Well, mercifully, the last night of SXSW 2011 is finally upon us. And, on this final day, in which luminaries such as Kanye West, Perez Hilton and Rachel Ray are finally letting their presence be known, we finally have a new act sitting atop our buzz power rankings.
That's right: Later Kanye; hello Odd Future.
Both acts have shows tonight -- and the star power still probably means that Kanye's show will outdraw Odd Future's. But so what? Duran Duran drew a shit ton of people to Stubb's the other night. Meaning? People are idiots.
This year's SXSW has straight-up belongs to a couple of kids from LA not even old enough to drink yet. Or so it has thus far. At some point tomorrow, we'll be back with our final rankings. But, for now, hit the jump to see the latest list of SXSW 2011 movers and shakers, as determined by on-street chitter-chatter.
1. Odd Future
Seriously: Believe the hype.
2. Kanye West
The show everyone has been so excited about all week is tonight. And people have been lined up to see it for hours.
3. James Blake
Ain't he cute?
4. Smith Westerns
OK, "Weekend" is definitely the song of the year.
5. The Strokes
Their Thursday night show remains the talk of the town. Is there any way the new album lives up to the hype?
6. TV On The Radio
See: The Strokes.
7. Radiohead
They're not here. But every fan of theirs in town still wants them to be.
8. Toro y Moi
He's in Dallas tonight, but, clearly, this chillwaver made the best of his time here.
9. Lil B
The Based God makes his SXSW debut today.
10. The Black Lips
The more other acts' hype comes and goes, the more consistent the chatter has been for this Atlanta outfit's energetic live shows.
11. Yelawolf
Have you seen him live yet? On top of the most urgent rap delivery we've yet heard at SXSW, he also whips his hair back and forth like he thinks he's Willow Smith.
12. Gayngs
This 23-piece is doing fine on their own -- but add in the fact that member Justin Vernon is reportedly performing with Kanye tonight and, well, it only adds to the hype.
13. Fitz and The Tantrums
Again: Retro-soul
meets retro-R&B is about as close as you get to an all-encompassing
crowd-pleaser at this festival. (See: Raphael Saadiq at any festival in
2010.)
14. Bright Eyes
Done with his Monsters of Folk dalliance, Conor Oberst is headlining the free, outdoor Auditorium Shores stage tonight.
15. Foo Fighters
A full four days after their two-hour SXSW performance -- which came on the last night of the interactive portion and the first night of the music half -- and people are still jibber-jabbering about Dave Grohl and Co. Congrats to them for figuring out that Tuesday was actually the night to play Austin this year.
16. Jamie xx
If he's full band were here, they'd no doubt be in the top ten on this list; but, alas, Jamie's alone in town tonight. But people are still excited. His collaboration with Gil Scott-Heron hardly hurts.
17. The Raveonettes
The Danish trio has an official showcase this evening, and their moody new release is worth every bit the commotion it's receiving.
18. Janelle Monae
She stepped up the other night to replace dropped-off-the-festival performers Cee-Lo
Green and Lupe Fiasco. Also, she's awesome.
19. Wiz Khalifa
Black and yellow, black and yellow, black and yellow...
20. Okkervil River
New album, home town, blah blah blah.
21. Yuck
"Get Away" is the best song we've heard all year not called "Weekend."
22. Surfer Blood
2010 hype overspill.
23. Phantogram
Proof that MTV is still somewhat relevant.
24. Wild Flag
The dream of the '90s is also alive in Austin.
25. Foster the People
Because they're the closest thing 2011 SXSW has to 2008 MGMT.
26. Small Black
Songs about photojournalists are the new hotness.
27. Wu-Tang Clan
Where's Meth?
28. Jack White
He's long gone, but his mobile Third Man Records store is still around, somewhere.
29. Middle Brother
The most talked-up supergroup in tow this side of Gayngs.
30. Freddie Gibbs
The Sports Guy's favorite new rapper.
