Palma Violets, Red7, Austin Tx, 15 March 2013

Exploding into their set with a burst of energy and excitement, Palma Violets rocked out from their first song.With the charisma of the Libertines or Tribes they quickly won the crowd over. They clearly had picked up some fans in Austin already who were back for more.

Where some bands struggle with the minimal sound check allowed by short SXSW sets, they seemed to relish the immediacy of the arrangement. The band cracked into one tune after another and didn't allow for awkward silences between songs, keeping the music and banter going throughout.

Where other bands have awkward pauses and apologetic mumblings as they tune up and fix technical issues, the started after the most minimal of sound checks, jammed as instruments were tuned, and talked to the audience, not that them.

When they played they ripped through their songs like they were covering lost classics they'd known for years. They were not reverentially reproducing studio creations, but rattling through great rock and roll songs. Best of Friends was a stand out. The whole performance was blinding throughout.

Other SXSW reviews from Broken Biscuit Records:
My Jerusalem, Maggie Mae's
Dawes, Stages on Sixth
Tom Odell, Haven
Lord Huron, Mohawk
Thao and the Get Down Stay Down, Stages on Sixth
Jake Bugg, Radio Day Stage