SXSW 2012 Bullets (3/8/12): Side Parties Galore!

We mentioned in our SXSW 2012 Basics post that one great tool to use to find free shows during SXSW is the SXSW 2012 Side Parties Database on Austin360.  A search today for free Music Festival side parties only yielded a staggering 391 results.  Here are a few of the parties we're intrigued by:

•  We already posted the lineup for the Mess With Texas (MWTX) Party.  Mess With Texas has definitely been one of the best free "unofficial" shows each of the last few years, although we lament the  move from Waterloo Park when it closed for renovations. Acts announced so far that we're looking forward to this year include Built to Spill, Cloud Nothings, The Men and Titus Andronicus, plus we're curious whether A$AP Rocky can put on a good show.  3/15-3/17 ][ 1100 E 5th  ][ Free ][ RVSP required

• If you're in town for SXSW Interactive, go check out hot Austin band The Bright Light Social Hour, along with RAC, at the Get Down Party.  3/11 ][ PureVolume House (Trinity & 2nd) ][ Free ][ RSVP required

• Another good-sounding party toward the start of the festival is the #RobotripSXSW party from The Barbarian Group and Tumblr, featuring Japandroids, WAVVES, Kool Keith and more.  It's on Red River Street, at Club DeVille and Mohawk, one of Austin's best live music clubs IMHO.  3/12 ][ Club DeVille & Mohawk (Red River near 9th) ][ Free ][ No RSVP needed
• Another good showcase for local talent is the enticingly-titled Bands and a Bonfire Under the Big Sky.  Solid Austin indie rockers White Denim and The Strange Boys are joined by Brooklyn's Bear Hands and Nashville's Fly Golden Eagle.  White Denim made a bunch of end-of-year best-of lists for 2011's excellent album D.  3/13 ][ Mohawk (9th & Red River) ][ Free ][ RSVP required

• Thrasher and Converse are behind this year's Impose "Texas-style Death Match" day party at the Scoot Inn.  Lots of bands over five days, plus skating?  The Facebook page for the show mentions a half-pipe and the flier says, "Don't forget your board."  Acts include Cro-Mags, Cool Kids, Theophilus London, Das Racist and more.  3/14-3-18 ][ The Scoot Inn (1308 E 4th) ][ Free ][ No RSVP needed

• Pitchfork, the barometer of indie music freshness, landed a bunch of bands that they've reviewed positively for the Pitchfork Day Party at the Mohawk.  El-P, SBTRKT, Lower Dens, The War on Drugs, Cloud Nothings, etc.  3/15 ][ Mohawk (9th & Red River) ][ Free ][ No RSVP needed
• Speaking of Lower Dens, they'll be joined by Magnetic Fields and a few more at the NPR Music Presents Live from the Parish day party.  Should get packed.  3/15 ][ The Parish (214 E 6th) ][ Free ][ No RSVP needed
• For some more hip-hop and less indie rock, check out Wu-Tang's Raekwon and Mr. Muthaf*ckin' Exquire and others at Digital Freshness ATX.  One of the latter's most popular tracks features guest appearances by a few other artists in town for SXSW (Das Racist, El-P), so don't be surprised if a few "special guests" show up.  3/15 ][ Peckerheads (402 E 6th) ][ Free ][ No RSVP required

• Also on the hip-hop front, the IHEARTCOMIX & Life or Death PR present Texas Hip Hop Party has a little Wu flavor as well with GZA, Das Racist, Mr. Muthaf*ckin' Exquire and others.  3/16 ][ Beauty Ballroom (2015 E. Riverside) ][ Free ][ RSVP required
• Undeniably the most yumm-o party each year, Rachael Ray (not a joke) is hosting a great collection of acts again this year, including (but NOT limited to): reggae legend Jimmy Cliff, Givers, Blitzen Trapper, The Cringe with special guest Billy Gibbons (of ZZ Top) and Austin's favorite Bob Schneider.  3/17 ][ Stubb's BBQ (Red River & 8th) ][ Free ][ RSVP required (link not working last we checked)
• The weekend is going to be fun.  Another good party taking place is the CYP2 X Mad Decent X Fools Gold = SXSW Super Party (that's really the name).  A-Trak, Diplo, A$AP Mob, The Drums, WAVVES and tons more.  3/17 ][ Emo's East & Beauty Ballroom (E. Riverside) ][ Free ][ RSVP required
• More dancing?  Head to the third annual Red Bull Thre3Style party with The Crystal Method, Dan the Automater, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Erykah Badu, Cannabinoids, Z-Trip and others, plus an opening set by Shortkut.  "Each DJ is tasked with spinning three completely different musical genres, all while keeping the party hot and the dance floor packed."  Shouldn't be too tough during SouthBy. 3/17 ][ 8th & Trinity ][ Free ][ No RSVP needed

There are so many more.  About 380.  Expect more parties to be announced too.  If you're going to be here in Austin for South by Southwest, you'd better be well-prepared or you'll waste a lot of time.  Trust us.  So keep checking the database, and check back here too.