SXSW 2010 – Day 3: Javelin, Free Energy, Best Coast, and more

Brooklyn duo Javelin used synthesizers, samples and live electronic drumming to start a funky, high energy dance party.

Free Energy may not be shooting for hipster cred with their straightforward, Tom Petty-influenced rock, but they’ve earned it anyway. Their goofy frontman and positive songs are entertaining and memorable.

Ernest Greene of Washed Out plays dreamy, danceable pop with warm waves of synthesizers and reverb-drenched vocals. The members of Small Black joined him for the second half of his set, adding two additional vocalists and bringing the songs to a new level. As Greene put it after one song, “That wasn’t very chillwave, was it? That was pretty intense for chillwave.” Judging by the crowd’s reaction, that suited them just fine.

L.A.’s Best Coast plays sweetly rocking love songs with Bethany Cosentino’s mercifully clear vocals balancing out all the fuzz of the guitars.

Australian duo An Horse packs in maximum pop power with guitar drums, and coed vocals. Their scrappy, heartfelt songs are full of hooks and charm.

The Pains of Being Pure at Heart plays indie pop at its finest–chiming, charming, and sublimely catchy.