SXSW 2014: Here’s what came up big for us this year (plus, a complete recap of all the bands we covered)

Seraphina Lotkhamnga on March 17th, 2014

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SXSW 2014 was busier than ever and the Buzz Bands LA staff was once again running around covering as many bands as we could – as usual, leaving the A-list party-crashers to outlets in favor of the spirit of discovery we think the festival is all about. With the help of guest blogger Trina Green, we wrote about 80 bands (not counting the BBLA day party), and contributing photographer Scott Dudelson captured images of 80 or so more. Here’s a quick recap of all of our coverage, along with some of our favorites:

@KRbronson‘s highlights:Â

Best reason to learn Portugese: Psych-pop quartet Boogarins, hailing from the central Brazil city ofÂ GoiÃ¢nia, arrived in Austin for their first U.S. show with huge smiles on their faces, and then proceeded to transfer those smiles to everybody who showed up at the Red 7 patio. Jammy ’70s excursions with some Latin influences. Loved it. [Playing Thursday at the Satellite]

Best 1 a.m. surprise: Scottish rap quartet Young Fathers torched the British Music Embassy as Thursday night turned into Friday morning. Three MCs, artful experimental production, no waiting.

Best fresh material: T. Hardy Morris, still on a solo detour from Dead Confederate, played some patio-rattling new songs on Saturday: punk and lap steel, sure, why not?

Best band worth their hype: U.K. quartet Temples, whose finely crafted psychedelia stands out in a sea of throwback rock, lived up to the music on on their February release “Sun Structures.” [Playing April 15 at the Roxy and at Coachella]

@Seraphina_L‘s highlights:Â

Best random suggestion:Â Ireland’s Hozier was a recommendation from a friend of a friend, and he turned out not only to be the best act at the festival but one of the most special ones. [Playing tonight at Bardot and Wednesday at Hotel CafÃ©]

Best reveal:Â London’s Jungle was the most buzzed-about act at SXSW this year, but no one knew exactly what they would look like or who would be playing in the band. Their sets lived up to the hype and their popularity will undoubtedly grow with a few US dates in the next few days. [Playing tonight at the Echo]

Best evening showcase:Â Communion‘s showcase at St. David Historical Sanctuary on Friday night (including Nick Mulvey, Hozier, Tennis and Sam Smith) was absolutely spellbinding from beginning to end. If you grabbed a seat in one of the pews, you were one of the lucky ones.