be looking to see much more of Band of Skulls at SXSW. They’re playing at the British Embassy Showcase as 6:35pm, Wednesday, March 17th at Latitude 30.